[eclein]

OK....I'm getting a Rent rebate check pretty soon (July) that I will use to get a tablet and I'm on the fence, I want to surf, email, control my Squeezebox Duet...thats pretty much it. I saw yesterday where HTC just came out with a possibly, actually good android tablet. I don't need alot of storage and if I do I'll just get an AirStash wireless flash drive device. I'm tired of itunes and all my gadgets now are drag and drop to load music on and I like that rather than the syncing up thing. I do like ipeng and its options alot so thats keeping the ipads in the mix- if I went out tonite to buy one I would get an ipad 1 or 2 as I'm like 5 points more to that side of the choice so lets vote, spend my money, what would you get??? Please vote
 Thanks!!

[kevinh]

iPad owner, great device interface of the future in a lot of ways. If i were buying now I would get the iPad2. Not familiar with the Droid devices though.

[ctviggen]

Just got my wife an iPad first gen, 16 GB.  I downloaded an app for the Squeezebox. 

To be honest, neither one of us can figure out what to do with the iPad.  We use it to surf the net and -- every once in a while -- to control the squeeze box.  Other than that, for two people who don't play games, won't use it for music or movies (we have audio in the garage, kitchen, bedroom, on the deck, and two audio/HT systems including a projector), we haven't been able to figure out what to do with the iPad. 

If I had it to do over again, I'd have got her an iPhone, although the $30/month data plan forever puts a damper on that, too.  But with an iPhone, we could look up restaurant phone numbers and reviews while we're out, put our schedules on it, etc.  Even if you get the iPad with 3G, the devise is physically too large to carry like a phone.

[zybar]

Just got my wife an iPad first gen, 16 GB.  I downloaded an app for the Squeezebox. 

To be honest, neither one of us can figure out what to do with the iPad.  We use it to surf the net and -- every once in a while -- to control the squeeze box.  Other than that, for two people who don't play games, won't use it for music or movies (we have audio in the garage, kitchen, bedroom, on the deck, and two audio/HT systems including a projector), we haven't been able to figure out what to do with the iPad. 

If I had it to do over again, I'd have got her an iPhone, although the $30/month data plan forever puts a damper on that, too.  But with an iPhone, we could look up restaurant phone numbers and reviews while we're out, put our schedules on it, etc.  Even if you get the iPad with 3G, the devise is physically too large to carry like a phone.

Bob,

If its abilities don't match your use cases, why keep the iPad?

All the things that you don't have an interest in are why I own two iPads.  I also love having an iPad for travel.  Lots of functionality in one easy to transport unit.

Back to the OP's question...

I have played  bit with the Motorola Zoom and it is nice.  It is heavier and won't have all the apps that the iPad offers, but it does give you more options to customize and will of course support flash.

George

[eclein]

Acer just came out with ICONIA tablet which had some bright spots and they are getting closer....ipad2 is the overall pick and I have found it interesting where regarding ipads, some folks can't imagine life without them or can't imagine how to use them in their life.

I haven't seen one Android tablet yet thats even on par with an ipad, I thought Viewsonic would offer a solid performer but they came and went,  prices were slashed and they were an afterthought within a month of release. Galaxy is just too expensive, Playbook is still in the running but I think the Zoom is not and that new Acer runs Android 3.0 optimized for tablets but has issues with grid lines on the screen and I wait to hear about the newly released HTC tablet...that may win, I have a HTC phone and its very well made but I'm sure others will sight problems like they all have.......interesting...

[eclein]

So like in the last week since I posted this like a bunch of tablets are now out-HTC Flyer- or coming out-Galaxy 10.1-and thing are much more interesting. ipad2 looks like the one I'll get as I decided to let this poll be the decision maker-yes I was on the fence that much. I kinda knew ipad2 would be the winner I think in the back of my mind. But seriously there are alot of new things happening, Chromebooks are less than or the same as the cheapest ipad2 and they are a totally new thing to add to the mix even though it more than a tablet, maybe I'll get two, 1 apple and 1 android

[Pez]

Android pads have at least one year before they are any where near the tight integration of the iPad 2. They will get there (way quicker than the jokers in Redmond), but they are just not there yet in either hardware or software. Personally I'm just excited that other companies are making a leading and strong showing in the future of computing other than MS. 

[eclein]

Yep Pez I totally agree this year its ipad2 for me then keep an eye on the android stuff, some of the latest ideas are really neat, basically detaching the top part of a laptop and using it as a pad and being able to attach it to its keyboard mate.
 I'll be in line with cane and all when the first ChromeTabletBook comes out...LOL. Acer, Samsung, and all the other players are stepping up and grabbing pretty big hunks of the pie, Apple I think will soon come out with a new mind blowing take on these. I read somewhere today where they are trying to buy or partner with some big company that makes pretty nifty displays (I can't remember the names of the parties involved) so look for the next big thing soon I think. Its a fun time these days with all the new nifty gadgets!!!

[orthobiz]

Apple Apple Apple
If it wasn't for Apple, there would be no market in these tablets.
So, one company may leapfrog over Apple, but it's likely to be temporary.
And the lead Apple has in available Apps is unlikely to be toppled easily or any time soon.

Buy others if you have limited need in the future.

Buy Apple for life.

Paul, an evangelistic one-sided blinder-wearing Apple nut since 1988

[Pez]

Paul, it's clear that you are biased. Clearly you have considered the truth way too much in your logic.

Sincerely,
Fellow Mac fanatic

PS also I think you need to give Microsoft some credit, if it weren't for their epic ineptitude we'd all be carrying around tablets with attached styli right now. 

[eclein]

Did you guys read where people are starting to publicly speak out that Ballmer should step down, I agree, where are they-they are living in the past.
 With the money that company had they could have a huge data center in every state and own the clouds!!!!
 So Paul should I get Apple???.....LOL

[TheChairGuy]

I vote D, Ed - save your rent check rebate and stock up on acorns

I own and iPad2, and increasingly find it neat, but it is as much as 'must' in my life as TV is...which is to say it's really more yippee, than substantive (that is, gain efficiency, increase knowledge or get ahead in life)

It's a neat 'tweener' device.....replaced capably by a few other devices commonly available today.

[eclein]

Canned goods and water for my shelter...nah...ipad2 I love gadgets and it took me like 5-6 years to finally get the Sleek Audio SA-6 IEM's I lusted after for years so this year I'm trying to be more current and I can sit in my chair and control everything right now so adding a yippee cool ipad2 to my cave is a good thing. It also serves as another reason for my boys to come visit and play with Dad's toys....LOL.
 I just found about 6-8 PS3 games, current ones real cheap so I got the gaming angle covered...LOL...My ex-wife is a real pitch and the more they bug her to come visit the better my chances are to see them, I sold her my car and can't drive anymore so I'm like stuck up here 50 miles or so to far to walk...I'm working on it though!!!

[Pez]

What's with the false equivalency here? iPad 2 may not be food and water important but it's at least as important as sex and medicine right?

As for the incompetent used car salesman Aka Steve 'loud-mouth-do-nothing' Ballmer there is no hope even if there were a serious movement to ouster him they will not be able to. He is too entrenched in MS DNA at this point.

[TheChairGuy]

Heck Ed - you didn't tell your reasoning was as a weapon of retribution back at your queenie ex-Wife...in which case buy the iPad 2.

I think it's got sharper edges than iPad original 

John

[eclein]

John, I needed that laugh-Thanks!!!!
I should get two

[eclein]

....and then the Galaxy Tab 10.1 came on the scene.......