Opinions on the Vega

[Guest tommyj]

I'm considering switching from the iPad to an Android tablet, and am looking at the Vega. Are you Vega users happy with your purchase?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Guest trevor432990]

There are more pros than cons for buying a Vega too many to list but if you look back through the posts we've had on this forum you'll finds lots of good reasons why you SHOULD go for the Vega + you've got us to help if you get stuck. ;)

[Guest Thresherinc]

Personally were I in your shoes, I'd ask myself why I wanted to change from iPad and then when I knew what problems I had with the iPad I'd ask this forum if the VEGA addressed those particular issues.

It's no secret the iPad is a better quality item in terms of build, it's the rest of the baggage it brings with it that stops me owning one.

[Guest HunteronX]

There are more pros than cons for buying a Vega too many to list but if you look back through the posts we've had on this forum you'll finds lots of good reasons why you SHOULD go for the Vega + you've got us to help if you get stuck. ;)

I agree - you'll find that it's really good value for money, and when (Android 3.0) honeycomb is officially released, I'm sure someone will make a rom for the Vega.

If you don't know about Android 3.0, then 'google it', as they say.

Also Advent Vega videos on youtube may help you make your decision too. ;)

Edited February 1, 2011 by HunteronX

[Guest tommyj]

Thanks for the answers so far. The reason it's tempting me is my new phone, oddly enough. I just got a Desire HD and love it, having upgraded from the Orange San Fran. Kinda got the Android bug I guess. My big beef with the iPad is lack of decent flash support, and most of the apps I use on the iPad are available on Android anyway... so hmmmm.

Edit: My main reason for buying an iPad was to use as a photography portfolio (I'm a wedding photographer by trade) so one feature I would NEED would be a decent way to display my work to clients.

Edited February 1, 2011 by tommyj

[Guest Unipete]

Tommyj

there are issues with the viewing angle on the screen that I imagine no amount of tweaking could rectify. I love my Vega but if you are going to use it as a professional tool, you might want to take that into account.

[Guest tommyj]

To be fair, when I'm showing it off to clients, it's only ever one or two people. How bad are the viewing angles?

[Guest warriorscot]

The Vega is great but coming off an ipad I would probably try and get my hands on an Adam, while still pretty rare in the wild they should be hitting the market in decent numbers soon. Unless of course price is the big issue then still go for a vega and I love mine but its not like most of us wouldn't say no to swapping it for an Adam.

[Guest extrememonkey]

Just recently had some Pro shots done of my 6 month old daughter, the photographer also used an iPad to show her work - I must say the display on the iPad showed off the photos much better than my Vega.

I wouldnt change to an iPad personally, love my vega to much, but for a pro photographer think the iPad is your best option at the moment...

[Guest terminaljunkie]

The viewing angles are not good, but I think the price reflects the lesser quality...for your work I would say the iPad is a better display device for now, though the Motorola XOOM, Notion Ink Adam, Acer, ASUS and lord alone knows how many other marques will be along by third quarter 2011...also interesting is the HP WEBOS 'Topaz' Tablet, not that I'd want one but I bet someone tries to port Android to it ;)

Edited February 1, 2011 by terminaljunkie

[Guest bazzlad]

I have both mate. I prefer my Vega to my ipad for the hacking and customisation, but when showing my clients my web and design work, it's the ipad hands down.

Wait for a android tablet with a better screen.

[Guest cultiv8ed]

I bought the vega for its hackability, for a normal user I'd say the actual retail product itself doesn't really compare to the ipad if you don't consider price. I think android is currently behind iOS in terms of overall user experience, especially on a tablet. Hopefully honeycomb will go some way to rectifying this though.

[Guest kiora2]

I bought mine for my degree course, the only thing lacking was a decent wordprocessor for my assignment's but quickkoffice HD and a USB keyboard (thanks Paul) have sorted that out. Haven't touched my laptop since I had this Vega. Great bit of kit. Only downside is viewing angle. But for one person or two sometimes, its not an issue.

Col.

[Guest chimpy]

I bought mine for my degree course, the only thing lacking was a decent wordprocessor for my assignment's but quickkoffice HD and a USB keyboard (thanks Paul) have sorted that out. Haven't touched my laptop since I had this Vega. Great bit of kit. Only downside is viewing angle. But for one person or two sometimes, its not an issue.

Col.

I've had my Vega for three days now, and I've been impressed. The speed is definitely the highlight for me, it's fast, responsive, and definitely not far behind an iPad, if at all.

