Vega/iPad comparison

[Guest Vansphone]

My wife and daughter have wanted an iPad for a while and are spending too much time on my Vega so when I spotted one cheap on eBay I bought it.

Here is my non technical comparison of the Vega and the iPad based on about four hours use of the iPad.

Size and Shape

I found the iPad more comfortable to use for extended periods than the Vega. I don’t know which one is heavier but the iPad felt more comfortable to use. However, my wife said the exact opposite, she prefers the Vega.

Screen

My assumption was that the iPad screen would be better than the Vega screen and that is exactly what I found.

I used Kindle on both devices and opened Pride and Prejudice. The letters look crisper on the iPad, more defined. I played with the brightness on both machines and found the Vega could be made brighter than the iPad, but adjusting the brightness up and down did not make the letters crisper than on the iPad. However the difference is marginal, noticeable, but marginal.

Then using BBC iPlayer I played Brideshead Revisited, staring them at the same time. The colours on the Vega look pale and washed out compared to the iPad. I realised that the iPad screen had better contrast. Dark background colours are more distinct on the iPad. However, the viewing area is noticeably larger on the Vega.

Navigation

Android is better, the extra buttons really help.

Apps and iTunes

This is the really big differentiator for me. I much prefer Android Market. It does not have so many apps but I find them easier to load and easier to find. To put Apps/Books/MP3/Files onto the iPad as everyone know you have to use iTunes. It is a pain and slow.

I wanted to test the iPad by using eBooks in pdf, ePub and Mobi formats. ePub have to be imported into the library and then synced. Pdf and mobi are dragged directly into the App. It is a bit clunky and iTunes started to slow down to a painful level when I was asking it to do too many things at once.

On the plus side I already have lots of playlists and therefore transferring music and audiobooks was very easy.

I had a couple of films already converted for an iPad but once again going through iTunes just slows the whole process down.

I much prefer the Android external storage drag and drop method.

Odds and ends

Keyboard – Android is better

Sound from speakers – iPad is better

OS – I prefer Android

Screen auto rotate – the iPad is brilliant

USB, Micro SD – essential.

Overall

I paid almost exactly the same for both devices, £250. Now that I have used both of them I would without the slightest hesitation say I prefer the Vega. If the price of a new iPad was the same as the Vega, I would buy the Vega. However, that is based on the assumption that I am using r8. Out od the box the Vega does not compare with the iPad (no Market etc)

Being able to tweak and alter is important to me. I like have lots of settings to play with. The iPad is far too restrictive for me.

My wife and daughter might not agree. They want something that is usable straight out of the box without tweaking. But most importantly for them, using the iPad they can play Angry Birds without it freezing.

[Guest liamb1234]

I think most ppl buy the vrga for irs potential in modding, i know i did. The ipad is a grlood piece of kit but at a staggering price. As android becomes more widely used more writers for apps will appear and our app problems will be history. One other thing i think u missed here is accessories and ease of use. Usb and hdmi and removable storage are all things tha will cost u extra from apple where possible!

Ill stick with my vega!!!!!!!!!

[Guest Vansphone]

I think most ppl buy the vrga for irs potential in modding, i know i did. The ipad is a grlood piece of kit but at a staggering price. As android becomes more widely used more writers for apps will appear and our app problems will be history. One other thing i think u missed here is accessories and ease of use. Usb and hdmi and removable storage are all things tha will cost u extra from apple where possible!

Ill stick with my vega!!!!!!!!!

I completely agree with your comments