topic Re: Tablet advice needed please in Electronics

Tablet advice needed please

Naryn — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 17:50:43 GMT

Hello. I don't post over here, but I am hoping for some advice from those that know their stuff.

I am pretty much technology deficient and need some advice on tablets. I have a desktop computer, laptop, Nook, and smartphone already but am considering also getting a tablet. I do online shopping, video streaming, check email and play app games. I honestly don't even know what a tablet has to offer, so I'm looking for advice on if one would still be worthwhile. I use my smartphone a lot for online searching and videos, and find the laptop too bulky (17") for use a lot of the time. I also have 9 & 12 year old kids who could use it.

Could someone please tell me what tablets are useful for and if it would really benefit someone like me who already has the other devices?

Thank you so much!

Re: Tablet advice needed please

NanciJ — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 19:17:45 GMT

We have two desktop's, one lap top, smart phones and an iPad...plus a Kindle. I use my iPad a lot. I don't play games, aside from Solitaire...on anything. We purchased our iPad with Verizon service 24/7 so that no matter where I am, I have access to the internet, without needing a wifi connection. I use it when I'm riding in the car, etc. Since it's an iPad, I can Facetime with our granddaughter,other family members and friends, who have iPhone, iPads or iPods. I can watch Netflix and HBO with our current home accounts for both, on my iPad. I have the Kindle app downloaded on my iPad, so that I can read my books on either device. I watch QVC live on my iPad, CNN live, etc. In other words....I use this tablet all of the time. I wouldn't be without my tablet. So easy to use, and so handy. I have a full size iPad, and carry it in my purse all of the time.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

glb613 — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 19:29:49 GMT

I have an iPad and use it when I travel or play Words with Friends. It really doesn't do what I need from a computer.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

ritasNo1Fan — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 19:45:21 GMT

I too am shopping. I haven't tried any Apples (cept for I Pods). But I sampled Samsung Galaxy at Target, it is thin, weighs nothing, seems to be very quick & respnsive, but the image might be alittle dim, I could not really judge because of store lighting. It currently sells for $350! Wrong choice? Currently own Lenovo pc with 8-1, 2 Nooks, 2 Kobos....

Re: Tablet advice needed please

Nightowlz — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 19:59:05 GMT

You could buy the iPad Mini since you don't want a larger tablet. If it does not benefit you your kids will love it. We have a desktop, 2 laptops, iPad, 2 Kindles.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

Nuttmeg — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 22:45:47 GMT

On 2/15/2014 LuvMM1 said: I too am shopping. I haven't tried any Apples (cept for I Pods). But I sampled Samsung Galaxy at Target, it is thin, weighs nothing, seems to be very quick & respnsive, but the image might be alittle dim, I could not really judge because of store lighting. It currently sells for $350! Wrong choice? Currently own Lenovo pc with 8-1, 2 Nooks, 2 Kobos....

You may want to look at Samsung's new pro tab products at their site. You should also look at Apple.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

dooBdoo — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 23:57:17 GMT

I purchased my first iPhone several years ago instead of getting a laptop, oddly enough. That device turned out to be a real workhorse. These days, smart phones and tablets can do just about (but not quite) the myriad of things the larger devices do, 'way too many things to list here. And they have the added bonus of being smaller, easier to carry around during the day and when traveling.

The choice of device is personal and subjective, and I always recommend asking family and friends, thinking about what we want the device to do for us, and (if possible) going to a store to see and try a variety before buying.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

Naryn — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 04:55:54 GMT

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like it would be worth it for us. I really appreciate the input.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

YoungSinema — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 12:29:50 GMT

I would avoid an iPad if I were you, unless your smartphone is an iPhone. Since you said you were "technology deficient" and said that you own a nook, I think you should go with an android tablet. That way, you don't have to learn the operating system on the iPad.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

Naryn — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 16:48:00 GMT

On 2/16/2014 YoungSinema said:
I would avoid an iPad if I were you, unless your smartphone is an iPhone. Since you said you were "technology deficient" and said that you own a nook, I think you should go with an android tablet. That way, you don't have to learn the operating system on the iPad.

Thank you for the advice! My phone is an android and I am very happy with how it works, so I will definitely take your advice and check out an android tablet instead of the iPad. I hadn't even thought of having to learn a new operating system, so I'm very grateful you mentioned that.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

151949 — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 17:37:56 GMT

My cheapo small mini computer died so DH bought me an ASUS tablet to replace it. I surf the web, play games , check e mail , get on FB , just about everything my laptop did - PLUS I now have a kindle app. so i can buy books very inexpensively, I can send and recieve texts because it is hooked up to my smartphone (LG840G) via bluetooth, i can skype, the camera is way better than our regular digital camera and I have photobucket app so I can share my pictures easily. I have no desire to go back to a windows based PC or laptop.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

YoungSinema — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:49:17 GMT

On 2/16/2014 Naryn said:
On 2/16/2014 YoungSinema said:
I would avoid an iPad if I were you, unless your smartphone is an iPhone. Since you said you were "technology deficient" and said that you own a nook, I think you should go with an android tablet. That way, you don't have to learn the operating system on the iPad.

Thank you for the advice! My phone is an android and I am very happy with how it works, so I will definitely take your advice and check out an android tablet instead of the iPad. I hadn't even thought of having to learn a new operating system, so I'm very grateful you mentioned that.

No problem, Naryn. I hope you enjoy it! Let us know which one you get and how it works out for you.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

Nikalette — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 12:17:51 GMT

I have an iPad and a Kindle fire HD...have always had kindles for reading books. I never use my laptop anymore. I would stick with the iPad. There are many more thousands of apps to use. I have an android phone. There is no operating system to learn on the iPad! it has a typical windows setup , while the Kindle has a weird set up, a carousel. Much header to navigate, fewer apps.unless you are just going to read books and buy from Amazon. I use my I pad for everything I used the computer for, studying languages, piano lessons, shopping, paying bills, printing, emails, everything. I like the kindle a lot, but I have Amazon prime so can borrow books every month. Wish I had bought a mini iPad instead. I got the 7" kindle to have both! and I use it for carrying in my purse, but I much prefer the iPad.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

YoungSinema — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 02:42:34 GMT

On 2/18/2014 Nikalette said: I have an iPad and a Kindle fire HD...have always had kindles for reading books. I never use my laptop anymore. I would stick with the iPad. There are many more thousands of apps to use. I have an android phone. There is no operating system to learn on the iPad! it has a typical windows setup , while the Kindle has a weird set up, a carousel. Much header to navigate, fewer apps.unless you are just going to read books and buy from Amazon. I use my I pad for everything I used the computer for, studying languages, piano lessons, shopping, paying bills, printing, emails, everything. I like the kindle a lot, but I have Amazon prime so can borrow books every month. Wish I had bought a mini iPad instead. I got the 7" kindle to have both! and I use it for carrying in my purse, but I much prefer the iPad.

The majority of the thousands of apps are just different types of apps that do the same thing as others. There are a few apps in the Apple store that are useful, but there are alternatives. There's also Android apps that don't exist in the Apple Store. And there is an operating system--it's called ios. It's not the same as windows, those are two completely different operating systems.

Re: Tablet advice needed please

Naryn — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 16:06:04 GMT

I decided to stick with the Samsung since I'm so pleased with my Samsung smartphone, and the advice to stick with an operating system I was already familiar with helped in that decision. Since I'm not familiar with all the numbers and terms used with these type things, I decided to check it out in store and after telling the salesperson what I intended to use it for, he recommended the Galaxy over the Note and Pro (too much wasted on those for my use).

Thanks so much for the advice given.