Beats Ipad. Hands down.
926830
Great device I used an 8.5 prior to purchase.
1125222
Amazing tablet. My wife just bought this for me for my birthday 3 days ago and it far exceeds my expectations. Normally you don't find something on the market with the most powerful cpu/gpu available at a mere fraction of the price of other hardware in it's class. This is a very uncommon exception. While it only has a 1920x1080 screen, it's processing power makes it more than capable of displaying 4x content via the mini hdmi port the tablet has. Running the ANTUTU benchmarking software confirmed this is the fastest android tablet in the world right now by a mile.

 I really wanted this so i could play my pc games on the go without buying a windows 8 tablet. (To do this it requires an nvidia pc gpu from the 600 series or above.) My pc has an evga gtx760 card and it really works well. I was expecting bad latency or sound problems, but the games play as they were native to the tablet and it really blows my mind. Even if you aren't much of a gamer but consider yourself a power user, id highly recommend this due to the sheer power the Tegra K1 processor has. I haven't tested the controller yet because i just ordered it and its on the way as i write this.

As for the touch screen, it's very accurate as well. Ive never been an apple fan so i can't really compare it to the ipads but compared to other android tablets I've used, it seems very responsive.

The speakers are very good as well and I like that they are front facing. It's great for watching videos unlike my other cheap tablet where i can never hear anything well.

Nvidia could have easily charged $500+ for this tablet but they didn't. For that i have great respect for the company.

Buy this now. You won't regret it.
2748557
Unbeatable sound quality, screen clarity, resolution, and great features. UI is great. Works great with Jett software or Mediamonkey. All issues I encountered were resolved by visiting the FAQ's on the website. I'm by no means a tech-y. I have no need for WIFI so for me to have a device like this with the highest sound quality and an IMOLED screen that is unsurpassed this beats the Ipod hands down.
2927475
Having owned the iPad & iPad2, this is quite a joy to use. Fast, slim & with new Andriod OS, it becomes a real competitor to Apple.  I find it a better, more usable product & thank god, no lock to iTunes
2716039
Comparing this to an ipad mini is no comparison-this is a great tablet. I have several tablets, including an ipad and a kindle fire, and this is the one I bring with me everywhere lately. I love the Google/gmail integration and just how amazing this screen is. Every app worth having is available on Android as well as Ios so who cares if there are 80 bazillion apps for ios, most of them are crap anyway.

To be fair, Im not giving up my ipad over this-I like having multiple tablets in different form factors for different uses. This one is great for being your bring -everywhere tablet and is also a great alternative if you don't have 600 bucks to spend on an ipad.
560926
CHANGED MY LIFE/the way I use my iPad. I had an iPad issued for school work, and I can use it to write like a real pen without printing thousands of pages of material. Its super responsive and feels really natural. I tried other cheap styluses and just couldn't use them the way I wanted ... my handwriting was messy and I couldn't keep the writing separate from scrolling or navigating around the page. Apple Pencil eliminates all that. Id say one of the (few) apple products thats actually worth it! (Especially if you like the feeling of hand writing notes)
1055280
I own three Kindles including the original Fire, four laptops, and one desktop computer. I kept putting off buying a tablet until I was sure the features and pricing made since. I visited Best Buy and a few other electronics stores to test drive a variety of tablets that I thought might do the trick, including the Apple Ipads. The Ipads seem to be the choice of most, but I can't justify paying the going price, and now that the android system seems to have caught up in performance to the Ipad, passing on the Ipad was a no brainer. Plus i didn't want tied to the Apple apps and format like i was with the Ipod I bought

I kept coming back to the Acer after checking the Asus and and Galaxy offerings, which were the other two I seriously considered after narrowing down the field. To be truthful, some of the heat issues and other issues brought up by those reviewing this line scared me. Who needs the problem right? After reading a few positive comments, I decided to take the leap and ordered this baby on Black Friday and two days later it arrived.

OK, to begin with, I have not experienced any of the heating issues, none. I used a thermal temperature gun and with heavy use, the temp read 98F, less than the human body temperature. Nor any problems with the screen or navigation some complained about. Reading text is sharp and clear.

