February 19, 2012
Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback! I really like my TouchPad! I'm actually writing this review from it.I tried WebOS when I first got the tablet, but Android makes it really usable. To be fair, there just were not a lot of tablet designed applications available at launch, and that unfortunately worked against the device. CM7 running Gingerbread was ok, but with CM9 running Ice Cream Sandwich, this device shines.Initially I was put off by the 4:3 aspect display, but I use it for much more than the media playback I had envisioned for it. The 4:3 aspect admittedly gives me more screen real estate when using it in landscape than a 16:9 display, but 16:9 has the advantage in portrait. For a 10 inch display, I'd prefer a higher pixel density, but Android typically does a remarkable job handling what it would consider to be a non-standard display; I wish Swype would. The dirty "fragmentation" argument applies here, but the problem is nowhere near as bad as iPad owners would have you believe. While there is merit in controlled specifications for devices, I would prefer the occasional application incompatibility over hardware homogenization.The 10 inch form factor makes this a reasonable laptop replacement, and easily a great netbook replacement. It is to big to be pocketable, and that means I make the conscious decision to take the device with me or leave it home. My Nook Color in comparison fits right in my inside coat pocket. I would personally prefer a smaller screen with a higher pixel density. Cost played a bigger factor in my purchase decision than anything, since I purchased my device during the "Fire Sale." But I have absolutely no regrets and use my TouchPad daily while my Nook Color slowly collects dust.I miss the AGPS I have on my phone, but I'm happy that wifi Location Based Services (LBS) works for me 90% of the time. For the remaining 10%, I either use GPS tethering from my phone (and run the power down on both devices faster than I'd like, especially on my phone), or I use an external Bluetooth GPS receiver.The only other negative about this device is the unremarkable camera. I love that it comes with a front facing camera, and I can see how and when that would be useful with video chatting, but the quality is very poor. In some ways, I'm almost glad the camera driver isn't working in CM9 yet, as I can't be reminded about how poorly I thought it worked.Some other tablets would more closely match my needs than the TouchPad does, but for the price I paid, it has been completely worth it! Even if it were twice the cost I'd choose the TouchPad over the likes of the Kindle Fire or the Nook Tablet. When you get to the TouchPad's initial pricing, that is where other tablets begin to compete and where some of the TouchPad's inadequacies tarnish an otherwise wonderful tablet.