Tablets

[my-thyme]

So, #3 son thinks a tablet would be right up my alley.

I know nothing about them. He says it's not exactly a computer, but will do many of the things I like to do on my Windows PC (play music, surf the net, send emails).

Mind you, I am still using the simplest, cheapest verizon phone that is available.

I have a nice laptop, but never could get used to that touch pad, so have a USB mouse attached to it.

I don't have an e-reader, I still swear to continue to read REAL books, but do LOVE my IPod for audiobooks and music, and the ability to use it in the garden, and to drown out the TV while in the house.

So, can someone convince me that I need a tablet?

And there are sooooo many of them! How to choose which one to consider?

 

[KDENISE977]

So, #3 son thinks a tablet would be right up my alley.

I know nothing about them. He says it's not exactly a computer, but will do many of the things I like to do on my Windows PC (play music, surf the net, send emails).

Mind you, I am still using the simplest, cheapest verizon phone that is available.

I have a nice laptop, but never could get used to that touch pad, so have a USB mouse attached to it.

I don't have an e-reader, I still swear to continue to read REAL books, but do LOVE my IPod for audiobooks and music, and the ability to use it in the garden, and to drown out the TV while in the house.

So, can someone convince me that I need a tablet?

And there are sooooo many of them! How to choose which one to consider?

Now this is my opinion only, but I had a tablet, Samsung Galaxy 2 that my husband got us each one for Christmas which I promptly sold on Ebay about a week later. I didn't care for it at all. I have a laptop and a netbook and husband uses his tablet. I just couldn't get used to the fact that it was basically a big cell phone as far as capabilities go. The ones we have/had were android based and I hated that as well. I have an Iphone and will when forced use the laptop, Iphone or netbook before I resort to the tablet. My husband hands it to me and I tell him every time "I hate that damned thing, get it away from me" but again, it's all MY opinion.

 

[my-thyme]

Thanks!

That's exactly what I'm afraid of - just a toy that won't do what I want, that will just frustrate me and end up thrown into a wall....

 

[blazinlow89]

Your best bet would be to go to Verizon, or Best Buy and try some of the functions out. While it basically is an oversized smart phone, they are very capable. I have resorted to using my tablet for surfing the web, music, several apps to interact with my home theater and vehicle as well as many other functions. While it is a toy, they can replace laptop if you do not use it for office stuff. I like that it is more portable, has a longer lasting battery and can be fine tuned to my needs with ease.

You can also get Bluetooth keyboards, and mice if wanted.

I will say Fiance dislikes the tablet for some things, but loves it for others.

 

[my-thyme]

....go to Verizon...

Oh, no....it's got to be on a phone plan?

Deal breaker - no thanks, don't want one.

 

[getbent]

Oh, no....it's got to be on a phone plan?

Deal breaker - no thanks, don't want one.

No, but if not it'll only access the Internet with wi-fi.

 

[my-thyme]

So blazin, what things does she NOT like it for?

 

[mamatutu]

Now this is my opinion only, but I had a tablet, Samsung Galaxy 2 that my husband got us each one for Christmas which I promptly sold on Ebay about a week later. I didn't care for it at all. I have a laptop and a netbook and husband uses his tablet. I just couldn't get used to the fact that it was basically a big cell phone as far as capabilities go. The ones we have/had were android based and I hated that as well. I have an Iphone and will when forced use the laptop, Iphone or netbook before I resort to the tablet. My husband hands it to me and I tell him every time "I hate that damned thing, get it away from me" but again, it's all MY opinion.

I agree. My husband says he will get me an Ipad like his, but I say the same thing you do: "get it away from me". I cannot stand to type on a touch pad, and prefer a keyboard like my laptop. If I did get a tablet, I would get the keyboard accessory for typing. I do like the small size of a tablet, however. They are definitely more comfortable to move around from place to place.

 

[tommyjo]

So, #3 son thinks a tablet would be right up my alley.

I know nothing about them. He says it's not exactly a computer, but will do many of the things I like to do on my Windows PC (play music, surf the net, send emails).

