[PIGMI] Best ePad for google

[Chris McCormick]

Hi Andy,

On Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at 07:34:09AM +0800, Andy Hawkins wrote:
> Anyone suggest any preferences?  This one looks okay.
>
> http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/pioneer-dreambook-epad-7-android-tablet/?cm_mmc=newsletter-_-20110324-_-prods-_-1684

I have the "Witstech A81E" which I bought online from a Canadian shop called
Merimobiles. I think it was about $200 when I bought it and is now available
for $189 from that shop.

<http://www.merimobiles.com/Witstech_A81E_Android_2_2_800MHz_CPU_Market_Free_p/meri0306.htm>

This 7" tablet runs Android 2.2 and has the market installed on it. Flash is a
bit of a dog so I don't install it. I basically use this for reading RSS feeds
through Google Reader, testing software I am working on, reading epub format
ebooks, and reading comics in cbr format (Transmetropolitan by Warren Ellis is
highly recommended!). I have successfully played TV shows on it too. I have
also started using this with a stylus to make little sketches. It used to suck
for that but recent updates have made the screen more sensitive.

Major downsides to this tablet:

 * Android Market on this device does not have all of the applications I can
see on my phone's version. I am not sure why this is. Most of the software I
install is from specific apks of stuff I need which I had to hunt down on the
net. Luckily a lot of the Free Software projects release apks on their
websites as well as in the Market.

 * The screen bevel sticks out a couple of millimeters so the edge of the
screen is apparent when you are using it. This may or may not be a con for you.
I don't mind it but I thought I would mention it.

 * If you are used to iOS' interface you may find Android's interface
unintuitive. I have the reverse problem now.

 * The resistive touch screen requires that you apply slight pressure.
Practically speaking this means gently using a thumbnail or fingernail (or a
stylus if that's your thing). For people used to iOS devices where the
slightest touch triggers the touch events, this could be annoying. When Simon
(an iPad user) tried it for the first time he could not unlock the lockscreen
and laughed out loud at the perceived crapness. I cried myself to sleep but I
feel better now.

On the last point, there is a new version of this tablet which has a capacitive
touch screen. Obviously this means you can't use a stylus with it. I have not
tried it so I can't suggest whether it's worth buying. It comes in two version
and I can't work out the difference between them:
<http://www.merimobiles.com/Witstech_A81G_New_Version_with_Full_USB_p/meri0544.htm>
<http://www.merimobiles.com/Witstech_A81G_Capacitive_android_2_2_GPS_free_batt_p/meri0550.htm>

 * No 3G (wifi only).

 * iPad owners will laugh at you and give eachother smug, knowing smiles and
winks. This may or may not be a downside for you. It helps a lot to gently
cradle the five devices you bought for the price of one of theirs, and rock
back and forth whispering to yourself soothingly. Later you can throw a few
darts into the picture of Steve that you have hanging on your wall.

Conclusion: I am super happy I bought this device. As a geek and it allows me
the level of customisability and hacking that I want. Also it has that
"Shanzai" cred for not being a mainstream brand, but was rather created in some
small backwoods of Shenzen. In my head the people who made it are like
characters from Blade Runner, hacking away in their Shenzen cyberpunk sheds, and
that makes me feel good.

For the tasks that I use it for (mostly reading with some TV shows and some
development) it works very well.

Cheers,

Chris.

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http://mccormick.cx