Which Tablet ?
 

Had a Nexus 4 phone with straight talk and loved it. Then convinced myself that since I hardly ever actually used the phone (I mean normally less than 15 mins a month) I was going to go tablet only for the bigger screen so sold the nexus 4.

I would love to have cellular, but not a deal breaker. I am near WiFi 90% of the time.

I do not do any work on the tablet. I surf the web, listen to music, very rarely watch a video, read quite a bit on the kindle app, use navigation a bit, and am confused as to how to use this without data service but am told it can be done... but mostly just surf the web.. I love the 10 inch screens, could live with an 8 inch.

Don't suggest anything apple please... In the past 3 years had an iPad 1 @ iPad 2. Loved them for the most part but HATE iTunes and apple in general. I admit I did try out the iPad mini for a few days but the iTunes thing got to me and I returned it.

Don't suggest anything I have to root, cause I don't even know what that means :D or a tablet where I have to do any work around as I am not tech savvy enough to understand how to do it...

I am all about Google, google ± and love how everything syncs up with them without me doing a thing. Having loved my nexus 4 I thought I would love the nexus 7 but found the screen too small. I liked the squarer iPad mini screen much better. Next bought the galaxy note 10.1 but it was very laggy. Next bought the nexus 10 but it has rebooted on me every single day, at least every couple of hours. The battery is pathetic, takes almost 10 hours to fully charge, then discharges in 7. So disappointed in the nexus 10 and it will be going back.

Have considered the galaxy note 8, and I have read good professional about the Asus TF700 (office max has them for $379 currently) Good price, but thought I would ask here first for advice, am I overlooking something? I am tired of buying and returning tablets! I wish there was a tablet as good as the iPad but free from the apple world.

Who forces you to use iTunes if you don't want to? I have recently migrated to a Mac notebook and desktop maybe a couple of months ago, and I can say that I have not found my way to iTunes in all of that time.

Flyboy, I have about 800 songs on my Google music, I can completely bypass iTunes? What is the best way to do so? I don't have a regular computer at all anymore, and iTunes forces you to have one, or at least they used to. Sorry, I am completely clueless when it comes to this stuff.

If you want the best battery life buy the iPad.

iPad, hands down.

ummm..... I think my post may have been too long for anyone to actually read (especially the part where I stated no apple) so, unless I can sync my music to an iPad without a computer, and without using iTunes, iPads are out. Any other suggestions?

Amazing - apparently nobody can read any more on Flyertalk...

NC_Girl - I just picked up the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 - Nicely sized 8" tablet, stylus, MicroSD slot and plenty of ram/CPU. Very snappy, has of course all the Google goodies. At $399, definitely pricier than a Nexus 7 though. Many Best Buy stores now have a Samsung Experience in-store, so you can try out the Note 8. I LOVE mine.

The TF700 is definitely a good device, but I found mine too laggy - and the high-res screen doesn't really serve any purpose.

Other things I like about the Note 8:

Does HDMI out with a $15 dongle
Supports USB devices with a USB OTG plug
MicroSD
Good battery
Feels and looks awesome
Some GREAT cases on Amazon (the tablet supports case wake/lock)
Promo for free $25 Google Play credit.

If you have the $$$$, there is an international version of the Note 8 with cellular connectivity.

Sometimes I think you do these things on purpose :rolleyes:

Unless you know of an iPad that isn't made by Apple, you too clearly didn't read what the OP said:

Thanks for taking the time to read my long post! I may head over to Best Buy and check it out. Where could I buy an international version?

They are mostly on Amazon and eBay - but that also means warranty may be an issue.

Check here for Samsung Experience Stores at BestBuy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Global-P...at297800050005

Never mind. It's not worth it.

Ummmm.... I thought Google's Music service was now available for iPad (launched at I/O?). Personally, I think the Note 8 is a good choice, but don't forget Nexus 7 32GB + Cellular.

I was not aware of Google music being available on iPad..... That would possibly send me back to look at the mini again. The mini screen was exactly what I wanted.

The nexus 7 screen just felt so small and cramped that I was just not happy with it. Otherwise it was pretty much perfect.

