With the Apple iPad launching in India, the tablet markets have spiced up. Apple revolutionized the tablet market last year selling close to 15 million units by year end. But what it actually did is make this years CES a complete ‘me too’ event with dozens of tablets being announced. All of the big names like Motorola, Samsung, LG, Acer, Asus, Dell etc have jumped onto the tablet wars. Google has got its tablet version of Android, Honeycomb announced and the mad race has just began. I am not even speaking about the Q: is tablet a necessity? A real market?
So what are the options for a tablet purchase in India?
In our opinion, there are only 3 tablets worth considering in India. The Apple iPad, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab and the OlivePad from Olive Telecom. The iPad of course runs the iOS, whereas the other two run on Android 2.2 – Froyo. A major difference is the screens size. While Apple iPad sports a 9.7″ IPS display, the other two have a 7″ screen. Another thing that both the Android offerings bring in is a camera!
Apple has long claimed that a 7″ isn’t a true tablet and these are ‘DOA’. However the Samsung Galaxy Tab has managed to sell a million units globally and the OlivePad has been well received aswell (though sales figures are unknown). Android 2.2 makes the Tab and the OlivePad a oversized smartphone and the apps aren’t customized for a tablet. That so far has been a major criticism of the Android tablets so far. Having used all of these products, here are a few quick pointers to help you make your choice.
Apple iPad
+ Screen Size
+ iOS. It sure beats Android in performance, UI
+ Apps. 60000 apps for iPad now. Blows Android out of the water
+ Internet experience. The Browser, Internet capabilities rocks!
– No camera
– Bulky. The 9.7″ in addition to a 700gms weight (approx) isnt the best.
– No GPS in WiFi version
– Closed OS. No USB mass storage, Bluetooth P2P etc
– No expandable memory – SD slot
OlivePad
+ Cheapest of the lot at Rs 23000
+ Camera + GPS + 3G
+ MapMyIndia Subscription Free
– Weight, its bulky (the weight aswell as the built thickness)
– Android OS 2.2. While its latest when it came out, its no tablet OS
– Screen Size, it sure is a oversized smartphone. We don’t like the screen brightness / richness either
Samsung Galaxy Tab
+ Best Android experience on a Tablet yet
+ Swype Keyboard
+ Camera + GPS + 3G
+ MapMyIndia Subscription
– Apps, Android OS 2.2
– Screen Size, it sure is a oversized smartphone
A 7″ tablet is easier to carry around and thats sure a challenge we have faced with the iPad. If you aren’t carrying a bag or moving in a car, the iPad is a little troublesome to carry. But if you are looking for a true tablet experience, it has to be the iPad. Why carry a 7″ smartphone? Given that the iPad is now official in India, the 3G version of iPad is our best pick. But if you just want to experience a tablet, the OlivePad comes in at a good discount with the same OS version as GalaxyTab (it also packs in 3G). Android OS would allow you to do USB mass storage, Bluetooth P2P etc.
A major factor in your decision making would also be the price. The Galaxy Tab recently dropped to near Rs 28000, thats a steep drop from the 38000 price tag on launch and the OlivePad is around Rs 23000. The iPad sure has done enough to upset the competition with its base model costing Rs 27900 (we expect it to retail for lower than that). However an iPad with cellular connection will cost you Rs 34000 (should retail for lower than that again). So if you need a tablet for a A1 experience and can manage with WiFi or Mobile Hotspots, iPad it is for you. Else you have the details to do the math for yourself!