Finally Got a Tablet

After sitting on the sidelines for a couple of years, I finally got a tablet. At first I did not think I would have a need for one since I always have a laptop around, but then I thought of the convenience it would provide. The ability to check mail and do basic things on-line while watching TV, and not having to open a computer were definite factors in my decision.

Once I decided that I wanted a tablet, I did some research and read a few articles about what the various models had to offer. I knew I wanted maximum resolution, so I did not consider any models under 1280x1024. That helped eliminate a good part of the field. I also wanted to be able to just use the product as intended, but get under the hood if I desired to. So this made the Android operating system my primary choice. There are several good Android tablets out there, so to further separate the contenders I decided that full-sized ports (USB and SD) were also important. I take a lot of pictures, and most of my cameras use the SD card for storage. I want to be able to take the card out of the camera and place it in the tablet to view images without using an adapter or dongle. Also I could back up the SD card in the camera to a USB stick with the tablet.

I ended up purchasing the Toshiba Thrive tablet. It has the 10 inch screen at 1280x1024 and the Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) OS installed. It has the full-sized ports that I want, as well as a user replaceable battery. Also the back cover is removable and changeable to different colors. That cover is textured to afford a better grip on the device. The full-sized ports make the unit a bit thicker than other tablets, but not so much that it is a problem.

So far my experience with it has been very positive. It updated the software and installed applications without any problems. I have it connected to my Wi-Fi network and surfing the Internet is quite responsive. I have a Gmail account so setting up the unit and synchronizing it with Google was a breeze. I was surprised at how easy it is to compose messages on the tablet. I have the input set to suggest words as I type, and most words need only one or two letters pressed and the correct word shows up on-screen. The choices for words are below the message, so it is easy to pick the one that you want. I have downloaded and played a few games on it without any issues. Also the screen responds quickly to rotating the tablet. I have no problems using it all day on a single charge; the battery is advertised to last about 6.5 hours with Wi-Fi enabled, and I don't doubt that claim.

There have been some complaints about the indicator lights on the front of the tablet, but I see no problem with them. In fact the power switch is located on the side between the battery and network lights, so that makes it convenient for my finger to find the switch when I want to wake it up or put it to sleep. The volume rocker is there and I have never pressed it by accident. The speaker volume is quite adequate for games and video. The camera is average but do you really want to haul a tablet around specifically to take pictures? It does what it's supposed to do. Of course the screen collects fingerprints, but that's the nature of a touchscreen.

Overall I am very pleased with the Toshiba Thrive. I would not hesitate to purchase another one or recommend it to my friends.