Tablet? (OT)

  1. jmdirt

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    I'm thinking about purchasing a tablet. Any advice you can offer is appreciated! I've seen several around $100...do you get what you pay for? I don't need anything fancy-smancy because I just want to be able to check my email and surf the www when I'm not at my office computer. A smart phone just doesn't cut it for me, I'd rather have a dumb phone to make phone calls and another device/tablet for the rest. Thanks!

    Sorry for the OT in tyhe general section but the OT section gets almost no traffic.

    Posted 5 months ago

  2. hplbiking

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    We have both a Ipad and an HP touchpad. My wife works at a company owned by HP and was able to get a few at about 100 buck. The Ipad was about $500. I can tell you the HP touchpad rarely gets used. Compared to the ipad it sucks big time. And that has nothing to do with the fact that it is no longer supported. The feel of the screen is terrible.

    Now we got one for the MIL and having used nothing before she enjoys it. I have been reading more and more online and the tiny iphone screen is really bothering my eyes. Since I ride into work I was looking for one big enough to fit in a jeresy pocket but that probably will not work. I will just use a small sack - in a zip lock bag.

    Also having 3 iphone users getting an ipad just made sense as we can use the same music and other apps. The kids use it all the time for their homework. They are required to write in their class room blogs and don't mind the touch keyboard. If we did not also have a laptop I would consider a bluetooth keyboard.

    Posted 5 months ago

  3. 6ix

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    I bought an Ipad 2 last year and was extremely excited about it. In the end, it was cumbersome and just not NEARLY as effective as having an ultra-book. For my 3D design work, I use my Dell Precision laptop workstation. It weighs about 10lbs and really isn't that awful portable. For other work, I picked up a really nice Asus ultrabook with an SSD hard-drive. Far better purchase than the iPad.

    In my opinion, tablets are only meant for casual viewing of the internet and very little else. If you want to be productive, stick with something that actually has a real keyboard and accessible memory.

    Posted 5 months ago

  4. bodynazi

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    I'd suggest getting an HD screen regardless of what model you go with.

    I have an Ipad3 (personal) and and Ipad2 (for work) and the screen difference is significant - like I don't like using the 2 at all due to the crappy resolution.

    If I could do it again, I'd get an andriod HD model vs Apple. F-ing flash of course does not work on Apple and there are zero external ports (usb) which would be quite nice to have.

    Posted 5 months ago

  5. Mike

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    Mostly Apple users in my house.

    Got my wife an I-pad last X mas. She loves it. She uses it for almost everything. The desk tops went to being used very rarely.

    I picked up another for me later in the year. I'm happy with it. All I do is use it to get on the Web and listen to music and a very rare photo. Sometimes a how to video that I take to were I'm doing the work. That is really nice.

    The only thing I don't like is the price and the non-flash ability.

    Honestly I would get a cheaper one that is Windows based if I was going to do it over again. The tablet concept works for me, but I over paid for the Apple ability.

    Posted 5 months ago

  6. Yo Mike

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    +1 to 6ix

    Sometime I will take a look at the MS Surface 'tablet': it seems more of a computer in that there is a detachable keyboard, and I think I can run work progs like excel and filemaker on it

    anyone have one?

    Posted 5 months ago

  7. longslowdistance

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    I use the new android tab and ipad 1 and 3. Skip any ipad except 3.
    The competitors are very good. Just preference for mac for me.

    Posted 5 months ago

  8. Orange Crush

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    Another laptop user. Free one from work. Between that and the phone (also free) I don't need another size in between with intermediate functionality.

    Kids are on discarded laptops from work. Why spend the money if you can get it free.

    The wise man said follow me...and he walked behind.
    Posted 5 months ago

  9. jpouchet

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    In the both camp. Laptops do have more power, to a point, but come with a huge weight and loack of convenience penalty.

    If you are really using for email and browsing, trust me the list will expand as the number of apps are nearly endless, then an iPad is the way to go.

    however, for a lot less the new Windows Surface RT is da bomb! Not as versatile from an application stand point, at least not yet, but the ability to run office native, and in the cloud, running two applications at once, and then synching to the cloud/network when you regain wi-fi is a wonderful plus.

    No, I do not have one, yet, as our IT department is waiting for the super-power unit to come out in the Spring.

    For home use we are mostly Apple. The newest iPad with retina display is amazing!

    Posted 5 months ago

  10. jmdirt

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    Since I posted this a few weeks ago I've done a lot of "shopping". While I still haven't made a final decision, I'm leaning toward a light, 14" lap top. A convertable lap top would be ideal but the price is double for the monitor to flip. jp is correct that the surface is a good idea but after playing with it, I'm not sold. I'm not in a rush so maybe I'll see what happens in the fisrt part of the year. Maybe something new will come out that will be just what I need or the new thing will make the price of what I need lower.

    RE: my original post, $100 won't get me what I want.

    Posted 4 months ago

  11. abrickinthewall

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    I read this thread earlier. I wanted something to do some surfing chek email when traveling. I ended up buying a Nexus 7 inch tablet. I like it very portable and does what I need

    Posted 4 months ago

  12. twelveicat

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    I just bought an iPad and regretting it. Some great apps available for it that aren't on Android, that I need for my shop (Square register and 3D 4 Medical). But aside from that it's a brick that can't be taught to do anything that it doesn't already know.

    Do you enjoy being able to have control over your device and adjusting settings (or even HAVING a menu button)? Stay far away. There are very few good after market apps to make it do something different. An example: if I want to share a picture, website, screengrab, anything at all from any app whatsoever, I can't unless it's through iOS integrated apps. On Android, I can hit share from any app and have the option of sharing through any other program that has that functionality.

    Android has thousands upon thousands of free (and paid) apps that work well. iOS? PFFT. Like buying a 10sp Dura Ace bike with all integrated everything that can only work with other things branded Dura Ace, and only 10 speed. Forever.

    So, get anything Android. The Nexus 7 is an excellent and lightweight choice for most things. You get more than what you pay for. And if you root it, more still. An older/refurbed Galaxy tab would also fare pretty well. The HD screen is a good point, as it'll definitely improve the enjoyment.

    Posted 4 months ago

  13. twelveicat

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    This happened to get posted today. See the bit about handlers to better understand what i meant.

    http://gizmodo.com/5973073/an-iphone-lovers-confession-i-switched-to-the-nexus-4-completely

    Posted 4 months ago

  14. jmdirt

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    12,
    Thanks for the info! Several times while researching I've pondered the idea of getting a phablet (5"+ screen phone) but I'm not sure its worth $300 a year for mobility, plus 5" still isn't exactly great for reading but it is big enough to make for a large phone.

    Posted 4 months ago

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