Tablets: 7" vs 10" form factor ??

Status
Not open for further replies.
raksrules

raksrules

Oracle
I have a HP Touchpad which has the 10" screen (9.7" to be precise) and in the market most of the tablets are coming in either of these two configurations (7" or near 10"). I am not really using the HP touchpad much as i am more comfortable working on a laptop. I am not sure why i don't find much use of that but i feel somewhere it is to do with the form factor which i think, if was less, i would have used more. Not sure though.
So here on TE, what is the screen size you prefer for your tablet, 7" or something in range of 10" and what is the reason for your choice ??
 
I have both the IPad 2 and the Touchpad , the latter was an impulse buy because of the price drop...the problem is not the form factor with the TP, it's the OS, web-OS is a pile of crap compared to Android and iOS.

I almost sold my TP but decided to install CM 7.1 Alpha 2.1 on it and have never looked back, even though it's alpha and has a few rough edges (wifi dropping every once in a while, gpu acceleration does not work in some games etc.)...all the basic stuff works, e-book reader (the excellent Aldiko), web browser (Dolphin HD) and video player...that's all I use a tab for anyways.

Also have an Infuse 4G phone (Hummingbird @ 1.6 Ghz) with a 4.5" screen which is a mini tablet in and of itself but 4.5" is rather limiting despite the SAMLOED + goodness.

And when you need to have a real PC, nothing beats a nice 10-11" ultraportable (as long as it is not atom-based).

This is only for mobile needs though, at home nothing beats a proper desktop.

Long story short, every device has its use, you need to find what suits you best.
 
Apple doesnt have a 7" inch iPad so used to the 10" screen and i really like it ,might never choose 7" as i am using ipad more than my laptop.

I feel it depends the number of apps available for the tablet when it comes to choosing a brand and screen size.
 
Been using the iPad 2 since June. Previously all my browsing and downloading were done on a netbook which had a similar screen size but it wasn't exactly portable (in the sense that the netbook generates a lot of heat and cannot be kept atop the lap/belly when using it). As far as the display size goes, there isn't any difference (10" vs 9.7"). Functionality wise, other than losing on the Flash front (as a result some of the Youtube videos wouldn't load; HTML5 makes up for that) the tablet has been a perfect investment for me. Browsing is a breeze and I can type faster on the tablet than on a physical keyboard. The netbook has now become the sole 24x7 download machine and the occasional NAS.

I only wish I had gone for the 3G model instead since I have to rely on the home wi-fi connection (have to momentarily limit the speeds/pause torrent downloads on my netbook) but the miser that I am, I decided to invest in the cheapest model. :P
 
If i get the samsung galaxy Tab 7" (one with SIM card slot and GPS) for a good price, i would go for that, selling my TP since i too don't like replying on wifi for full time.
 
Very well summarized gannu,

now I also played with both Ipad 2and nook .used both but found nook portable and more important pocketable.

I prefer nook 7 inch.
 
I am expecting Nook prices to go down with launch of Nook Color 2 on 7th November. Currently there is a deal for refurb NC for 139$
 
I tried 7" and 10" tablets at Reliance Digital and found that I can hold 7" Tablets in my palm and use it with other hand, which is not possible with 10" Tablets.

Result, I have Samsung 7" Tablet (GT-P1000). :)
 
I think the reason people are still comfortable with laptops than tablets is not just about the size of tablets, but the usability as well. Size wise 8~9" would be just about right for a tablet, but more importantly, none of the tablets in the market are currently useful enough for someone to replace their laptop completely with a tablet unless they are not doing much except watching movies or playing games.

Personally, I don't really need a powerful laptop (although I have a fully spec'ed out Dell Lattitude 6420 for my work). What I would ideally want is a device that is capable of

- Unrestricted Internet experience (which includes both Flash and HTML5) via both WiFi and 3G

- Make changes to documents or presentations

- Get documents of a USB thumb drive or a external HDD without needing another computer

- Get photos of a camera so I can have a backup or need to clear up the memory on the camera for more photos.

- Hook up to a projector or TV to deliver a presentation

- Media playback with quick and simple drag drop

- Maybe a few games to pass time

- Maybe a few apps to increase usability.

- Min 8 hours of battery backup.

The closest tablet to this so far is eee Pad transformer with the dock and it doesn't have 3G. So far, all tablets are good for is consumption of content and they are little more than a smartphone with with a big screen in that aspect. they don't come close to even Netbooks in terms of productivity. Not everyone want just entertainment on the move and not everyone needs a full fledged and powerful laptop for productivity. There a are a lot of people who want a content consumption device with a few basic productivity features. The tablet should be a device that that bridges this gap and so far its been unsuccessful.
 
^You are actually very right. I recently got myself an Ipad and I have been struggling since to find a unique use for it. Yes, it can be used to browse the web, watch movies, listen to music, play games etc but then I am already able to do all that on my various other gadgets. Between my Desktop, Laptop, Netbook and a smartphone there is little use for a tablet like an Ipad. Its a slick device, no doubt but it does not do anything new or groundbreaking though whatever it does, it does so in style. The biggest use of the Ipad I have found so far is that it has made access to my 5000+ pics much faster and the over experience is much better. The other use as of now I have for the device is playing board games like Chess and Scrabble with my bro on it and using it as a photo frame.

As far as the topic goes, I guess 10" is an ideal size for a Tablet if you are looking for a laptop replacement solution. I have used Galaxy Tab too and found the screen a bit smaller to my liking. But in the end, I think its an individual choice. A 10" screen can be quite bulky if portability is your only concern but if its for occasional home/office usage then I guess a 10"screen would be more appealing.
 
I think I faced a similar situation as the OP, was using an iPad for a few days.My usage was lying down in bed :P and found that I prefered my laptop (12 inch x220) instead since it was somehow easier to hold and I still prefer a physical keyboard. I also felt that if the tablet was smaller I could hold it one handed and type with the other or something. Decided that my next tablet would be one of the 7 inchers.
 
My thoughts exactly same as bottle. I too prefer the physical keyboard over the virtual one. I may get a tab later but then it should have 3G/EDGE connectivity directly and GPS and Samasung Galaxy Tab 7" does fit in, but it is expensive even for used.

I may most probably sell off my touchpad soon as i see absolutely no use rather than it being a novelty item. My wife too never uses it.
 
For consumption-tablets

For production-laptops

I had an ipad and the old 7 inch tab,sold them both..both were pretty much useless for me.

Will only buy one if it comes with Windows/o.s X.
 
Have already listed my HP touchpad on craigslist here. Lets hope it goes soon. I may later buy the NC if its price goes under 100$. I think that should happen because NC2 is going to launch soon.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom