I'm pretty savvy when it comes to technological purchases - Unfortunately, I am also WAY TOO anal when it comes to my devices and I like them to look, act, respond, and treat me right...Anyway, over the past several weeks, I have been incredibly torn about which new 10" tablet to purchase and would like to share my journey - Slightly condensed...
It all started with my giving away my beloved XOOM to a close friend - He needed a tablet, limited funds, does a ton of sh*t for me, so off it went - The XOOM Wi-Fi was perfect - A bit heavy? Yes. Kind of outdated with its dual core? Sure. Nevertheless, the screen was crisp, no light bleed, never rebooted itself, and only froze once in 6 months - Not bad.
I needed to buy a new tablet....
Seeing as the XOOM (essentially) isn't for sale, at least mainstream-like, anymore, I first tried....
The ASUS TF700T Infinity - Not bad (internally) but the QC over at ASUS must truly suck! Light bleed around all four corners and 2 sides at the main boot screen, a slight "squeak/creak" when the screen was depressed too firmly, you get the picture. It was fast (enough) for a quad core CPU running ICS, but I found the ASUS tweaks of the FW boring and, coupled with the QC horrors, it went back. I actually exchanged the unit for another, unopened TF700T in the hopes I just got a bad member of some ill-fated batch. WRONG! Number 2 was number 2. Screen/light bleed was actually worse and the screen rippled if I pressed the back of the stupid thing. Well, I have given up on the TF700T and, sorry to say, ASUS as a brand.
Second up was the SONY Xperia Tablet S - Not bad at all - Nice screen, cool tweaked FW out of the box, quad-core, etc., etc., etc. Only slight bleed from 2 corners while I watched a movie but wasn't too bad (even for someone as scrutinizing as myself). But, if you're like me, you NEED a screen protector. You NEED a nice case. So off to Amazon I went and ordered 3 cases, knowing I would return the 2 I decided against. I swear to you all - each case forced me to remove the unit from said case for charging. Nuts! I also started to hate the SONY "water-resistance" covers that I had to pry off to charge the thing (don't bite your nails) and change the full size memory card - The full size memory card was just kind of weird in and of itself...Anyway, while none of this is really SONY's fault (and I DO like their products), back it went along with the other accessories - Oh yeah, maybe it's me (doubtful though) but I could not get a quality screen protector on it to save my life - Bubbles galore!
A week went by....
Still no tablet....
Then I was fuc*i%g around with my Galaxy S II, a phone I have enjoyed for almost eight months and one that has NEVER given me the slightest problem whatsoever and I "remembered"....Hey man! Samsung makes tablets! Right? Hell yeah, they do, and a quick trip to my local BB introduced me to the G-Tab 2 7 and the Note 10.1. I LOVED the price of the 7" tab ($249) but really wanted to stick with a 10" screen. I fiddled with the note and was in love - Not with the $499 tag, but it all looked so damn cool (in the store). Well...Yes. I bought it, Amazon(ed) screen shields and a case from MoKo and off to the races...Again. But, now, with the S-Pen!
First, I was able to find a TON of accessories for the thing from screen protectors to cases. I ordered a 3-pack of the Acase anti-glare shields and the MoKo PU Leather stand case - Admittedly, I screwed up 2 of these protectors - But it's a 3-pack so I had one more shot. With a little more time taken, Scotch tape and compressed air, I got the perfectly cut third one on 100% - And YES! The S-Pen works perfectly with the shield in place. trust me!
Then I slid it into the thoughtfully crafted and well-designed case from MoKo/Amazon and was pleased to see that I didn't even have to open the magnetic flip cover to charge it - AWESOME!
Now...I needed to turn it on (after inserting a nice Class 10 16GB card of course)
Guess what? Screen boots with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 text in white on a PITCH BLACK screen. yeah - It's black, like it should be. There isn't any light introducing from the corners nor ghostly images emanating from the side. It's just right. Simple, but right.
Like my GS2, it booted past the initial screen quickly and set-up was smooth sailing - An easy root, movie-watching test, quick benchmark (I won by the way) and I knew I had a keeper.
For what it's worth, SAMSUNG continues to earn MY business and will continue to (as long as they keep doing what they do). I don't give a rat's A## what others say is 'acceptable" concerning light bleed, creaking screens, etc. Let's face it. It's NOT acceptable at any level and, for $499 retail, it's also insulting. If one company can do it right, so can another one -
Sorry for rambling and thank me if this helps you buy your next tablet
PS - No! I do not work for nor am I affiliated with SS in ANY way!
It all started with my giving away my beloved XOOM to a close friend - He needed a tablet, limited funds, does a ton of sh*t for me, so off it went - The XOOM Wi-Fi was perfect - A bit heavy? Yes. Kind of outdated with its dual core? Sure. Nevertheless, the screen was crisp, no light bleed, never rebooted itself, and only froze once in 6 months - Not bad.
I needed to buy a new tablet....
Seeing as the XOOM (essentially) isn't for sale, at least mainstream-like, anymore, I first tried....
The ASUS TF700T Infinity - Not bad (internally) but the QC over at ASUS must truly suck! Light bleed around all four corners and 2 sides at the main boot screen, a slight "squeak/creak" when the screen was depressed too firmly, you get the picture. It was fast (enough) for a quad core CPU running ICS, but I found the ASUS tweaks of the FW boring and, coupled with the QC horrors, it went back. I actually exchanged the unit for another, unopened TF700T in the hopes I just got a bad member of some ill-fated batch. WRONG! Number 2 was number 2. Screen/light bleed was actually worse and the screen rippled if I pressed the back of the stupid thing. Well, I have given up on the TF700T and, sorry to say, ASUS as a brand.
Second up was the SONY Xperia Tablet S - Not bad at all - Nice screen, cool tweaked FW out of the box, quad-core, etc., etc., etc. Only slight bleed from 2 corners while I watched a movie but wasn't too bad (even for someone as scrutinizing as myself). But, if you're like me, you NEED a screen protector. You NEED a nice case. So off to Amazon I went and ordered 3 cases, knowing I would return the 2 I decided against. I swear to you all - each case forced me to remove the unit from said case for charging. Nuts! I also started to hate the SONY "water-resistance" covers that I had to pry off to charge the thing (don't bite your nails) and change the full size memory card - The full size memory card was just kind of weird in and of itself...Anyway, while none of this is really SONY's fault (and I DO like their products), back it went along with the other accessories - Oh yeah, maybe it's me (doubtful though) but I could not get a quality screen protector on it to save my life - Bubbles galore!
A week went by....
Still no tablet....
Then I was fuc*i%g around with my Galaxy S II, a phone I have enjoyed for almost eight months and one that has NEVER given me the slightest problem whatsoever and I "remembered"....Hey man! Samsung makes tablets! Right? Hell yeah, they do, and a quick trip to my local BB introduced me to the G-Tab 2 7 and the Note 10.1. I LOVED the price of the 7" tab ($249) but really wanted to stick with a 10" screen. I fiddled with the note and was in love - Not with the $499 tag, but it all looked so damn cool (in the store). Well...Yes. I bought it, Amazon(ed) screen shields and a case from MoKo and off to the races...Again. But, now, with the S-Pen!
First, I was able to find a TON of accessories for the thing from screen protectors to cases. I ordered a 3-pack of the Acase anti-glare shields and the MoKo PU Leather stand case - Admittedly, I screwed up 2 of these protectors - But it's a 3-pack so I had one more shot. With a little more time taken, Scotch tape and compressed air, I got the perfectly cut third one on 100% - And YES! The S-Pen works perfectly with the shield in place. trust me!
Then I slid it into the thoughtfully crafted and well-designed case from MoKo/Amazon and was pleased to see that I didn't even have to open the magnetic flip cover to charge it - AWESOME!
Now...I needed to turn it on (after inserting a nice Class 10 16GB card of course)
Guess what? Screen boots with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 text in white on a PITCH BLACK screen. yeah - It's black, like it should be. There isn't any light introducing from the corners nor ghostly images emanating from the side. It's just right. Simple, but right.
Like my GS2, it booted past the initial screen quickly and set-up was smooth sailing - An easy root, movie-watching test, quick benchmark (I won by the way) and I knew I had a keeper.
For what it's worth, SAMSUNG continues to earn MY business and will continue to (as long as they keep doing what they do). I don't give a rat's A## what others say is 'acceptable" concerning light bleed, creaking screens, etc. Let's face it. It's NOT acceptable at any level and, for $499 retail, it's also insulting. If one company can do it right, so can another one -
Sorry for rambling and thank me if this helps you buy your next tablet
PS - No! I do not work for nor am I affiliated with SS in ANY way!
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