All,
I'm not talking about the Medical kind here, but the Technical kind.....
anyway, I'm thinking of buying a tablet for SWMBO for xmas, but I'm not buying an Ipad as I think they're completely overpriced.
So in the Forums humble opinion, what is the best of the others???
I've been looking at the Amazon FireHD and I already have a Galaxy Tab 2 for work, but should I consider the Galaxy Tab 3???
Regards
Neal.
If not the Ipad then the samsung, do not get a Asus one the wifes keeps playing her up and running slow, but I love my Apple Air its a dream to run never had a problem with it.
I bought my partner a Samsung Galaxy s, It has a OLED screen ( organic Light Emitting Diode ) the colours on screen are beautiful, and you can view the screen in bright sun light. :thumbsup:
Thanks for the advice so far.
Whilst I was mooching about the interweb I came across this http://www.tablets-world.com/item/10_inch_tablet_pc_android_4.4_kitkat_wifi_bluetooth_quad-core_cpu_40gb_bundle/cry_gbp/285/?gclid=COup3oqxr8ICFdLItAod1hcApQ (http://www.tablets-world.com/item/10_inch_tablet_pc_android_4.4_kitkat_wifi_bluetooth_quad-core_cpu_40gb_bundle/cry_gbp/285/?gclid=COup3oqxr8ICFdLItAod1hcApQ) Does anyone have any knowledge of this company and/or it's products.
I suppose I'm looking at our brethren across the pond for this one.
Cheers
Neal.
worst case scenario...
if it all goes wrong they make great choping boards....
Quote from: Calnefoxile on December 05, 2014, 05:11:24 PM
Thanks for the advice so far.
Whilst I was mooching about the interweb I came across this http://www.tablets-world.com/item/10_inch_tablet_pc_android_4.4_kitkat_wifi_bluetooth_quad-core_cpu_40gb_bundle/cry_gbp/285/?gclid=COup3oqxr8ICFdLItAod1hcApQ (http://www.tablets-world.com/item/10_inch_tablet_pc_android_4.4_kitkat_wifi_bluetooth_quad-core_cpu_40gb_bundle/cry_gbp/285/?gclid=COup3oqxr8ICFdLItAod1hcApQ) Does anyone have any knowledge of this company and/or it's products.
I suppose I'm looking at our brethren across the pond for this one.
Cheers
Neal.
Actually bin this site, I checked their FAQ's and there are numerous spelling errors that means I'm going to give them a wide berth.
Cheers
Neal.
Argos had the Galaxy S Tab 4 for £175 for 6 hours on Black Friday then the price went back up to £250, they do have the Tab 3 for £179.
Best advice is decide on what you want to do with it and then go and try them all out.
Currently Amazon.co.uk are doing a deal on the Fire HDX 7". I have one on order to use on holiday because it's cheaper than my iPad if I drop it. The regular Kindle does not render photos or maps particularly well and I tend to read a lot of reference books.
My son has a Microsoft Surface pro. He uses it for notes and diagrams at College where he is studying TV Production. He interfaces it directly to his PC at home and uses it to do film editing and presentations. It's good if you want the interface to MS OS. Apps are a bit limited though. Needs extra security / anti virus.
We (Mrs GB, daughter and myself) have iPads of different types. Good stable machine. Loads of apps. Totally compatible with iPhones (use of which predates the tablets)
It really is a matter of pays your money and takes your choice though...
Quote from: Greybeema on December 05, 2014, 05:47:27 PM
Best advice is decide on what you want to do with it and then go and try them all out.
It really is a matter of pays your money and takes your choice though...
Don't right off Tesco's Hudl. I've been using one since they first came out this time last year by way of a "first" tablet with the idea of getting a better one if a tablet was worth having. I've had absolutely no problems with it. Okay it's not the fastest on the block but I'm able to watch BBC iPlayer and the like without any problems, read ebooks and play various light games. You only have the option to tether to the internet via wifi mind you. Microsoft now let you have thier MS Office for tablet app for free if SWMBO already knows that software and doesn't feel like re learning a new office suite and that works fine on the Hudl.
It's possible to disable all the Tesco junk apps which I've done. It also has the ability to insert upto a 32GB micro SD card if you need more memory, not all, including Apple have that. I understand the lastest one has a slightly bigger screen and faster chip, I don't really know all the ins and outs because I've not even bothered looking because the Hudl I have is still capable of doing all I need.
For £129 less any Tesco tokens you could still afford the 22ct necklass as well. :-X
If SWMBO really likes what she can do with a tablet you can always upgrage to one of the big names at a later date at some other gift giving time.
It could be worth doing a google for "Best tablet" and see what pops up.
