Many people hesitate to root their android tablet, thinking it’s good enough with the stock operating system, or are afraid of bricking their device. If you follow the procedures found throughout our forum, the chances of bricking your device beyond repair are almost zero. And the advantages of a rooted tablet versus a totally stock one are many.
First, what is rooting? Basically, it is a process that gives you access to change or even replace the operating system, while allowing applications to run that need certain system and hardware rights to function. Once root is gained, a program called Superuser is usually installed, that controls which apps get root rights. One example of an app requiring root is the popular Titanium Backup; without root access, you can’t run it. There are several file managers, like Root Explorer, which also need root access. With those managers, you can change permissions while having access to the entire file system. Apps which control overclocking, like SetCPU, don’t work without root. ClockWorkMod, the custom recovery program, requires root. And there are many other useful programs that also need root to run.
So why don’t tablets come rooted brand new? Manufacturers want to have control over how their device is used. They load it up with all kinds of bloatware that 1)slows down the OS and 2)makes you use the applications they want you to use. Sure, you can download what you want from the market, and use that app instead. But the system apps will still be there, often running in the background. With memory space a concern for tablets, this also becomes a problem. This is one reason why developers create custom roms, which again aren’t possible to install without root.
Custom roms offer many advantages over stock roms. Generally they come with a minimal amount of installed apps, allowing the user to decide what he/she wants on their tablet. The creators of these roms try to optimize performance, while incorporating features they believe users want. The great thing is that with several roms available for a device, you can pick and choose the rom that suits your wants and needs. Usually, manufacturers are pretty slow to issue updates for their OS’s. Custom rom developers receive feedback from users and can then make changes in a relatively short time. Often users who are capable will take a rom and tweak it to get something they want working.
The key to rooting, roms, hacking, etc. is freedom. Although you will likely void your warranty by rooting, the US copyright office ruled in 2010 that it is legal to root your device, and install 3rd-party apps. Would you buy a car from a company that tried to tell you where, when and how you could drive, while selling everyone exactly the same car? Of course not. So why accept that behavior from tablet manufacturers?