However the screen is definitely the weak point. The viewing angles are not good, and differ depending on which way you're holding the device, which is weird. It actually looks best if I hold it slightly at an angle to me, which is obviously not ideal. So for professional work its probably not the best, but for actual personal use it't been great.

I have my doubts that it will ever get Honeycomb as the Modding community for this device seems to be dying down already after an initial surge. The viewsonic g-tab has a much stronger community, largely due to being readily available I the US I suppose. Honeycomb would make this a very capable device.

But I'm happy with it as a toy and a browsing device. I'm still not totally convinced that tablets are really necessary or capable for doing actual work. If I was going away from my desktop for a few months I know I'd take my laptop and not this. However that's a seperate argument. I hope the Vega will receive community support for a long while yet, as it has the potential to be a fantastic value device rivalling machines twice the price.

From a former G1 owner, Current Nexus One owner with CM7, iPod touch owner, and now a proud Vega owner. (used to type this post)

[Guest .stu]

Having owned a vega that was refunded due to a hardware fault I would buy another if it weren't for the fact that several more tablets are due on the market in the next month or 2 from big manufacturers, all sporting honeycomb as standard. Unless you have a pressing need, it doesn't make sense to buy a vega right now imho.

[Guest zzleezz]

Having owned a vega that was refunded due to a hardware fault I would buy another if it weren't for the fact that several more tablets are due on the market in the next month or 2 from big manufacturers, all sporting honeycomb as standard. Unless you have a pressing need, it doesn't make sense to buy a vega right now imho.

Im still feeling pretty smug about owning a vega, the upcoming tabs you mention start with the moto xoom, seen the price of this thing? And motorola is not a company I feel very comfortable owning a part of their product line after the way they seem to view their customers.. The price of the xoom by the way is going to be $800! That equates to roughly a 64g 3g iPhad.

Personally I will be sticking with the vega for most of this year, I am confident that it will get Honeycomb one way or another and when the market has matured enough I will sell it on and invest in another bit of kit that ticks much the same boxes as the vega - price+performance top of that list.

[Guest Thresherinc]

The Notion Ink Adam is likely to be my upgrade path, the top of the line jobby looks to be amazing, my partner has already staked her claim on the Vega as a companion to her HTC Hero.

The final decision will be made though when I have the cash ready, until then anything can change.

[Guest .stu]

Im still feeling pretty smug about owning a vega, the upcoming tabs you mention start with the moto xoom, seen the price of this thing? And motorola is not a company I feel very comfortable owning a part of their product line after the way they seem to view their customers.. The price of the xoom by the way is going to be $800! That equates to roughly a 64g 3g iPhad.

Personally I will be sticking with the vega for most of this year, I am confident that it will get Honeycomb one way or another and when the market has matured enough I will sell it on and invest in another bit of kit that ticks much the same boxes as the vega - price+performance top of that list.

Yeah I know the xoom price but I am happy to wait and see for the moment. Having the vega was nice, but it was a luxury rather than a necessity, and now I know what benefits a tablet can bring, I am more than happy to go back to browsing on my trusty old laptop until the honeycomb tablets have become commonplace. There's a good chance the vega may have gone on sale by then too, and I am not ruling out getting another if it represents the best value for money.

Edited February 8, 2011 by .stu

[Guest rferrett]

See for me the Vega has totally replaced using my netbook for idle surfing. Still use main computer when I have to type but other than that Vega all the way. Also on the prices I reckon fierce competition will drive prices down al la galaxy tab. I doubt the xoom will retail at 800 bucks for very long.

[Guest MaxiP]

Personally, I love my Vega and like others, it has replaced my laptop for most 'portable' activities I need. However, the screen quality / viewing angle has to be considered and given your comments about showing photos to clients, I don't think the Vega would do the shots justice.

I'm not an iPad fan - the HW is cracking I just don't like Apple OS or the draconian way the device is locked down but then again, I like to play with my toys.

If you really want an Android tablet, I agree with others about the Adam but not sure if the Pixel QI screen would give any benefit for photos. There are a whole range on tablets either announced at CES or ready to hit the shelves that will be better than the Vega BUT they will cost more. Vega is an entry level tablet that has been made 'mid range' by the MCR tweaks, but it will never compete with the high end devices and in particular screen quality.

IMHO :P

[Guest rferrett]

That is pretty muchh a spot on analysis I reckon. I reckon ill probably end up getting something with a better screen once the market has matured but for the tine being Vega doing proud.

Incidentally as I mentioned in one of the honeycomb threads dsg said if the Vega was a success they would look to introduce a 3g model in the spring. So I reckon they might look to tap into that with 3.0 and a better screen but still undercutting the competition,