A recent chart produced over at Engadget shows some very interesting information when it comes to comparing the likely iPad competitors. Here are the details and conclusions based on the tablet computers we are most likely to see emerge within the next few months.
Comparing The Tablets
I’ve said it before. 2011 will be the year of the tablet computer. It’s already shaping up that way and soon we will see the effects of a gold rush. But as I type this, there is only one major tablet that truly exists and that’s the iPad. The others are all announced and getting ready but we still have no direct iPad competitor that is for sale and being used.
Here are the main tablets that stand to compete with the iPad:
- HP Touchpad
- Motorola Xoom
- Blackberry Playbook
And if you look at the chart below you can see all of the specs. It’s very interesting to note that all of the “new” tablets have about the same technical specs as the “current” iPad with some minor differences that will be sealed up by iPad 2 (if all of the rumors are true). On another note, if the rumors of an iPad 2 release day of April is true, it could also beat all of these to market (once again).
The real question that everyone wants to know is how all these tablets will fair in the market. Will there be a more level playing field? Probably so. Will some fade away and not be able to keep up? Perhaps. It all comes down to app developer support, battery life, and quality. A potential issue with the Android devices is the fragmentation of the operating system and the fact that each manufacturer can decide if they will or won’t upgrade their tablet to the latest Android releases.
So what do you think of these specs?
Shane, some fun huh, sharing all these anticipated specs of all these anticipated competitors. I do seriously hope that many of them come to market. It can only mean great things for us consumers. Apple stuff can only get better with competition.
Hi there Roland…
These ones are definitely the ‘real deal’ but just not shipping….I have a feeling, though it won’t be long before we start seeing at lease one of these hit the shelves…and now people are already talking about iPad 3
I wonder if the apps that are or (are not) available for the newbie tablets will make the difference? These new tablets have a lot of catching up to do in the App arena. I also think that the iPhone helps the iPad’s familiarity to users. There is no guessing for those of us who have used an iPhone. It’s feels natural.
I think that anyone who buys one of these new devices will be taking a chance that there will be compatible apps, and also taking a chance on their ability to use the device effectively.
As a first generation iPad user, I don’t see my switching over to a new tablet from what I have seen so far, but I will keep my eyes open to new devices that that will be introduced.
Hi Sean. Thanks for the comment. Yeah, I’m definitely of the belief that the apps make the big difference here…..and you need a healthy app development community behind the platform to be successful. So far, I think android is the only one that comes close.
Isn’t the competitors’ ~4X the RAM of the iPad kind of a big deal? Also there is no mention of USB or SD ports on the non-iPads, which also seems like it would make a huge difference. I have not gotten the hang of “the Cloud” yet, and Documents to Go is driving me crazy, so … for my needs, a USB port would do wonders. I also think the Apple “apps” tend to be addictive but 95% of them are not necessary. I would be interested in one of these new tablets, like the Motorola with its great camera. But really if one of these could be somewhat smaller and lighter (maybe like the Galaxy) that would be great too. Ultimately it would be nice to carry ONE object that served as a mobile work- and fun-device AND a phone. That is, until we get processors implanted directly into our brains with power provided by our central nervous systems.
Hi Liz,
I think the RAM is definitely important but a lot of that depends on how the device uses the RAM in the first place…Apple’s Operating system’s have never really had as much RAM as others and have performed very well…but…it really depends.
I agree about the apps and there was a recent study somewhere that gave a huge percentage of apps that are only used once after download….I think they are great but you are right, a lot of them are not really necessary.
It will be interesting to see where we are in about one year from now…..
Processor and ram are no longer a big deal. It’s all a matter of how the OS runs. All of these specs are useless (except for screen resolution)…it’s gotten to the point of software being the deciding factor. WebOS looks amazing on their tablet.
But another factor is money spent after the sale…what am I suppose to do throw out all the money I’ve already spent on apps to buy an HP? I think apple has me over a barrel.
Tom,
You bring up a good point. Actually a really good point and in the world of marketing it’s called a “barrier” meaning HP has a huge barrier to overcome in terms of price because no matter what they do, all the iPad users now have an investment and the question is whether they will feel compelled enough to switch over….
A New Hope for TABLETS, APPLE is not alone, will depend on taste and battery life!!!!