In the market for a Tablet

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: dja4260

Which is exactly why I'm hesitant to save $100 bucks purchasing something Andriod vs. apple.... The Nexus 7 kills the Ipad mini in specs, but will it still work flawlessly and have good battery life in 2 years?


Really? Cause the specs are pretty close and the iPad Mini has some of the best graphics and CPU power. It also benchmarks close to the top of the heap in actual use. iOS is very optimized for the hardware and Android is just now getting there. Just because it has the paper "specs" is meaningless if the software is not good or other system components are not up to snuff.

Heck, the iPhone 5 was near the top of the heap in benchmarks compared to this year's Android phones. Look it up at Anandtech.

I've been down the Android route and it's OK but not near the refinement of the Apple ecosystem. Yes, you give up the "customizability" argument but IMHO that is nice but with it comes a lot of issues. The fact I can start a document on my iPad, continue on my Mac and on the PC at work through the web is awesome especially since all changes are tracked and synced. The fact I can start an IM conversation on my phone, continue on my iPad or Mac is also great. Syncing contacts and such is flawless. Also I can plug in my DLSR to the iPad, download the pics and they will be waiting for me on my computer (in full RAW resolution) is some of the best stuff. Some of that can be hacked together with Android but it's out of the box with iOS. I'll take that over customization any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

So I'd say go with the iPad Mini. My iPad 3 (first one with the Retina) has all but replaced my laptop.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: dja4260
Just went and played with all of the tablets at Bestbuy. I feel that 7 inch is to small so looking for 8-10 inch. Not sold on any brand thus far.


I hear you - it all depends on what you want to do with it. For me, the iPad is the perfect size as I use it to replace my laptop. Between iWork, iCloud and the camera kit there is no need for me to lug my laptop around with me and I love it!

The wife has an iPad mini and she likes that size as it's a more casual thing for her. I think it all depends on the use. I've got no issues with the iPad on my lap or in my hand while watching TV or sitting on the couch. Combine that with a Bluetooth Keyboard and I'm almost in heaven.

 

[EricF]

I've never had any issues with any Android device. However, I do tend to stick with the more modernized/popular Android devices as well. Buying a low end smartphone with Android might yield you results you'll be complaining about. It's NOT Android at fault, it's the phone. Usually it's a lower speed cpu or ram is to slow, it helps keep costs down.

You're better off with a Nexus 7. I just got the kit-kat 4.4 update last night, it's works perfectly, there's no lag or drag, things are very responsive.
I like the Nexus line because any update that Google puts out, the Nexus lines get it immediately.
However, the Nexus devices do not have an SD card expansion slot.
Google wants you to rely on their Google Drive cloud services.

A great tablet with an SD card slot would be made by Asus or Samsung. The Galaxy Tab 3 7" or 10.1" are outstanding tablets.
There's nothing wrong with them, they perform flawlessly.

I am not a fan of apple products at all. I don't like being controlled by what someone wants me to do. buying an apple product is like getting a lease. Eventually when they want you to upgrade, you'll be forced into (eventually). And you'll always pay more to get less.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: EricF
I've never had any issues with any Android device. However, I do tend to stick with the more modernized/popular Android devices as well. Buying a low end smartphone with Android might yield you results you'll be complaining about. It's NOT Android at fault, it's the phone. Usually it's a lower speed cpu or ram is to slow, it helps keep costs down.


I dono, the Droid X was the top of the Android smartphone in 2010 when I got mine. Not low end, definitely popular, and definitely a pile of garbage. And abandoned by Moto in 2011.

Quote:
I am not a fan of apple products at all. I don't like being controlled by what someone wants me to do. buying an apple product is like getting a lease. Eventually when they want you to upgrade, you'll be forced into (eventually). And you'll always pay more to get less.


Really? Cause you are doing the same with Google. It's no secret Google is moving in Apple's direction - no SD cards, no removable batteries, etc. Google wants to control you by forcing you into Google Drive.

