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Tablets - What's the best available one? (2 Viewers)

cubd8

Footballguy
I am FINALLY thinking of purchasing a tablet, but am in the education phase.

Questions:

1) Do you need a data plan for these? I have been hesitant into looking at these much as I didn't want to add a new monthly data package to my bills.

2) Are tablets primarily for Internet surfing (emails/web browsing)?

3) What about movies? Do you buy movies? Download movies, etc.?

4) Can you read books?

5) Can you get them with Microsoft Word / Excel , etc.?

6) Memory - 16GB OR 32GB standard?

7) What is the operating systems for these? Does it depend on the tablet?

8) How good is the battery life?

Finally, based on your own expertise, what is the best tablets available? I am sure I'm missing more, but to get started.

- Microsoft Surface 3

- Apple iPad Mini

-Apple iPad Air

- Amazon Fire HD 10 / HD 8 / HD 6

- Samsung Galaxy Tab 4

- Nexus 7 from Google

Thank you in advance!!!

 
- Microsoft Surface 3
I'm an Apple supporter but they have dropped the ball on innovation. The S3 is the best of the bunch especially if you're familiar with Windows.I'm trying to sell an iPad Air 2 and/or iPad Mini 3. Don't need all these tablets lying around.

 
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1) Do you need a data plan for these? I have been hesitant into looking at these much as I didn't want to add a new monthly data package to my bills.
A wi-fi only model will suffice for most purposes. All purposes if you can use your phone as a hotspot.

2) Are tablets primarily for Internet surfing (emails/web browsing)?
Really depends on the user

3) What about movies? Do you buy movies? Download movies, etc.?
I think most people use a movie streaming service. I use my already existing Netflix account.

4) Can you read books?
Yes. They all have multiple readers available to them including Nook and Kindle. You can read books you load yourself or those you download.

5) Can you get them with Microsoft Word / Excel , etc.?
Android has those apps available and obviously the Windows tablets do as well. Don't know about Apple tablets, but there are alternatives.

6) Memory - 16GB OR 32GB standard?
16 is pretty small these days. That new Surface 3 Mario recommends ships in 128 and 256 gb models.

7) What is the operating systems for these? Does it depend on the tablet?
Yes, depends on the tablet.

8) How good is the battery life?
Again, depends on the tablet. Read reviews.

I won't recommend a specific tablet since I'm still using one from 3 years ago and haven't done any research lately.

I will say that you might not need to get the latest and greatest as your initial entry into the tablet world. The uses you asked about can all easily be handled by an older model tablet. Of course if you have the budget, then by all means go for it.

 
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Giant phones ant tiny laptops (and chromebooks) seem to be cornering the market on tablets.. I think that the tablet could very well be going the way of the dodo... unless you are getting a Surface Pro or a top of the line iPad, I would seriously reconsider your use case to make sure that it is the type of device you will use.

 
I am FINALLY thinking of purchasing a tablet, but am in the education phase.

Questions:

1) Do you need a data plan for these? I have been hesitant into looking at these much as I didn't want to add a new monthly data package to my bills.

2) Are tablets primarily for Internet surfing (emails/web browsing)?

3) What about movies? Do you buy movies? Download movies, etc.?

4) Can you read books?

5) Can you get them with Microsoft Word / Excel , etc.?

6) Memory - 16GB OR 32GB standard?

7) What is the operating systems for these? Does it depend on the tablet?

8) How good is the battery life?

Finally, based on your own expertise, what is the best tablets available? I am sure I'm missing more, but to get started.

- Microsoft Surface 3

- Apple iPad Mini

-Apple iPad Air

- Amazon Fire HD 10 / HD 8 / HD 6

- Samsung Galaxy Tab 4

- Nexus 7 from Google

Thank you in advance!!!
Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. Bought it for my wife and it easily has the best screen I've seen. Love the size, as well; not huge (10" is too big) but also not phablet size.

