RT1 needs some TABLET/NOTEBOOK schooling

reeltrouble1

The Mrs. seems likes she would enjoy one of these tablets to read magazines....books.....do those sudoki things take pictures;store them, etc.....but I figure she will eventually want something that can play some movies/tv shows, maybe navigation, browse interent, do some light document work.....We presently use a couple of hp laptops, nothing special. We use Sprint Smartphones which I "think" though can give us a "hot spot" to use the tablet?

Anyway, here is a chance for someone to school RT1 in something I only know a little about...oh, and no the thing will never be used by myself in one of my rigs..my wife though might store music files to listen to so I guess it will at least need a place to plug some Polk ear buds into.

Since I am toe dipping only middle of the road budget.

RT1

AsSiMiLaTeD

The first thing to do is decide on what size you want, the two common choices are 7" and 10".

The 7" are easier to hold in one hand and read like a paperback book but may not be ideal for watching movies given the smaller screen. They're also generally more 'budget' devices and typically have inferior hardware, which may or may not matter to you. If this is the size you want then your choice is easier because you have fewer options. Something like the Kindle Fire or Lenovo tablet at around $200 are probably good options.

The 10" arena is where most of the action is. These can be not as easy to hold with one hand, but with thinner devices like the iPad 2 and Samsung Galaxy tab out there this is becoming less of an issue. These tablets generally run better than those in the 7" arena because they generally have faster hardware. They also generally have better screens (better, not just bigger) so that may be a factor. If you're wanting this size your choice may be a bit more difficult as you have more options.

The first thing to decide is if you want to go Apple or Android (eventually Windows tablet will also be a more available option). Apple tablets are generally more user friendly but can cost more. Android tablets generally offer more functionality and can be less expensive but can be more difficult to learn and can be glitchy from time to time. Note I used the term 'generally' quite a few times because there are exceptions, there are Android tablets that cost more than the Apple tablets and some Android tablets that hvae less functionality, but in general my assessment is accurate.

If you want to go the Apple route then the iPad 2 is really your only choice, unless you want to pick a used first generation iPad. If you want to go Android then you have multiple options. I've used the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1", Asus Transformer, Acer Iconia, Motorola Xoom, and Lenovo K1 and of the bunch the Samsung I think is the clear winner and the closest to the iPad in terms of thickness and size.

Personally I prefer the iPad and that's usually what I recommend as I've found it to be more stable and just like the way it runs and feels in my hands. If you're really wanting good photography though I'd have to recommend against the iPad, as the cameras built in were more of an afterthought - they're there but they're not very good. If taking pictures is going to be a major factor then I'd have to recommend the Samsung, even though I prefer the iPad if it doesn't do what you need then I can't recommend it.

Hope this helps, I'm sure others with chime in with different opinions.

doctor r

RT1

A small tablet for most of what you describe that the "Mrs." may like to do makes me think you should look at the Kindle Fire ($199.00). I have been looking at one for my daughter who likes to watch movies, read books, listen to crappy compressed music (did I say that out loud), pictures, and surf the net It does not have strong computing capabilities, but is run over top of an android system so there are a lot of applications available. In addition it allows you access to a lot of features available from amazon. If you are an amazon prime member you get free access to movies and TV shows I believe. If it is eventually needed to run computer programs like a word processor or spreadsheets not a good choice. Hope that helps

Rick

PS Screen color is sharp and it's size is good for comfortable handling

disneyjoe7

Apple anything with get my vote so Ipad 2.

DollarDave

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

The first thing to do is decide on what size you want, the two common choices are 7" and 10"....
Hope this helps, I'm sure others with chime in with different opinions.

Nicely done. One of the best replies to a question I have read here in a long time.

BeefJerky

If your smartphones are Android-based, I would go with Android-based tablet. The reason for that is two-fold:
1) There are apparently special syncing features that can be used between the two
2) You're already used to how Android operates

As for suggested tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Asus Transformer are both supposed to be very good. The original Asus Transformer is quite a bit thicker and heavier than the Galaxy Tab, but there is a new version coming out this week I think. It is very similar to the Galaxy Tab in size and weight.

Syndil

doctor r wrote: »

A small tablet for most of what you describe that the "Mrs." may like to do makes me think you should look at the Kindle Fire ($199.00).

Agree. Best value for the dollar at the moment, IMO.