I am going to head to bestbuy in an hour or so, maybe I will hit the apple store next door to ask a few questions about Google apps and Google music on the mini.

ScottC - how is the Note 8 on the wearable vs. luggable trade-off?

The Intl version would be quite appealing to me but I think the size is just a bit too large to be wearable. For me, wearable is that it fit in a sportcoat/suit pocket.

My Nexus 7 3G fits in 75% of my coat pockets so it makes the cut-off. But anything wider just won't work.

IMO, if someone makes a "wearable" phablet around the Nexus 7 footprint (maybe N7 V2?), SDCard expansion and replaceable battery, they'd clean up.

Just think, if no one talked about the iPad in this thread that little bit of important information would not have come to your attention. Maybe a free discussion about all tablets is exactly what was needed here.

Glad someone could point that helpful piece of information out to you. I was unaware of it as well.

^^

It isn't.

Google music is still officially web based for iOS, and even though there is a third party paid app (GoMusic), it is still only a web front-end without any offline syncing or access to the new streaming feature.

I like my Google Nexus 7. At times it does seem small but I think it's a good tradeoff between small enough to hold in one hand (or put in a jacket pocket) and large enough to see what's on the screen. Pretty good battery life, too.

It fits nicely in my suit pocket and jacket pocket - it is 5.35" wide compared to the 5" of the Nexus 7 (and 5.3" of the iPad Mini).

I agree - but to me, the lack of a MicroSD card slot is just a dealbreaker.

Well I went to Best Buy and the Samsung guy in the brand new Samsung display was clueless :( he said he had just gotten done training but he was convinced that the galaxy note 8 they had in the stores had cellular service. I kept telling him that I was pretty sure if they did have it, they were not supposed to. As we were having a bit of back and forth, one of the guys from the computer dept came over and heard us talking and corrected him which seemed to really annoy him, LOL

Anyway, I played with it for a good half an hour and loved it! I am trying to decide now where is the best place to order from.......

Thanks for the help!!

It seems that you've made your decision.........I'll just add that my friends who have the Nexus 10 have not had the same battery problems that you describe. Perhaps you just got a bad one and it might be worth checking it out again? p.s. I'm loving my Chromebook, just a thought. :)

Just a wrinkle...I have a Galaxy note 2 and since I got it I have pretty much stopped using my Ipad2. Screen is 5.5"...plenty big for watching movies, reading on the kindle app, etc. You can also get full cellular connectivity either from one of the major carriers or you could root it and use Straight Talk or one of those. Just a thought.

I do not believe that Google Music or any Play services will be available on iOS, I don't think Apple would allow that if they have any chance of stopping it.

It sounds like you should have an easy decision, if your all about Google, an Android tablet is the way to go, nothing offers better synergy between Google services and the hardware.

That being said, I have a Nexus 10 and I love it, it's pure Google, very responsive, and the screen is gorgeous. There's some decent accessories as well now. You'll get the latest updates first as well and the price for a 32gb version is competitive as well. The only reason to get an iPad is if you're tied into Apple's ecosystem and it sounds like you are not a fan of iTunes so I'm not sure why you would want to do that, other than that and a current lead in app selection is the only reasons I would think of getting an iPad over an Android tablet in your scenario.

Amazon would be the best place - currently on sale for $379 (and may or may not have tax depending on where you live):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BQH8UEY...WYS11ZRKBK8M3&

I've never had a desire, much less need, to buy a tablet. But the Note 8 could be very useful to me for the notetaking function, especially when I'm directing a conference. So I'm now considering it.

How is it as an e-reader? (Something else I've never had a desire to spend money on since I get all the books I want for free. I'm now seeing enough downloads from my public library for books I actually want to read, as opposed to all the free books people tell me are available and I have no interest in.) I'd use this function when traveling but not at home.

I'm pretty sold on the Note 8, but can only find the white ones... anyone see any word on a black/grey model?

Why do you want anything if you don't want to learn how to use it?