And I have a 2008 Macbook Pro humming along with Mavericks just fine.
Had I bought an iPhone 4 at the same time as I bought my Droid X, I could still run iOS 7 on it. My Droid X is still stuck on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) with many, many bugs (I still use it as an MP3 Player)
I've not been "controlled" with my iPad or iPhone ever. They work, do what they are supposed to do and work very well. And I paid about the same as a high end Android handset, possibly a little more. But what I gained was a better experience, a phone that doesn't crash, and a phone that all features work as advertised.

 

[dja4260]

I should have been more clear. The Ipad mini (first gen) spec wise is behind the Nexus 7 and similar in cost.

I would purchase some Asus tablet for $150 bucks but again, this is for the wife.

She has always made comments how she likes apple OS, ease of use, etc.

I wish the new Ipad mini retina was around $275-300. I have a hard time spending that much for her to play on pinterest on the couch.

As for Android phones I had the HTC incredible 2 and Moto Razr Maxx HD. I had negative experiences with both of them.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Looks like many are having this post-4.4 upgrade problem. However, I feel better now. Much better.

Much like Windows 98 when Microsoft added unneeded animations that made Windows feel much slower than the older version (at the time, Windows 95), Google did the same with this upgrade.

The fix: go to Settings > Developer Options > Transition Animation Scale. Set to 0 (off).

 

[IGotYourBack]

My father owns an Ipad 4, and mother owns a Kindle Fire HD. Both are fine, but I would lean towards the Kindle Fire HD if I was getting one. She has had that for over a year; reliability is fine, and I find it much more straightforward to grab and use.

 

[itguy08]

Originally Posted By: dja4260
I should have been more clear. The Ipad mini (first gen) spec wise is behind the Nexus 7 and similar in cost.


Aaah, that makes more sense.

Quote:

I would purchase some Asus tablet for $150 bucks but again, this is for the wife.


Don't do that. I've found Android to be a second rate OS on both the phone and tablet space. Cheap Android tablets suck really, really bad and are likely to be orphaned fairly quickly.

Quote:
I wish the new Ipad mini retina was around $275-300. I have a hard time spending that much for her to play on pinterest on the couch.


Happy Wife, Happy Life.

Quote:
As for Android phones I had the HTC incredible 2 and Moto Razr Maxx HD. I had negative experiences with both of them.


Same here with a Droid X. I gave up after that mess and went back to iOS. I really wanted to like Android, I really did. The lack of reliability, support, and "things that didn't work right" pushed me back to iOS.

 

[dja4260]

Good news!

I was talking to a friend today and asked if he had a tablet. He said that his wife as an old Ipad Gen 1 and she never used it. I asked if they wanted to get rid of it. He called her and we have a deal. Ipad 1, 64 gb wifi and a nice leather case.

My wife will be pleased with it and the fact that I saved a few hundred going gently used.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Good deal. I think you'll like the full size screen. It does all depend on what you plan to do with it.

Our iPad 4 is a recreational device in our household. I play Real Racing 3 and Infinite Flight on it. I haven't touched our Xbox 360 in years, for gaming at least...all it does for us anymore is play movie DVDs in our living room. The 10" screen is a great footprint for how we use it. The keyboard is super easy to use, iOS is very easy to use (you know, you already have iPhones), and you already know the build quality to be excellent.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Originally Posted By: itguy08
Originally Posted By: dja4260
I should have been more clear. The Ipad mini (first gen) spec wise is behind the Nexus 7 and similar in cost.


Aaah, that makes more sense.

Quote:

I would purchase some Asus tablet for $150 bucks but again, this is for the wife.


Don't do that. I've found Android to be a second rate OS on both the phone and tablet space. Cheap Android tablets suck really, really bad and are likely to be orphaned fairly quickly.

Quote:
I wish the new Ipad mini retina was around $275-300. I have a hard time spending that much for her to play on pinterest on the couch.


Happy Wife, Happy Life.

Quote:
As for Android phones I had the HTC incredible 2 and Moto Razr Maxx HD. I had negative experiences with both of them.


Same here with a Droid X. I gave up after that mess and went back to iOS. I really wanted to like Android, I really did. The lack of reliability, support, and "things that didn't work right" pushed me back to iOS.



What itguy said!