AsSiMiLaTeD

The Fire is nice, but the Lenovo A1 is also regularly at that price and although a slower processor does have additional features like expandable storage and a GPS chip that I don't believe the Fire has (I believe he mentioned Navigation somwehere in the OP)

AsSiMiLaTeD

BeefJerky wrote: »

The original Asus Transformer is quite a bit thicker and heavier than the Galaxy Tab, but there is a new version coming out this week I think. It is very similar to the Galaxy Tab in size and weight.

That would be the Transformer Prime. It looks very nice, though worth noting that it's going to be one of the more expensive options on the market.

BeefJerky

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

That would be the Transformer Prime. It looks very nice, though worth noting that it's going to be one of the more expensive options on the market.

Indeed that is the one I was referring to. I've been looking into tablets myself, and if I do get one, it will either be an Asus or Samsung.

However, I'm not sure that I will actually get one since I don't know that it would get used enough. I don't generally like carrying extra things with me. I even tried the separate PDA and phone route, but I rarely carried the PDA around because it ended up being just another thing to weigh me down. Now that I have a smartphone, I can keep a PDA with me at all times without carrying extra stuff. This line of thought is what is making me think twice about getting a tablet. I already have a nice laptop that I bring with me when I need something more powerful or with a bigger screen than my smartphone.

Syndil

BeefJerky wrote: »

I don't generally like carrying extra things with me.

Same here. I got an HP Touchpad (actually four of them) when they were having their fire sale, and mine is relegated to couch surfing. It never leaves the living room. When I leave the house, it's wallet/keys/smartphone. Nothing more.

Big Dawg

My wife has an e-ink 3rd generation Kindle, carries it with her everywhere, and loves it. If the main purpose is reading books, this (or a nook, etc.) is the best choice.

I have an iPad2. It is an amazing device, and I seldom use my home laptop anymore. I previously had a poor Android tablet which was terrible - but it was a bad implementation, so can't draw any fair conclusions from that experience.

I suspect that the Kindle Fire is a great device, and an excellent value. As stated previously, if you already use Android phones and are comfortable with the operating system and apps, then choose between the several good Android tablets (I'd be inclined to look to the Fire, but would need to do more research). However, if I had to do it again, I would buy another iPad, and it's not close.

BeefJerky

Syndil wrote: »

Same here. I got an HP Touchpad (actually four of them) when they were having their fire sale, and mine is relegated to couch surfing. It never leaves the living room. When I leave the house, it's wallet/keys/smartphone. Nothing more.

Four, eh? Wanna karma one to me? :cheesygrin: It is something I'd like to play around with, but I couldn't justify paying more than the fire sale price really, and I didn't get lucky with that.

Big Dawg wrote: »

I previously had a poor Android tablet which was terrible - but it was a bad implementation, so can't draw any fair conclusions from that experience.

Sadly, there are a lot of bad implementations of Android tablets, but those are mostly the cheap no-name brands. Stay away from those. You definitely want to stick with a brand name that will have some support behind it. Plus, a real company would have the resources to properly implement Android that the no-name companies just don't.

Glowrdr

Agreed with a lot of the comments - stick with what your used to / already have. If you have iphones/ipods, the an ipad will integrate seemlessly into your already existing "network". The same principle applies for android.

Do youself a favor though, and be prepared to spend $200-300+ on one. Stay clear of these $99 jobbers that have 512mb of memory that you find in the checkout isle of your local mini-mart.

I picked up one of the HP Touchpads when they firesaled them, and I couldn't be happier (for the price I mean). Just about anything you get will have some sort of reader (generally it will be the actual Kindle app), games, and a media player. I believe office viewers are becoming pretty standard or are easily obtained as well.

Good luck with your endeavors. I've got my PC, iPhone, Touchpad and (2) laptops. They each have their time and place (even though this will probably not be used much by you). Good time of the year to be looking too.

Edit - damn all you type fast. lol. When I posted this, it was relevant. :eek:

AsSiMiLaTeD

I will say this, my tablet has completely transformed my entertainment and how I get my information and do simple things like surf the web. I hardly ever sit at my computer anymore when browsing the internet and reading stories and such, I do all that from my couch on the tablet while watching TV.

With the tablet I find myself consuming my 'information' much more by reading than I ever have. I've always been more of a TV guy. It turns out I actually enjoy reading more, I just didn't like sitting at a computer to do it. Now I can watch TV and read at the same time, so I'm able to cram the same amount of 'stuff' into a shorter timeframe, leaving me more time to do stuff outdoors or whatever.

