- Aug 6, 2010
- 1,463
- 131
1. Android Version vs Firmware Build
There are ONLY four versions of Android OS available for Tablets as of October 2010
1.5-Cupcake (Ancient in terms if Android but still found on new tablets sold)
1.6-Donut (Most common Android version for low price/low power Tablets, Capable but limited in function
2.1-Eclair (Showing up as very common Tablet OS, THIS should be the minimum version of Android to consider right now)
2.2-Froyo (second most current version, with Full Flash capability potential, BUT, many of the 2.2 firmwares are works in motion. As as Example. A81-E has had 3 major Firmware 2.2 builds)
2.3-Gingerbread (Nothing based on this yet)
Different manufacturers have different ways of identifying builds. Some just have numbers e.g. 348 or 368 for X5A and 2.0.2.32.3234 for another tablet series
Remember it is the firmware which makes or breaks the Android build on the tablet.
2. The amount of RAM does and does not make a difference. - If you have Android 1.5 or 1.6 or even 2.1, 256 Mb of RAM is more than enough. Some Chipsets cannot adequately even use more than 128 Mb. BUT, 2.2 and newer versions of Android will take advantage of more memory. Expect a newer tablet to offer 512 and even 1Gb of RAM in the not so distant future (early 2011)
3. Just because you have 2/4/8Gb of Storage, does not mean you have a lot of free space on the internal storage. Just like Windows, Mac,even your Android Phone. The more apps you load, the less internal storage. Some applications create temp storage caches that use up the space as well. There is unneeded files on the internal storage. But, I am not going to tell you what can or cannot be removed. I do not want you to delete needed files. You can delete those demo vids and music obviously. And Remove the junkware.
Bottom Line: Use your storage card for your music/Books/Vids, etc.
4. You will need to Root your Tablet, Update your Firmware, and have a special storage card for backups and flashing your firmware if you want to have a full featured Tablet.
With that statement though, DO NOT JUST FLASH YOUR TABLET WITHOUT DOING THE FOLLOWING!!!
A. Get complete instructions for YOUR Tablet on how to ROOT or Flash. The most common reasons you will Brick your Tab is because you do not follow the instructions
OR
B. Have a Copy of BOTH your current firmware and the correct firmware for your tablet for upgrade. If you do not have a copy of your current firmware, you will have no way to fix your Tablet, if you experience a problem with your new firmware
C. Back up your Tablet. This will usually require Rooting, so learn how to root your device.
5. You get what you pay for. Do not expect a BMW for a KIA price.
There are some decent low power Tablets for about $150USD. But expect to pay at least $200 for a decent tablet running 2.1/2.2 Android with support.
This will be updated once the newer Tablets finally make it to the general market.
In the mean time, remember there will always be copies of the Brand names on locations like AliBaba and other China market sites. These may be less price, but come with poorer support and Quality issues.
There are ONLY four versions of Android OS available for Tablets as of October 2010
1.5-Cupcake (Ancient in terms if Android but still found on new tablets sold)
1.6-Donut (Most common Android version for low price/low power Tablets, Capable but limited in function
2.1-Eclair (Showing up as very common Tablet OS, THIS should be the minimum version of Android to consider right now)
2.2-Froyo (second most current version, with Full Flash capability potential, BUT, many of the 2.2 firmwares are works in motion. As as Example. A81-E has had 3 major Firmware 2.2 builds)
2.3-Gingerbread (Nothing based on this yet)
Different manufacturers have different ways of identifying builds. Some just have numbers e.g. 348 or 368 for X5A and 2.0.2.32.3234 for another tablet series
Remember it is the firmware which makes or breaks the Android build on the tablet.
2. The amount of RAM does and does not make a difference. - If you have Android 1.5 or 1.6 or even 2.1, 256 Mb of RAM is more than enough. Some Chipsets cannot adequately even use more than 128 Mb. BUT, 2.2 and newer versions of Android will take advantage of more memory. Expect a newer tablet to offer 512 and even 1Gb of RAM in the not so distant future (early 2011)
3. Just because you have 2/4/8Gb of Storage, does not mean you have a lot of free space on the internal storage. Just like Windows, Mac,even your Android Phone. The more apps you load, the less internal storage. Some applications create temp storage caches that use up the space as well. There is unneeded files on the internal storage. But, I am not going to tell you what can or cannot be removed. I do not want you to delete needed files. You can delete those demo vids and music obviously. And Remove the junkware.
Bottom Line: Use your storage card for your music/Books/Vids, etc.
4. You will need to Root your Tablet, Update your Firmware, and have a special storage card for backups and flashing your firmware if you want to have a full featured Tablet.
With that statement though, DO NOT JUST FLASH YOUR TABLET WITHOUT DOING THE FOLLOWING!!!
A. Get complete instructions for YOUR Tablet on how to ROOT or Flash. The most common reasons you will Brick your Tab is because you do not follow the instructions
OR
B. Have a Copy of BOTH your current firmware and the correct firmware for your tablet for upgrade. If you do not have a copy of your current firmware, you will have no way to fix your Tablet, if you experience a problem with your new firmware
C. Back up your Tablet. This will usually require Rooting, so learn how to root your device.
5. You get what you pay for. Do not expect a BMW for a KIA price.
There are some decent low power Tablets for about $150USD. But expect to pay at least $200 for a decent tablet running 2.1/2.2 Android with support.
This will be updated once the newer Tablets finally make it to the general market.
In the mean time, remember there will always be copies of the Brand names on locations like AliBaba and other China market sites. These may be less price, but come with poorer support and Quality issues.