Is a Tablet for me

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Peejay

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Topic # 99357 17-Mar-2012 14:23

Just a few questions from a Gadget lover (but not a Geek)

Time for me to either buy a netbook or lately been thinking a tablet may be just as good or better.
Questions I have for a tablet:

We travel quite a bit and usually use internet cafes to contact back home. Are tablets quite ok for email?

Is a tablet ideal for storing photos and are they easily downloaded through a usb port - I don't fancy having to download through WiFi from our computer.

My Wife Skypes often - tablets any good for that?

Size - is bigger always better or are some of the smaller models ok?

Is 3G essential or just nice to have?

What do you suggest as a good model

mattwnz

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Reply # 596487 17-Mar-2012 15:16

They are largely consumption devices, so they are not ideal for typing lots of stuff on unles you buy a seperate keyboard. FIle management on an ipad isn't that easy, and photos on an ipad are usually just a synced copy of what you have on your PC.

scuwp

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Reply # 596489 17-Mar-2012 15:27

I can only speak about the iPad2. We brought one because it was the only tablet that could Skype. At that time (and still as far as I know) there is no Skype application for Android.

We brought the connector allowing photos to be loaded from an SD card straight from the camera, works a treat and was a great backup when travelling. Around $50 from memory.

Used wi-fi extensively when overseas, most hotels had free access where we stayed, so not having 3G wasn't an issue. Data charges overseas could be a problem.

Keyboard is fine for typing emails etc.

Considered a netbook for travelling but haven't looked back since getting an iPad.

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

tanivula

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Reply # 596490 17-Mar-2012 15:30

Have a look at a net book with instant on webos. The HP mini 210 for example. This way you'll be quickly able to access email internet and other things (Skype included) without having to wait for windows to boot up. Plus with the HD space on the netbook you'll be able to transfer pictures while overseas from your camera etc .

_Allan

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Reply # 596494 17-Mar-2012 15:38

A tablet is a computer with touch screen.   You can also get tablets that have a keyboard (e.g. Asus Transformer / Prime), so in simple terms the answer is yes to all your questions.

The rules have not changed. Figure what you want to do with a new device and ensure all bases are covered.

I would suggest that taking a tablet with you on your travels is better than a netbook. It’s so easy to just pick up and use.

So to answer your questions:

Email works fine. Attachments work fine.

Storing photo is just the same as a net book, but now you touch on the question of how much Ram you require.   There is also a trend to not store all you photos on a device, but instead store them on a service like skydrive. That way you can view your photos on other devices and you can share them with other people if you so wish.

Skype software on most devices is in it’s infancy. But they are working on it all the time and improvements are always not too far away.   If it’s basic voice communications and chatting then they all work fine.   It’s video communications that sometimes do not work as expected. However as said earlier they will soon have those issues resolved.

Bigger is not always better. You will know when you try it which size you prefer.

3G is nice to have, but I personally have opted to tether my tablet to my phone. My logic is that I only have one 3G device, one number and one bill. Most tablet tether nicely to a phone device and work very well.

My feeling is the Asus Prime would be the pick of the bunch, but I personally have a Asus Transformer which I am very happy with.

Have a look at this video to see where the future is heading….

_Allan (my blog, my tweets, company tweets, company web site)
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nakedmolerat

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Reply # 596496 17-Mar-2012 15:43

scuwp: I can only speak about the iPad2. We brought one because it was the only tablet that could Skype. At that time (and still as far as I know) there is no Skype application for Android.

i have been using skype video chat on android for a while now (at least 6 months). android + skype

_Allan

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Reply # 596497 17-Mar-2012 15:44

scuwp: At that time (and still as far as I know) there is no Skype application for Android.

Skype is available on Android and it works fine.

_Allan (my blog, my tweets, company tweets, company web site)
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hellonearthisman

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Reply # 596516 17-Mar-2012 17:37

I would say netbook as it's a proper computer and when it gets old makes a nice little low power server.

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 596540 17-Mar-2012 19:31

I'd buy a tablet over a netbook every single day of the week.
Having traveled with both my laptop and iPad, I'd say the biggest issue is that some hotel rooms only have internet via Ethernet, meaning the laptop is used over the iPad.
Of course there are ways around this, but currently I take both when traveling.

NZtechfreak

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Reply # 596561 17-Mar-2012 20:38

Naturally depends on what you want it for.

I've owned quite a few tablets but now gone off them completely, they just aren't there for productivity purposes (or at least the ones I need). Even ones like the Prime with keyboard dock just aren't enough.

For me Ultrabooks virtually completely negate the usefulness of tablets. They're up there in the portability and battery life stakes, but offer a full desktop OS and much more versatility.

That's not to say that tablets won't be very good devices for some people, but overall I think they're a rather useless if aspirational consumer product.

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blakamin

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Reply # 596563 17-Mar-2012 20:45

I tried out a prime today and was quite impressed.

I also use skype on my android phone at least twice a week to talk to my kids.

loganjames

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Reply # 596565 17-Mar-2012 20:56

scuwp: I can only speak about the iPad2. We brought one because it was the only tablet that could Skype. At that time (and still as far as I know) there is no Skype application for Android.

We brought the connector allowing photos to be loaded from an SD card straight from the camera, works a treat and was a great backup when travelling. Around $50 from memory.

Used wi-fi extensively when overseas, most hotels had free access where we stayed, so not having 3G wasn't an issue. ?, charges overseas could be a problem.

Keyboard is fine for typing emails etc.

Considered a netbook for travelling but haven't looked back since getting an iPad.

Most android tabs will skype now days + alot of the phones . If they don't its usually because Skype choose not to offer the support rather than the tab being unable to.

Wait a wee while and compare some of the 2nd Gen android tabs and the new I pad will be in stores in a few weeks . Get a hands on with them and decide for yourself. Or snag a good deal on current range models. I`d say the Samsung will prob have a price drop very soon since the I pad is now only 579!

oxnsox

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Reply # 597416 19-Mar-2012 21:52

You'll judge it's value to you by how you use it and what you pay.
I've a 7inch Tab (with 3g) that suits me fine for traveling and weekends away.
I bought it on Trademe and set a budget that wouldn't see me disappointed if it wouldn't deliver what I wanted. Was less than half the price of a new unit, and with the added bonus of 3g I got an add-on sim card thru VF that for me makes it a better deal than I imagined.
Its more useful to me than a larger Tablet ( for my use), and means on nights or weekends away I don't need to take a laptop. (Felt a bit odd using it's camera at Mt Cook though)