Picking a New Tablet

[TheFauxFox]

Ok, its time to pick some new toys.

For the past... 4 years? I've had my trusty Fujitsu Lifebook 5010 tablet computer. Its been really good to me, and it still runs well, but its age is showing all around. Despite being part of the digital age, or what-have-you, I don't pay enough attention to gadgets that come out every 2 months, creature of habit, I have one thing and I stick with it until it pisses me off. The primary reasons I'm looking to change is the size/weight of my laptop, the deceleration of performance, and the slowly failing components that I'm not willing to replace. What I'm looking to do is get a tablet, but I need some help deciding on what I should get.

Here is that Fujitsu:

Most likely, I'm looking to get an iPad, but I'm willing to consider other similar devices, EXCEPT the Windows tablets and netbooks (I had a netbook and hated it). iPads are high on the list since I already have a slew of Apple products (iPhones, iPods), and I've always been very happy with all of them. I'm looking for people here to express their opinions on the devices they have and then the pros and cons.

A few things I'd like to have this new toy do:
-Have stylus compatibility (not absolutely necessary)
-Have physical keyboard adaptability
-Surf the in-tard-webdz somewhat quickly
-Be able to use the device in class for notes, presentations, and general nonsense
-Have good battery life
-Everything else is just a plus

I don't really care much about the camera or other nonsense that marketing teams try to sell me during keynote speeches.

Also, if the decision becomes unanimously for iPads, I need help picking one. Do I want the iPad 2, the rumored iPad Mini, or can I get by with the older models?

Sell me. :d

 

[NismoFire]

ASUS T300. I'd have one for my truck if I had the extra bang.

 

[Steeze]

Do it right the first time and get the Ipad...

 

[J Everett]

You certainly can't go wrong with an iPad. If you already have several Apple devices, you'll be familiar with the OS and such. Which one to get depends on what you plan to do with it. If, like me, one of the main reasons to have it is reading e-books, I'd say wait for the iPad mini. My wife has the original iPad, and it is a bit heavy to hold like a book and read. I have a Nexus 7 and it's the perfect size for reading, and also for use in a vehicle as a GPS or media player. The iPad mini should be similarly sized. As far as taking notes in class, and generally looking for something to replace your old tablet laptop, get something with a physical keyboard. Tons of companies make Bluetooth keyboards for all manner of tablets, including iPads, but the absolute best tablet/keyboard combo is the ASUS Transformer series, of which the Transformer Prime is the latest and best. It has expandable memory via SDcard and USB ports, and I'm almost certain you can run a portable HDD or CD-rom drive via the USB. The Toshiba Thrive is also an excellent Android tablet, and as I mentioned, my Nexus 7 is also pretty amazing, but it's not really something you can use without some sort of full computer support, as it has no expandable memory (relies on Google Drive cloud storage).

There are tons of online comparisons and bench tests. Look around a little and do a bit of homework, and you'll be more certain of what you want when it's time to buy.

 

[TheFauxFox]

J, very good information. I'm looking at the Prime now, but I also see that there are a few complaints (as usual for everything). According to a few different reviews, the keyboard seems to lag a little with the screen, which I suppose has to do with the Bluetooth(?). At the same time, I'm looking at the TF300, which seems to have similar lag issues with the keyboard, but corrections to the wifi/gps units. I'm intrigued though.

I'm slightly shying away from the iPad Mini for size, but I haven't seen the official review for it. I'm not sure how small is too small yet. I'm quite happy with my 11.5" computer. As for the weight, it doesn't bother me. I'm pretty used to carrying this thing in tablet mode + stylus, so any moderate weight reduction will probably be fine by me. Isn't the mini "officially" announced tomorrow?

I forgot to mention, I don't plan on getting a cellular data purposed device. Wifi is good enough. Also, I'll be looking for a device with 32GB most likely. This is why I'm looking at other potential candidates. I really like the ability to add storage if need be, but I'm sure I can suffice with 32GB and the 500GB external that I have.

 

[J Everett]

Yes, the "official" announcement for the Mini is tomorrow. Also, I know you said you weren't interested in Windows tablets, but don't discount the Microsoft Surface which comes out early next month (maybe even on Election Day, I think; I seem to remember it being released the same day as Halo 4). It looks to be, well, not a game changer, but at least a powerhouse in the tablet segment, especially for the I-Hate-Apple crowd.

 

[jmnielsen]

I bought a leftover iPad 2 for a sweet deal from my university, so ill speak from my experiences with it.

I use it for school, along with everything else, but the main reason was school.
-taking notes is very easy. There are many different routes to go but I, personally, like the app notability or something like that, I can't remember the name. I can type with my Bluetooth apple keyboard, and if I need to draw something I can use my finger or stylus. Example: typing definitions and stuff in chemistry, then am able to show worked out problems or draw diagrams within the document.
- ebooks are good, there could be more available but it will get there eventually. -battery life is phenomenal. That's all there is to say about that
- I was using google chrome but have found faster surfing with safari, and the ability to open tabs on my iphone/MBP/iPad with cloud. Picking up where I left off.