The new Amazon tablet (got it for $32) is waiting for me at home. I doubt it is anywhere near the Samsung, but for the price the reviews say it's pretty good.

 
If you want high end ($500+) then the Surface Pro, IPad, or Google Pixel C (brand new) are your best options depending on what ecosystem you prefer and what your usage will be beyond web browsing/email/mobile apps.

For basic use the Nexus 7 2013 edition is a bargain. It has a nice HD IPS screen, the latest version of android and early updates for future versions, and a price tag of around $150 these days. The camera and processors are not going to be the latest and greatest but for general web browsing, Netflix watching, Kindle reading, etc it is a solid device.

The ~7" size tablets are probably a better option if you plan on carrying it around with you. The 9"+ size tablets might be better if you plan on only using it around he house.

Let us know what you go with. I am in the market for a new one and would be interested in what you find.

 
I am FINALLY thinking of purchasing a tablet, but am in the education phase.

Questions:

1) Do you need a data plan for these? I have been hesitant into looking at these much as I didn't want to add a new monthly data package to my bills.

2) Are tablets primarily for Internet surfing (emails/web browsing)?

3) What about movies? Do you buy movies? Download movies, etc.?

4) Can you read books?

5) Can you get them with Microsoft Word / Excel , etc.?

6) Memory - 16GB OR 32GB standard?

7) What is the operating systems for these? Does it depend on the tablet?

8) How good is the battery life?

Finally, based on your own expertise, what is the best tablets available? I am sure I'm missing more, but to get started.

- Microsoft Surface 3

- Apple iPad Mini

-Apple iPad Air

- Amazon Fire HD 10 / HD 8 / HD 6

- Samsung Galaxy Tab 4

- Nexus 7 from Google

Thank you in advance!!!
Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. Bought it for my wife and it easily has the best screen I've seen. Love the size, as well; not huge (10" is too big) but also not phablet size.

The new Amazon tablet (got it for $32) is waiting for me at home. I doubt it is anywhere near the Samsung, but for the price the reviews say it's pretty good.
I use a Galaxy tab s2 and have nothing bad to say about it. Love the device. It replaced my iPad 4 which was fine but using ios for prolonged periods of time drives me mad. One of life's great mysteries to me is how billions of people can enjoy using ios powered devices all of the time.

 
I am FINALLY thinking of purchasing a tablet, but am in the education phase.

Questions:

1) Do you need a data plan for these? I have been hesitant into looking at these much as I didn't want to add a new monthly data package to my bills.

DEFINITELY NOT. WIFI IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT

2) Are tablets primarily for Internet surfing (emails/web browsing)?

PROBABLY, BUT AREN'T MOST COMPUTERS NOW? THEY DO LOTS OF THINGS.

3) What about movies? Do you buy movies? Download movies, etc.?

PLAYS TORRENTED FILES GREAT IF YOU GO ANDROID. APPLE SUCKS.

4) Can you read books?

DEFINITELY, FREE FROM YOUR LIBRARY EVEN WITH THE OVERDRIVE APP. MAGAZINES AND COMIC BOOKS LOOK GREAT ON LARGE TABLETS ALSO

5) Can you get them with Microsoft Word / Excel , etc.?

GOOGLE HAS APPS THAT HANDLE THOSE FILES GREAT!

6) Memory - 16GB OR 32GB standard?

YOU DON'T NEED MUCH, EVERYTHING CAN EITHER USE CLOUD STORAGE OR YOU CAN EXPAND STORAGE WITH SD CARD

7) What is the operating systems for these? Does it depend on the tablet?

GET ANDROID, ANDROID OS JUST LIKE YOUR PHONE.

8) How good is the battery life?

EXCELLENT IF YOU OPTIMIZE IT WELL

Finally, based on your own expertise, what is the best tablets available? I am sure I'm missing more, but to get started.

