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Tablets forum: 1ST Tablet - Asus TF300 vs Sony S vs Toshiba Thrive?

by: ray9640 May 9, 2012 11:45 AM PDT

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1ST Tablet - Asus TF300 vs Sony S vs Toshiba Thrive?

by ray9640 - 5/9/12 11:45 AM

Hello,
Been haunting the Web last couple weeks to research tablets..originally just wanted an e-reader (Nook, Fire),but the more I looked, the more I didnt like the 7" screen, and found out I can get a 10" tab with all of its expanded functuality and still use as e-reader via apps downloads from Amazon & Nook. Eliminated Apple right off the bat, due to cost but mostly just dont like Apple and their "contributions" to American telecom. That said, I have narrowed possibles down to the TF300, Sony S, or Toshiba Thrive. I will not be a heavy user, will not be using for music, videos, 3G/4G mobile broadband, will not be tinkering with the OS...just vanilla fudge e-reader, loading some grandkid pics and a few songs to the memory, and periodic library visits for their WiFi to get e-books...plus some travel usage in hotel rooms to chk emails, etc.

In all honesty, I really like the looks of the TF300, but also the Sony. Threw in the Thrive for a tiebreaker, but the bulk of it is a negative although the price is not bad. I did eliminate some other good tabs due to severe ports limitations (Samsung, Lenovo ThinkPads)...since I am looking only at 16GB unit, would want some type of USB connectivity to swap files.

Any strong points for any of these with respect to the 2 others? Sony seems to be the highest, Thrive the cheapest, and TF300 in the middle. Love the idea of the docking station, but not a critical criteria. Just checked some prices and looks like TF300(16GB) down from $380 and change to around $350.

Thanks for your recs and inputs,
Ray


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My order of picking.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/9/12 2:59 PM

In Reply to: 1ST Tablet - Asus TF300 vs Sony S vs Toshiba Thrive? by ray9640

First this does not replace my PC. So I know not to expect what I do on my PC to happen on the tablet.

1. Screen quality. I'd have to see all three and then pick them from best to worst.
2. Battery times. Let's not repeat that Dell Streak fiasco.
3. Warranty. Some folk pick up a no-name and only discover later there is no service, can't buy a replacement item.
Bob


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Not replacing a PC, only used for...

by ray9640 - 5/9/12 6:55 PM

In Reply to: My order of picking. by R. Proffitt Moderator

e-reading and occasional wifi/email when traveling.
Hi Bob,
not buying it as a pc, dont expect that range of functionality and power.
Cant say I'm really concerned about battery life as I'll be using mostly
at home, and never for more than couple hours at a time. Have a
slow-snail-speed-DSL at home, so not much wifi-ing at home. As far
as your concern over warranty, all of these units have 1yr (plus an extra
year for me thru my credit card company) and company sponsored
regional repair locations...I called all 3 and they all will generally send a
new or refurbished unit if the repairs are not minor.

My post was primarily aimed at those who, like me, have researched
tablets extensively and have either bought one of these 3 and have hard
comments about it, good or bad, or those who do have extensive
knowledge of any or all of them, and wouldn't mind passing it along to
me. Actually my ranking of them is the Asus first, Sony next, and the
Thrive last, based on factors I determined as important in researching
them.

Thanks,
Ray


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Then the nod is to the display.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/9/12 7:13 PM

In Reply to: Not replacing a PC, only used for... by ray9640

Some get hung up on speed of the CPU but for a reader the display quality and battery times are the things I look for. And the display is personal which means we compare them in the store.

Hope this helps,
Bob


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1ST Tablet - Asus TF300 vs Sony S vs Toshiba Thrive

by baybreeze - 5/13/12 11:59 AM

In Reply to: 1ST Tablet - Asus TF300 vs Sony S vs Toshiba Thrive? by ray9640

I cannot vouch for the Asus or Sony, but I do have a Toshiba Thrive tablet and I love it. Yes, it's a bit bulkier and heavier than others, but that's because it has full-sized ports, such as full size USB, HDMI, and SD slots, along with some others. The best selling point for me is that it has a user replaceable battery, which others don't' have. So with others, when the battery finally dies and can't take any more charges, you have to buy a new tablet. With the Thrive, you can just buy a new battery. I think it has every port you can imagine. I think battery life is pretty much the same as the others. It all depends on what you are doing on it. If you are gaming, the battery will drain much quicker. Touch is very responsive, the screen resolution looks good to me. The back of the Thrive is replaceable as well, so if you don't like the black color, you can buy a different color to swap it out with. So for myself, the only cons of the Thrive are the bulk and weight, but I can live with it considering all it's other specs.


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Great Reply...didnt know about the battery situation...

by ray9640 - 5/13/12 1:58 PM

In Reply to: 1ST Tablet - Asus TF300 vs Sony S vs Toshiba Thrive by baybreeze

Thanks Baybreeze...very informative post on your Toshiba...you're right about the
bulkiness issue - an extra few ounces on a 1+ pound tablet really doesnt make that
much difference compared to the features, ports, and support level. I did not know
about the battery issue, and should have paid more attention to the specs on this.
Geez, replace a $300-400 unit for an $80 battery? Doesnt make sense...havent
bought anything yet, so will gratefully factor this into the buy equation. Take care,
Ray


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Great Reply...didnt know about the battery situation...

by baybreeze - 5/13/12 3:20 PM

In Reply to: Great Reply...didnt know about the battery situation... by ray9640

You are welcome. Many people don't know about this, and I think it's very important.


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