I don't use the tablet when I'm watching movies, but when we're watching a sitcom or weekly show on TV that doesn't require my full attention (which most don't these days) I always have my tablet out reading.

reeltrouble1

Do these things have a phone in them? OK, I am not hung up on having to get her a 7 or a 10, (she has no clue a set of wires costs way more than one of these things) , but I assume if I get a droid and later somebody else in the the house wants an apple it would not be a good thing? Once there is a device in the house my interest will likely get piqued to the point that I will at least learn about it or even buy some app of some sort and learn how to use it, like my phone which is a droid and I use a few features. She needs to be able to check her e-mail, play some games, read some books and surf for information. She does use the gps in the sprint phone, however, sprint is not reliable when you leave the interstate systems.

Thanks for the things already mentioned, keep them coming as I have to get the thing farily soon.

RT1

reeltrouble1

Do they include some sort of PDA function...where she can set up her calender? Yes she would like to read the books and the magazines but it seems the device can function to a higher level...say the "preamp" to life....all the sources coming into in it as apps or as actual data input..the device neately stores it and the sends it to proper outsource weather ear buds or a printer or just the screen.

No?

Glowrdr

Most of these items will not actually have a built-in phone per say, but they do have a mic, and bluetooth capabilities. Basically allows you to use it as a speakerphone if you need to.

As for GPS, I would probably just not worry TOO much about that. If it does have GPS, you're going to need a 3g/4g plan to go with it @ the $30 a month. If this is the route you will be taking, then by all means find something with GPS capabilites. Otherwise your IP is still location based, so Google and such still knows where you are without a physical GPS receiver transmitting. Just an FYI

And you can certainly mix apple and android. It's just a little easier to keep them in the same family - but again, don't let that be your sole decision. I've had android phones, and I switched to apple. It just means using iTunes for apple, and another program for android. Not the end of the world either way, just the 15 minutes of setting up the syncing for future use.

And yes - any one of them will have the calander, to do list, and other basic functions that you would expect.

Syndil

BeefJerky wrote: »

Four, eh? Wanna karma one to me? :cheesygrin: It is something I'd like to play around with, but I couldn't justify paying more than the fire sale price really, and I didn't get lucky with that.

Sorry buddy I'd love to but I had more takers than I had Touchpads. I didn't even know who the four were going to go to when I bought them, but they were gone in a flash. I could have bought 10 or 20 and I still would have gotten rid of them all in a hurry. It's a shame really that webOS never really garnered the support it deserved. IMO it's easily the best tablet/smartphone OS out there. Windows Phone 7 is a close second, but compared to the more popular Android and iOS... Not even a fair fight. But, that's just my opinion. I have no interest in starting a fanboy war.

BeefJerky

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

Do these things have a phone in them?

No. Some Galaxy Tab's do include a 3G modem that you could activate use with your cell carrier's service, but that is only for data not phone calls.

OK, I am not hung up on having to get her a 7 or a 10, (she has no clue a set of wires costs way more than one of these things) , but I assume if I get a droid and later somebody else in the the house wants an apple it would not be a good thing?

It wouldn't be a problem. Devices based on the same OS (Android or iOS) will usually have features to enhance communication with other devices that use that OS. However, having an Android tablet certainly does not preclude the use of an Apple tablet.

Once there is a device in the house my interest will likely get piqued to the point that I will at least learn about it or even buy some app of some sort and learn how to use it, like my phone which is a droid and I use a few features. She needs to be able to check her e-mail, play some games, read some books and surf for information. She does use the gps in the sprint phone, however, sprint is not reliable when you leave the interstate systems.
...
Do they include some sort of PDA function...where she can set up her calender?

Yes, they can function as a full-fledged PDA, including calendar.

AsSiMiLaTeD

Most tablets do not have a phone built in, though a few have been hacked to get calling via something like Google Voice (I think the Viewsonic G-Tab that I had was one, but that tablet was garbage).

The 7" or 10" decision really shouldn't be about cost, but more about form factor. Yes the 7" are cheaper but that wasn't my point. The two form factors are completely different and you should give some thought to which one she would enjoy more. To me the 10" is the way to go, but some people want something they can comfortably hold in one hand and the 7" fits that bill better.