- Microsoft Surface 3

- Apple iPad Mini

-Apple iPad Air

- Amazon Fire HD 10 / HD 8 / HD 6

- Samsung Galaxy Tab 4

- Nexus 7 from Google

MINE IS A 3.5 YEAR OLD ASUS AND IS DOING WELL, IF I BROKE IT I'D GET A SAMSUNG S2

Thank you in advance!!!
 
After some online research, I ordered the lenovo yoga tab 2 yesterday for a x-mas present. Seemed like a solid "bang for your buck" model at $200

 
I bought a trio for my wife and it was horrible. couldn't download a browser that would work. Gave it to my buddy who is working on his PHD in computer science and he gave it back saying he couldn't make it work any better. Replaced it with a samsung 2 and my wife loves it. She has a samsung phone so it was easy for her to acclimate

 
I am FINALLY thinking of purchasing a tablet, but am in the education phase.

Questions:

1) Do you need a data plan for these? I have been hesitant into looking at these much as I didn't want to add a new monthly data package to my bills.

2) Are tablets primarily for Internet surfing (emails/web browsing)?

3) What about movies? Do you buy movies? Download movies, etc.?

4) Can you read books?

5) Can you get them with Microsoft Word / Excel , etc.?

6) Memory - 16GB OR 32GB standard?

7) What is the operating systems for these? Does it depend on the tablet?

8) How good is the battery life?

Finally, based on your own expertise, what is the best tablets available? I am sure I'm missing more, but to get started.

- Microsoft Surface 3

- Apple iPad Mini

-Apple iPad Air

- Amazon Fire HD 10 / HD 8 / HD 6

- Samsung Galaxy Tab 4

- Nexus 7 from Google

Thank you in advance!!!
Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. Bought it for my wife and it easily has the best screen I've seen. Love the size, as well; not huge (10" is too big) but also not phablet size.

The new Amazon tablet (got it for $32) is waiting for me at home. I doubt it is anywhere near the Samsung, but for the price the reviews say it's pretty good.
I use a Galaxy tab s2 and have nothing bad to say about it. Love the device. It replaced my iPad 4 which was fine but using ios for prolonged periods of time drives me mad. One of life's great mysteries to me is how billions of people can enjoy using ios powered devices all of the time.
My girlfriend has an s2 as well and loves it. Never puts the damn thing down.

It does look really pretty.
Had an S2.. used it for my online draft a few months back and the thing burned me. As in it got so hot it burned me.

 
I had an ipad for many years and picked up a Surface 3 this year.

The Surface 3 has been fantastic for my needs and I find it so much more flexible than the ipad.

 
The best one for you is probably the one that looks most like your phone. If you are used to apple and get an android tablet then you're going to eventually like one better and want yet another new device.

For me I like my Samsung s5 phone. I like most android stuff better than most apple stuff. So a Samsung tablet makes the most sense for me. Any android tablet will be similar enough, but Samsung has their own flavor of android and the more you get used to it the better you tend to like it. My wife used android for years, got an iPad, and then an iPhone, and won't switch back until apple closes their doors.

If you've avoided entering the tablet market this long, I doubt you'll care how many pixels are on the screen or camera resolution or processor speed. It's more important to find a good fit for your operating system preference, a size that you can hold up while you're reading in bed or watching a movie, or carrying it in your bag or pocket, or typing more than a few words on it. So think about how you're going to use it, try typing out a quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog a few times on the demo model, and get the one you like best.

 
If you want high end ($500+) then the Surface Pro, IPad, or Google Pixel C (brand new) are your best options depending on what ecosystem you prefer and what your usage will be beyond web browsing/email/mobile apps.

For basic use the Nexus 7 2013 edition is a bargain. It has a nice HD IPS screen, the latest version of android and early updates for future versions, and a price tag of around $150 these days. The camera and processors are not going to be the latest and greatest but for general web browsing, Netflix watching, Kindle reading, etc it is a solid device.

The ~7" size tablets are probably a better option if you plan on carrying it around with you. The 9"+ size tablets might be better if you plan on only using it around he house.

Let us know what you go with. I am in the market for a new one and would be interested in what you find.
I think I'm going with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2. Spent a lot of time looking at the IPad Mini 4 and the IPad Air today, and they are impressive. However, between all 3 of these tablets, they are all great, and it's tough choice, but I think I can get the most bang for my buck with the Samsung because I can get a larger screen (one comparable to the IPad Air) and get more memory for overall a better price the Galaxy.

Still reviewing and probably second guessing myself way too much, but as of right now, that's my choice :-)

 
After much debating between my wife and I we went with the galaxy tab A 8" for our kids for Christmas. So far they have been great tablets, leaps and bounds above the old nook HDs they were using.

 
I've loved my note 3s for a couple years, but some things need a scooch more screen and I'm really hard on phones and i assume the same for tablets.

We have a 4 line account and i use three of them. Since I've gone through 4 note 3s in the last 2.5 years i decided to try out some models with a lower price tag to keep the replacement costs down.

I chose an lgg3 (200), new nexus 7 (450) and a studio 7 lte (175). I like that they are all phones, so i only need to take one device with me. Because i often ride a motorcycle, i usually carry a small bag or murse, which is good for toting them around, since only the g3 is pocketable.

Never have used any of these before, so we'll see.

I did have a few 10" tablets before, but they were just to much to lug around. At that size, I'd just as soon carry a sub notebook with a keyboard.

 
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I really like the Nexus 7 (2013). I bought it last week on Groupon brand new for $109. It upgraded to Marshmallow 6.0 shortly after startup. Nice full HD screen.

 
Interested in this thread. I need to get my wife a device and I want to get one too. My wife just needs something simple. May give her my original iPad with a keyboard. Was thinking Surface or something. She just manages banking and pays bills, surfs, plays a game or too, etc. Also texts, face time, snapchat, etc.

If I go that route was thinking of getting a newer, lighter iPad. Question is, do I need a separate reader like a kindle paper white? I want to start reading a lot, beginning with vacation in 3 weeks.

 
My daughter was complaining about her Lenova laptop and my 2008 Dell has just about given up the ghost, so I picked up a Surface 3 for her (I was going to use her current laptop). After spending a good week with the pro, I'm keeping it. I installed windows 10 on her machine, cleaned it up, and now it's all peppy again.

The Surface pro really is basically a laptop in tablet size. I was perfectly happy using it as a tablet and I did a decent amount of work on it with the attached keyboard. It's a tad heavy for a tablet (like 2 pounds), but that's my only complaint. The thing has rocked so far.

I paid about $600 for the Surface, keyboard, and pen.

 
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Still haven't found a use for one. I've given both iPads to my daughter (got them as work gifts).

I have a iPhone 6+, big enough to play games/watch videos and I have a Macbook Air, small enough to carry but all the bells/whistles of a computer.

:shrug:

 
Still haven't found a use for one. I've given both iPads to my daughter (got them as work gifts).

I have a iPhone 6+, big enough to play games/watch videos and I have a Macbook Air, small enough to carry but all the bells/whistles of a computer.

:shrug:
Sounds like you're good, unless you're one of those who wants to buy something for the sake of buying it.

 
Still haven't found a use for one. I've given both iPads to my daughter (got them as work gifts).

I have a iPhone 6+, big enough to play games/watch videos and I have a Macbook Air, small enough to carry but all the bells/whistles of a computer.

:shrug:
I have the Nexus 6 with a 6" screen and only the Surface Book interests me. Saw that at the Microsoft store and it's an impressive device that does anything you would want a computer or tablet to do.

 
Still haven't found a use for one. I've given both iPads to my daughter (got them as work gifts).

I have a iPhone 6+, big enough to play games/watch videos and I have a Macbook Air, small enough to carry but all the bells/whistles of a computer.

:shrug:
I have the Galaxy Note 4 and MacBook Air so I'm in a similar boat of trying to figure out where a tablet fits in. I would like to replace my older iPad2 that is really just used to read in bed and stream Netflix while running on treadmill. These are important functions, but it seems the tablet market has decided to be laptop convertibles so I'd be paying for a lot more computer than I need.

 
I don't want to get into a pissing contest but my experience with Apple products has been outstanding. I still purchase PC/Windows/Android items but I've had an iPad for quite some time and it is a real pleasure to use when surfing the internet.

I also think you can get an entry level MacBook Air that will take care of the tablet and PC needs all in 1. Less than $1,000, 18 months same as cash at Best Buy, just bite down and get what you really want.

But for tablets I think the iPad is 2nd to none.

 
I don't want to get into a pissing contest but my experience with Apple products has been outstanding. I still purchase PC/Windows/Android items but I've had an iPad for quite some time and it is a real pleasure to use when surfing the internet.

I also think you can get an entry level MacBook Air that will take care of the tablet and PC needs all in 1. Less than $1,000, 18 months same as cash at Best Buy, just bite down and get what you really want.

But for tablets I think the iPad is 2nd to none.
The lack of functionality on the iPad is pretty annoying coming from Android as a phone.

Bold is terrible advice.

 
I am FINALLY thinking of purchasing a tablet, but am in the education phase.

Questions:

1) Do you need a data plan for these? I have been hesitant into looking at these much as I didn't want to add a new monthly data package to my bills.

They can be connected to your home wi-fi or most wi-fi connections out and about.

2) Are tablets primarily for Internet surfing (emails/web browsing)?

I would say they are built primarily for entertainment and that's what I use them for. Movies, music, shopping/browsing.

3) What about movies? Do you buy movies? Download movies, etc.?

Movies were not made to watch on such small devices but Netflix works great.

4) Can you read books?

I can...and yes you can read books on them

5) Can you get them with Microsoft Word / Excel , etc.?

I use Apple...when I want to type or add something up I use my laptop.

6) Memory - 16GB OR 32GB standard?

Only have 32GB on mine, mostly use cloud storage. Don't use the device for a lot of downloading or memory other than apps. I don't own 100 movies on digital download or anything, seems like you can have access to a lot thru carriers like Netflix and Amazon so why store it all on there? I know some folks have to own certain movies.

7) What is the operating systems for these? Does it depend on the tablet?

8) How good is the battery life?

Awesome, one of the things I love is you can surf all day on one of them and not have to recharge like a laptop.

Finally, based on your own expertise, what is the best tablets available? I am sure I'm missing more, but to get started.

- Microsoft Surface 3

- Apple iPad Mini

-Apple iPad Air

- Amazon Fire HD 10 / HD 8 / HD 6

- Samsung Galaxy Tab 4

- Nexus 7 from Google

Thank you in advance!!!
Like the mini almost as much as the big brother. You can find one of those for like $200 or thereabouts.

 
I don't want to get into a pissing contest but my experience with Apple products has been outstanding. I still purchase PC/Windows/Android items but I've had an iPad for quite some time and it is a real pleasure to use when surfing the internet.

I also think you can get an entry level MacBook Air that will take care of the tablet and PC needs all in 1. Less than $1,000, 18 months same as cash at Best Buy, just bite down and get what you really want.

But for tablets I think the iPad is 2nd to none.
The lack of functionality on the iPad is pretty annoying coming from Android as a phone.

Bold is terrible advice.
Hey Slap, what functionality? I have an LG G4, am on Android all the time. I try to use all 3 types of OS including Android/Win/Apple, I'm not a one system person. I like Windows for example for the classics like working off Word/Excel, all that feels better to me on a Windows PC. I like Android for the phone although the G4 has a couple things that irritate me but I still like Android for phone use.

And I like to surf on the iPads. So you like the Nexxus best? I'm assuming.