Mind you, I am still using the simplest, cheapest verizon phone that is available.

I have a nice laptop, but never could get used to that touch pad, so have a USB mouse attached to it.

I don't have an e-reader, I still swear to continue to read REAL books, but do LOVE my IPod for audiobooks and music, and the ability to use it in the garden, and to drown out the TV while in the house.

So, can someone convince me that I need a tablet?

And there are sooooo many of them! How to choose which one to consider?

Have an ipad...hate it...it sits in a drawer. For me it is a useless paperweight. Only value is it is lighter to take on travel than a laptop.

If you already have a laptop, then you have no real need for a tablet.

E-readers are a joke too. The American consumer is such a sucker. Why spend that kind of money on a piece of equipment that will do nothing but get broken, get lost or become obsolete? You want to read a good book? Go to a local used bookstore...you can buy a great book for a couple dollars. No need to spend $100 or $200 on a machine then $10 on the same book.

 

[blazinlow89]

Oh, no....it's got to be on a phone plan?

Deal breaker - no thanks, don't want one.

Not to buy, to play with to see if its for you.

So blazin, what things does she NOT like it for?

The main thing is the stock browser, she's used to a laptop and some of the mobile sites are a little finicky. She does like Firefox better though. Also sometimes the keyboard does not input on the screen as fast as you type. Not an issue for me, but I could wright a paper with it. She does however like some of the features like the multi touch zoom, instant transfer yo maps from browser, the ability to watch movies, listen to music, read books etc. I have even found a few apps to stream live TV, which is great since we no longer have cable TV.

 

[migtig]

my-thyme, I am a serious technophobe, but my husband keeps trying to drag me into the modern times.

Anyway, he convinced me to get a Nexus 7. I resisted. I pouted. I pleaded. I stomped. Anyway, don't tell him, but I love this thing. I carry it with me everywhere.

It does everything I need it to do.

I have all the e-reader apps available on it, so I can read any book. I don't have to wait to make a special trip to the store or to the library, I can read it right then and there. My magazine subscriptions come right to the tablet and I can read them immediately. Bookmark things and reference back. No more tearing pages out. Also of note, which is really cool, is that many magazines are becoming interactive.

I can play the games I want. I can surf the internet and facebook. I can watch movies. I can do my email, if I remember. I can book mark recipes online and set up the table so I can look at it while cooking. I can listen to music and if I wanted I could skype and all that other crap. I can draw up garden plans with my stylus and make notes in my real bad stylus handwriting.

It's small enough that even with a cover on the Nexus, it fits into a medium sized purse. It's large enough that I can read it with ease. Its light enough not to feel like a brick. It has a battery life long enough that I can carry it all day, come home, and still hold its own by the time I go to bed and recharge it.

It's wi-fi enabled, so if I don't want to be online, or am somewhere without wi-fi, I just turn the wi-fi off and still access everything (books, magazines, games). The wi-fi enable ability means I'm not locked into a monthly contract for internet service.

The thing is, for us technophobes, you really have to give the technology a chance. I didn't want it, I got it, gave it a chance, and now can't live without it. :shrug:

 

[blazinlow89]

Have an ipad...hate it...it sits in a drawer. For me it is a useless paperweight.

E-readers are a joke too. The American consumer is such a sucker. Why spend that kind of money on a piece of equipment that will do nothing but get broken, get lost or become obsolete? You want to read a good book? Go to a local used bookstore...you can buy a great book for a couple dollars. No need to spend $100 or $200 on a machine then $10 on the same book.

I'll give you $50 for it.

Books on android range from like $2-$3 each. Everything become obsolete, with technology today that could be the next day. As for price, I have an Acer A500, paid $250 for it 2 years ago. It still out performs all variants of the iPad, cost 1/3 the price and doubles as a GPS, OBD 2 scanner, personal TV and many other things. I have not used my laptop in 6 months.

 

[desertrat]

Have an ipad...hate it...it sits in a drawer. For me it is a useless paperweight. Only value is it is lighter to take on travel than a laptop.

If you already have a laptop, then you have no real need for a tablet.

