What Tablet

[Cyclezee]

I am not entirely sure if I really need one, but I would like to know members personal experience of tablet computers and whether you think it was a good and worthwhile purchase.

There is an ever increasing array of brands and models available or coming out soon, but which model offers useful features at a reasonable cost.

I already have an excellent iMac desktop computer, Samsung Galaxy SII which I find indispensable, a netbook that I hardly ever use, so what would a tablet do that I can't already?

 

[jazper53]

With all that tec to hand, I think the only tab you need is the one for headaches.

 

[Cyclezee]

You could well be right Jazper and my reason for the thread title was deliberately ambiguous

I probably won't get one, I was really just interested in members experiences

 

[funkylyn]

Maybe one for your bad back John

Lynda

 

[sqeeezy]

I was holding out for a Nexus 7, but got an iPad2 first, then the Nexus. The nice thing about the iPad is the SmartCover and instant switch on, very good build quality and slick and intuitive interface. The Nexus is half the price but half the screen area, good but not brilliant build quality, but easier to hold if you want to watch a movie in bed. I find I pick up the iPad if I suddenly want to check something on the internet, as it's so handy and portable, but use my laptop for longer net sessions.

 

[Old_Dave]

If you need a tablet type device, then there is only 1 option ... iPad


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GaRRy]

To be honest when tablets (and especially the iPad ) came out I really could not se the point as its seemed to just be a net book with out a key board.

But I then won a iPad in a competition and I must confess I could not imagine being with out it now. just handy to have around for a bit of quick browsing, checking email, forums and can use it to watch videos listen to music, play games, read books and pretty much anything else can do on PC but its there ready to go at a moments notice and nice and portable.

Not much use for heavy applications like preparing large documents/presentations/photo processing/video editing but it can still do those if really have to.

So it cant really do anything extra to what you have already got it just does it in a very convenient way.

As for which to get for me thats easy iPad But then again for no apparent reason I have seem to have become a Apple fan boy with a iPad,iPhone and MacBook Air. I have worked with and used Windows for years but currently just seem to find the Apple products far more friendly. I am more than capable of tinkering and tweaking windows/unix/android etc however I much prefer something that just works out of the box with out loads of messing around to get it just how I want it and Apple seem to fit the bill better than anything else. Of course others hate the way Apple lock everything down so you have to do it their way or not at all.

I guess if you really like your samsung then a Galaxy Tab also needs to be on the possible list or you don't really need such a small phone you may want to consider a Galaxy Note to replace the SII.

After that its really a matter of looking around but a lot of the cheap (less than £150) options are in the main a load of rubbish or limited in some way.

 

[funkylyn]

I have just been re looking into them but have decided to renew my laptop with another laptop rather than a tablet as I still think I prefer typing on a keyboard and my GalaxyS11 is fine for out and about internet use, though will be better next year when I can upgrade to the S3 with the larger screen or maybe the Galaxy S4 by then !

The only reason I had thought about getting a Tab was for it being lighter to carry around than my laptop....but my phone suffices for carrying around.

Also I like a touch screen but when I feel the need to swipe and touch I can use the phone or my iPod, so, for me, it was an easy decision in the end......upgrade to another laptop....now then.....which one ?

Lynda

 

[GaRRy]

Also I like a touch screen but when I feel the need to swipe and touch I can use the phone or my iPod, so, for me, it was an easy decision in the end......upgrade to another laptop....now then.....which one ?

Lynda

Again if you can live with the culture shock and the cost its got to be a Mac Book Air

But there again there are some really nice windows 8 laptops coming out and some of those also have touch screens to give you the best of both worlds

 

[funkylyn]

Believe me GaRRy if I could afford it I would go for the Mac but......I have other expensive toys to upkeep at the moment

I dont want a touch screen laptop as I prefer the keyboard for all my serious typing etc.

When I fancy a bit of a touch or swipe Im only really playing so I dont really NEED a Tab.....of course to be totally honest, if money was no object I would have one just for fun......cos......OK....I admit.....

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE gadgets...any gadget....the more the merrier

Lynda

 

[Cyclezee]

Thank you for the interesting and informative posts.

I am a fan of most things Apple except for the iPhone, I much prefer the Samsung Galaxy.

I have used and liked an iPad, but I think I will just wait until my phone contract is due for renewal and get the latest offering from Samsung as that currently fulfils all my needs when on the move.

 

[GaRRy]

Lynda, I mean there are laptops coming out that also have touch screens as Microsoft are making a big song and dance about this feature in Windows 8. So you can have a keyboard and a touch screen

 

[funkylyn]

Ah yes, I read about them but I have the feeling they are going to be really expensive, in which case I would rather go for the Mac

Have you heard anything price wise yet ?

Lynda

 

[GaRRy]

Ah yes, I read about them but I have the feeling they are going to be really expensive, in which case I would rather go for the Mac

Have you heard anything price wise yet ?

Lynda

They have only just been released as of today. So far the cheapest around seems to be the Acer Aspire M5-581T at £699 but if you afford to wait till January I am sure that will come down.

 

[funkylyn]

Ah, thanks GaRRy I will take a closer look at them then.
I was in Currys 2 days ago but they had very few in..... waiting for the new Windows 8 today obviously.

BTW.....I need red or purple though

Lynda

 

[lectureral]

But I then won a iPad in a competition and I must confess I could not imagine being with out it now.

Exactly the same here - when we first came to Phnom Penh I bought my small electrical goods in a posh shop (rather than the market) and about 1 month later won an iPad in their raffle. Now I would have to replace it if it died (or, more likely, was killed by one of the children). I read my Times on it every day - my Economist every week - and watch my UK/US TV on it (torrent sites often let you download mp4s which can go straight on without conversion). Now I feel I need another one because I am finding it increasingly difficult to get it away from the wife and kids. I am not generally a big gadget person, either.

 

[Atmosphere]

As a newbie to tablets I wasnt prepared to spend too much to see if I REALLY wanted one so went for the Google Nexus 7
As Garry says, I cant live without it now - so useful for so much emails, updates, and more than my phone . I know its only wifi (but there are discussions of a 3/4g version coming out soon - but with BTfon wifi and home and work wifi connections its not really a problem. Even when out of signal from BT I pair it with my phone and all works well through that.
and for £199 the 16gb is great

 

[Waspy]

I bought an Archos Arnova 7" tablet for £79 from Staples.

It has 8GB built in but I added a 32GB micro SD card for £20

I also bought a case/stand from eBay for £10

So £110 in total.

Is it any good? Well it has Android Ice Cream Sandwich which is a good thing apparently.

It does not have Google Play which is a bad thing apparently, but there are ways round that if you Google it.

As for the browser, apps, games etc. I have no idea because I've never used them (don't use them on my phone either). I use it for one thing only and that's watching movies and American TV series (which I've stored on the micro SD card) when I'm in bed.

For that I can't fault it.

But of course you have to convert your DVDs to MP4 or AVI etc. which stumps a lot of people.