 
For those talking up the SP3, I tried the SP1 and really didn't care for it, seemed gimicky with the keyboard and trying to get a 1 up on the iPad.

Then the SP2 brought a lot of people on board, now the SP3, I'm sure an SP4 is looming...how good are they now? They just didn't seem well built when I had my hands on one of these. And they are not cheap I might add.

 
Consumer Reports likes the Galaxy s2 as the #1 tablet for what it's worth.
$500...just saying.

the iPad I thought was always hammered because of price and the Android users always feeling they get everything plus more for $49.99 or whatever they can find that displays Lollipop or Marshmallow in whatever form they can get it.

$500...just saying

 
I'll be the first to mention the Amazon Fire HD. I got mine for $129 (I think?) a couple years ago and it suits my needs. I watch movies (Netflix, Amazon Prime) and let my daughter play games occasionally. Definitely a must-have for those that travel. I download a movie or two before my trip and watch on the plane.

I occasionally download/play games (poker, Plants vs. Zombies) but for the most part it's just for movies and kids games.

Only issue is that the Netflix app produces lesser video quality than the Prime movies. Not a huge deal but worth mentioning.

 
I don't want to get into a pissing contest but my experience with Apple products has been outstanding. I still purchase PC/Windows/Android items but I've had an iPad for quite some time and it is a real pleasure to use when surfing the internet.

I also think you can get an entry level MacBook Air that will take care of the tablet and PC needs all in 1. Less than $1,000, 18 months same as cash at Best Buy, just bite down and get what you really want.

But for tablets I think the iPad is 2nd to none.
The lack of functionality on the iPad is pretty annoying coming from Android as a phone.

Bold is terrible advice.
Hey Slap, what functionality? I have an LG G4, am on Android all the time. I try to use all 3 types of OS including Android/Win/Apple, I'm not a one system person. I like Windows for example for the classics like working off Word/Excel, all that feels better to me on a Windows PC. I like Android for the phone although the G4 has a couple things that irritate me but I still like Android for phone use. And I like to surf on the iPads. So you like the Nexxus best? I'm assuming.
I don't want to speak for Slap, but for me with my iPad, I have a hard time doing simple things like:

- dragging and dropping an excel spreadsheet from my Windows computer at work to my tablet

- transferring a tv episode I downloaded from my tablet to my non apple phone without using up internet data

- using my tablet as a wifi media server so that multiple people can log into it simultaneously with any device and play all the movies and music I have on it.

 
My asus is nearing crapping out, so i'm weighing the pixel C vs. the s2 from samsung.

The samsung is less expensive and gets great reviews, and has a great reputation.

BUT google really supports the nexus products for a long time. I got my mom the nexus 10 back in early 2013 and they have continued to support the tablet with updates.. which is awesome... whereas Asus quit supporting my tablet after 1 year... and I've heard samsung isn't really great at long term support either... and i'm not the type to upgrade every 2 years. My samsung s3 phone quit getting updates.. and while I'm satisfied with kit kat 4.4... I sure wish I had 5.1

 
Absolutely love my surface pro 3. The thing is a computer in tablet form. Ipads are dumb-tablets as you still can't multitask. Ipad pro might be better.

For example. Last year I did my fantasy football draft with an Ipad using ESPN draft app and Footballguys Draft dominator. Every time i would go back and forth between DD and the draft it would log me out of the draft and back in again. Almost impossible to keep track of picks as they went and people made fun of my status in the draft room. 

Did the draft this year with the surface pro 3 and switching between the draft and DD was seamless and effortless, just like I was doing it on my desktop. 

 
It will be interesting to see if these go on any type of sale over the holidays.

The 12-hour battery life and microSD slot makes this a no-brainer for air travelers or just people that have kids in the backseat on long road trips. A 128mb microSD card goes for ~$35 and holds enough TVshows/movies/music/books/podcasts to last you more than an entire trip. It certainly helps if you have a prime membership because they allow you to download content onto your device to watch later while offline.

 

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