Calling tablet owners

[expat]

Just to be clear (Fozzer), we are talking about, for example, iPads or such like, not what you have in your medicine cabinet.....

Anyway, I am thinking about buying one. The laptop takes up too much space on the end of our butcher block and is too big for the coffee table. I want something for a bit of sofa-surfing, to use with Skype (we have relatives all over the world and use Skype a lot) and show the odd photo when we go places. I want one in the 10 inch range (Fozzer............ ) and with a camera. So if you have one, what is it and why did you buy it.

Thanks
Matt

[F35LightningII]

I've got a Samsung Galaxy Tab. It was probably the best Android tablet back when I got it. It's useless compared to today's tabs however.

I recommend you get yourself a Galaxy Note 10.1. It's got great performance and lots of useful features. http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite ... ?type=find

Or if you'd prefer to have a Windows tablet, check out the Microsoft Surface RT. The bonus for buying a Surface is that you get Office 2013 for free. The Surface also has a built-in kick-stand, so you don't have to hold it up-right.

http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US

Remember, Windows RT (the OS which the Surface RT runs) will not run your regular desktop programs. However, Surface Pro (which will be released Feb 9th) will run Windows 8, which will be compatible with all desktop programs. The Surface Pro will also come with a pen (just like the Note 10.1 does), so you can write on it as if you were writing on paper.

If I were to buy a tablet today, I would probably get Note 10.1. If MS Office will be useful to you on your tablet, go ahead and buy a Surface. If you'd like to run desktop programs on your tab, wait for the Surface Pro. If those features don't interest you, you should probably go for the Note 10.1, since it definitely out-features the Windows tabs in terms of what it can do out of the box.

[the sly flyer]

I own a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (32 gig deep grey) which is running Android Jelly Bean. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! Everyone seems really turned off by the S pen. That thing (the pen) is amazing! And if you don't want the pen then simply leave it in its little compartment and forget about it!

The Note is fast sleek and light weight (great for carrying around for a while) and is extremely fast and user friendly. I got mine as a Christmas present this last year and mine came with a case. I looked up the case and the one I have is only about 20 $ (US) and it's leather and also folds into a stand (great for skyping my girlfriend).

Another great thing about it is you can put external storage in (in other words there is a slot for a Micro SD

[expat]

I have been looking at the Google Nexus 10, however, sold out everywhere in an understatement and ebay prices   The Galaxy Note 10 is a very nice looking bit of kit. I like that you can have a card slot. Also my cell phone is a Galaxy Note and I love it. I think I am going to have to give the Note 10 a good looking at......

Matt

[Mictheslik]

I'll be the first to come in with the iPad then

I've always hated Apple, their marketing schemes, their users, their company as a whole for being style over substance. When the iPad first came out I dismissed it as useless and expensive. I've owned android phones for 5 years now and don't plan on getting anything else.

So why iPad?

This was about a year ago now, but I tried out a few tablets in store etc. and none of them came close to what the iPad did in terms of something you can quickly pick up and easily browse the net/show photos. The screen is superb, the battery life amazing and I find I use it more than my computer to browse the net on now!

.mic (owner of iPad 2 32Gb with 3G)

[Fozzer]

My elderly Sister has just treated herself to a very nice Google Nexus 7" Tablet. (A computer would be too complicated for her).

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac ... cleContent

I am still stuck with my old Tablets... :'(...>>>

https://www.simviation.com/phpupload/upl ... 029680.jpg

(Hebrew Text).

Paul... ... ...!

I need a Tower/Desktop Computer to play all of my many Games... 8-)..!

[Gregorio]

My 2 cents... I use an iPad (3rd gen) and my wife uses a Galaxy Tab 2 (7-inch, Android 4.0). My opinion is that no Android tablet today provides the user experience smoothness that the iPad does. I am ok with an Android phone - they run pretty smooth - but for tablets, the iPad is still the one to be beaten IMHO.

[expat]

Thanks for all the input. It came down to what is available at this time and in my price range. The Galaxy Note 10, sold out everywhere as is the Nexus 10. I was in Media Markt a big electronics chain here in Germany and on offer was the Galaxy Tab 10 for very good money. I also looked at the ipad, but bought the Tab 10 because it will take an SD card thus not in the position of running out of storage...

Matt

[ozzy72]

You could do a lot worse than actually look at the slightly smaller Nexus 7. Stunning bit of kit for an amazing price!

[ViperPilot]

I have the Toshiba Thrive 10" tablet, otherwise known as 'the iPad killer'.

User replaceable battery, full size SD card slot, full size USB port, HDMI & USB-B ports... front and rear facing cameras.

Puts an iPad to shame, uses Flash, and I can hook up a keyboard or mouse to it!

BTW... Android 4.0 ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) as the OS.

[Fozzer]

I have the Toshiba Thrive 10" tablet, otherwise known as 'the iPad killer'.

User replaceable battery, full size SD card slot, full size USB port, HDMI & USB-B ports... front and rear facing cameras.

Puts an iPad to shame, uses Flash, and I can hook up a keyboard or mouse to it!

BTW... Android 4.0 ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) as the OS.

..and if you wanted to know more....

Review:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/22/tosh ... ve-review/

Paul... 8-)....

..mind you...all this i-Pad/Tablet/Kindle stuff is a total mystery to me... :-?...!

[expat]

You could do a lot worse than actually look at the slightly smaller Nexus 7. Stunning bit of kit for an amazing price!

I did have a look at it, but I wanted the bigger screen option, but yes cracking bit of kit. Shame that the Nexus 10 is sold out everywhere.

I have the Toshiba Thrive 10" tablet, otherwise known as 'the iPad killer'.

User replaceable battery, full size SD card slot, full size USB port, HDMI & USB-B ports... front and rear facing cameras.

Puts an iPad to shame, uses Flash, and I can hook up a keyboard or mouse to it!

BTW... Android 4.0 ICS (Ice Cream Sandwich) as the OS.

Again, nice bit of equipment, but almost as thick as my laptop and just as heavy, so it was out of the running.

Matt

[Fozzer]

..and the Nexus 10 review...>>> http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/02/nexus-10-review/

(They really did like the Nexus 7!)

Paul.

[DaveSims]

For what its worth,

I have the Google Nexus 7 and love it.  I bought it primarily as an electronic flightbag, for charts and approach plates.  I wanted the smaller size for in the cockpit, it isn't much bigger than the average kneeboard. 

However I now love using it for everything.  I even took it to a conference recently to use as a notepad and it fit perfectly in my suit jacket.

[JP]

I still don't get Ipads.
They are practically identical to the Galaxy tab IMO,we use ours regularely and it's just a bit slower than our PC,Ipads are the same story only much more expensive. :/

But I don't get people who think androids are hard to use,a friend of mine said he doesn't understand that you have 2 menus for apps,the normal thing that shows up and the full applist thingy.

And of course,it depends on taste and use...