Tablets

[Webtroll]

Don't like Apple, found a tablet I like. Picked up an ASUS TF300T but mainly use it as a book reader.

 

[fdeck]

I don't hate Apple. I just like my money.

But another question to ask yourself: Do you tend to have a lot of problems with computers and technology? You can put two people in a room with identical computers and software, doing identical work. For some unknown reason, one of them will have no end of problems and always be tearing their hair out. The other will have perfectly smooth sailing and wonder if the first person is causing their own problems.

For this reason, those two people would get different advice about what to buy. And it's a reason why these threads are never conclusive. I wouldn't say that I'm particularly good at fixing technology problems. I got a lot better at it when Google came out. But I'm one of those people who inexplicably has smooth sailing with even the cheapest knock-off technology. The problems that I'm supposed to have experienced just never materialized. And I'm several thousand bucks richer because of it.

 

[corndog]

My Ipad gets alot of use by the family, but is miles from being as good as we are lead to believe. The browser is terrible, I find the interface to be awkward (although it looks slick) and frankly, I can't stand Itunes.

Don't buy into the hype, try them all and find one that fits your needs, there are lots of fantastic products out there. My next tablet won't be an Ipad.

 

[rtslinger]

Yeah agree Ipad is the way to go especially if you want to use it for an instrument (AmpliTube iRig) Android isn't there yet on this one. Although there was talk of it, it hasn't come to fruition.

 

[Paladin54]

For me personally I don't like the apple products because they only have one button. I NEED more buttons. I hate trying to find the on screen controls for each app.

 

[Eric Perry]

My Ipad gets alot of use by the family, but is miles from being as good as we are lead to believe. The browser is terrible, I find the interface to be awkward (although it looks slick) and frankly, I can't stand Itunes.

Don't buy into the hype, try them all and find one that fits your needs, there are lots of fantastic products out there. My next tablet won't be an Ipad.

My sentiments exactly. I've never owned an iPad, bit I owned an iPhone. It was the best thing ever... until I got a *good* Android-based device, and realized how incredibly limited it is. If you're a simpleton, then yes get an iPad. If your cables are Monster, and your stereo is Bose, then you buy into the media hype and would be best with an iPad. If you're a techy who wants to explore a device and do exactly what you want with it, get a good Android-based tablet.

I ordered my Galaxy S4 today and should have it in two weeks. Arguably the sickest device currently available, with the Sony Experia and HTC One being other monsters. I don't consider the iPhone 5 to be anywhere near that class, personally.

 

[atomicdog]

iPad all the way. You can get by with the basic wi-fi only model. but go for the whole enchilada if you can afford it. Steer clear of Amazon's Fire (junk with little going for it) and the Samsung stuff is underwhelming.

 

[m0ranwad]

Nexus 7 if you want an Android tablet. It has full access to Google's app store, not a third party app store.

16gb model is $200. Works great, tons of apps.

+1. One of the most powerful tablets on the market. Makes more sense if you have an android phone and Google account. If you have an iPhone than an iPad probably makes more sense.

 

[crikker]

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[noiseguy]

+1 Nexus 7.

 

[Clark Dark]

I have the iPad (original) and it developed a "mysterious" virus where it jumps around and is sporatic. I took all the messenger Apps off and email Apps off and put angry birds on it and gave it to my children to play with. I replaced it with a Toshiba Excite and never looked back.

 

[m0nst3r]

Nexus 7 all the way!

 

[Thrust Meatnozl]

Another vote for the N7. I used a 10" tab for a while & found it unnecessarily large for most of my uses. I also use an Android phone so the integration makes sense for me.

 

[BHester93]

i know this is off the wall but i own both an Ipad and a tablet i doubt anyone has ever heard of, the Icoo D50. and i would reccomend the icoo to anyone. its pretty much an android tablet from china but it does everything you need to do and is perfect for on the go. its smaller than the ipad so its easier for going place to place, it has a built in google store so you can get apps, music, magazines, videos, etc. it has a camera and sound recording(low quality though) it browses the web like a boss and its got a lot of other cool features, including adobe flash player (cant get on an ipad) and compared to the price of an ipad which can be several hundred dollars i got my icoo brand new with a factory waranty for only 75 bucks and if given the option i would gladly have gotten it before the ipad. the only downside is that on a full charge you only get about 4 hours of battery on an icoo but hey, nothing is perfect.

 

[crikker]

With the Nexus 7, can you add more storage or is 32gb the max?

 

[Tarrbot]

There are a ton of things to do with tablets now. Even the term tablet is expanding.

I have a lot of tablets and have used a lot of tablets.

My list of tablets used:
Samsung Galaxy Tab 1 & 2
iPad 2/3
Kindle Fire and Fire HD
unnamed knockoff cheap androids (several here)
iPad Mini
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10
HP Elitepad

I've used every one of these for at least a few weeks.

I use my iPad 2 the most.

Mainly for the games I play on it and the way it hooks into xbmc and my music apps.

However, it isn't a tool for everyone. I reluctantly started using it and have found that it's a decent alternative.

But if I were to start from scratch, I'd be swinging an HP Elitepad with a jacket and a Microsoft wedge keyboard. Only because I'd be using every Windows app I've ever needed on it and I can plug external CDs, USB etc into it without ever having to deal with a middle man scenario to get music or store more data or any of that jazz.

Plus it works as a laptop in some ways but is a tablet.

The downside is cost. The way I configured it is about $800. It just depends on your needs...

 

[Eric Perry]

i know this is off the wall but i own both an Ipad and a tablet i doubt anyone has ever heard of, the Icoo D50. and i would reccomend the icoo to anyone. its pretty much an android tablet from china but it does everything you need to do and is perfect for on the go. its smaller than the ipad so its easier for going place to place, it has a built in google store so you can get apps, music, magazines, videos, etc. it has a camera and sound recording(low quality though) it browses the web like a boss and its got a lot of other cool features, including adobe flash player (cant get on an ipad) and compared to the price of an ipad which can be several hundred dollars i got my icoo brand new with a factory waranty for only 75 bucks and if given the option i would gladly have gotten it before the ipad. the only downside is that on a full charge you only get about 4 hours of battery on an icoo but hey, nothing is perfect.

I bought a Zenithink (another cheap Chinese tablet maker running Android) on a whim several years ago. It was a cheapie but actually works pretty well.

 

[P. Aaron]

Lenovo Idea-Pad? My wife had/has one. It lies comatose in the corner. The power switch is broken. A common problem.

She's hijacked my I-Pad. Which has been reliable.

So, I'd say...try an I-Pad. Easy to carry, store, hold lotsa tunes and once you get used to using it...seems to make sense.

 

[Phil Smith]

I have a 1st Gen iPad and after 3 years it's still going strong.
Bought a 13.3 inch Android tablet 45 days ago, practically went up in flames the other day.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

You will no doubt be advised to try all makes and models of various second-rate tablets.

Ignore all such advice and buy an iPad.

Yes, get the original second-rate tablet, the iPad.