Well I want a car, know how to make it go from point back to point B but it doesn't mean I want to learn to service it.... ;)

Someone in my office is looking for a tablet for his aging mother. Something that is simple, primary use is to access skype for face-to-face video chats with family. It would literally sit on the kitchen table.

Now, I'm an apple fanboy but I think iPad is probably overkill for them. I'm going to lend them my iPhone to see if that is too small [if it works, they would then get iTouch].

So my question: recommendations for a NON-APPLE device?

Nexus 7.

Nexus 7 or Amazon Kindle Fire.

^ Addl't vote for Nexus 7 - was on the sideline & not ready to downsize from the iPad & debating on the Mini.

In the USA, locate a 32GB model from Staples - 14 days no questions asked, no restocking fee policies if user didn't like it for whatever reason. Smooth as silk, running stock 4.2.2 rom & kernel, (optional) rooted for flexibility w. sideload Apps. Running Skype & Hangouts, excellent for YouTube with its widescreen form, plus Google Now w. its Cards. Boat Browser (or Dolphins) w. Flash Player enabled. No bloatware.. A good wrap-around protective case highy recommended as the glass (digitizer) is prone to break if dropped.

Simple solution for FT' ers - ripped DVD's and MP4's selection for 10+ hours personal IFE on a 32GB external USB drive via $5 OTG adapter.

Having used both, Kindle Fire HD is easier to use. Conversely, the functions are more limited.

The choice comes down to the ecosystem. If you prefer Amazon's ecosystem, especially if you have Prime, choose Kindle Fire. If you like Google Play, then Nexus.

Thanks to all for the quick and concise suggestions. Don't think ecosystem is issue since his requirement is simple.
I've told my guy he can order both kindle and nexus 7 to try out -- the return policy makes it easy to test drive them both! :D

NC_Girl, another vote for Note 8. I have the original Galaxy, about 2.5 years now and still use it because has 3G. The 8 does not, it's major con in my opinion. Bought it at BB, but it's on sale at Sam's $379, as well as AMazon. Also have the Asus Infinity which is pretty much gathering dust as I've been so impressed with the Samsung. The stylus makes it for me. I do use mine for work--we have new electronic records (:mad:) and it works very well. Fits in my jacket pocket. The stylus has a lot of fun features (turn it into a calligraphy pen, etc) as well as being handy at bringing the screen back to life. If you hover over an icon, it will bring up the title, etc. Love it. Rather have a color other than white, but just happy I got it, and it's my BYOD of choice.

Tablet recommendations
 

Hi folks,

I'm tired of lugging around my laptop on short trips, and I've started researching a tablets. I'd love to get your recommendations.

I don't want anything fancy or pricey. Based on my research so far I could get what I want for around $600-$700 total (ipad+bluetooth keyboard). But I have a feeling that I'd be paying for more functionality than I need.

I want a device that works for email, blogging in wordpress, logging into my bank account, flyertalk, and works as an e-reader. I hate typing on screens, and definitely want a separate keyboard. I'm already planning to a separate iPhone later this summer, so I don't need camera or music player functionality.

Any recommendations? Would a Kindle Fire meet my needs?

Thanks!
K

If you are already sure that you will buy an iPhone then you should probably stay within one OS and buy an iPad as well. All your apps will work on the iPad that you buy for the phone. Of course some people don't like reading on a backlit screen, some don't like reading on a kindle screen. Your mileage will vary on that point. Battery life is another concern, and a big plus for the iPad. The next generation iPad, and iPad mini, will be out within a few months, with less weight, better battery and higher resolution screens.

You can pay less, but then you get what you pay for as well. There are real reasons the iPad family has the sold better than any other tablet.

There you go again...

There are some pretty decent looking Atom based tablets out there, at reasonable prices and with full Windows 8 (not troubled RT). They lack the sheer numbers in terms of touch specific apps, when compared to iOS and Android, but you'll get a fuller web experience and MS Office compatibility (if you need it).

Take a look at the Asus Vivotab Smart. Alternatively, if you want to avoid the cost of Office (albeit with RT, not full Windows), the Dell XPS 10 goes pretty cheaply at the moment (£250 in the UK, last time I checked).