Notion Ink vs. All Tablets/Pads - My thoughts

[gamersat678]

I visited a local Bestbuy store today to help my friend decide on a tablet for his b-day. I already have an Adam and I love it, but I couldn't seem to convince my bud to get one-due to the fact that obtaining the Adam can take some time. He wants one as soon as possible so he can take notes and use ebooks at his college, the same reasons why I bought my tablet.

The Story:
We entered the tablet section and it was impressive to say the least, the shear amount of tablets and store management in that one area. As we looked around I thought to myself "Did I really buy the right tablet or is there a better one here. Could I have waited a bit longer and got this..." After some exploration we had decided that 7" was to small and my friend needed something bigger. That left out the Playbook, HTC Flyer, 7'' Tab, and Streak. Moving on we had an HP gal give us a speech on why HP's tablet was "the one" for you. My friend after the HP disscusion told me that he won't look at a tablet unless its Andriod or IOS (reason: not enough apps). That eliminated the Touchpad. We then looked at the XOOM, Acer, 10" Tab, Transformer (Asus), and Toshiba (Thrive). While looking at the ASUS, what I thought to be a spectacular device, we found ourselves looking for a USB Type A Port. None existed, unless you got the keyboard attachment! Disappointed, he liked the Transformer otherwise, we walked over to the XOOM found no USB. Looked at Acer and Thrive, gave it a thumbs up (each had a port). The final destination was the hot 10" Galaxy Tab. A Samsung sale specialist gave us a speech much like the HP lady, and then tried to convince us that a USB port wasn't important. After a couple attempts of convincing us, he told us that we could get an adapter that had a USB port. When that was over my friend told me he just wanted the device to work. "I want a device with no optional accessories required" Was his exact words.

The battle damage came out to this.....

Acer Iconia -Possible Candidate
Asus Transformer -No USB
Blackberry Playbook -To Small
Dell Streak -To Small
Galaxy 7" -No USB
Galaxy 10" -No USB
HP Touchpad -No APPS
HTC Flyer -To Small
Ipad 2 -Possible Candidate
Toshiba Thrive -Possible Candidate
Xoom -No USB

His tablet of choice at the moment is the Thrive. After seeing all the Tablets I'm sure of one thing. I made the right choice a long while ago. As a college student I need a USB, a fairly large screen, and a tablet that won't slide out of my hands ( a good case will work too). I'm surprised to see that not many tablets fill this simple order. The only thing in my opinion the Adam lacks is a larger resolution. But if it had a larger resolution I wouldn't have Pixel Chi. I'm not to impressed with Notion Ink's competition. I'm glad I bought an Adam.

[rutherford]

That's a fair point. But very few people decide to buy a tablet based on USB drive being the prime driver, which is why it isn't that important anymore.

To say "not much competition" comparing USB availability doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but to each his own. It's right for you and that's always accepted.

[MATrickett]

By jumping through some hoops you can also get USB's functioning on those other devices... Just to play Devil's Advocate.

On a personal note, while I'm happy enough with the Adam, I think that I'm back to the notion that no device out there is really mature enough to attract me into another purchase. Certainly none of the "contenders" that people seem to be getting orgasmic over at the moment.

[gamersat678]

After a couple attempts of convincing us, he told us that we could get an adapter that had a USB port.

Yep I'm well aware of enabling USB support on those other devices. You just have to buy another accessory and then carry it around all the time and not lose it. For some this works. Me, I'd rather not have to worry about carrying another adapter. Have too many cables in my backpack as is and afraid of losing the USB adapter at the very time I need it. -Still can't find my micro usb cable I lost during 4th quarter.



Certainly none of the "contenders" that people seem to be getting orgasmic over at the moment.

Haha we're a lively group aren't we?

[MATrickett]

Yep I'm well aware of enabling USB support on those other devices. You just have to buy another accessory and then carry it around all the time and not lose it. For some this works. Me, I'd rather not have to worry about carrying another adapter. Have too many cables in my backpack as is and afraid of losing the USB adapter at the very time I need it. -Still can't find my micro usb cable I lost during 4th quarter.
I missed that bit of the first post, my bad. Suffice to say, however, there are advantages and disadvantages to each setup and it really comes down to specific requirements as to what is going to suit over any other setup.


Haha we're a lively group aren't we?
No more than numerous niche groups, but yeah. I mean, you've come away from the Adam with a positive experience. Just take a look at rutherford's 'blog and you'll see another perspective.

[rutherford]

Hehe

Yes my friendly perspective. But then I dislike NI a lot more than I do Adam.