Have Laptop Will Travel

LG G-Slate Is 200% Faster than iPad2?

G-Slate

G-Slate

Have you gotten yourself an iPad 2 yet? I am not going anywhere near one as I think the iPad is more than enough to suit my needs. That is, playing my silly games and occasionally surfing the Web. There is also the even rarer occasions when I use the iPad to blog or create documents. My point is, I am the kind of user who does not need a faster tablet.

If, however, you have a need for speed, then you will be excited to know that T-Mobile is touting their new tablet, the LG G-Slate. Their claims are rather bold, designed to make one’s blood quicken upon reading. A whopping 200 percent faster than Apple’s newest tablet (iPad2). An even more impressive 300 percent faster than Motorola’s XOOM. How can that not fail to impress?

But they do not stop there. They highlight what may be the deciding factor for a whole lot of people – the price. The LG G-Slate is cheaper than both the iPad2 and the XOOM. Consumers have to shell out $729 for the iPad 2 and $599.99 (on contract) for the Motorola XOOM. For the LG G-Slate, one only has to put aside $399.99 for a 2-year contract. And if you hate being tied down by contracts, then you can get the G-Slate for $599.99 – still considerably than the other options!

Given the attractiveness of the package due to the speed and pricing, the question is whether the LG G-Slate will become as popular as the current tablets in the market. In a review published by BGR ((Review)) a couple of months ago, it seems that the LG G-Slate still has a lot of catching up to do. Catching up in terms of the user interface and apps. But these are issues that have always plagued Android devices (mainly because of people who compare them to Apple devices), and still the Android camp has a strong following. On the other hand, the G-Slate is said to be very solidly built, having a high end feel – not like some cheap plastic device.

Bottomline: the LG G-Slate will be an attractive option for consumers who are not Apple fanboys. And there are more of them out there than some might think.

T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 4G Laptop Stick

TMobile RocketHaving a laptop means mobility, to be sure. However, more and more, having a laptop is not enough. The need to be connected is of paramount importance as well. This is where wireless connectivity comes into the picture. While we could still get lots done on a laptop without the Internet, the convenience of being able to connect while on the go cannot be beaten.

While it is true that more and more, Wi-Fi hotspots are available – especially in developed countries – it is still better not to be dependent on locations that offer Wi-Fi. I guess that is why USB sticks that function as modems are becoming one of the most popular accessories today.

T-Mobile, one of the biggest telecommunications provider in the United States, sees this market and is not hesitating to grab the opportunity. They now have the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 4G Laptop Stick, which is currently the only way to make use of the company’s newly launched HSPA+ 42 network. The number 42 might mean something else to you ((42)), but in this case, 42 stands for 42Mbps. This is an astounding figure for mobile broadband connections, but the sad fact is that it seems T-Mobile is yet unable to deliver fully.

Still, the laptop stick does hold some promise. It is a medium-sized stick measuring in at 1.1 x 3.4 x .5 inches. It weighs a mere 1.1 ounce. For those who are particular about looks, the stick has interchangeable faceplates, and you can choose from black, blue, and purple.

You can get the T-Mobile Rocket 3.0 4G Laptop Stick for $99 with a two-year contract. Here are the specs:

  • Cellular technology: GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, Other, HSDPA 1.8, HSDPA 3.6, HSPA+ 21, HSPA+ 42
  • Bands: 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2100, 1700
  • Mac Compatible

More info on performance at PCMag.