| Author | Message | ||
     Damnut |
So I'd like to get a tablet for my wife for Christmas. Was wondering what folks are using and opinions on what's out there. I'm basically searching for something with a 9-10" screen, Android based, expandable memory and HDMI output. The only reason I'm not looking towards the Ipad is the non-expandable memory part, she kinda needs a microSD/SD slot. The ones I have been mainly looking at are the Archos 101 G9, Sony S, Motorola Xoom and the Samsung Galaxy tab. So what are you using?? | ||
| Strokizator |
While the iPad doesn't have an SD slot you can connect one to it with a short cable. There are a few other shortcomings but for what my wife uses the iPad1 for - email, online bill paying, getting recipes, etc - it works great. | ||
| Froggy |
The Asus Transformer Prime is due out in a few days, and is the one to get. I have a Xoom, it is fan-freaking-tastic. I destroyed the screen (glass sucks), so I am going to get a Prime to replace it. The Prime is confirmed to be getting a free upgrade to Android 4 in the beginning of the year. My Xoom will be getting it too at some point in the near future, but I'll have the Prime first. You can find the Xoom for around $400 these days, but for the money I feel you are better off spending a few more dollars and getting a Prime which has better specs and an optional hardwired keyboard. | ||
| J2blue |
I highly recommend that whatever tablet you get you install a password safe application on it and your normal home computer. This allows you to remember one difficult to guess password to gain access to all your other difficult to guess passwords. Using the service Dropbox you can sync both copies so you always have the correct version of your credentials for each account or website you access. | ||
| Froggy |
 Dropbox and LastPass are a must!  It is nice autofilling in on Badweb and everything else too. | ||
| Damnut |
That Prime looks nice but it looks like it's getting released on the 19th, that's cutting it kinda close to getting it here by the 24th. I figure the best deals will be had online. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I saw this one on Ebay. Looks like pretty good specs but I don't own one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/320766770715?ssPageName=ST RK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 | ||
| Damnut |
This is the Archos one I'm looking at. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/822699-REG/A rchos_501887_16GB_Arnova_101_G9.html | ||
| Damnut |
They make a 250Gb version too. http://www.adorama.com/ARC501891.html?utm_term=Oth er&utm_medium=Shopping%20Site&utm_campaign=Other&u tm_source=gbase | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Just keep taking 'em, you'll get better soon. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Are you absolutely sure she needs a memory card slot? With the cloud that apple uses, you no longer need to store a lot of stuff on the device itself. At the risk of being accused of being an apple fanboy (I assure you, I'm not), I think the ipad, while expensive, is the best tablet out there if you want all of the bells and whistles. The Kindle Fire was neat to use - I didn't spend much time on it. The interface was nowhere near as smooth as an iPad, though. | ||
| Aeholton |
I agree with Xl1200r. iPad2 best available. | ||
| Froggy |
Whatever tablet you get, read some reviews and make sure it has Android 3.x Honeycomb or 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Also, make sure ahead of time that it will be upgradeable to 4.0, it would be a shame to blow that kind of coin and not get an over the air upgrade. There probably will be a way to manually upgrade them though Also, do not get a tablet running 2.3 like the Kindle Fire. The OS is not designed for the tablet, and as result the overall experience is worse. Amazon is good with getting things shipped fast, that is your best bet for getting the Transformer Prime, assuming it isn't sold out already. | ||
| Damnut |
Yes I think she needs one. She's always doing stuff with pictures from my camera and it's easier for her to upload them via the memory chip. Can you tether the Ipad2 to an Android based cell phone to use it? We're not getting a plan for the tablet and I think I'd rather tether it if I needed a signal away from home. That is if I couldn't get a wireless signal. | ||
| Aeholton |
Can you tether the Ipad2 to an Android based cell phone to use it? We're not getting a plan for the tablet and I think I'd rather tether it if I needed a signal away from home. That is if I couldn't get a wireless signal. For what purpose? To surf the web? There are so many free WiFi hotspots now, can't see where this would be a requirement. | ||
| Froggy |
It may require rooting, but you can get software to turn your phone into a mobile wifi hotspot, allowing you to connect any wifi device including iPad to get internet access.
Convenience and security are the big two for me and why I do it. My wifi tablet is hooked up 24/7. I stop for gas, log my fuel economy, reply to a quick email, check the radar, and be on my way. Security - open wifi is dangerous. Using it for checking the news is fine, but never use it for anything that requires a password. At least with a portable hotspot, you can use a secure connection, which by time someone gets around to hacking into, you will be long gone. I usually bluetooth tether, which is even more secure due to obscurity. Although it is easier to hack if someone was specifically targeting me and knows a thing or two about Bluetooth. | ||
| Damnut |
Thanks froggy that's what I thought and the reason why I'm more looking towards an Android based tablet. As nice as the IPad is, I think I'm going to have to pass. | ||
| Ezblast |
Sorry, my Kindle Fire rocks! EZ | ||
| Skntpig |
What's the price point on that prime? Looks cool. Do we have a real launch date? My GF was looking at getting me an Ipad2 and I love my I4s but it's the only apple item I own. I also like my asus G74SX laptop. It's just too big to really be portable and is a desktop replacement. Are there a good amount of free usable apps for these? I really know nothing about them. I know apple makes it easy for a noob like me. | ||
| Froggy |
$399 for the 16gb, $449 for the 32gb. There is an optional hard keyboard for $150 that provides protection and doubles the battery life.
Tomorrow! Bestbuy.com claims guaranteed Christmas delivery.
The iPad is pretty much just a large screen iPhone, while the Prime is a totally different experience being a totally different OS.
Yep! Apps on average are just as good if not better than iOS apps. You will see that 80% of the apps will work fine on the tablet, 10% will work a little wonky being not designed for the large screen, then the last 10% don't work. Many popular games have two versions, with one that has better graphics and designed to take advantage of the higher resolution screen. There is a large selection too, you will find multiple programs that do similar things if for whatever reason you don't like the one that you are using. Most apps are free, then there are usually paid versions of them that offer more functionality or no ads. You really do not need to buy anything, over the past year I've spent less than $10 on apps all together.
They are easy to use, but not in the Apple dumbed down to the lowest common denominator way. It will take you a few minutes to get the hang of it, but it is pretty much smooth sailing once you do. | ||
| Skntpig |
Thanks. Looking at Bestbuy.com I see the gray 32gb is $499. They only list the keyboard in champagne.? Am I missing something? I really only need the 16gb (Message edited by skntpig on December 17, 2011) | ||
| Skntpig |
Ready to pull the trigger on this prime...but can't find where to pre-order with best buy. | ||
| Froggy |
BestBuy is confusing the hell out of me, I don't even see most of the Primes anymore, just the gray 32GB. Amazon, Newegg, Gamestop, and B&H just say its out of stock. Regarding the keyboard, make sure you get the Prime specific one, the old keyboard isn't compatible with the Prime. | ||
| Damnut |
This is on Woot today, Toshiba Thrive 32Gb. http://www.woot.com/ Not a bad price either. | ||
| Fahren |
Woot: Sold out. Wasn't available for xmas time, either. | ||
| Damnut |
wow that was quick. Fahren, look at the bottom left of tablet. It says arrives by Christmas, that is if anyone got one in time. | ||
| Fahren |
Oops - I thought my little gift box thingie had an "X" through it... | ||
| Blake |
>>> just a large screen iPhone "just" That's funny. Kinda like saying it's "just" a camera, video recorder, compass, GPS receiver, personal assistant, wifi-internet-connected computer that is incredibly easy to use. >>> They are easy to use, but not in the Apple dumbed down to the lowest common denominator way. So they are not as easy to use as an iPad. It's odd that some folks feel the need to berate that which they don't prefer. | ||
| Damnut |
Cheap money tab http://sellout.woot.com/sale/23032 | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
The iPad will take an SD card using the apple camera connection kit, or third party adapters.  Nothing like an iPad for showing photographs. I use mine as a portfolio to pitch jobs all the time. I often load photos from my computer to clients iPad's using a very good app called PhotoSync, which allows me to transfer photos wirelessly, and create a new folder on the clients iPad, without syncing their iPad to my computer. Of all the apple products, the one that really completely dominates the category is the iPad. Another nice feature is the ability to get an iPad that connects to the net, and pay for it only on those months when one might need this service. (Unless one has Tether, the app that turns one's iPhone into a wifi hotspot,as I do:-) The other thing to remember is if she wants a tablet, what she really wants is an iPad. Don't disappoint her, Jim. OK?  (Message edited by gentleman_jon on December 20, 2011) |
