Dell Streak vs. iPad: tablet showdown
- — 23 August, 2010 13:30
Dell's Streak may look like a huge smartphone, but its form factor means it's a hybrid device that sits somewhere between a largish touchscreen phone like the HTC Desire and Apple's iPad tablet.
Read our comprehensive Dell Streak review.
Naturally, comparisons to the iPad are inevitable — the Dell Streak is the first of many tablet devices that will be released this year, aiming to steal sales from Apple. While it has a much smaller footprint than the iPad, the Streak will be used in a similar manner: as a media consumption device that's ideal for browsing the Web, viewing multimedia and reading books. Like the iPad, the Dell Streak is not a meant to be a complete netbook or notebook replacement.
With this in mind, how does the Dell Streak stack up against the Apple iPad?
| Feature | Apple iPad | Dell Streak |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system (OS) | Apple iOS 3.2 (upgradeable to 4) | Google Android 1.6 (upgradeable to 2.2) |
| Display technology | Capacitive LED-backlit IPS | Capacitive TFT |
| Display resolution | 1024x768 pixels | 480x800 pixels |
| Multitouch | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | None | 5 megapixels, dual LED flash, autofocus, geotagging, face and smile detection |
| FM radio | No | No |
| GPS | Yes (Wi-Fi + 3G models) | Yes |
| Internal memory | 16GB, 32GB or 64GB | 16GB |
| Expandable memory | No | microSD card slot |
| Dimensions | 242.8 x 189.7 x13.4mm | 152.9 x 79.1 x 10 mm |
| Weight | 730g (Wi-Fi + 3G models) | 220g |
| Application store | Apple App Store | Google Android Market |
| Processor | Apple A4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon (1GHz) |
| 3G networks | HSDPA 850/1900/2100 | HSDPA 900/2100 |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11b/g |
| Bluetooth | 2.1 with A2DP | 2.0 with A2DP |
| Quoted talk time | N/A | Up to 600min |
| Quoted standby time | Up to one month | Up to 400 hours |
| Adobe Flash support | No | No (Yes after 2.2 upgrade) |
The Dell Streak offers greater customisation options than the iPad — whether it's changing themes, backgrounds or the interface's entire look and feel, Google Android is definitely far more flexible and open than the iOS platform used by the iPad. Of course you can jailbreak the iPad, just like the iPhone, but this will void your warranty.
The iPad's display uses IPS technology, while the Dell Streak boasts a standard, capacitive TFT touchscreen. Both displays are excellent at rendering text, making reading and browsing the Web a highlight, but the larger size of the iPad obviously scores extra points. On the other hand, the Dell Streak is far more pocketable and easier to carry around than the iPad. You would be hard pressed squeezing the Streak into the pocket of skinny leg jeans, and it would be uncomfortable in normal pants when walking up stairs, but generally the Streak should fit snugly inside most suit jacket pockets.
The iPad is an excellent multimedia device, aside from the lack of flash and built-in camera. Videos look superb on the large screen, while Web pages render superbly. However, the Dell Streak is far more flexible; you can transfer files by dragging and dropping them and you don't need to run iTunes. There are a number of third-party media player applications designed for the Android platform to boost the tablet's music and video playback capabilities.
The Dell Streak also makes phone calls. At 15cm wide, you wouldn't want to be holding it up to your ear all the time, but it is reasonably small for a tablet and is stunningly thin for a device this size. The Streak is just slightly thicker than Apple's iPhone 4, which measures just 9.3mm thick.
What do you think about the Dell Streak and the Apple iPad? Tell us in the comments below!
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Comments
ladydee
Tue 24/08/2010 - 23:49
I just purchased the Dell Streak and I am loving it. I'm still learning everything about it. I purchased a bluetooth headset and the time and it also came with stereo headseats. You don't have to have it at your ear to talk on it.
Maverick
Wed 25/08/2010 - 00:01
I was waiting to see device comparisons like this before deciding on a mobile device and based on what I see, the Dell Streak meets my personal and business needs better than the iPad. I like the Mac OS, but the extra features on the Dell Streak are essential to a modern mobile device, so I am going with the Dell Streak.
Mav
Mahhn
Wed 25/08/2010 - 00:47
Looked up the price, $600 to $1200, I don't see this happening. I can buy a real laptop or TWO for those prices.
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=dell+streak&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=u9pzTPyWJMOblge4l-zJCA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&ved=0CCAQ_AU
Jas
Wed 25/08/2010 - 01:43
To Mahn:
The link you added is cute, but the max you will pay is $549 at Dell unlocked. Only a fool purchases an Apple, HP, Dell, Sony, etc... through a 3rd part who will add 100% profit on top. I have a feeling you may be a fanboy. If you were not, you would have been fair and balanced and added a link on how over priced the unlocked ipad is for a limited device that is NOT a real laptop either.
Derrick
Thu 02/09/2010 - 23:46
The Dell Streak may be a big phone but you don't need to hold it to your ear. That's why there are bluetooth headsets. Actually I use the regular headphones and I use the Streak every day. It's a great tool!!!
Techky
Thu 02/09/2010 - 23:53
I bought a Dell streak and haven't regretted it. I'm loving the android o/s, still waiting to upgrade to a more recent version though. Screen quality is great and can comfortably read web pages. Battery life is much better than I expected it to be with such a large screen.
Ipad Fan now a Streak Fan
Fri 03/09/2010 - 03:31
Rating from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest!
Ipad = 7
Streak = 9
Dell Streak is superb!!!
from iphone to the streak
Fri 03/09/2010 - 09:46
The streak is simply fantastic. And for me it's no more small screens, no more small keyboards. 5" it's perfect.
Patrick
Fri 03/09/2010 - 15:10
The Streak is actually fantastic, form factor is everything, hard not to be seduced by i-Pad if you’re a sheep for the Apple lock in machine, but if you’re a free thinker the Streak is really nice a nice platform. so fast, so open. Really makes me question the Apple lock in/ closed tactic
M²
Tue 24/08/2010 - 23:37
Interesting compare