[Solo-dev]

So i have several Droid tablets i am looking at, i was wondering if anyone can tell me what slate is the best one to get?http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.42070http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.42216orhttp://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.39448Most of the processors for these Droids seem to be ARM, and i know very little about those. So any info or help will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mike]

DO NOT GET ANYTHING WITH AN ARM PROCESSOR. Unless it's the Eken M001, which has a relatively large developer base behind it - otherwise they're all extremely slow and, well, crap.I would get either the aPad (or something with a Rockchip processor), or if your budget will stretch a Pandigital Novel (recently hacked here). The advantage about the Rockchip processor is it has an extra processor for DSP (digital signal processing) which means it is much faster at decoding video etc.

 

[Solo-dev]

Thanks! you happen to have any sub- $150 non-arm links i can get a look at?

 

[Mike]

If you could spare the extra $9.99 then here is an aPad for you to look at> http://www.merimobiles.com/Moonse_E7001_android_tablet_pc_Google_Market_p/meri0396.htmYou can find them cheaper in other places, but you should be very wary buying these things because quite often the sellers have no idea about what they're selling and market it as something else.When you've decided what to get, post it here and confirm with other users it is what it says it is. I'd also check out the Marketplace section to see if anyone's selling theirs, being a friendly community they're very often a considerable amount cheaper than off t'internet. If you can't find one, perhaps post something in the Wanted section in Market.Hope this helps.

 

[Solo-dev]

thanks, i appreciate the help.

 

[Mike]

Anytime. We ain't the greatest tablet community for nothing

 

[Solo-dev]

the price they are looking for is roughtly $20 more, so i think i will get that model that you posted.http://www.merimobiles.com/Moonse_E7001_android_tablet_pc_Google_Market_p/meri0396.htm

 

[Mike]

It might be worth waiting a few days, posting something in the Wanted forum and see what pops up. That way you know that what you're getting is in good condition, and is actually the model you wanted. Members usually chuck in stuff with it like memory cards etc.

 

[mogrith]

The Rockchip devices cost more and most people here agree it is worth it. But if you can't afford it you just have to lower your expectations of what your pad will be able to do.Mainly forget video. you may be able to get low res low bitrate limited codec stuff to play but don't bother. If you want video you don't want this CPU.If you want to read ebooks, email, web browse w/o flash, show pictures etc. it's ok.If you can collect a few more bucks and pay the extra money do it.

 

[Mike]

Mainly forget video. you may be able to get low res low bitrate limited codec stuff to play but don't bother. If you want video you don't want this CPU.

He's referring to ARM processors by the way, Rockchips are fairly capable as far as video goes.

 

[Solo-dev]

ok, is the one that he posted, and that i re-posted ok to do video?http://www.merimobiles.com/Moonse_E7001_android_tablet_pc_Google_Market_p/meri0396.htm

 

[Mike]

Yes, it's perfectly fine for video.

 

[Solo-dev]

ok, the processor says it is a "RK2808 600MHz" =/= rock processor? but android OS says 1.5 .. i know that the OS is up to 2.x? is it easy to upgrade the OS?

 

[Mike]

Apologies, I actually said that don't go for anything ARM based, you'll find all tablets are ARM-based. What I meant was don't go for anything with a VIA processor. Anyways, back to your question. If you want a tablet with Android 2.1 then I would recommend a Wistech A81 (several members including myself have one). I'll be writing a review for it sometime in the future.In terms of upgrading the aPad to 2.1 there exists a fundamental flaw. That is that the developers have scrapped plans to release the update and so it falls upon the developers here at SlateDroid to do this. The problem is that the manufacturers will not release the source code (they are actually legally obliged to), without this it will be very hard to get the upgrade.So in short, it's not available now, but they're working like beavers on trying to get it working.

 

[Solo-dev]

So in short, it's not available now, but they're working like beavers on trying to get it working.[/QUOTE] As a windows amature developer, i understand how hard it is to release w/o the source. i guess 1.5 should be ok for me. Thanks for all of the info and feed back, this seems to be a great community!

 

[Mike]

I'm just trying to make up for the lack of online members, usually we have online 250+ at a time. It's quite possible that 2.1 will come to the Eken M001 before it hits the aPad as some of our members have been able to keep contact channels open with VIA and are pressuring them to release source.

 

[Solo-dev]

Now my decision runs between the Moonse or the Witstech tablet...

 

[mogrith]

Now my decision runs between the Moonse or the Witstech tablet...

Or wait week and see what new tablet come out next. It's crazy right now 10 zt180 just out in china, unknown CPU 800hz at kmart of all places.

 

[Mike]

Now my decision runs between the Moonse or the Witstech tablet...

I believe the Witstech has a 1GHz processor, I may be wrong (it might be 800MHz I can't remember).

 

[Mike]

http://38.99.171.104/~slatedr1/show...ail-Box_FREE-Case-amp-2GB-card_-USA-WORDLWIDEIt's worth seeing if he'll go a bit lower. Either way that's $20+ less than it costs from Merimobiles. PM him, give it a try.