What kind of Sprint phone does she have? The GPS signal itself isn't going to have anything to do with Sprint, but the map that the signal is being placed on that's refreshing as she's driving down the road is being fed by the Sprint data push. My point is, depending on what kind of phone she has, she may be able to download an app that has the maps built in and does not require any cell signal from Sprint to refresh the maps - I have both Navigon and TomTom on the iPhone and they both work great when I have no cell signal

AsSiMiLaTeD

Glowrdr wrote: »

If it does have GPS, you're going to need a 3g/4g plan to go with it @ the $30 a month.

That's actually not completely accurate. For example, I have the 3G iPad 2. I don't have any 3G data plan or pay any monthly service, and in fact have never used the 3G connection on it. However, I use the GPS all the time. In fact, GPS is the only reason I bought the 3G model, because the 3G model has a real GPS chip in it. So, for GPS navigation I have two options - I can either use the TomTom app that I bought which has the maps built in and not need any kind of data connection or I can use my iPhone as a hotspot and use the data connection from that to refresh the map in the background while still using the GPS chip in the iPad.

Syndil

BTW if you are looking for an iPad, http://mobile.dailysteals.com/ is selling them today only for $400 shipped. It's a 1st gen 64GB refurb.

reeltrouble1

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Most tablets do not have a phone built in, though a few have been hacked to get calling via something like Google Voice (I think the Viewsonic G-Tab that I had was one, but that tablet was garbage).

The 7" or 10" decision really shouldn't be about cost, but more about form factor. Yes the 7" are cheaper but that wasn't my point. The two form factors are completely different and you should give some thought to which one she would enjoy more. To me the 10" is the way to go, but some people want something they can comfortably hold in one hand and the 7" fits that bill better.

What kind of Sprint phone does she have? The GPS signal itself isn't going to have anything to do with Sprint, but the map that the signal is being placed on that's refreshing as she's driving down the road is being fed by the Sprint data push. My point is, depending on what kind of phone she has, she may be able to download an app that has the maps built in and does not require any cell signal from Sprint to refresh the maps - I have both Navigon and TomTom on the iPhone and they both work great when I have no cell signal

She has a blackberry. I get you on the form/function issue, she may actually like the smaller easier to handle to one.

Its all good...so 4 franks for a refurb? seems steep or has i-apple come out with a new gizmo for christmas.

RT1

Syndil

Apple is always steep. That one is particularly high because it's the 64GB model. 64GB is overkill for a tablet, IMO, unless you plan to store your entire music collection on there.

Since she's already got a Blackberry, might consider the Blackberry Playbook. Runs BB's QNX OS which is remarkably similar to HP's webOS (much to the chagrin of webOS fans), and since it was another that failed to launch, can be had for fairly cheap. Also it can run Android 2.3 apps, which is a huge bonus.

http://www.amazon.com/Blackberry-Playbook-7-Inch-Tablet-16GB/dp/B004UL34EY

reeltrouble1

can you use these tablets to play tv shows somehow?

RT1

codyc1ark

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

can you use these tablets to play tv shows somehow?

RT1

Yes. You'll have to download an app for the iPad, but I think there are some tablets that will run flash, I may not be correct. iPad will not run flash.

kevhed72

I actually got to try an IPad2 and Kindle Fire side by side over Thanksgiving break, which was pretty cool.
While the IPad was awesome, I would go with the Kindle due cost since all these things will be obsolete in 2-3 years IMO.

bruss

I love my IPAD2. Its rock solid and worth the extra coin. I run a wifi hot spot off my phone and it hooks right to it and when I hit the 4g network it is screaming fast on the go.

cfrizz

I'm looking at getting a tablet myself Ted, and I am seriously considering the Lenovo Idea K1 tablet. The 10" pads are too big & heavy for me to hold for an extended period of time.

I have no interest in Apple, Barnes & Noble Nook, or in the Amazon Kindle tablets. All 3 lock you into their ecosystem & then you are stuck if you decide to switch to something else and whatever you have purchased (bookwise) will not work on other tablets. The Kindle while it is one stop shopping, you are unable to expand their minimal storage, they are pushing everything to their cloud storage & if something unexpected happens you could lose everything you purchased from them. It's always great until something goes wrong or the company goes out of business.

If you do get her one of these devices, get her to learn how to strip the drm so that she can keep & back up what she buys.

www.mobileread.com/forums is a great site to get your learn on about all things regarding ereaders & tablets Ted.

cfrizz

Whoops I meant to say the A1 tablet which is 7", the K1 is 10".