iPad or tablet?

[SacredStar]

I need some opinions here. Was going to buy a laptop for my wife for Xmas. I asked one of her friends to find out exactly what she wanted.....and she said an ipad.

I've been talking to some people who said tablets....specifically the Samsung or Toshiba tablets are better than an ipad. She will mainly use it for facebook and surfing as well reading books. I myself think that she doesn't know much about ipad or tablets, just like me. I need to know what people think of either and why one is better than the other. I have been told that ipad's cost too much to add applications and that adding applications is all you do with an ipad. Thank you for any replies.

 

[Jenky]

I need some opinions here. Was going to buy a laptop for my wife for Xmas. I asked one of her friends to find out exactly what she wanted.....and she said an ipad.

I've been talking to some people who said tablets....specifically the Samsung or Toshiba tablets are better than an ipad. She will mainly use it for facebook and surfing as well reading books. I myself think that she doesn't know much about ipad or tablets, just like me. I need to know what people think of either and why one is better than the other. I have been told that ipad's cost too much to add applications and that adding applications is all you do with an ipad. Thank you for any replies.

If she wants an iPad, get her an iPad. Has she used any devices with iOS or OSX before? How about Android?

Spec and hardware wise, the ASUS Transformer Prime will be better and it comes out in December. You can attach a keyboard to it, which is sold separately, and it turns into a little laptop.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/28/asus-transformer-prime-pre-order-page-hints-at-december-8th-rele/

This is the first tablet ASUS released earlier this year:
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/tablets/asus-eee-pad-transformer-954145/review

It got pretty good reviews for being their first mainstream tablet. Now this next one that comes out will be quad-core.

 

[Dallas]

iPad if you like

• ease of use
• closed platform
• buying adapter after adapter - to get anything to connect w/ it
• lots of games/apps
• everyone has one and you gotta be like everyone else

Tablet if you like

• ease of use
• not a closed platform
• ports throughout the tablet oo connect things is a snap
• microSD slots
• USB ports
• top of the line hardware/chipset/goggleOS
• apps/games from Market -doesnt have 300k game - only about 150k games - Apps about the same as Apple Store.

I would go into why you would want a tablet for the enterprise world and not an iPad, but it appears this is strictly for a home user.

I have 3 ipads in my unit that we bounce around for testing new apps and software on. I am not at all thrilled w/ them. I get the whole ease of use and cute factor, but I look for a lot more when buying a tablet.

I am NOT a fan of Apple requiring gobs of adaptors to be purchased in order for anything to connect to it. I am also anti closed platform. I also an avid nut about proper resources being avail for multitasking and w/e app/games I have up at the same time.

CPU and memory and OS is huge for me.

I will be getting the ASUS Transformer Prime when it releases in DEC.

You can actually pre-order it now off Amazon.

Good luck w/ your purchase w/e you decide on.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Woman = ipad

Case closed

 

[TheCount]

I'd agree with getting her what she wants, no woman wants to hear pro/con arguments on something like this, and if you get her something other than what she wants, if she has any issues with the alternative she'll assume the iPad is better.

Save yourself the headache

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

If she wants an iPad, I don't think it'd be in your best interest to get her something else.

 

[theogt]

I'd wait on the iPad 3, if that's an option. It should be leaps beyond the first two iPads.

And as far as which is better, it's not really a competition. There really is no "tablet market"; there is only an "iPad market". For a comparison, fewer than 5 million non-iPad tablets have been sold (ever), whereas over 40 million iPads have been sold. Not only is this evidence that it's a better product (which is obvious anyway), but it also means that developers are almost exclusively going to direct their efforts at the iPad. The only time in which another tablet is worthwhile is when it's EXTREMELY cheap, but even then it's probably not worth it.

Also, as far as applications for the iPad, they're generally pretty dirt cheap (most are free, some $1 and some $5 or more). The Facebook app, for example, is free.

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

iPad.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Get her what she wants. If it doesn't live up to what she hoped, not your problem. If you get her something she doesn't want, even if it works out for her, she will still hold it against you.

 

[jobberone]

Unless you want to surprise her, then consider talking to her about it. That's a personal decision that only you can know.

The support for the non-iPads is my issue with them. And I'm talking about their long term viability as well as compatibility issues.

If she Skypes or the like you need a forward facing camera. Something to consider. If not then even the Kindle fire is in the hunt. The Barnes and Nobles one. Lot's to consider.

 

[MapleLeaf]

iPad if you like

I will be getting the ASUS Transformer Prime when it releases in DEC.

You can actually pre-order it now off Amazon.

Good luck w/ your purchase w/e you decide on.

...what are your thoughts on a person looking to find a unit that is smaller than a laptop to bridge the gap between his blackberry and his laptop?

I need the office suite of software plus a VPN connection and I use them regularly in airports and other points in transit.

I see many with Ipads, but they are just playing games, reading or watching movies.

I'm interested in one that can allow me to view and work within the MS enterprise with convenience. Sparking up my laptop is a pain and I don't have a lightweight laptop like the Macbook Air - nor does my company want me to buy one.

Ipad or tablet?

 

[YosemiteSam]

...what are your thoughts on a person looking to find a unit that is smaller than a laptop to bridge the gap between his blackberry and his laptop?

I need the office suite of software plus a VPN connection and I use them regularly in airports and other points in transit.

I see many with Ipads, but they are just playing games, reading or watching movies.

I'm interested in one that can allow me to view and work within the MS enterprise with convenience. Sparking up my laptop is a pain and I don't have a lightweight laptop like the Macbook Air - nor does my company want me to buy one.

