Tablet Computing

So it's been over six months since Apple started selling the iPad... so many people are enjoying the tablet almost-computer, and others are anxiously awaiting the Next Big Thing. The hype has been all about the Android operating system and using it on larger-than-cellphone devices - much like Apple is using the same OS it created originally for the iPhone.

Enter the Samsung Galaxy Tab. After much waiting, hype, and anticipation, this Next Big Thing is now available to the general public - if you don't mind paying premium prices through the various cellphone service providers. Reviews are starting to come from the various geek sources (Engadget for one), giving all the details about the size, handling, capabilities, etc. For all the tech details about the processor, memory, and expandability, they have all the information.

I took some time this afternoon and hustled over to my local cell provider, where they have both of these top-running tablet computers available for the public. At first glance, the obvious - the Tab is a smaller device. It is much larger than your average phone - even something as large as a Droid X or Incredible - but small enough to hold in one hand if you have a fairly wide grip. The feel as you hold it is fairly solid - this isn't some cheap import just trying, but a sturdy little machine. But the surface seemed almost sticky, and my fingers couldn't slide across it easily. Trying to type was a little difficult as well - although it is smaller than the iPad, and provides a decent portrait thumb-able keyboard for quick use, turning the Tab to a landscape profile made it an entirely different beast. The keyboard was no longer small enough to reach easily with just the thumbs, but was too small to type on as a normal keyboard. Visually the interface was decent - much as one would expect from the smaller android cellphones. I did not spend too much time working the various applications pre-loaded, only checked out what was available and seeing how the web and typing might work out.

The iPad is almost a normal-sized computer in comparison. It's larger size does make it heavier, but it does feel very solid (as with most all of Apple's products), and although the portrait profile is about as wide as the Tab's landscape, with the same difficulty in "thumb typing", when you turn the iPad its landscape keyboard is about the same size as your average netbook keyboard. And the smooth-glass screen on the iPad makes it easier to slide your fingers across and not feel like you're sticking to the screen or trying to type on some kind of rubber surface.

Both seem to be capable almost-computers overall. They offer a decently portable size for simple entertainment pleasures, but do fall short when it comes to some computing power, because of the limitations from their operating systems, I think. But there is a difference in price, with the smaller Tab averaging to be more expensive than a comparable iPad. Yes, the Tab does have two cameras to the iPad's none, and the Tab also provides expandability with an SD-card slot easily accessible on the edge. But after getting some time playing with the two nearly side-by-side, I am still leaning towards the iPad for ease of use and capability overall.

Granted, I wouldn't turn down either one if it were given to me as a present, but when I get to the point of buying something to replace my aging laptop and iPod Touch, I will probably be looking into the iPad to combine the best of both worlds.

Keep trying, Samsung... you're almost there.