Is this a viable alternative to an iPad?

[kieranmullen]

Don't be that way. Not speaking for everyone but you think the majority of users use tablets for work? If so what apps besides email? The voice to text app is nice but needs some work. I am using it more and more. PowerPoint is relied upon far too much in the learning environment, but it us because the publishers provide them to teachers.

Well there it is, video out is insignificant and its doubtful that anyone would consider do any significant work beyond email on a tablet. Sounds like the decision should be easy.

 

[g1toevo678]

Meh if video out is not a bid deal (it is probably being blown way out of proportion here.) Still not sure why people are comparing a $500 device to a $200 device. For $200 you get quite a bit and your dollars will go further in the classroom. Not sure how much work people get done on their tablets anyway besides emails. Seriously are you going to type Moby Dick on it or something? (You can get usb or bluetooth keyboards for both)

16gb N7: 250 vs 16gb refurbished ipad2 with 1 yr warranty from Apple: 320.

I'm not a teacher, perhaps you are and know better than I, but based on what I've seen and heard, many schools (some even public) are using ipads in class. Just seems like a more natural fit in this context.

Nobody is trying to make an unfair comparison against our beloved Android tablet so no need to dash to its rescue. The OP asked for opinions between the two and people offered their honest views.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[kieranmullen]

Many elementary, middle and high schools have always had a good relationship with Apple products. Not sure how many colleges are Mac centric... many of the colleges I have visited did at least have 1 Mac lab, but the majority of them are PC's. The tablet PC has been around for quite some time, but apple added an OS which was attractive and easy to use (although launching a program on the Nexus doesn't seem to difficult) along with excellent marketing. I suspect since Android has such a huge and growing marketshare (over 30% I believe) as many vendors adopt or adapt its free software for their phones, many app developers will develop for both platforms. So the "ease of use' is less and less of a selling point. Similar to desktop PC's Photoshop for Mac versus Photoshop for Windows? Meh...

I started out on the IIsi with 3 MB of ram and a 40Mb hard drive. Cost about $3k! I upgraded it to 17MB of ram and an 80MB hard drive. Our 14.4 cost $300 Our 56k US robotics cost $300 and the Single Speed CD Burner cost $1500 ( I still have it sitting around witha bunch of expensive 6ft SCSI cables in my office) In 9th grade I didn't bring floppies to school, I brought my 1 GB external hard drive from APS technologies. (I still have that too)

16gb N7: 250 vs 16gb refurbished ipad2 with 1 yr warranty from Apple: 320.

I'm not a teacher, perhaps you are and know better than I, but based on what I've seen and heard, many schools (some even public) are using ipads in class. Just seems like a more natural fit in this context.

Nobody is trying to make an unfair comparison against our beloved Android tablet so no need to dash to its rescue. The OP asked for opinions between the two and people offered their honest views.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[pauldroidr2d2]

Thanks for the input! I have to say I am surprised at all the recs for the ipad. LOL

As for integrating into the classroom, I would LOVE to actually plan for students to use this tech as well, but I teach at an inner city school and we're lucky to get into the computer lab and have enough for each student.

Having never had a tablet (which is a shocker, as I LOVE my technology) I wasn't sure what would suit my needs best. I do know I am sick of seeing so many of my colleagues toting around their iPads - I think I need a sponsorship or something! My brother in law let me mess around with his and I was amazed! And since my laptop is starting to decline after only 1.5 years of use, I have already decided that the next laptop will be Apple, which means I will have it about the time my kids graduate high school.

Thanks again for the input and please feel free to continue the convo.

I have and use both the new ipad as well as the N7. The N7, I take with me for day to day relaxing activity... surfing the web, watching a movie, or two, that sort of thing. When, I know I'm going to need to do any type of email's, work, or etc., I bring along the new ipad.

 

[kieranmullen]

have you tried voice to text on the N7 or a Bluetoooth keyboard? it is smaller so you will get a smaller keyboard even if used in landscape mode.

I have and use both the new ipad as well as the N7. The N7, I take with me for day to day relaxing activity... surfing the web, watching a movie, or two, that sort of thing. When, I know I'm going to need to do any type of email's, work, or etc., I bring along the new ipad.

 

[kieranmullen]

These combo cover/bluetooth keyboards look pretty neat for $30.
Detachable Bluetooth Keyboard Soft Leather Stand Cover Case for Google Nexus 7 | eBay

 

[pauldroidr2d2]

have you tried voice to text on the N7 or a Bluetoooth keyboard? it is smaller so you will get a smaller keyboard even if used in landscape mode.

I have texted a little bit on my N7. Generally, if I'm out and about, I'll just use my phone for the texting since they are right next to each other when I'm watching something on the N7. I don't use a bluetooth keyboard on it though. I also do not use the stock keyboard. I used it for maybe a day and then installed Swiftkey. I love the Swiftkey features and some of the customization I can do with it.

It will be interesting to see what happens when Apple releases their smaller iPad. The iPad is some stiff competition in my opinion as far as tablets go.

