Is the Sony Tablet experience as poor as it sounds?

[gordonda]

I have to say I was tempted to buy as with most Sony products it looked like an exceptionally well designed and well made product and looked like the best Android tablet around when it came to look and feel and probably the only Android tablet likely to match the ipad for quality.

Then I read a couple of reviews, especially one that stated that it wasn't even in the Top 10 for Android tablets, but undeterred I thought I'd venture onto here and see what existing owners were saying about it and of course the whole customer experience.

I have to say, I'm sadly unimpressed it seems the product is clitchy, the software skin a problem and the customer service about as poor as it can get, consequently I've decided to give this product a miss. A shame really as it did look as if this might be a real ipad competitor at first glance.

Are there any recent Sony Tablet owners who are happy they've bought one? Am I being too harsh on Sony?

[mictaylo71]

While i don't think Sony do themselves any favours on the support front. There is lots of advice from other users.

I think its a billiant tablet, not without its faults, i might add but i'd have it in front of an ipad anyday.

And touchwood, the faults usually do get ironed out at some point, one way or another.

There is lots to like about the tablet, but as is usually the case the product gets let down by the manufacturer.

I don't know what other manufacturers are like for support, but overall can't complain with the Sony tablet!!!

[yellowshark454]

Had mine 10 months, use it every day, love it. Never had a problem upgrading the software or indeed any failure. I use the camera, video, music, DLNA, Infra red control and currently have 79 apps dowloaded

Do not forget that technical forums like this normally comprise the questions - how do you do this - I haVe got this problem - anybody tried this product. If you actually look closer you will see in the vast majority of cases that the questions are resolved on the forum

[mpattenden]

Hi Gordonda,

I was an early adopter - bought on day2 of UK release. I wanted something other than an ipad as I have an iphone. I have posted on the forum quite alot and tried to help where I can - I am a 'techie' and work in the IT industry but am not a programmer or software guru - The Tablet S was my first tablet and my first android experience - my wife has an iPad.

I think the background is to show I'm trying to give an unbiased view and some basis to how I draw the conclusions I do so enough of that!

I have to say I love my tablet, I've no issues with it's use and it does what it does well. I've had no issues with the updates we've had and the performance has been good. The universal remote is fantastic, use for music playback (via my soundsticks is great) I needed android apps to easily access my NAS and the music on it but it works well.

Movies I've purchased or transfered have excellent playback. The screen is responsive but no great stylus is available. There isn't the same amount of apps via Android as there is with Apple but there are some cross overs - and the occassional gem only on adroid - it's catching up but slowly.

Now to Sony - support for the tablet s - in fact tablets in general. Firstly I have been a sony user for a long time, psp, ps2, minidisk, ps3, sony phones, sony dslr etc. That established the support has been very poor this and other forums have been the greatest help - with plenty of helpful people. Sony have been deadly quiet the lack of quick updates on what should be an open format like Android. We have only just received in the UK the update the US got that made available some of the features the new Xperia Tablet got - there is no sign of Jelly Bean and it's doubtful it will happen (although we live in hope!) for original Tablet S owners - God knows how those poor Tablet P users feel!

The long and short of this is that whilst I love my Tablet S - Sony seem to have already discareded it to many extents already - I don't believe they will actively stay in the market or are serious about it or supporting it. I can not hand on heart recommend it to anyone today, it had great potential but that seems to have been squandered. Much as I hate to say this - if you need a tablet get an iPad - or if you want Android one of the cheaper tablets that are now available and actually give regular updates and support all the releases of Android upon release or soon after.

HTH

Regards

Padster

[p4ult212]

I'm sticking up for the tablet too.  I have the latest Xperia Tablet S, and it is a far cry from the original one, which was very good (don't get me wrong), but the Xperia Tablet S is simply mind blowing!

Sure Apple has the tablet market firmly in its grasp, and iOS is very easy to use, but it;s costly, limited in terms of what Apple wants you to use, and you still have problems with formats for playback of music, videos, data files etc.

The Android based Xperia Tablet skips merrily around all those obsticles and I watch any movie I want in any format, listen to any music file in any format and transfer documents and data between my devices.  You also have the added benefit of remote control and DLNA support, so you can control the TV (or other appliances) or stream via your DLNA.  You can add a 32Gb memory card, so that's not even an issue (but a massive saving on the iPad equivalent).

I think what it ultimately comes down to is what you're familiar and comfortable with.  I use an iPhone and love it, but I use an Xperia Tablet and love that too.  I have tried iPad, it's great, but it's too limited, and what I want from an iPad I get on my iPhone, ergo Xperia bridges the gap for me - and as another person rightly commented, the AppStore and the Android Store are so alike, they might as well be twins!

Hope that helps - all opinions are mine alone, based on my experience of using the Xperia Tablet S.

[gordonda]

Many thanks to all that answered, like many of you, I too am a long-time Sony tech owner on multiple platforms and have to say their poor support has been an issue for me more than once. Anyway after taking everything into consideration and having read all the reviews that I can on tablets I've just bought the Nexus 10 - yet to be delivered!

I'l come back to Sony IF they get their act sorted and get a decent review or two.

[paulell45]

I have to agree. I've been so disappointed by the customer service I've received from Sony. I can quite honestly say that I have never received such a poor level of customer care from any other company. Sony products are great as long as they work. If they fail you're in trouble. The problem with the tablets is that they are developing products and Sony just isn't up to the job in providing this kind of support. The mysteries and delays associated with logged problems and there resolution,if they ever are resolved, is a perfect example of this.

I found their refund policy on a faulty Xperia Tablet to be remarkable. They were simply unwilling to give a refund until I went though various hoops including disputing the credit card charge. It seems that their approach is to entrap you as a customer so you have no choice but to put up with shoddy after sales service.

No matter what I am taking them to small claims court over two days waiting for collections of products which never happened. This has become a matter of principle and the financial aspects are minor now.

[Zerokewl]

This tablet really need jelly bean

What is big issue is sony used 4.0.3 and not 4.0.4 which contain lot fixes for 4.0.3 that everyone complain about.

Found out best way to learn commands is hold it straight.

Its shame the app don't rotate with it maybe idea when learning mode to be able hold it straight making app rotate.

Its imposible to hold remote the way sony sugest.

Anyway once programmed sony remote app is awesome i don't regret buying this tablet i'm just waiting for jellybean atm.

Message was edited by: Zerokewl