Buying a tablet PC - google nexus the way to go?

[cookiescrumble]

I'm currently looking at buying a tablet as I plan to start travelling more and setting up a blog to document my adventures. A tablet is alot easier to carry about with me compared to a laptop but there seem to be a lot of them out there! 

During my research I believe that the the google nexus would be a good choice but wondered if anyone had any opinions on these tablets or other similar devices.

The nexus 10 with the 32gb hardrive falls nicely into my price range (£400) and seems to fit my needs nicely. Good battery time will be important for my travels and I need a resonable hard drive capacity so I can put a few films/comics on it.

[Adam1701D]

I use a Nexus 7 for general internet browsing, webmail and as an e-book reader, which it does very nicely indeed.

It has a 7-hour battery life for constant use and has a standard micro-usb charger. Fabulous little machine. 

[PLD]

I'm assuming at that price it is with 3G capability which does reduce your options over wi-fi only Tablets...

When I bought mine the final choice was between the Nexus and the Samsung Galaxy Tab2. In the end I went for the Galaxy as I got a good deal via the Network I already had a PAYG mobile internet dongle with which brought the price for the same spec as the Nexus you're looking at down to just under £300!

I still use a laptop as well for content creation tasks - you will get frustrated using the on screen virtual keyboard all the time though add on keyboards are now available for many of the popular Tablets.

Paul

[mr magnolia]

I use a Google nexus 7 for,er, this...

and for work - emails on the move are readable and fetch in the attachments without bother.saves a lot of laptop lugging.

the kids think its not so good for watching movies, but I've watched one, and the screen format is fine with me. at the minute I have to do a bit of 'show and tell' with graphics and photos, and it works well.

iPlayer doesn't quite work 100% on android yet (download not possible), but its getting better, and they are continuing to work on that.

I've got a mobile card in mine so it works anywhere with a mobile signal. it goes wireless preferentially, when available, and it doesn't get itself confused if there is a wireless signal about that it is not hooked up to ( unlike my HTC phone)

[MikeDunn]

Nexus had (and I belive still has) a major problem in that it's not expandable ... no SD slot.

That was one of several issues that made SWMBO (after asking me to review the two) plump for the Galaxy Note, and she's not regretted it in the slightest.  She went 10", and can do both wireless (for in the house & any hotspots) and 3G (for travelling around).

Mike

[EtchedPixels]

iPlayer doesn't quite work 100% on android yet (download not possible), but its getting better, and they are continuing to work on that.

There are third party apps that do download for iplayer just fine. The BBC seems to spend its time going around getting them taken down.. read into that what you will

The nexus 10 is a beautiful screen, and very nice device. It has no SD slot - it's assuming you'll be keeping your stuff in the cloud or synching over wireless etc. For a lot of uses thats fine but not for all.

It's probably the nicest of the "high end" tablets. You can spend a lot less for one with a slightly weaker screen and touchpad.

Alan

[cookiescrumble]

Thanks for the suggestions, I think the Nexus 10 is the one to go for.

Nexus had (and I belive still has) a major problem in that it's not expandable ... no SD slot.

That was one of several issues that made SWMBO (after asking me to review the two) plump for the Galaxy Note, and she's not regretted it in the slightest.  She went 10", and can do both wireless (for in the house & any hotspots) and 3G (for travelling around).

Mike

You can use a USB drive as storage with the nexus, just need a conversion cable and a 3rd party app. This would hold more than enough films/books as I have a 64gb drive already. For this reason I might go for the 16gb model and save myself £70.

I'm assuming at that price it is with 3G capability which does reduce your options over wi-fi only Tablets...

I still use a laptop as well for content creation tasks - you will get frustrated using the on screen virtual keyboard all the time though add on keyboards are now available for many of the popular Tablets.

Paul

The price is £389 for the 32GB version and this is WiFi only which for me is not a problem. I'll mainly be using it when travelling abroad so using 3g would be rather expensive. When travelling across Europe there are no shortage of Wifi hotspots either.

I have considered the Nexus 7 which is considerably cheaper, but for films and comics the 10 inch will be much better.

It's probably the nicest of the "high end" tablets. You can spend a lot less for one with a slightly weaker screen and touchpad.

Alan

As I'm spending a considerable sum anyway I may aswell just go for the high end model.

[EtchedPixels]

The non phone devices can get internet off an Android phone anyway and I can't think of many times I'd carry tablet and not phone.

[MikeDunn]

You can use a USB drive as storage with the nexus, just need a conversion cable and a 3rd party app. This would hold more than enough films/books as I have a 64gb drive already.

Yes, you can.  Not exactly a neat solution, having a USB drive dangling be a cable instead of having an SD card securely stored always-on inside the case though 

The Nexus devices have historically been tech-example systems from Google, to encourage other mfrs into doing better things (see the Google phone as a good example of them not bothering to do more, or support it as well as mfrs).  I don't see the Nexus tablets as anything different.

But - your money, your choice 

Mike

[Bealman]

Hi all,

I am following all this with huge interest. I am traveling to the UK in August and then on to Europe (I live in Oz). Three years ago I took my laptop with me (the very same one I'm typing on now) and am glad I did 'cos while I was in York there was a minor emergency back in Australia and was able to transfer money on the computer. However, it would have to be the heaviest machine on the planet and I have vowed not to drag it around on my up-coming sojourn. So anything little will be welcome. This thread is giving me ideas, so thanks, everyone!

Mind you, being an old Commodore 64 man, I could always throw that in the bag.... 

iPad vs Commodore 64 - Which Should You Get?

[EtchedPixels]

Frodo on Android is a nice C64 emulator

Alan

[cookiescrumble]

The non phone devices can get internet off an Android phone anyway and I can't think of many times I'd carry tablet and not phone.

I looked into tethering but I have an iPhone  . This wouldn't normally be a problem but as I'm with giffgaff it's not supported  .

You can use a USB drive as storage with the nexus, just need a conversion cable and a 3rd party app. This would hold more than enough films/books as I have a 64gb drive already.

Yes, you can.  Not exactly a neat solution, having a USB drive dangling be a cable instead of having an SD card securely stored always-on inside the case though 

Mike

I can't see this being a major inconvenience to be honest. I understand an sd slot would be better and surprised it doesn't have such a basic feature. If I'm watching a film or reading I'll be sat somewhere on a train or plane for example.

[MikeDunn]

I can't see this being a major inconvenience to be honest. I understand an sd slot would be better and surprised it doesn't have such a basic feature. If I'm watching a film or reading I'll be sat somewhere on a train or plane for example.

As I said - your money, your choice 

As to being 'basic' - well, no.  Like I mentioned, the Nexus range is historically an encourager to the other mfrs.  Most (all ?) other tablet makers have put in this feature, and others.  Google just don't see why they should produce an all-singing-&-dancing system instead of doing the usual - provide the basics & let others do a lot better 

Anyhow, enjoy whatever tablet you get

[barnyswain]

SD-slots are so has been

next you'll be wanting a 3.5" drive in the tablet

[MikeDunn]

Well, to be more specific, it's a micro-SD slot that can accept up to 64GB.  Very useful to move off data etc that would normally sit within the more limited built-in store.  Just look @ the HTC Desires as an example of limited store.

And 3.5" disks ?  Please ... SSDs or nothing !