For gadgeteers: iPad vs. ADAM

[unixronin]

Data sources:  NotionInk, Apple Computer

• Screen

  • iPad:  9.7" 1024x768 multi-touch LED-backlit color LCD
  • ADAM:  10.1" 1024x600 PixelQi multi-touch transflective color LCD with low-power e-paper mode

  Advantage:  ADAM

• Processor

  • iPad:  Single-core 1GHz Apple custom processor, reportedly a feature-stripped ARM CORTEX-A8 core
  • ADAM:  Dual-core ARM CORTEX-A9 (1GHz or faster; the CORTEX-A9 is available up to 2GHz)

  Advantage:  ADAM

• Graphics

  • iPad:  Reported to be a PowerVR SGX core
  • ADAM:  NVidia Tegra2 fully accelerated 3D graphics

  Advantage:  ADAM

• Battery

  • iPad:  25Wh non-user-replaceable¹ lithium polymer, "up to ten hours of surfing the web, watching video, or listening to music"
  • ADAM:  140 hours audio playback, "over 16 hours" of HD video playback

  Advantage:  ADAM

• Storage

  • iPad: 16GB, 32GB or 64GB flash drive
  • ADAM:  16GB or 32GB flash drive

  Advantage:  iPad

• Camera

  • iPad: None
  • ADAM:  Swivelling 3MP camera

  Advantage:  ADAM

• Flash support

  • iPad: None
  • ADAM:  Full accelerated Flash support

  Advantage:  ADAM

• OS and applications

  • iPad: Apple proprietary iPhone OS; Apple Store apps only, no multitasking (rumors say iPhoneOS 4.0 may support multitasking)
  • ADAM:  Android; any Android application, full multitasking (but idle apps are killed, not swapped, when necessary to free memory)

  Advantage:  ADAM

• eBooks supported

  • iPad: Apple format only, natively; Kindle, Nook, ePub, and non-DRM'd PDF books supported via available apps
  • ADAM:  Current reports say "all major formats" are supported

  Advantage:  pretty much tied for now

• Wireless connectivity

  • iPad: WiFi + Bluetooth standard, 3G optional
  • ADAM:  WiFi + Bluetooth + 3G standard

  Advantage:  ADAM

• Sensors

  • iPad: Accelerometer, ambient light sensor; assisted GPS on 3G models only
  • ADAM:  Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, assisted GPS

  Advantage:  ADAM

• I/O ports

  • iPad: Headphone jack, proprietary dock connector, MicroSIM card tray on 3G models only
  • ADAM:  HDMI out, 3x USB ports, reports indicate SDHC or similar card slot

  Advantage:  ADAM

• Dimensions

  • iPad: 9.56" x 7.47" x 0.5", 1.5lb (3G model 1.6lb)
  • ADAM:  9.4: x 6.2" x 0.5", 1.35lb

  Advantage:  ADAM

• Price

  • iPad: Pre-orders starting at $499 for the most basic model
  • ADAM:  Expected to start around $320

  Advantage:  ADAM

Yeah, this is somewhat speculative, because the ADAM is still in development and hasn't actually been released yet (I understand NotionInk is hoping to release it in June this year).  But on the basis of what information is available so far, it looks like it's going to wipe the floor with the iPad.

Expect Steve Jobs to sue NotionInk any time now...

---

[1]  In fact, it's now being reported that never mind the iPad battery being non-user-replaceable, Apple won't even replace the battery in your iPad for you.  When your iPad battery needs replacement, Apple will just swap out your entire iPad, probably for a refurbished unit as with iPods, for $100 and a one-week turnaround.  Better make sure you have everything on your iPad backed up... oh, and you'd better not have made any unauthorized modifications.

Comments

[johnkzin.livejournal.com]

I posted a comparison between the iPad, Adam, eDGe, Archos 9, and two vaporware tablets (a hypothetical 9" version of the Archos android tablet, and the Moto AMP 10) a few weeks ago.

Similar results.

Though, you said that the storage options for the Adam aren't known yet. They've stated that the internal storage options will be 16 or 32 GB. So, the iPad has a slight advantage on that one (having 16, 32, and 64 GB options).

Also, I'm pretty sure the Adam's CPU is a 1GHz Dual Core, not a 2GHz.

I've been drooling over the Adam since I first heard about it, in October/November-ish :-)

[johnkzin.livejournal.com]

Oh, and:

1) on "Sensors", you left out the Adam's AGPS

2) you said that the Adam has full multi-tasking. Android doesn't really do true multi-tasking, either. It's somewhat better than the iPhone OS, but it can/will kill application that aren't the main/visible application, if it needs the memory (not "swap", "kill"). The assumption being that all apps can be re-constituted, and that all important context was saved somewhere.

3) ebooks: the iPad also supports Kindle ebooks (via the "Kindle for iPhone" app), B&N ebooks (via ereader.com's iPhone app), and open/non-protected PDF and ePub books (via various apps). The Adam only supports B&N (via ereader.com's Android app), open/non-protected PDF and ePub books (via various apps). I'm hearing rumors of a "Kindle for Android" app, but nothing concrete yet. I actually consider ebooks to be one of the few areas where the iPad is currently looking like it'll have better support.


3)

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

GPS correction noted.

Currently, NotionInk and Engadget are claiming "all major eBook formats" are supported on the ADAM. I think that one maybe needs to be chalked up as a tie for now until we know for sure.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Huh, I must have missed yours somehow. Thanks for the storage correction (now updated). I also found some more detailed information on the iPad's graphics subsystem and CPU (reports indicate it's a PowerVR SGX core integrated into a feature-stripped CORTEX-A8, which will leave it well behind the ADAM's Tegra2 and CORTEX-A9).

[glitch25.livejournal.com]

I knew the moment I heard that Apple was releasing the iPad that the floodgates would open. I'm just waiting for the dust to settle.

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

Weight?

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

As noted above, the iPad is 1.6lb with 3G support, 1.5lb without; the ADAM is 1.35lb. But realistically, we're only talking a maximum of four ounces difference, half the weight of a Leatherman tool.

[docstrange.livejournal.com]

Ah. You have 1.35" (thick) but not 1.35lbs up there. Is ADAM thickness yet unknown?

ETA: AH. I see it's 0.5 inches thick per the website....

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Oops. Editing error that I missed. Fixed.

[docstrange.livejournal.com]

Since the first hype about it, I figured the iPad was aimed at the recreational user, blogger, and cafe surfer. The non-business market, in short.

If there was any question whether the ADAM was better for the business/work side of the population, ssh clients plus this app suite (http://www.dataviz.com/products/documentstogo/android/index.html) pretty much settles the question. At least for me.