21” Android tablet…my personal review
Discussion
(I do not work for ANY PC/Pad etc company and this is my personal opinion not any form of advertising or else.)
About a month ago I came across an article regarding Lenovo N308. In short this was desktop (kind off) 19.5 “ Android pad.
I liked the concept but the price was way above £300 mark so I couldn’t see me getting anything like this.
Fast forward to a week ago I visited a friend and in his kitchen was this great looking 21” HP Slate Android pad mounted on the wall with Bluetooth keyboard and mouse on the worktop.
My first reaction was to laugh, but he stopped me and asked me to look at it as a High spec TV with full Internet capabilities.
I’ve read few reviews on a different AiO (All in one) Android based computers/pads… whatever you call them.
99% of the reviews were very, very negative. However all of them were approaching this….. from a DESKTOP prospective. The request from my friend to look at it from a different prospective made the whole Android Pad looks much more appealing.
If you look for a second TV with full Internet and games experience it is simply superb.
Later this very evening after I came back home I’ve checked the HP web site and…..surprise, surprise, they had the same set up for £199.00 including next day free delivery. Needless to say I’ve bought one on the spot. It was delivered 36 hours later and I am delighted. After activating my Google account I had all my apps loaded and the fun started.
XBMC is running superb, Catch on TV as well but the main benefit for me is that I can watch over 50 Italian TV channels using Google Apps. It feels like I am at home in Italy.
The display is FULL HD and the TV looks superb, not to mention Netflix, the whole new world.
This will not replace your main TV by far, but if you want/need second TV for your bedroom, kitchen, this is the best you will ever need. E-mail, internet browsing, Skype etc.Touch screen control or with wired/Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and you are laughing.
Why pay 250/350 /450 for 7-10” pad when you can get this for only £199.00 ?
Yes of course there are few negatives, NO battery, so needs to be plugged, only 8GB storage (but 3 USB ports and Card reader) and only 1GB of RAM. However this is a small price for such a great gadget.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/ads/slate-21/specs.html
About a month ago I came across an article regarding Lenovo N308. In short this was desktop (kind off) 19.5 “ Android pad.
I liked the concept but the price was way above £300 mark so I couldn’t see me getting anything like this.
Fast forward to a week ago I visited a friend and in his kitchen was this great looking 21” HP Slate Android pad mounted on the wall with Bluetooth keyboard and mouse on the worktop.
My first reaction was to laugh, but he stopped me and asked me to look at it as a High spec TV with full Internet capabilities.
I’ve read few reviews on a different AiO (All in one) Android based computers/pads… whatever you call them.
99% of the reviews were very, very negative. However all of them were approaching this….. from a DESKTOP prospective. The request from my friend to look at it from a different prospective made the whole Android Pad looks much more appealing.
If you look for a second TV with full Internet and games experience it is simply superb.
Later this very evening after I came back home I’ve checked the HP web site and…..surprise, surprise, they had the same set up for £199.00 including next day free delivery. Needless to say I’ve bought one on the spot. It was delivered 36 hours later and I am delighted. After activating my Google account I had all my apps loaded and the fun started.
XBMC is running superb, Catch on TV as well but the main benefit for me is that I can watch over 50 Italian TV channels using Google Apps. It feels like I am at home in Italy.
The display is FULL HD and the TV looks superb, not to mention Netflix, the whole new world.
This will not replace your main TV by far, but if you want/need second TV for your bedroom, kitchen, this is the best you will ever need. E-mail, internet browsing, Skype etc.Touch screen control or with wired/Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and you are laughing.
Why pay 250/350 /450 for 7-10” pad when you can get this for only £199.00 ?
Yes of course there are few negatives, NO battery, so needs to be plugged, only 8GB storage (but 3 USB ports and Card reader) and only 1GB of RAM. However this is a small price for such a great gadget.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/ads/slate-21/specs.html
Edited by pavka007 on Tuesday 13th May 19:05
Interesting idea. Not a tablet and I think you mate has it right on the smart TV vs PC roles.
This page made me laugh though. http://store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/show.aspx?p=c-sl...
Is the bloke using it in the middle really tiny?
This page made me laugh though. http://store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/show.aspx?p=c-sl...
Is the bloke using it in the middle really tiny?
DervVW said:
I have often wondered why they don't do a full 40, 50 etc size smart TV with android inbuilt
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=android+stick&am...SystemParanoia said:
DervVW said:
I have often wondered why they don't do a full 40, 50 etc size smart TV with android inbuilt
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=android+stick&am...pherlopolus said:
I am intrigued how you get live TV on these, do you have a WiFi/Bluetooth tuner, or only use it for pre recorded programs?
Over the internet via something like this http://www.tvcatchup.com/Most of the separate services offer live as well.
As for the item in the op, my main gripe is that it has no display in, so alternative inputs (tuner or xbox for example) are a no-go.
Quite a shame, as when the Android software in it becomes outdated, it would be nice if it could still serve as, for example, a display.
Of course, for that price you can't really complain.
Quite a shame, as when the Android software in it becomes outdated, it would be nice if it could still serve as, for example, a display.
Of course, for that price you can't really complain.
Bullett said:
pherlopolus said:
I am intrigued how you get live TV on these, do you have a WiFi/Bluetooth tuner, or only use it for pre recorded programs?
Over the internet via something like this http://www.tvcatchup.com/Most of the separate services offer live as well.
tribbles said:
jas xjr said:
just ordered one .
Me too.May get another one if it's really good!
Just remember, it is not a computer. Use it as a TV with abilities to run full Internet and you will love it.
I am writing this response on the Slate with my Bluetooth keyboard from my iMac
pavka007 said:
I am sure that both of you will love it
Just remember, it is not a computer. Use it as a TV with abilities to run full Internet and you will love it.
I am writing this response on the Slate with my Bluetooth keyboard from my iMac
Yeah - I'm an iOS developer, but thinking of branching out to Android. Plus I've got an old TV that I'd like to replace at the same time Just remember, it is not a computer. Use it as a TV with abilities to run full Internet and you will love it.
I am writing this response on the Slate with my Bluetooth keyboard from my iMac
And I've got some ideas for an app which needs a large screen....I did read a lot of reviews where the owner didn't realise what they were buying (along the lines of 'This doesn't run Windows and I hate Android')...
tribbles said:
I did read a lot of reviews where the owner didn't realise what they were buying (along the lines of 'This doesn't run Windows and I hate Android')...
Spot on, this is the reason why they are so many negative reviews, people just don't read before thy part with their moneyGassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff