Opinions on Tablets

[Mixyin]

Hey guys,

I'm having a tough time deciding whether or not I want a tablet or not. I have a laptop, a Blackberry and an iPod (not functioning the best) right now. I'm a student in highschool so I'd be using a tablet I think to take notes. I watch a ton of movies and TV shows on my iPod but I find the screen to be a bit small. I'd be browsing the web often and using social media.

I'm really torn right now, I don't know if it would be worth it for me or not and I need a few of your opinions.

If you say yes, please suggest a few, I would like a tablet with ports mainly microSD or SD card port. I'd rather not get an iPa for the sheer fact that I don't really want another iOS device, they're really good app wise but I tested the iPad 2 and didn't really like it personally.

Thanks

 

[Kmcferrin]

I'm a student in highschool so I'd be using a tablet I think to take notes. I watch a ton of movies and TV shows on my iPod but I find the screen to be a bit small. I'd be browsing the web often and using social media.

Personally, I can't imagine using a tablet to take notes unless it were like the "convertible" laptops that has a stylus and some sort of handwriting recognition-type software on it. I can type far, far, faster on an actual keyboard than the software keyboards that a tablet provides, so if I were looking for something for taking notes in class a tablet wouldn't be in my consideration.

Things that tablets are good for: browsing, social networking, playing games, watching videos/movies, e-reader-type things, the occasional video chat, etc. It's more of a content consumption device than a content creation device. I personally want one because I need something that provides a better experience than a 4" smartphone screen (especially with the amount of reading I do) but is less clunky and more comfortable than having a laptop. I'd probably be looking at the Kindle Fire or Nook if they hadn't butchered the interface so much to try to bury the full tablet experience.

 

[bdfull3r]

A tablet isn't the best option for notes, or most productive tasks. they are media consumption devices, not creation. I love my tablet, i use it every day but i could never see myself taking notes when i have a laptop nearby. its just a hassle.

Web browsing, games, video chats, games, check email, games. Get the picture?

I would recommend something like the Acer Iconia series of the Toshiba Thrive currently for a tablet that has a lot of ports including USB and SD. The Asus Transformer and Transformer Prime are other options that can use a keyboard dock that would make note taking a little easier.

 

[Mixyin]

Thanks for your opinions, rethinking about the note taking, I can't see myself taking notes now. Not too convenient like you guys said. However I don't like to bring my laptop around because it's too heavy so I think a tablet may be good because like I said I like to watch movies.

I've thought about what tab I want and I've narrowed it down to ASUS Transformer and Transformer Prime and possibly the Iconia A500 or wait for the ASUS 7'. I'd have bought the Prime in a heartbeat if it didn't seem like their we're so many issues with it.

 

[Kmcferrin]

It seems like the latest round have patches have fixed some of the issues with the Prime for some people. There's also a lot of satisfied owners out there who just aren't talking about it (usually people with complaints talk more). The biggest issue now is availability.

I plan on getting mine with a keyboard dock so that I can take it with me on trips in lieu of a laptop and remote into my system at home if I need full Windows functionality. I haven't checked out the keyboard dock on either Transformer though, but my impression (based on having previously had a 10.1" netbook) is that the keyboard won't be full-sized and will be a little difficult to type on compared to a full-featured laptop.

But hey, if you want a full-featured laptop then get one of those instead of a tablet, right?

 

[delta7]

They have the x120e laptop at walmart for 299, you may want to check that out, if I had the money I'd buy today and I'm serious lol... that's small enough to stick in a bag.

Walmart.com: Lenovo Black 11.6" Thinkpad X120E/0596 Laptop PC with AMD Fusion E-350 Processor and Windows 7 Home Premium: Computers

 

[Kmcferrin]

Personally, I can't imagine using a tablet to take notes unless it were like the "convertible" laptops that has a stylus and some sort of handwriting recognition-type software on it. I can type far, far, faster on an actual keyboard than the software keyboards that a tablet provides, so if I were looking for something for taking notes in class a tablet wouldn't be in my consideration.

Follow up on this point...there is decent note-taking software for Android and you can get a capacitive stylus for $15, so you could use it like a notepad. I haven't seen anything that does handwriting recognition to translate my scribbles into actual text, but I bet that there is something out there that will. I still think that it might be a little more awkward than just a pad and paper, but with more flexibility with your output.

Of course you could just take paper notes and scan them/photograph them too.

 

[jyoti09]

You are a high school stranded student and already have laptop, a Blackberry and an iPod

then why go for tablets , as here is lots of comment telling you, tablets are not good for notes.
So you should wait for some better device.

 

[Getbusylivin]

I will ask my questions here instead of starting a new thread.. I work offshore and currently I carry a corporate laptop and a 17" HP for personal use..I am thinking about abandoning my 17" for a tablet ,, I mainly use the 17" for email, social media, and internet, and play a few PC games.. Here are my concerns. 1.) Will a tablet play my pc games if I have them on an external hard drive.?. 2.) Is there anyway to hook a playstation 3 to a tablet and use that screen to play games from PS3.?. 3.) Will I be able to access my music on my tablet from an external hardrive.?.

** I understand that the tablet is more/less an extension of my android phone... I know I would prefer the portability of it versus another laptop.. just need to figure out if I can do without my pc games if I can't access them...

Thanks for the replies...

 

[rlanza1054]

** I understand that the tablet is more/less an extension of my android phone... I know I would prefer the portability of it versus another laptop.. just need to figure out if I can do without my pc games if I can't access them...

Thanks for the replies...

I'll try and take a stab at this.

You can only play your games if they are made for the tablet.

If you want to play your games, using your Playstation games, you can't unless you have something like a Sling Box.

There is a company now called 'OnLive', search for the app in the Android Play store.

That allows you to play your favorite game via a virtualize system. So the game is actually on a remote computer and you just get the screen information. It's supposed to be the last thing now.

Apple, if you go that route, is making their new tablet be a game killer with it's super screen resolution. So watch for major games coming out on the new iPad.

So when you say you don't want to be without your games, I'm not sure if you are talking about the games on your PC or if you are talking about games on the Playstation or XBox.

And if you mean playing remotely or accessing the PC remotely to play a game?

I'll leave it here and maybe someone else will comment!

Rob