Ipad or tablet?

Check out the ASUS Transformer Prime. (ie Transformer 2) It's not out yet, but coming soon. It's a mix between an iPad type device and a laptop. If you attach the keyboard (that has battery) with the built in battery it has something close to 18 hours of battery life. It will have the new Android 4.0 OS on it. (Ice Cream Sandwich)

[youtube]9tAwHCDq-94[/youtube]

 

[Eskimo]

I need some opinions here. Was going to buy a laptop for my wife for Xmas. I asked one of her friends to find out exactly what she wanted.....and she said an ipad.

I've been talking to some people who said tablets....specifically the Samsung or Toshiba tablets are better than an ipad. She will mainly use it for facebook and surfing as well reading books. I myself think that she doesn't know much about ipad or tablets, just like me. I need to know what people think of either and why one is better than the other. I have been told that ipad's cost too much to add applications and that adding applications is all you do with an ipad. Thank you for any replies.

Playbook from Blackberry is a very good device and the base model has been on sale for $200.

It will play flash and has true multi-tasking. It has an HDMI output.

With the expected software upgrade in February it will have native email and will be able to run apps designed for Android OS as well as any Blackberry apps.

Based on her needs this may be sufficient.

If she wants a reader, it is also very portable as the display is only 7 inches.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Playbook from Blackberry is a very good device and the base model has been on sale for $200.

It will play flash and has true multi-tasking. It has an HDMI output.

With the expected software upgrade in February it will have native email and will be able to run apps designed for Android OS as well as any Blackberry apps.

Based on her needs this may be sufficient.

If she wants a reader, it is also very portable as the display is only 7 inches.

You're the first I've heard of to speak about the Playbook. I see good/bad reviews about it.

I'm a Blackberry fan, so I was considering a Playbook at some point.

What are your thoughts about it?

 

[Dallas]

...what are your thoughts on a person looking to find a unit that is smaller than a laptop to bridge the gap between his blackberry and his laptop?

I need the office suite of software plus a VPN connection and I use them regularly in airports and other points in transit.

I see many with Ipads, but they are just playing games, reading or watching movies.

I'm interested in one that can allow me to view and work within the MS enterprise with convenience. Sparking up my laptop is a pain and I don't have a lightweight laptop like the Macbook Air - nor does my company want me to buy one.

Ipad or tablet?

Honestly I would get the Prime for the very reasons you have here. I rely heavily on my VPN connection back to the office and I need something other than a full on laptop when I travel. The prime is the perfect mix of portability and performance and open platform + battery. The Prime is also only a hint larger than the iPad2 w/ the kb plugged in and device folded up. It's even thinner than the iPad2 w/o the kb. It also comes in 2 colors of brushed aluminum and some blueish looking aluminum. Gorgeous looking tabs if you ask me.

Sam I Am has it all summed up and why the Prime is perfect for those needing true performance and battery + pluggable keyboard dock. The Prime is going to be perfect. The battery life w/ that thing is about 24-26 hrs w/ the keyboard attached.

 

[Dallas]

You're the first I've heard of to speak about the Playbook. I see good/bad reviews about it.

I'm a Blackberry fan, so I was considering a Playbook at some point.

What are your thoughts about it?

We mess w/ the Playbook all of the time when we go out looking for new products. Its nice and an excellent option for those wanting to only surf/movies/read. Its very nice for all of that actually.

My director is a huge BB fan and is always pestering us to get a few Playbooks in the house so they can take a closer look. Its a great tab for the price.

 

[jubal]

Mama bought a Galaxy by Samsun after a couple of months it went kaput. Took it back to Best Buy and they gave her a IPad2 and threw in a Kindle reader.
She carries it everywhere and we are always looking for free internet connections.So being the good guy that I am I went back to the store and bought us a MiFi,to keep our connections encripted and let us use our good stuff on the road. The MiFi is smaller than the IPhone so is no problem to tote, gets good hr.s on usage like the IPad. She hasn't been exposed to all the other options out there so is happy as a clam.
Hope this helps!

 

[Eskimo]

You're the first I've heard of to speak about the Playbook. I see good/bad reviews about it.

I'm a Blackberry fan, so I was considering a Playbook at some point.

What are your thoughts about it?

WG, I haven't bought one yet. They just went on sale due to overstock.

I have friends who have bought it.

It looks quite good, it is very fast, it does flash.

Right now you can't run the Android apps yet. You need a software patch for the OS that is coming in February.

There is also no native email or calendar. Those will also be coming in February.

The Playbook is also the only OS that allows true multi-tasking like your laptop. That is it can run multiple apps at once.

It is supposed to be a very stable OS with true multi-tasking because it is based on QNX OS which is well-known for its stability and something called an efficient micro-kernel.

I wasn't too big of a fan of tablets but my son likes them. I thought about the Apple but I don't want to spend $500 on one and have him wreck it. My wife would like an e-reader and this should fit the bill.

My understanding is that the initial Playbooks won't have wireless but allegedly should tether to your blackberry device. I don't know if the US telcos are allowing this or not. It will have wifi, of course.

I know it has had lots of negative press but I think lots of that is because it is popular to pick on this company right now - kick them while they are down phenomenon.

 

[Jenky]

A review by Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-review/

Must resist the urge to buy.

 

[YosemiteSam]

A review by Engadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/01/asus-eee-pad-transformer-prime-review/

Must resist the urge to buy.

I have a feeling I'm going to demand Santa place one of these under my tree. :laugh2: