Keith Lightfoot Blogosphere

‘Should we buy a Toshiba Thrive or a Mini Cooper S?’ is just as silly as comparing all computer tablets to the iPad2; or trying to suggest that because a Toyota Camry and a Mini Cooper S are both ‘cars’ with a very similar price tag, they could be reviewed side-by-side in an automobile magazine.

The Apple device is not the only vehicle on the block and despite its superb styling, slim profile, sexy features and non scratch glass, it is not perfectly suited to everybody.

For the record, I happen to think that the Mini Cooper S is a very desirable car, just as I think the iPad is a very desirable tablet, but at this point in my life, neither are appropriate for my needs.

Being a self confessed computer geek, I read more gadget reviews than absolutely necessary and spend far too much time playing with Windows, Android and Apple based products; and yet I was still not convinced that any tablet was worth buying, due to the limits on practical every-day usage and the lack of simple-affordable expansion and connection capabilities.

Despite being a little ‘overweight’ and more focused on being sensible (think Toyota Camry) rather than sexy (think Mini Cooper S), the Toshiba Thrive has opened my eyes to the possibilities of owning and using such a device.

It is definitely not perfect, and at times I was underwhelmed with:
-the operating system (it works really well, I was just looking for some more wow factor)
-the trail of fingerprints on the glass (it did not affect usage, just looked a little messy)
-the camera quality (it takes great, but not stunning, photos and videos)

But to its credit, the Thrive did everything it was supposed to:
-the battery life is fantastic (it lasted more than two full days) and can be removed very easily, enabling you to carry a spare battery for times when you are in a remote location
-the full size expansion ports are wonderful (you can attach a standard keyboard, mouse, hard drive and external display)
-the screen clarity was great (even with the fingerprints) and the performance was more than enough to watch videos, play games, surf the internet and handle email.

I could imagine a student or business person carrying a Toshiba Thrive to lectures, meetings or conferences; taking notes, video and photos, then using the tablet over a coffee for Facebook, Google+ and email. Once back home, it would be simple to connect the tablet to a cheap keyboard, mouse (and even a hard drive for backup) using the full size USB port; or just pop out the standard SD memory card and update all of the days activities into an existing desktop system.

If you do not have already own a computer and you are looking for a cost effective way to ‘get connected’, plus have some flexibility and portability, then this tablet could quite easily become your technology centrepiece. The full sized ports on the Thrive allow you to shop around for low priced peripherals and storage devices, rather than being limited to a manufacturers brand.

Toshiba is an established name with a solid reputation for build quality and it seems to me that they have watched the tablet market, listened to the gnashing of teeth on the existing tablet forums, and decided to produce a reliable every-day four door family vehicle for people like me, rather than a two door sports car for usage only in the weekends or on special occasions.