For the past 2 years I have been using a Samsung Tab2 10.1 Tablet, when it needs replacing I will not be buying another Samsung, there are lots of brands on the market these days many of which use a Quad 4 processor, 16gig, Micro SD slot, WiFi, 10 inch screen, USB input that sell for $99 or 50 Quid UK, that is less than half the cost of a new Tab4 10.1 Samsung but will do the same job, I bought a cheapie 7inch Tablet to use as a radio station log book some time ago and it has lasted very well and still going strong.
One big thing to ask is - do they want to use it anywhere, or only in the house / WiFi hotspot area ?
If the former - make sure you can put a SIM card in (while the deals aren't as good on data SIMs as when SWMBO got her Galaxy Note (much better than the Tab, beats me why they do both, but ... ::)), you can still pick up 3 months data / 3GB (whichever finishes first) at a reasonable price for use outside the house / WiFi)
If the latter - pretty much any (although I would look carefully before going for an MS-branded tablet ... not impressed with those). As mentioned, SWMBO has a 10" Note (and loves it); I have a 7" Kindle Fire HD (not the latest), so am limited to WiFi access - not that it bothers me !
We both agree that iPads are vastly over-priced for what they offer ... no doubt the Apple-ologists will be up in arms at that ! :P
Mike
I can say, don't buy a Dell. I have just built one of these into a ruggedised system for a customer and have had no end of problems with it. Despite that the customer has ordered another 10 systems with the proviso we use a different tablet! We have a specific DC power supply consideration which is proving an issue but for 'useability' (given they need Win8.1) I have been looking at Lenovo, which look really robust, and the Microsoft Surface.
Apologies if this has added more confusion to your decision making process
Quote from: fisherman on December 05, 2014, 05:14:08 PM
worst case scenario...
if it all goes wrong they make great chopping boards....
Being an IT luddite it made me laugh :thumbsup:
Me too... when the NSW gov decided to give all high school kids and their teachers a laptop a few years before I retired, mine got good use as a doorstop to keep me lab door open.
To address original post, I recently bought two Samsung Tab 3s for Mrs B and meself and am quite happy with them, but I must admit that Microsoft Surface thingy looks attractive.
I would hold fire on the Kindle fire HD. As there is a new replacement due out for this soon.
as the fire hdx have a known issue with the headphone socket playing up.
I purchased a hdx for swmbo last year for Christmas and it never lasted a year. She currently has a voucher to exchange towards the new version when it arrives
In have a galaxy tab 2 which has been a trusty companion
I would give serious consideration to the HUDL2 if you are looking for the bets bang for your buck. Check this out.
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/tesco-hudl-2-1267726/review (http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/tesco-hudl-2-1267726/review)
I recently got a 8 inch screen NetBook. Comparatively cheap (ZAR1500, less than GBP100) it came with windows 8.1 and office. I got rid of the supplied office to install an older version that's compatible with our other computers. It looks well made and now has Hornby's railmaster installed to run my next layout. It's so small and light I'm thinking of using it for work as well........
Quote from: Lawrence on December 05, 2014, 08:57:47 PM
I can say, don't buy a Dell. I have just built one of these into a ruggedised system for a customer and have had no end of problems with it. Despite that the customer has ordered another 10 systems with the proviso we use a different tablet! We have a specific DC power supply consideration which is proving an issue but for 'useability' (given they need Win8.1) I have been looking at Lenovo, which look really robust, and the Microsoft Surface.
Apologies if this has added more confusion to your decision making process
I can second the warning about Dell. I use one of their high-end laptops for work and the build quality is poor. I've had no end of problems, especially with the dreadful low-quality hard drives they use. One motherboard and three hard drives later, it's the USB ports that are experiencing trouble now. I'm trying not to be bothered by that. In other words, 'Don't Dell on it'.
If you're not bothered about size or expandable memory, the Google Nexus 7 tablets are brilliant performers with an exceptional screen, decent speakers and fast processor. There is a newer version (the Nexus 9) which continues to deliver all the above.
I did look at Samsung Galaxy Tabs (and bought my Dad a Tab2 10.1) but for my use, the 10 inch ones were quite dear so I got an Asus Memo Pad 8" which was dirt cheap, it's given me no hassle and just works (the speakers are pretty poor though.) I am considering an upgrade as I do use it more than expected and will probably upgrade to a Samsung Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4 or 10.1 as the screen is lovely and has the expandable memory I need to put films on to watch on long train journeys.
I have been using my Samsung Tab2 10.1 Tablet quite a lot lately and it is driving me nuts, I hate touch screens so after my holiday Feb next year it is going to be traded in on a laptop computer.
I bought one of those pointy things to make life a bit easier but it hasn't, I get sick of touching a link half a dozen time to make this thing move, from time to time I touch something by accident and it goes where it wants, if I cant trade it I will most likely donate it to charity.
Thankfully I have a desktop PC which is somewhere I can relax and enjoy computing.
been evaluating non IOS tablets at work:
hudl2 is seriously good value
nexus 9 has an amazing screen and has vanilla android
galaxy tab is good but i dislike the samsung android experience and updatesa re always slow (this is often a good thing)
Microsoft surface is good but lacking in app store content
nexus 7 version 2 is really goo but starting to show age
fire hd is good but has too much amazon linking for corporate use, but great if you have amazon prime etc. (wait for new one)
of all of them the nexus 9 was best but it's starting to edge into premium price, for best value the hudl was the winner, going to buy the little people one as it is almost disposable at this price point
Quote from: Calnefoxile on December 05, 2014, 04:44:47 PM
anyway, I'm thinking of buying a tablet for SWMBO for xmas, but I'm not buying an Ipad as I think they're completely overpriced.
While there is an Apple "premium" the iPad is still a very good tablet, and you do largely get what you pay for. The OS is well thought out and very stable, specification is generally very good, and servicing/repairs are as easy as visiting your nearest Apple Store (great if the problem can be fixed there and then rather than you sending your machine off for diagnosis and repair).
If price is an issue though, take some advice from a long-time (20 years!) Apple user... check out their refurbished machines. These are units sent back to Apple for one reason or another, rebuilt, repackaged, and then sold at a discount. You get the usual warranty, so there's minimal risk. If electronics are going to fail, they generally do so quite soon after purchase, so if the thing works fine for the first 12 months, it'll likely work fine for the rest of its reasonable life.
Over the years I've bought various machines this way, including a 1998 PowerBook 3400 that's still running! Apple shift a lot of stuff this way. Inventory comes and goes, so you need to keep checking in, but sometimes you can pick up real bargains.
http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad (http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad)
Cheers, NeMo
Aldi have one in today and its only £150 quad core tablet 10.1" looks a bargain for the price.
https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-11-december/product-detail/ps/p/101-tablet-pc/ (https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-11-december/product-detail/ps/p/101-tablet-pc/)
Specs look good for the price but no indication of who the manufacturer is. As always, the best way to tell if you are getting a bargain or a lemon is to read some independent reviews. I like the ones at TechRadar as they are quite thorough and seem unbiased. A good basis for making a decision.
http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets (http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets)
Quote from: Karhedron on December 11, 2014, 09:38:42 AM
Specs look good for the price but no indication of who the manufacturer is. As always, the best way to tell if you are getting a bargain or a lemon is to read some independent reviews. I like the ones at TechRadar as they are quite thorough and seem unbiased. A good basis for making a decision.
http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets (http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets)
All Aldi electrical computer products are Medion, I had a look at it this morning and it looks like a nice tablet.
I'm on an Aldi Medion phone now and it's served me on two UK trips and a European rail jaunt. I have no problems with the device whatsoever.
I do agree with the advice about Dell, though. The major computer at work was said make and I lost count of the number of times it had to be rebuilt.
That Aldi tablet looks pretty good for the price and Medion stuff is normally quite good.
Cheers, Mike
Quote from: red_death on December 11, 2014, 10:34:31 AM
That Aldi tablet looks pretty good for the price and Medion stuff is normally quite good.
Cheers, Mike
And the best bit is it comes with a 3 year Warranty and if I was after a Tablet I would probably buy it.
I'm always in two minds about Aldi electricals ... while I cannot fault the USB sticks I have from them, or USB disk (apart from being slow - but that's more the choice of USB version than the product), the items SWMBO has purchased (eg slow cooker) have all been unmitigated crap & returned within 24 hours ...
I would hope the tablet falls into the former category and not the latter ... but I won't be buying one (we have two tablets already - a Samsung Note 2 and a Kindle Fire HD - not really needing any more !)
Whenever I see the thread title I think of tablet exchangers for single line working rather than 'devices'. Too much time spent in railway modelling perhaps?
Quote from: Pete33 on December 11, 2014, 01:47:46 PM
Whenever I see the thread title I think of tablet exchangers for single line working rather than 'devices'. Too much time spent in railway modelling perhaps?
It's a handy reminder for me to take my meds :-[
Got a Nexus 7 2013 about a year ago and it is very good. Recently updated it to Android Lollypop 5.0.1 and it is even better. A good all round performer in my opinion.
Merry Christmas
Paddy
Typing this on an eBay £40 special.
7 inch screen , with WiFi and micro SD slot. Running Android 4.2.2 via a Three pay wifi dongle.
Very happy with it - only thing is battery life using it online is 90 mins max.