From the time I took the tablet out of it's box and followed the charging instructions, until now, this tablet has been one pleasant surprise after another. I watched a few movies from Netflix. Not a single issue and the presentation was crisp on the screen. The speakers are the best sounding and loudest I came across. The on/off button functions work fine. I listened to some music, again, crisp and great sound. Volume control is handy up on the top left, right next to the screen lock button. The slot for installing the flash memory was a pleasant surprise, open a little cover and find the slot behind it, which makes total sense... and keeps it safely out of sight and protected. The weight of the tablet was another concern, because of the bigger battery life, it weighs more than some other tablets in this range. I didn't notice the extra weight at all. I like the rubberized-textured like back which makes handling the tablet and holding onto it a snap. Did I mention the screen brightness. the screen darkens when the auto brightness indicator (for lack of a better phrase) experiences lighting conditions that set it off. You can adjust the screen brightness in settings with just an easy swoop of the bar. On half setting the screen is pleasant with high enough contrast to read everything and watch video. Turn it up and WOW!

Frankly, many others label this a middle of the road tablet, I couldn't find a single tablet out there that beat this one in any category. So if you are like me and were affected by many of the early quality issues mentioned in other reviews such as the heating, rest assured, the company must have fixed those for the units being sold now. I give this a five star rating after putting it through the paces.

I do wish the mini USB was on the side and not the bottom, a minor point and i wish it had one more mini USB, so I could hook up exterior peripherals while charging.

I took the plunge today and ordered the next version which is the 700. The wife grabbed the one I'm discussing and won't give it up, so after test driving this one, my guess is that the lower ratings on that one will end up being non issues too.
1494169
The Kindle Fire HDX is much clearer and faster than any iPad.  It has a very snappy responsive browser, the camera takes breath taking photos.  The only thing I would change about the Kindle fire is the availability of apps from the app store and at that point I'll convert from the iPad.  The app offerings are good but not up to the requirements of a hardcore tablet user like myself.
4586427
The Apple iPod. A marvelous device! What I like about it is the ease of navigating among and within applications with a touch of the fingers. (No stressful laptop touch pads.) Checking email (with a $99/year mobileme subscription) could not be more user friendly. Watching streaming Netflix movies or listening to iTunes using Bluetooth wireless headphones is superb. Reading the New York Times or Time Magazine or eBooks is ideal. And, managing fingerprints with a bottle of Windex close at hand could not be more enjoyable.

My well thought-out plan was to pre-order an iPad Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 64G, and then after I received and got used to it, to offer my Netbook for sale on Ebay to help finance the iPad.

But, as I used the iPad over 24 hours, and as time ticked by, I looked longingly at my old and loyal friend the Netbook. So many things I could do with the Netbook, that I could not do with the iPad.  No multitasking, no USB port, and no more of the Windows and Mac applications that I had come to rely on. I started feeling depressed about it, particularly when I realized that the screen size on my iPad was about the same as my Netbook (and no need for Windex). In fact, I came to the astonishing conclusion that there was nothing I could do with the iPad that I could not do with my Netbook.

So, I changed my plans, sold the iPad on eBay (within 1 hour) for what I paid for it, and returned to my Netbook with new love and respect.

Neither the Netbook nor the iPad is an alternative to a full size desktop PC, but for traveling, I discovered that the iPad is not an alternative to either one.

Disclaimer:  I am in no way employed or have any financial interest in any company manufacturing or distributing Netbooks.  I got caught up in the iPad hype but have returned home. ps: In addition to my Windows 7 Netbook, I am a loyal iMac-24 user (but with Windows XP in the Bootcamp partition when I need it).
3823750
I'm writing this review from a non-technical perspective. I'm an avid reader and have run out of space for my regular books so I started looking into getting an eReader. I wasn't able to make up mind whether or not I wanted to purchase the Amazon Kindle, Nook or a Sony eReader.  They each had their benefits and their flaws.  I decided to purchase an iPad so I can have my cake and eat it to. Not only did I get a beautifully designed, sleek, light weight, eye popping and high definition product with the iPad....I also went ahead and downloaded the free ibook, Kindle, Barnes & Noble and Borders applications.  I also like the fact I'm able to see the images within the books in color. Even though my main reason for buying the iPad was to use as an eReader, I also wanted to be able to do some other things as well like watch videos or play a few games. You DO NOT want to purchase an ipad as a desktop or laptop replacement!  You will be sorely disappointed if you do.  I have an excellent laptop and I'm a hardcore Blackberry user so I knew what I was getting with this purchase and I'm 100% happy with it. Anything that I can't do on my iPad....I can go grab my laptop or Blackberry and get it accomplished.  Some people have a problem with not being able to multitask but that doesn't bother me.  It does everything that I wanted and much more.  I'm not going to go into details about all the specifications because that has been covered by other people's reviews.  There are a lot of negative reviews and think that may have something to do with high expectations.  I also wanted to mention that the iPad is blazing fast!  Apple did excellent job with the overall design.  It's absolutely gorgeous! This was my very first Apple purchase and it won't be the last.
4053914
I saved about $300 from switching from paper textbook to eTextbook, so I decided I need a larger tablet to go with it (I own a 7" Android Tablet). I found a used Transformer Prime about that price, so I purchased it.

There is no problem so far, everything has just been great.
From a today's standard, this tablet is not as new and not as fast compare to like iPad 4
However, given the price (for ex.compare to a price of an iPad 2) this is just increditabily great!
Though it is not Retina Display, the graphic with its Quad-Core is just awesome
It is responsive and fast and it is actually lighter and smaller than the iPad 2, let along iPad 4
4617090
Wow...i didn't think my ipad could do nearly this much. Im overwhelmed by this book, but in a good way. You can read elsewhere fir the table of contents, etc. I can tell you that this is going to take me a while, but i'm trudging through it. So far I have use my iPad as a point and click kind of instrument. I look for apps, download them and use them. I have not spent much time expanding what the ipad already offers in many ways. I do however have a real keyboard that I highly recommend using if you use your ipad for office.
1575659
Unbelievable that I have been stuck with iPad for too long time.
This HDX is just like New World! Fast, Smooth, Awesoem Prime Music (with Karaoke style Lyrics), Fast Browser, Also, Dolby speaker is whole new experience. I never thought I would be able to hear this sound quality through tablet. Also, Amazon Mayday service and general customer service is World BEST! App store needs to increase contents and competibility however I was able to get all of apps such as paypal here and waze from 1mobile.com. Seriously, This device is such an innovation! I regret that I've been stuck with iPad too long time. I am going to get 1 more HDX for my wife. Thanks Amazon!
2647067
I thought I might want a tablet & I am an iPhone user. I am tired of the limitations Apple places on its users & the high price that goes along with it. I looked at Samsung, Toshiba, Acer, Asus, Apple and found that the Galaxy tab had the size, capacity and flexibility I wanted. I spent about 3 hours in a BestBuy over a period of days trying different things, so I didn't take this lightly. The iPad2 still is not as good as the iPhone, there is no point in getting one as the phone can do EVERYTHING the iPad can do & still make calls (most of the time). The camera on the iPad is less than the phone, the resolution is less than the phone...and it's $500 for the basic version? Please.

I am a new android user now and can confidently say I am happy with this product. It's slim, light, has a GREAT display & resolution (also, higher than the iPad). The stereo speakers are located on either side to provide a surround experience - and it does on flat surfaces or when you're holding it from either side. After a couple of minutes holding the iPad, my back started to hurt - it's too heavy whereas the Tab is light & quite manageable.

I don't have to convert my music or videos to comply with Apple's proprietary formats using the Galaxy Tab - but the Tab will read the videos I'd already converted for the iPhone. No iTunes. I've spent countless hours re-naming and converting my media (12000 songs/200 movies) into formats that Apple approves of (their singular format), then I have to use iTunes which is slow, unresponsive and bothersome. With the tab, it's drag & drop. The device finds the changes I've made, pulls the artwork, runs the movies - I'm good to go. No iHassle.

I can play AVI, WMV & MKV's without having to do anything - I like that functionality. It's like having a mini laptop with me. What file formats the default player doesn't recognize or accept, you can just download another player...it's simple. Also, FULL web, the Tab doesn't limit your functionality due to the politics of the brand & it's partners (unlike Apple). Most of the apps I have on my iPhone that I paid for, are FREE on Droid (full versions).

The appearance, sound, display & price for the Galaxy Tab is unmatched at this point. The fact that I can plug in a card reader, USB and other devices using the adapter are also assets - and because it's more Windows-based, it recognized most file formats, unlike Apple.

I will give Apple credit on one front, the iTunes store is easier to navigate and find things. Also, the quality control on Apple's apps is better, my iPhone doesn't crash as much as my Tab - you just have to read the reviews before you install to save yourself the trouble of having to look again. I was timid about getting a Droid, but now that I've had this for a couple weeks, I may switch phones as well. Apple can take their IronFist and shove it.

One tip on .MKV files: The Galaxy Tab WILL read mkv files, but there's a hiccup when transferring; I kept getting a "Windows Explorer is not responding" message. You just have to send your mkv file to a compressed folder/zip it & then transfer & expand. It's an extra step, but it worked for me. Maybe there's another way, I don't know. Hope this was helpful.
2863937
I debated about purchasing a tablet when the first ipad debuted and decided to go along with my philosophy that first generation anything is not the best idea. When ipad2 debuted, as I was close to ordering, the Android tablets were gaining traction. I copiously read all reviews and here again decided, as the owner of a Droid X and now a Galaxy Nexus, that a Droid tablet was worth considering, particularly those made by Samsung, and so I waited.

My patience has been rewarded by the advent of the Galaxy 8.9. I can't imagine holding anything larger or heavier in my hand. Once Amazon featured the tablet as a Gold Box deal, I did my one click order and never looked back.

As a Nexus owner, I have intuitively set up my tablet without having to go through the instructions. Google made it that much easier by having my contacts and app information ready to transfer to my tablet. I imagine sometime in the near future, I will give the instructions a once over.

Reading online news is a complete joy.  The apps that have been fun on my phone are infinitely more enjoyable on my tablet. Email is a snap. Pictures and Facebook are easier to coordinate. Watching online video content is fabulous.

I haven't found anything I would characterize as a shortcoming yet, but I'm not looking either. I'm looking forward to years of use.
4613953
The Ipad air 2 is still very well worth it, even in early 2017.

I use it mainly for media consumption, surfing the web, playing the occasional games. Nothing too "pro" and I think Ipads are meant for this type of use. This particular model, which is now over 2 years old does all that very well, it is still quick and snappy. No lagging, even after running Garageband, Netflix, chrome with multiple tabs open and whatever game all at the same time, switching between those apps in a quick manner just to see if the Ipad would slow down... nothing, it handles this type of actions and heavy usage very well. Recommended!!

PD: The Anker keyboard case is a perfect match!

EDIT! (1 year later)

Still perfect! I can say the same things I said before and it all applies to 2018

Just wanted to share a picture of the iPad running gta vice city xD sorry for the yellow lighting.
1639671
If you are thinking about getting a Fire or an ipad, read this.

I bought an ipad when it first came out. Novel, entertaining, loved the touch stuff. But it was always too heavy, to clunky to lug around. After a month, I wondered why the heck I laid out so much money for it -- my laptop wasn't much bigger, it could store **all** of the files and programs I wanted, it had a keyboard so I could actually do work on it...and so on -- you can fill in the next 50 ways a laptop is better than an ipad yourself.

Then I got a Fire. The price was right. The form factor was perfect -- I could take it to a coffee shop **in my pocket**, use it as an MP3 player, it fit in my glove compartment. It just didn't feel "cumbersome" like the ipad did. Well, now my usage is 90% Fire, 10% ipad (Angry Birds is better on the ipad), and I really can't understand why anyone prefers the ipad. I guess the ipad will go away when the Ultrabook Touches start rolling out at similar prices. However, the smaller and more convenient size of the Fire (and similar tablets) will keep them around for a long time.

My suggestions for the fire:

1. Put a phone in it. A detachable bluetooth earpiece/mic would let me ditch my HTC smartphone too.

2. Put the Kindle's text-to-voice system in the Fire. It's the best around -- even better than the very pricey (but very good) NeoSpeech Paul product.

That's about it. The Fire does everything the ipad does...more conveniently and at a third of the cost. Thank God my dose of the Apple Kool-Aid wasn't fatal.