The bad: so far I have only run in to one issue that has bothered me. And that is the fact that I can't run adobe flash on my iPad. I have an app called photon that works ok, but not that great. The reason that blows is because when I can't download a book from the apple bookstore or something like that, I go to the publisher and get their online version. However, all I have gotten require some sort or flash to run the online book. While I still can do it with the photon app, it is not a fluid app. Hard to use, and have to go out of your way to even just scroll down the screen. Which blows.

Other than that I would say that iPad is a home run.

 

[J Everett]

Don't worry about Flash. It's becoming an obsolete application. Even my Nexus 7 has no support for Flash. Adobe is being so restrictive with it that Apple and Google both said to hell with it. Eventually HTML5 will supplant HTML4 and Flash will be totally unnecessary.

 

[TheFauxFox]

Don't worry about Flash. It's becoming an obsolete application. Even my Nexus 7 has no support for Flash. Adobe is being so restrictive with it that Apple and Google both said to hell with it. Eventually HTML5 will supplant HTML4 and Flash will be totally unnecessary.

I've seen that too, but unfortunately, a lot of homework used for universities is based upon flash, and I highly doubt that will change within the next year (WebAssign, for those who don't know). There may be a way to bypass this on an iPad, but if nothing else, I can use my laptop.

 

[J Everett]

That's also true. Universities and public schools are usually way behind when it comes to adopting new computer technology. Another point in the Surface's favor. Too bad it's so pricey.

 

[drbandkgb]

We have a iPod 3.. It's pretty sweet the one thing apple does really well is the battery life.. Kelly can be on it all day and not kill it..

I'd recommend buying as much tablet as you can afford.
We bought the 64gig iPad.. I couldn't imagine only having 16 gigs.. My iPhone is a 16 and its full..

 

[J Everett]

Good Lord, what did you fill it with, David?! I have a a 16GB iPhone as well, and I don't think I have less than 8GB still available. And there's several days worth of music on there.

 

[jmnielsen]

I have a 64 gig iPad, too. My 32 gig iPhone is almost full, so I figured I would need even more on my iPad. Because I don't even have all my stuff on my phone.

 

[drbandkgb]

Good Lord, what did you fill it with, David?! I have a a 16GB iPhone as well, and I don't think I have less than 8GB still available. And there's several days worth of music on there.

I have 4k of songs on it..
A few apps and some pictures

 

[TheFauxFox]

Purge it, Dave! I have the 16GB iPhone 4 and still have 7GB left on it with multiple pages of heavy apps, 300 pics and a few videos. Then again, I'd be looking at larger capacity apps for whatever I get, Photoshop Essentials, etc...

Great input so far. Keep it going :d

 

[Kris&HerX]

I've been rocking the Toshiba Thrive 10.1 inch since October of last year without any major issues. Heard they've cone out with a smaller version as well. Toshiba does everything right.

 

[BigTim55]

Does anyone have the note 10.1 or have used it? I am thinking about gettin it for taking notes in class

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

[AZhiAZiAM]

its pretty cool, i had it then i switched it up to a EE transformer. it has more updated software and is faster about the same price too.

 

[Roadwarrior]

I have the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, love it.

 

[BigTim55]

I have the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, love it.

Can you use the s pen with it?

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

[TheFauxFox]

For the record, I ended up getting an iPad 2. Use it everyday for class.

 

[Roadwarrior]

Yes, I dont have one though

 

[outlaw_xterra]

Galaxy tab by samsung. Can get either 10in or 7, android and google market.. I love mine. Good graphics and really fast.

 

[jconway23]

I'm typing this on an iPad. But if I was buying something new. I'd get the Galaxy tab 10.1. It's very nice

 

[dhyde79]

Also, if the decision becomes unanimously for iPads, I need help picking one. Do I want the iPad 2, the rumored iPad Mini, or can I get by with the older models?

Sell me. :d

iPad 4....by far the best screen and fastest hardware on the market from every test I've seen so far.

 

[AZhiAZiAM]

except it doens't support flash.. the new EE transformer are the quickest, and i like android / google software more.

 

[dhyde79]

I guess you missed the memo....Flash doesn't exist on tablets if it's as a standalone app, adobe discontinued mobile support when ICS launched. the Windows 8 stuff works because it's emulating desktop software, and the blackberry playbook has it built into the browser, with the rumors being that BB10 will also have it integrated into the browser. Apple's done what they do best, point out crappy stuff and hound it till it dies. Flash was a cool idea if the separate player didn't become such an obscene resource hog....

oh, and, for flash *video* on iOS, skyfire browser...from what I'm told, it works nicely.

 

[AZhiAZiAM]

ya chrome doesn't work on the androids either with "flash" but if you use IE it does now. its just how the embedded i guess now.

 

[dhyde79]

it'd be so much simpler if adobe would just make a big thing and tell everyone that's used their product to download the HTML5 converter app they made and help people make a script that checks for flash, and if not present load the HTML5 version...

 

[TheFauxFox]

Chrome for the iPad is hit or miss on some aspects. It is better than Safari.