Ipad alternatives from overseas. Can someone help?

[sgreger1]

Hey, I want an ipad but they're too expensive.

Overseas they have 2 I have found that are much better than the ipad and way cheaper. They all run on android 1.5/.6 and have usb ports, expandable flash memory, weigh .77 lbs etc, PLUS they both support flash. So pretty much like an Ipad that works and could be usefull.

Plus, they are all under $200.

The problem is that they are not available on the USDM. If I ordered one of these things from Japan, can anyone think of any problems I would run into using it in the US? I mean other than changing the language setting I don't see why it would be a problem, is their WIFI different over there or something?

I would buy it from this site: http://www.shenit.com/moonse-e-7001-...d-netbook.html

(click for larger pic)
$199.99
Moonse E-7001 7” Google Android 1.5



$139.99
Eken M001 7” Google Android 1.6




Short DescriptionEken M001 7” Google Android 1.6 iPad Tablet Slate PC UMPC MID Netbook, is a 7 inch touchscreen tablet running Google Android 1.6. The Moonse E-7001 (a.k.a - aPad, hiPad, tPad) 7” Google Android 1.5 iPad Tablet Slate PC UMPC MID Netbook is the first iPad killer to emerge with an affordable price with 7 inch touchscreen tablet running Google Android 1.5. Main Features- 7" TOUCH SCREEN TFT LCD Display
- G sensor auto detection of motion for landscape or portrait LCD screen display rotation
- SD / MMC card expansion slot
- 2GB Built in Flash Drive
- Microphone and Headphone jack
- Built-in WIFI connection IEEE 802.11b
- Android 1.6
- Enjoy thousands of third party Android Apps from internet
- WonderMedia VIA ARM CPU
- Fast system booting
- Light weight and Ultra portable size
- Solid state harddisk; Shock and vibration resistance
- Suitable for simple task, suitable for simple internet user, Google user, ebook reader, expereince with Android, want to experience Android in afforadable price, Android enthusiast, Android developer..... 7" touch screen TFT LCD Display - G sensor auto detection of motion for landscape or portrait LCD screen display rotation - Micro SD card expansion slot - 2GB Built in Flash Drive - Microphone and Headphone jack - Built-in WIFI connection IEEE 802.11b - Android 1.6 - Enjoy thousands of third party Android Apps from internet.

The built-in browser comes with Flash Lite version 3.1 and supports playback of SWF contents up to Flash 9 and ActionScript 2.0. 50,000 apps can be download from google android market.

Package includes:

• Google Android Tablet Computer X 1
• Dock Connector to USB Cable X 1
• USB Power Adapter X 1
• Headset X 1
• Documentation X 1

Specification

Operating System

• Google Android OS 1.6

Processor

• VIA MW8505 600MHz

Memory

• 128MB DDR2

Capacity

• 2GB NAND FLASH, support SDHC up to 32GB

Display

• 7-inch (diagonal) high-brightness TFT LCD widescreen touch display
• 800-by-480-pixel resolution
• Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously

Sensors

• Accelerometer
• Ambient light sensor

Network

• Ethernet 10/100M
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi CERTIFIED network connection

Slot

• SD X 1 (support up to 32G HCSD)
• USB X 2
• Stereo Audio out X 1
• Microphone in X 1

Software

• Google chome-lite Browser
• Mainstream Web Mail service Gmail
• Document to Go (Word, Excel, PPT, PDF)
• Android Task Killer, Andexplorer
• Android Market

Audio and Video

• H.263, H.264 (in 3GP or MP4 container), MPEG-4 SP, AMR, AMR-WB (in 3GP container), AAC, HE-AAC (in MP4 or 3GP container),MP3, MIDI, OGG Vorbis, WAV, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP
• Video Online
• High-Fidelity stereo speaker output

Languages

• Language support for English, French, German, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian
• Keyboard support for English (U.S.), English (UK), French (France, Canada), German, Japanese (QWERTY), Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese, Russian

Size and Weight

• Height: 8.15 inches (207 mm)
• Width: 4.69 inches (119 mm)
• Depth: 0.5 inch (13 mm)
• Weight: 0.77 pounds (0.35 kg), 1.89 pounds (0.86 kg) with package

[PipenSnus]

I don't really know anything about any of the iPad clones, and don't understand why anyone would want to waste good money on one, but hey, it's your nickel. But what I would suggest is that you try to find the manufacturer's website (hopefully they have an English version). Most of them have a Contact link -- use it and ask them your questions. Get your info straight from the source.

[lxskllr]

I'm all for buying non Apple products. It looks like they both charge via USB? If so, that takes charging voltage out of the equation. That's the only negative I can think of.

[wa3zrm]

Damn... looks real interesting!
I'm gonna conduct some more research.

[sgreger1]

I don't really know anything about any of the iPad clones, and don't understand why anyone would want to waste good money on one, but hey, it's your nickel. But what I would suggest is that you try to find the manufacturer's website (hopefully they have an English version). Most of them have a Contact link -- use it and ask them your questions. Get your info straight from the source.

It's not an Ipad clone, it's a more advanced tablet that runs on android. It's like what the ipad will be in 3 years once they add usb ports, removable memory, and support flash (and make it weigh less). Ill hit up the manufacturer to find out though, good idea.

[wa3zrm]

WIFI connection IEEE 802.11b is universal- that's why it is a standard.

You need to find out how difficult it will be to upgrade from Android 1.6 to newer versions.

[sgreger1]

WIFI connection IEEE 802.11b is universal- that's why it is a standard.

You need to find out how difficult it will be to upgrade from Android 1.6 to newer versions.

I wouldn't imagine any harder than it would be on any other tablet. I just like it because it runs droid and is supported by google, which means I am free to watch hulu or download whatever I want (not that I plan on really downloading much). Plus it has expandable (and removable) memory and USB connectivity.

How could apple release something that doesn't even support flash, have USB connectability or allow flash cards? the 32 MB one here is 200 after tax, the apple on is like 800$. I can't believe how much cheaper it is!


For $200 bucks i'd be willing to buy it without ever playing with it first. I trust android and the thing looks pretty decent. There are lots of other models that are bigger and smaller but this one most closely mirrors the ipads look, which I like.

[wa3zrm]

Comments from a friend of mine that owns one...

"Many thoughts run through my mind as I sip my Panama Red coffee in the cool morning air. The biggest drawback to this device is the Android 1.5 OS. I am currently using Version 2.1, Update 1 of the OS on my Android. There is a big difference between these two versions. So far, all Android OSs do not support Flash Player. Many file types cannot be opened.

New technology has a price - that price is high and the products and software are buggy. I would recommend that you pass on this item."

[lxskllr]

Remind me again why you want something in tablet form as opposed to a netbook.

[sgreger1]

Remind me again why you want something in tablet form as opposed to a netbook.

I don't like netbooks. Honestly I want it portable and touchscreen. Don't ask why, mainly for novelty. Like I said I already have a laptop and I need a "light" version for occassional use, which is why I don't want to dish out 700$ for the damn Ipad.

[sgreger1]

Comments from a friend of mine that owns one...

"Many thoughts run through my mind as I sip my Panama Red coffee in the cool morning air. The biggest drawback to this device is the Android 1.5 OS. I am currently using Version 2.1, Update 1 of the OS on my Android. There is a big difference between these two versions. So far, all Android OSs do not support Flash Player. Many file types cannot be opened.

New technology has a price - that price is high and the products and software are buggy. I would recommend that you pass on this item."

Wait so he owns this exact model? Sweet.

So does his android version support flash? It says on their site that it supports flash, and PC World did a piece on it and says it supports flash. I just need to it watch youtube and hulu, that's about it. I don't play flash games or anything. I would just much rather have android than apple.

So he says he doesn't like his? Damn that sucks. He has this exact model though, not an Ipad, right? I don't expect anything crazy for $200 but was hoping it would work

[lxskllr]

I'd just wait a bit, and see what other companies come out with. It's still very early in the tablet game, and you should be able to find better alternatives by the end of the year.

[sgreger1]

I'd just wait a bit, and see what other companies come out with. It's still very early in the tablet game, and you should be able to find better alternatives by the end of the year.

Yah. Lets let apple draw out all the competition. They are saying they are scrapping the HP Slate now, or at least it won't be running windows 7 anymore so won't be coming out in june. That one looked cool. I just don't like how the Ipad is missing every feature one would expect on a tablet, like a camera for skype or a USB connection or removable memory etc.

I'm not that worried about flash, the itnernet is moving towards HTML 5 anyways but it'll probably be another year or so before everyone jumps on board, flash has been around for a while.

I'll probably just wait it out, I can't really afford anything right now anyways untill June.

[JPono]

Have you looked at any of these?

[sgreger1]

Have you looked at any of these?

Omg, i'm buying this:



June, android, flash, cheap, 16 hr battery life, 12megapixel camera.

Sweet