E-readers are a joke too. The American consumer is such a sucker. Why spend that kind of money on a piece of equipment that will do nothing but get broken, get lost or become obsolete? You want to read a good book? Go to a local used bookstore...you can buy a great book for a couple dollars. No need to spend $100 or $200 on a machine then $10 on the same book.

Psst, they also have this thing called a library.

 

[my-thyme]

my-thyme, I am a serious technophobe, but my husband keeps trying to drag me into the modern times.

Anyway, he convinced me to get a Nexus 7. I resisted. I pouted. I pleaded. I stomped. Anyway, don't tell him, but I love this thing. I carry it with me everywhere.

It does everything I need it to do.

I have all the e-reader apps available on it, so I can read any book. I don't have to wait to make a special trip to the store or to the library, I can read it right then and there. My magazine subscriptions come right to the tablet and I can read them immediately. Bookmark things and reference back. No more tearing pages out. Also of note, which is really cool, is that many magazines are becoming interactive.

I can play the games I want. I can surf the internet and facebook. I can watch movies. I can do my email, if I remember. I can book mark recipes online and set up the table so I can look at it while cooking. I can listen to music and if I wanted I could skype and all that other crap. I can draw up garden plans with my stylus and make notes in my real bad stylus handwriting.

It's small enough that even with a cover on the Nexus, it fits into a medium sized purse. It's large enough that I can read it with ease. Its light enough not to feel like a brick. It has a battery life long enough that I can carry it all day, come home, and still hold its own by the time I go to bed and recharge it.

It's wi-fi enabled, so if I don't want to be online, or am somewhere without wi-fi, I just turn the wi-fi off and still access everything (books, magazines, games). The wi-fi enable ability means I'm not locked into a monthly contract for internet service.

The thing is, for us technophobes, you really have to give the technology a chance. I didn't want it, I got it, gave it a chance, and now can't live without it. :shrug:

Wow. You've made me want one. Now. Right NOW!

 

[migtig]

Wow. You've made me want one. Now. Right NOW!

I'll be glad to meet up with you and let you see if you actually like it in person.

 

[my-thyme]

So, I've been looking at them on Amazon. There are lots of them!

Guess the important thing is the operating system? Opinions?

Because it looks like I'll be buying one. Thanks, Mig!

It's got to be able to bluetooth with my printer, so I can print out all those lovely crochet patterns I will find....

And print garden plans to drag outside...

And print recipes to get bacon splattered...

 

[migtig]

So, I've been looking at them on Amazon. There are lots of them!

Guess the important thing is the operating system? Opinions?

Because it looks like I'll be buying one. Thanks, Mig!

It's got to be able to bluetooth with my printer, so I can print out all those lovely crochet patterns I will find....

And print garden plans to drag outside...

And print recipes to get bacon splattered...

Oh but that's the thing, you don't have to print them anymore!!!! Once you bookmark or save them, they are right there in your hand. It's almost like a log book of all your favorite things. Again, lightweight and small enough to take anywhere. And you put a protective cover on it, you can even have it out in the garden and being splattered in the kitchen.

I recommend, imho, anything that's android based. Easier to find cool things and easier to operate for non computer techs.

 

[my-thyme]

I'll give you $50 for it.

HEY!!! I'm the one looking to get one of these things, and I'm the OP.

If anyone gives her 50 bucks for it, it will be ME!

 

[my-thyme]

Oh but that's the thing, you don't have to print them anymore!!!! Once you bookmark or save them, they are right there in your hand. It's almost like a log book of all your favorite things. Again, lightweight and small enough to take anywhere. And you put a protective cover on it, you can even have it out in the garden and being splattered in the kitchen.

I recommend, imho, anything that's android based. Easier to find cool things and easier to operate for non computer techs.

but...but...PAPER! Must have paper!

Android based - got it - cool things...

 

[GURPS]

just a toy that won't do what I want,

I have a bluetooth keyboard, I take my iPad to staff meetings and use it to type notes, instead of a notebook and paper


Nope Not a TOY at all ....