Comments on: What’s Wrong with 5 inch Tablets?

By: Iawnaek

Iawnaek — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 03:34:00 +0000

I have an Aigo E500 and it is a cheap MID with a 5 inch screen powered by an Android OS. For me it is perfect for mobility. I don’t need to pocket my MID because I have a nice manbag (may I say an expensive one) to keep it. With the same manbag I can also put in my motorola milestone Xt720. Don’t you know keeping ur mobile phone in ur pocket will cause u problems down there (if u know what I mean)? Compared to the oversized iPad, I can hold my MID for a long time reading a book without feeling the strain. Furthermore, I find that using SlideIT on a 5 inch screen is still possible but not on any larger screens (I have tried). And I dun mind not having full page views. I am waiting for Dell Streak with Froyo. Once that is available I will chuck my MID aside and go for the Dell Streak. A 5 inch pad is perfect for me. I am their defined market.

By: MJ Posner

MJ Posner — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:59:40 +0000

As someone who carries an Archos 5 IT all the time you are truly wrong on all fronts. It easily fits in my pocket so that is not an issue. Second for someone who has to put his glassess on to read the iPhone, the larger size is easier for web surfing. Also, movies look alot better as well. If the Archos had a phone and better web browser (can’t surf for free at att hotspots due to flash issues), I could see using it all the time with a bluetooth headset. These issues are (hopefully) corrected with the Streak, though it seems overpriced compared to the Archos (phone should add $100, ARchos has much more internal memory 32gb).

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:32:44 +0000

All of the reviews I have read concerning the Streak seem to indicate that while it was a snug fit, the device is in fact pocketable. I assume that your mileage may vary if you are usually wearing very tight pants though.

I’m not 100% sold on the appeal, but I like the device in theory simply I am a very big guy, and the downsides won’t affect me quite so much. I think it can have a niche as a pocket multimedia device though. iPad size devices are just a tad too large for some places (picture a long bus ride, or even some airline flights) and using a sub 4 inch screen makes for painful movie watching for an extended period. I think in this case, every extra bit helps, and the 5 inch screen, while not horribly larger than a 4.3, will yield a much better result.

By: Marcomrade

Marcomrade — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:08:58 +0000

If the target market and use case are not clear, that’s a major product flaw even without a hands-on experience. In a more robust product mix, the Streak would be laughed off as DOA.

I think Dell is getting an easy ride because the bloggerati are starved for a non-iPad tablet story. Most of the reviews I’ve read net out to “good for them for trying.” What is this? Youth soccer league? Special Olympics?

Further, why are people making excuses for substantive issues. Launching with an old version of Android?

Further, the “pocket test” isn’t just a matter of whether it fits, but whether it can be comfortably carried that way all day, every day. I can stuff a sandwich in my pocket, too, but I wouldn’t want to walk around with it there for 12 hours, regularly having to quickly wrestle it out and hold it up to my head to take calls. Same goes for the purse test. Dainty enough for a handbag, but what image-conscious woman would want to be seen with a paperback book-sized object up against her head?

By: ephraim ross

ephraim ross — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:39:31 +0000

I personally cannot wait to get something of this form factor integrated into my car. It’s the perfect solution in terms of navigation and media integration. I don’t want to plug a mobile device into my car stereo. I want a powerful mobile device to BE my car stereo. Obviously there will be some other components involved and hidden away behind the dash, but something like this – as the centerpiece – is a much more elegant (and affordable) solution than the $2000 offerings by Alpine, Pioneer, and the like.

By: Simon

Simon — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:33:01 +0000

Personally, I can’t find a use for any tablet in my day to day life. I don’t watch movies on the bus (I don’t ride the bus), I don’t need internet access on-the-go beyond what I can get from my smartphone, and if you’re using it as an e-reader you paid too much. I can see applications where they may be useful, for example as an electronic clipboard in some business applications, but with the limitations current tablet PC’s have compared to full fledged desktops or even laptop machines, they are nothing but gadgets and gizmos to me.

By: Kristofer Brozio

Kristofer Brozio — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:03:55 +0000

To the guy who keeps leaving nasty comments. Yes our comments are moderated, we do not post comments that are rude, ignorant or have swear words in them.

By: what what

what what — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 13:02:55 +0000

Nice review of a product you’ve never demonstrated.

By: Brad

Brad — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:57:02 +0000

wrong.
-streak fits in your pocket.
-the more landscape the better…
-…while still maintaining phone abilities.
-i have been waiting eagerly to trade in my iphone for a 5 inch unit……..i just don’t want anything made by dell……somebody else please enter this market….