Sub-£200 Android tablet

[scaryjim]

Can you get N.O.V.A., Dead Space or Sprinkle for the Playbook? I don't think so.

N.O.V.A. 2 HD £1, Dead Space £7, Sprinkle .... Apparently not. But as they say, two out of three ...

Can the Playbook play .avi or .mkv files?

Yup

Does it do multitasking like Ice Cream Sandwich?

The Playbook does multitasking, and does it *very* well. I can't give you a direct comparison with MT in ICS, as I've never used ICS, but I imagine it's at least as good, and probably better.

Does the Playbook have GPS?

Yup

Can it send files via bluetooth to any bt-enabled device without the use of a 1st-party or 3rd-party app?

AFAIK yes, although I never really use bluetooth.

Can it turn-on really quick?

As quickly as any other mobile device I've used from cold boot (so not very quickly, no), but obviously from standby it's instant, and standby battery life is ridiculous - a couple of weeks.

Does it have a battery life of at least 8-10 hours?

Comfortably, I've listened to a full day's test match cricket on it before with ~ 65% battery drop.

All these questions are my concern for the Playbook.

Well, now I've answered them



Obviously this comes down to your choice, and if it's as simple as you want an Android tab, then get an Android. But don't dismiss the Playbook out of hand - it's a great piece of kit. See if you can get a demo of one somewhere (big electrical retailers should have one available to play with) and actually try it out - you won't find another tablet of the same quality, with 64GB storage, at that price...

[Spud1]

To echo the above - the playbook is not going the way of the touchpad, since RIM is continuing to support it and has pledged to released BBOS10 for it..meaning that it will be able to run the same apps as the new BBOS10 handsets. OK there are questions bout RIMs longterm future, but that won't be a certain for a few years yet, well outside the lifetime of the playbook imo

It's certainly the best quality tablet you can get for under £150 - love mine, especially for video since the screen is excellent.

You can get a lot of chinapad for that sort of money though - a 10" Chineese tablet running 4.0.4 with an IPS screen will set you back around £140, or a 7" version for around £95 (from Focalprice)..about £10 more on amazon.

They are still worth a look if you google them beforehand - most have reviews and user communities that can help out in revealing the good ones and bad ones (see my other thread for my experience with one of the cheaper ones).

[gino_76ph]

My issue with Playbook are still the issue of bluetooth. The iPad 3 has bluetooth 4.0 standard and yet because of their "close' OS you can only send files to another iOS device. With an Android-powered tablet you can send any file to any bt-enabled device with no problems whatsoever. For me this issue is important.

Another issue is the App World. I havn't seen any Playbook running this so-called Android Player. Even if it does does it have my favourite Android app in there? Probably not. Probably 7 out of 10 the app or game won't be there.

Also, re: playing .avi & .mkv files would i need an app to do that? Will it just play straight away? Where do i find the app? Does it support subtitles as well?

Can i transfer files via USB from my Mac? Drag n' drop?

And does it support Flash & HTML5 standards?

But, i could be wrong.

[Spud1]

My issue with Playbook are still the issue of bluetooth. The iPad 3 has bluetooth 4.0 standard and yet because of their "close' OS you can only send files to another iOS device. With an Android-powered tablet you can send any file to any bt-enabled device with no problems whatsoever. For me this issue is important.

The playbook goes one better in that it has WiFi based file sharing included - much much more useful these days...I appreciate you probably have a specialised purpose in mind here, but I can't figure out what it could be I am curious though if you want to tell! Maybe we can suggest an alternative means.

Another issue is the App World. I havn't seen any Playbook running this so-called Android Player. Even if it does does it have my favourite Android app in there? Probably not. Probably 7 out of 10 the app or game won't be there.

Well this is the whole point - you are not supposed to know that it's there, it's running in the background. You can find out, but no need for it to be visible..even more so with the new 2.1 update. Yes it's true that many android apps are *not* there, and the app store is the playbook's limitation. Check the online version of the store to see if the app you want is there or not.

Also, re: playing .avi & .mkv files would i need an app to do that? Will it just play straight away? Where do i find the app? Does it support subtitles as well?

The app is built in, it's on the home screen and called "Videos". I have never tried subtitles on it but I would expect them to work without any problems. There are free alternatives and (just like on Android!) they are better/more customisable than the built in. The built in player will suffice for most needs though.

Can i transfer files via USB from my Mac? Drag n' drop?

And does it support Flash & HTML5 standards?

Yes, yes, yes and yes. Drag and drop over USB is fine - I never use that though, I just use the wifi transfer as it's so much easier (I have actually lost my USB cable for it..but have not needed it for 12 months!). My playbook doesn't even need to be in the same room to push or pull files to/from it. And yes this feature is built in

The browser is amongst the best I have seen on a tablet - full flash and HTML 5 support, and the flash implementation is surprisingly good/quick.

But, i could be wrong.

Yes in this case- but does it matter? From your questions etc I don't think the Playbook is the tablet for you; not trying to have a go or anything but it does sound like your mind is already set on Android - and there is nothing wrong with that! plenty of other options out there

[Biscuit]

I would just like to chirp in and say that I have had zero issues with my nexus. The problem does exist and it's not just haters, but I would have thought by now if you get one bit will be newer stock with the problems ironed out. If not, you will know almost immediately after taking it out the box so just take it back and get it replaced.

I love this device, it's become my primary casual browsing tool aswell as being hugely useful at work in conjunction with shared drop box folders.

Would be nice to have more storage Il admit but as mentioned, there are solutions available!

[purdz]

I got my nexus about 2 weeks ago now and absolutely love it. It's lightning quick, great selection of apps and has become my go to browsing/email device. I've even started buying and reading magazines with Zinio on it, Something I never thought id do.

It's a great little tablet to carry around and the size feels just about right. I've not had any of the dodgy bezel issues or whatnot. It feels like a very very sturdy little tablet and the screen is great. Not quite IPad retina great but it's fine for everything ive needed it for. The lack of an SD slot is a slight failing imo but ive not got near the 16gb limit yet with loads of music and a few films and it's absolutely no effort to plug it into a laptop etc and replace what media you have on it.

Combined with my samsung galaxy nexus and its 3g & wifi tethering I have a great little mobile device for browsing and working even when im out and about.

Highly highly recommend it for £200.

Btw with the stock issues, I couldn't find it in stock at the pc world outlets in Central/London that i visited so i bought it directly off of the play store.

I've used a few tablets (though not the playbook admittedly) and I can honestly say I would pick the nexus 7 everytime.

[dangel]

Zero problems with our nexus either - feels solid and performance is fab. Would I buy again? Sure!

[gino_76ph]

I just thought i'd ask my thoughts aboyt the Playbook because of the bargain price right now. From what i am hearing so far i feel the Playbook is "incomplete" and immature because of a part-close OS, lack of apps & games and basically the hardware doesn't complement the software. That is my opinion.

[Biscuit]

I think its a good buy if your not sure of the tablet form factor, but if you know what you want to do and its more than the playbook can currently offer, dont beat around the bush... get a N7

[gino_76ph]

Issues still remain. You know none of the Curry's/Dixons/PCWorld have a fully-working non-demo Playbook in-store. It is non-existent. So, there is simply no way i can try the device myself. (other than perhaps steal one or beg the manager crying in-store until he calls security or the police)

If no one here knows the answer to my bluetooth question then let me amend it: How can one transfer a file from a Macbook to a Playbook via wifi?

Lastly, this "sideloading" of Android thing. Why do i need to "sideload" Android apps? can i not just go an app store and download the apps & games that i like? And again, how would i know if an app is from RIM or Google? if say we have 60,000 apps "in general" in the App World. So, would that mean some of them are actual Android apps? Or are Android apps be "on top" of the 60,000 figure? I would like a device that i can just download stuff directly to a market or app store. Easier isn't it

[pp05]

Issues still remain. You know none of the Curry's/Dixons/PCWorld have a fully-working non-demo Playbook in-store. It is non-existent. So, there is simply no way i can try the device myself. (other than perhaps steal one or beg the manager crying in-store until he calls security or the police)

If no one here knows the answer to my bluetooth question then let me amend it: How can one transfer a file from a Macbook to a Playbook via wifi?

Lastly, this "sideloading" of Android thing. Why do i need to "sideload" Android apps? can i not just go an app store and download the apps & games that i like? And again, how would i know if an app is from RIM or Google? if say we have 60,000 apps "in general" in the App World. So, would that mean some of them are actual Android apps? Or are Android apps be "on top" of the 60,000 figure? I would like a device that i can just download stuff directly to a market or app store. Easier isn't it

I have been in my local PC world and they did have one switched on. I think outside of that you're best bet is YouTube and just watch videos of the things you want to do. for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZmpvnu33p8 to get an idea.

Sideloading is being done by some simply because the functionality will come to an end and as of yet the take up by Android developers in submitting their apps for approval by BB was not as high as expected - maybe this was a marketing issue. This is increasing but it's fair to say some apps will not work as good as they would on Android based devices.

[GTX Matt]

I use a Seagate GoFlex Satellite 500GB HHD with my Nexus 7 works well streaming video over WiFi but I'm sure there is better WiFi HHD out there.

[Spud1]

Gino - wifi transfer is drag and drop to a shared drive that appears in finder. Really simple

Sideloading is the same principle. Clearly you won't be using this feature to pirate paid for software, so you can just go to one of many websites on the internet which have free android app APKs already converted to the blackberry BAR format. You then just drag/drop them via wifi sharing as mentioned above, navigate to them with a file manager and click to install.

There is a blackberry app store but until android developers submit them (for free) they won't appear in the store.

If you need one that you can't find pre-converted, then get the APK from an android app store and run it through some free one-click conversion software, very easy

If you want one to play with then try asking in-store - they *should* open one up for you, but if not..you can buy one, take it home to play with and then take it back if you don't like it. Although not best practice you can claim it's broken, they don't have a clue how to test it and will always take your word.

I think you should buy an android tablet tbh as I said before - I think you'll be too frustrated with a playbook as right now until BBOS10 is released you do have to do a bit more work than normal to get everything working perfectly.

[ryandigweed]

So have you finally made a decision ???

[gino_76ph]

My decision is i am still undecided. But I'll have to rule out the Playbook i'm afraid. In terms of features, capability and the overall OS and App store environment it would be better with either an Android or iOS tablet.

How about any thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and the Acer Iconia A110 tabs?

[garreh]

Nexus 7. Your be hard pressed to find a better tablet in the sub 200 price range. Even the Nexus 2012 model is still holding strong in the tablet arena a year on.