Ask Slashdot: Best Android Tablet For Travel?

PerlJedi writes "I am planing a long trip (to Ireland), and want to buy an Android tablet to take along for the trip. I am a software engineer (I actually work for Slashdot), a Linux geek, and an Android fan. I would like to get a tablet primarily to use for entertainment (when I'm not working or building robots in my workshop, I'm usually playing with my phone), but something I could get some work done from in a pinch would be a major plus (all I need to be able to work is a Web browser, and an ssh terminal, preferably with a keyboard). My current cell phone is the Samsung Charge, rooted and running GummyCharge 2.1, and it is a good bet I'll want to root whatever tablet I get, if not right away, soon after getting it. From an entertainment standpoint I want something that is large enough to watch high definition videos on, with a battery life that will make it practical for use on a long flight. Having a decent camera would be a nice plus, but is not an absolute necessity. Having a forward facing camera for video chat would also be good, but is also not a necessity." PerlJedi's got a few options in mind; read on for the details of his reasoning and help him fulfill his quest. "My brief initial search has yielded the following initial contenders:

• Asus Transformer Prime: This is currently my favorite, for a few reasons: Tegra 3 quad core processor (that's just plain cool); it's designed with a docking station in mind, making it perfect for using for work; sleek, thin design; light weight; available with up to 64 GB. It is on the pricey side, though.
• Toshiba Thrive: I must admit, I know very little about this one. Unlike the others, I have not heard much hype around it. From what I've read thus far, pros include: full-size SD slot; full USB support; full HDMI support. Cons: Bulkier and heavier than its opponents.
• Motorola XOOM: This one has been available for some time, which can be both good and bad. Its problems should be known and understood by now, but it's lost some of the sex appeal of the new product.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab: The Galaxy tab line has also been on the market for a while. It does have some added appeal to me because my phone is also from Samsung, so the rooting processes, and available ROMs, will be more familiar to me.
• Sony Tablet S: Like the Toshiba, I have heard little hype about this tablet. Its feature set also seems similar to the Toshiba. I must admit here, I may be a bit biased against Sony over some of their recent treatment of the hacker/maker community."

Comments

I was going to say...

[ichthus]

I was going to say B&N Nook Color. Install Cyanogen 7.1 (very easy to do), connectBot, hacker's keyboard, and Opera. The battery life is great, nice screen, dirt cheap. Tether it to your phone for non-wifi connectivity.

..but then I clicked your link for the Transformer Prime. Very nice. Yeah, get that one.

Best Android for Time Travel?

[Culture20]

That's what I read the title as. I thought of Marvin and Data. Of the two, only Data is an android, and while Marvin might be many ages-of-the-universe old, Data's head is three hundred years older than his body.

Re:What about non-Android tablets?

[The End Of Days]

That's like asking what brand of hammer is best for hitting yourself in the nuts.

Best answer for you

[Anonymous Coward]

Here is the Acer Iconia A500 tab (just tab, power supply, and microUSB cable) for 199.
http://www.pcpartsohio.com/BookDetail.aspx?item_id=1333

It has a USB OTG host so you can plug in your USB stick to add storage / transfer data.

HoneyComb 3.1 already rooted, I suggest you root using this post
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1205204

Then install the ROM from tegraowners.com
Thor there has a great HC 3.2 ROM and also a very good and promising ICS ROM.

Also Ubuntu is being ported to it as well
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1158260

-Joseph