An iPad Alternative: the Dell Streak 7 Tablet
This month, I've been testing out and playing with an alternative to the iPad - the Dell Streak 7 Tablet. I call this handheld tablet an alternative to the iPad because it has virtually the same functionality - it's a touch screen tablet with which you can do a variety of things like browse the web, play games via downloaded apps, check your email and more.
Here's what I liked about it: it's smaller than the iPad, on my own guess, about 2/3 the size. I liked that I could grasp with just one hand, lifting it up and using my other hand to use the touchscreen. In my opinion, the iPad's too big for holding it with one hand while you use it (it has to be placed on a table.)
The other perk to the Dell Streak being smaller is that it easily fit in my bag. I carried it around several places and it was nice to have on-the-go with my kids.
I installed a variety of apps on the Dell Streak, mostly games for my kids, and I found I was never lacking for anything I wanted to install. Mainly we checked out games like Angry Birds, Paper Toss, Restaurant Story and more. I was also able to check my email via just regular Gmail.com on the Streak's browser.
The price point is better too, provided you're willing to sign a 2-year contract. You can get the Streak for $199.99 if you are willing to sign the 2-year contact. Which isn't a bad deal if you need service on the fly - with an iPad you're going to pay for it as well if you go for anything beyond the Wifi only model.
The only negative I found was the battery life. It seemed to drain pretty quickly - we got 2-3 hours tops of the battery lasting with my kids playing various applications.
Comments page 1 of 1
Highest Rank
bighabeeb said 3-24-2011 @4:21PM
This is a silly comparison. It's a completely different class of device. In addition, the $200 price point is great...but you fail to add in the 40 - 60 dollars a month for a data plan, while the ipad charges $25 per month on a MONTH TO MONTH basis - that's right, no minimum time frame required.
replyI appreciate that reporters are DESPERATE to find something to compete with the ipad...but you're giving kudos to a device that has been fairly universally panned, and you're using dumb arguments to back it up. Here is a review from an actual tech blog from people who know what they're talking about because they've actually USED the device that they compare it to:
http://gizmodo.com/#!5748201/10-ways-to-not-make-an-android-tablet
Silly, irresponsible journalism - as one would expect from AOL.
Highest Rank
Wesley said 3-24-2011 @4:29PM
It is a "Dell battery" did you really think you could get more than a couple hours? Their batteries SUCK. Go to Dell's own website and search for a review complaint area, I did when I had issues a couple years ago. HUNDREDS of complaints, maybe a thousand. Does Dell not read its own site/ I wont buy another Dell because of battery life.
replyNeutral
Carlos said 3-24-2011 @9:09PM
That is a horrible idea to even think that pice of junk can be even in the same line as an iPad or same room. Gees Whitney aren't you better then that. It's like saying that a mini cooper is alternative to a Lamborghini.
replyNeutral
tony said 3-24-2011 @11:18PM
I believe that shorter battery life is what Dell puts into it's products keeping their costs down and profits up.If the battery can be changed in the future they probably have a longer life one costing you bigger bucks
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