 

[pauldroidr2d2]

These combo cover/bluetooth keyboards look pretty neat for $30.
Detachable Bluetooth Keyboard Soft Leather Stand Cover Case for Google Nexus 7 | eBay

I haven't tried one of those. I just ordered it.

 

[NickA]

I haven't tried one of those. I just ordered it.

Cool. Let us know how it is. I like the fact that the keyboard is detachable. Good price too.

 

[kieranmullen]

Rechargable battery though...

 

[NickA]

Rechargable battery though...

Yeah but 120 hours isn't bad. 130 on standby.

 

[berrydroidapple]

Dear Nexie, please forgive what I'm about to say:

Go with the iPad, I felt my Nexie vibrate just then.

The Nexus 7 is an awesome little device paired with my Android, super awesome combination.

Seeing as you already have an iPhone, makes sense to stay with the i products. Now you can be like me and deal with 3 different app stores (apple, android, and blackberry) or you can make your work and personal life a little more productive.

My home looks like Bestbuy exploded on here with all these devices LOL.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk, because I was too lazy to turn on my Nexus 7 or Galaxy

 

[DirkBelig]

I got an OG iPad 64GB wifi today* and have been absolutely appalled** at how primitive and bass-ackwards so many things are. While there are a handful of things which are currently better on the app front due to the Android versions lagging behind or not yet available (e.g. Next Issue not on JB; Amazon Instant Video not available on anything but Fire), I'm going crazy without SwiftKey and trying to find analogs for apps I've been using the past two years on Android.

* A friend got me one for $180 w/screen protector already on when his work sold off the old ones they'd issued employees rather than eScrap them. It would've been $449 from the Apple Refurb Store and for the price, I figured I'd check it out. These were $699 two years ago?
** Look up my user name on Twitter and see the stream of rage and comments against the thing I posted today (Sept. 1, 2012).

 

[kieranmullen]

Put in on craigslist or ebay and find some other sucker for it.

I got an OG iPad 64GB wifi today* and have been absolutely appalled** at how primitive and bass-ackwards so many things are. While there are a handful of things which are currently better on the app front due to the Android versions lagging behind or not yet available (e.g. Next Issue not on JB; Amazon Instant Video not available on anything but Fire), I'm going crazy without SwiftKey and trying to find analogs for apps I've been using the past two years on Android.

* A friend got me one for $180 w/screen protector already on when his work sold off the old ones they'd issued employees rather than eScrap them. It would've been $449 from the Apple Refurb Store and for the price, I figured I'd check it out. These were $699 two years ago?
** Look up my user name on Twitter and see the stream of rage and comments against the thing I posted today (Sept. 1, 2012).

 

[rootbrain]

What about if he used AirDroid with a laptop(assuming he had one) then connected that to the projector?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Android Central Forums

If he's got the laptop, why would he even need the N7? use the project from there after transfering the files. Seems like one extra piece of equipment that's not needed.

 

[DirkBelig]

Put in on craigslist or ebay and find some other sucker for it.

I may hang onto it because there's a handful of things which are iWhatever only and short of crime, there's no way to get one for the price. Otherwise, doubling my money should be an automatic if I wanted.

 

[rootbrain]

These combo cover/bluetooth keyboards look pretty neat for $30.
Detachable Bluetooth Keyboard Soft Leather Stand Cover Case for Google Nexus 7 | eBay

They look nice, but seems to me it just turns the N7 into a mini-netbook.

 

[pauldroidr2d2]

I got an OG iPad 64GB wifi today* and have been absolutely appalled** at how primitive and bass-ackwards so many things are. While there are a handful of things which are currently better on the app front due to the Android versions lagging behind or not yet available (e.g. Next Issue not on JB; Amazon Instant Video not available on anything but Fire), I'm going crazy without SwiftKey and trying to find analogs for apps I've been using the past two years on Android.

* A friend got me one for $180 w/screen protector already on when his work sold off the old ones they'd issued employees rather than eScrap them. It would've been $449 from the Apple Refurb Store and for the price, I figured I'd check it out. These were $699 two years ago?
** Look up my user name on Twitter and see the stream of rage and comments against the thing I posted today (Sept. 1, 2012).

An OG iPad? Are you seriously attempting to compare a device that is more than 3 years old to current technology and current products?

 

[burwil]

I like the iPad for reading and researching via the web. And of course the great apps. The N7 I use like my phone except in a more practical larger screen format. Reading email, tapatalk, twitter and just in general mass consumption of info. Being a heavy widget user the N7 is perfect for that and much lighter and mobile. Forget about reading magazines on it....books are fine of course. If I had to choose one.....iPad.


Sent from my hookah via hash cloud.

 

[amsparky]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! I'm still undecided, though the price may still make the decision for me. Most of my info can be used cross platform, so that isn't a huge issue for me. Can you Swype on the N7? Of all the apps I miss from the Android platform, I think that's the one I miss the most. Although, if you can't easily hook the N7 to a projector, that makes a difference too. My laptop is going out, so trucking it back and forth isn't a viable option.
Thanks again!