[Q] Transformer vs ipad

[doe eyes]

Hi,

I am a writer and I need a tablet for writing. I am looking for a moderately light weighted device on which I can use word/word like app to read, write, edit, open ms office docs ( with the slightest of changes possible)

I am not sure whether I should go for ipad or Transformer- In pages ( ipad) they provide a lot of features similar to word and you need to compromise on footnotes etc. Also I guess some slight inconveniences in import/export

Transformer - Polaris can open ms word files and edit

so am a bit confused which one to buy ...looking forward to suggestions

 

[ericc191]

The answer you're pretty much going to get here will be the TF. But that's not without good reason. Both are useful, but with the developer support here and the open environment of Android, you really can't go wrong with the TF.

 

[CarsnGadgets]

plus the keyboard doc makes it so much more useful for writing with.

 

[cottinghamm]

For what you describe I would recommend the TF, but this is the TF forum isn't it !

iPad is great for media consumption & there is a lot of developer focus on it right now, so the apps are abundant and very good.

Android on the TF feels like a good start - it is stable, provides a neat way to use the device & app support will grow rapidly.

Using the TF from a h/w perspective you can't go wrong - without the dock it is a good tablet and handles well - with the dock it becomes a good device for production of data, whether in word processing or spreadsheet.

I bought one last week & my wife (a total Luddite) is incredibly happy with it for writing her school reports, doing her home & work email & accessing all sorts of websites (even those with Flash).

 

[ThaiM]

iPad users can only do what their gawd Steve allows them to do.

 

[atz6975]

I dropped the ipad plus keyboard in favor of eee pad plus dock.
Typing with ipad is simply not practical because of dull keyboard support, and I'm beeing polite.
Eeepad is close to netbook and probably 90% of laptop usage potential. Keyboard is not perfect but with the mouse on top, it does allow for productive work.
Still, iOS is very very good at reading. Very really.
The other plus plus is usb and file system access.
I'm sure it will come to iOS soon but you never know the odd limitations you'll get.
Eeepad filesystem support is 100% out of the box and more if you root it.
I realized that producing documents requires that soon enough. I thought I could use Ipad + apps but the bottom line is that it didn't really allow the same producivity as Eeepad.
And the cost.....

 

[james robinson]

Hi,

I am a writer and I need a tablet for writing. I am looking for a moderately light weighted device on which I can use word/word like app to read, write, edit, open ms office docs ( with the slightest of changes possible)

I am not sure whether I should go for ipad or Transformer- In pages ( ipad) they provide a lot of features similar to word and you need to compromise on footnotes etc. Also I guess some slight inconveniences in import/export

Transformer - Polaris can open ms word files and edit

so am a bit confused which one to buy ...looking forward to suggestions

My vote goes to the TF!!! With the docking station, you can't go, especially in your field of work!!!

 

[wynand32]

This is exactly why I got the Transformer: I do a good deal of long-form writing, and wanted a platform that would give me a device I can take anywhere without worrying about power, is easy to use in a variety of circumstances, and has a good physical keyboard.

The Transformer works on all accounts. I use Quickoffice Pro HD for writing/editing Word docs, and sync via SugarSync. The only problem with this scenario is that there's a Honeycomb bug that doesn't allow for offline syncing via SugarSync. So, if I know I'll be away from an Internet connection I need to plan ahead re: which documents I take with me. That doesn't happen often, however, and there's always tethering via my phone in a pinch.

The keyboard on the dock is outstanding for pure writing, probably the best I've used on such a small machine. It's a bit smaller than standard, but has a very nice feel and performs well with the tablet (no lag whatsoever anywhere outside of the stock browser, where it doesn't really matter for me). And, the dock/tablet combo is preferable to a standard netbook/notebook in that it lasts for a solid 15-16 hours on a single charge between the dock and tablet batteries, and runs cool. That means I can use it at night in bed without worrying about covering any heat vents or having a flat surface to balance a tablet and separate Bluetooth keyboard.

And, the tablet itself works great for all the standard modern tablet stuff of media consumption, browsing, email, Twitter, etc. Simply put, as a writer, I can't think of a more functional, productive, and fun tool--and certainly, none for $550 total.

Highly recommended.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

 

[ericc191]

If you were to ask this question on an Apple forum, the response would be the exact opposite. Good luck.

Sent from my Rooted, OCed, Hinged out T-Mobile G2.

 

[eli.kennedy]

TF wins - but is not the only answer

Hi mate,

I own both an ipad and a TF. From a comfort of use point of view for content creation I vote the TF

This is the unfashionable thing to say on this forum but have you considered not using a tablet but getting a netbook instead?

Don't get me wrong - I love tablets and android but if this is a work tool you should ask yourself what feels good to use. You may find that a nimble little netbook with windows offers you more of what you need. lots of people prefer the familiarity of windows for work purposes.

It all just comes down to what your are most comfortable with.

 

[Digiguest]

This is the unfashionable thing to say on this forum but have you considered not using a tablet but getting a netbook instead?

Which is why the Transformer STILL wins over the iPad. Get the dock and it becomes a Netbook.

Win/Win.

I have a Transformer and a 1 gen iPad. Ever since I got the Transformer.....the iPad collected dust.

 

[kuobob]

I just got an iPad 2, and it is significantly lighter and easier to hold.
the screen quality is also around as good as the transformer's screen, except the low resolution on the ipad is very disappointing.

I've used both versions of the iPad before, and although the ipad 2 is much easier to hold, things tend to stick to the aluminum body of the iPads.

right now, I'm still stuck to the transformer

 

[escoe]

I'm a writer also and I opted for the TF over the iPad2. I assume that he wants the tablet for reading, and not actually writing on it. The TF is heavier which can make your arms tired if you dont rest it against something which is a pretty big negative. Otherwise the TF wins in every other category imo.

 

[Aryantes]

iPad is great for media consumption & there is a lot of developer focus on it right now, so the apps are abundant and very good.

Android on the TF feels like a good start - it is stable, provides a neat way to use the device & app support will grow rapidly.

This sums it up for me too.

I came from the iPhone as my first smartphone and real mobile device.

After switching to android, with Epic 4G, I was a little disappointed at the lack of apps in comparison. However, this is fixed with time and I like the android approach better.

I can deal with a few bugs here and there and a few force closes because I am comfortable with computers and troubleshooting etc. I am not sure if this is true of the average iPad buyer.

The dock on the TF sealed the deal for me. It is a fantastic mobile device. Long battery life, always on - no boot time, keyboard access, usable touchscreen interface (vs a touch tablet windows os or something), no fans, no heat, no noise. It is a bit different from a netbook.

Although, I also have a full 17" laptop... for real work purposes. For productivity and efficiency, I can't function that well with a small screen, low resolution, small keyboard etc. No idea how people can do it hehe.

For all the little things, that a tiny portable awesome device needs to do, the TF seems to work for me.

 

[wilbur-force]

Whilst I agree you will get a more 'pro tf 'view on here you will also get a better overview in here than on an apple forum as many tf users have tried both. On an apple forum you may struggle to find anyone who has even heard of a Tf.

I have a tf and my laptop now gathers dust .......