Tablets

[Michael Flowers]

I was wondering if anyone out there could offer me some advice on what some good tablets are currently on the market. I am considering purchasing one (easier to carry than my laptop) but only really know of the Ipad (which is the expensive one). I am aware that there are others out there but am unsure of where to start looking. Any suggestions? (note that I am not looking for one that has an internet option, simply one with wi-fi)

[Rich Schmidt]

I was wondering if anyone out there could offer me some advice on what some good tablets are currently on the market. I am considering purchasing one (easier to carry than my laptop) but only really know of the Ipad (which is the expensive one). I am aware that there are others out there but am unsure of where to start looking. Any suggestions? (note that I am not looking for one that has an internet option, simply one with wi-fi)

It really depends on what you want and what you plan to use it for. You can scan the list at BestBuy.com to see the variety that are out there.

So... what are you looking for?

[Jim Chabot]

I was wondering if anyone out there could offer me some advice on what some good tablets are currently on the market. I am considering purchasing one (easier to carry than my laptop) but only really know of the Ipad (which is the expensive one). I am aware that there are others out there but am unsure of where to start looking. Any suggestions? (note that I am not looking for one that has an internet option, simply one with wi-fi)

I have been thrilled with my iPad, the battery life is incredible, no heat and great display and touch screen response.

A friend of mine just bought a dell duo tablet/laptop combo. He was/is hoping to use it to preach from rather than paper notes, but so far he has found that the touch screen interface hasn't been user friendly.

I have noticed that GS Duarte preaches from an iPad. Unless you are tuned in to the sweeping motion used to turn the pages one would never notice that he is using it. Not sure what program he uses to prepare his notes, but I'm thinking that anything that could place text into a kindle format would do the trick.

I've used mine as a wireless stage display from my presentation program, I've also used it to remote control my audio mixer. The possibilities with this thing appear to be endless and it works flawlessly. Sometimes the expensive option is also the most cost effective?

I have a couple of the wifi models, I thought that the price was reasonable at $599. I just checked the apple store and they are now $499.

[Jon Twitchell]

If you just need wifi access, then you might consider Amazon's new "Kindle Fire (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwyourchurch-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0051VVOB2)" It isn't actually out yet, but is a smaller tablet for only $199. You can reserve your place in line, and get it when it's available. It has full android tablet capabilities, and is designed to integrate with Amazon's Cloud-based services.

I use a 3rd generation Kindle (now called Kindle Keyboard (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HZYA6E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwyourchurch-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004HZYA6E)) for my preaching and weddings/funerals. It's not a tablet, but strictly an e-reader. I absolutely love it... there are no pages to blow around or get messed up... it's less obtrusive than turning pages... and it's easy to pick up and read from, or leave on the podium and read from. I suspect that most people aren't aware that I've switched from paper to an e-reader.

(I realize that you're not asking about e-readers... but you could possibly use a tablet in a nice cover to do the same thing.)

[Michael Flowers]

Basically I am wanting something that I can open documents on (it would be cool to edit them as well). Having the ability to get online and do whatever I need to is also a plus. The moment that I saw the Kindle Fire online I determined that I wanted to get one (because of the price) but then I got to thinking about the Ipad and some friends recommended that I check out the other options as well. My first stop was at Bestbuy.com, but there is only so much information there and the reviews from customers aren't the greatest.

Primarily I am looking for something that will allow to me to take my books with me (without having to carry around twenty of them) and to take notes/edit papers or sermons. I know there are several types out there and it is all dependent upon what the user wants to do, but I thought I might at least find out what has worked for others in similar situations.

As far as the Dell Duo, I saw that and it really intrigued me, although the reviews I have read seem to indicate that Dell has improvements to do before it can catch up to the competition (the advantage of it though is the netbook side of things as well as being a tablet). Thanks for the feedback.

[Cam Pence]

A big competitor for the ipad that I am hearing more and more about is the Asus Eee Pad. It about 400 bucks. I am not an Apple guy but I also have to agree with Jim that the Ipad is sweet.

[Rich Schmidt]

I've only used iPads. (My wife has had an iPad for work for about a year... and just this week got an iPad 2.) The iPad is by far the most popular tablet out there, and every review gives numerous reasons why. In my opinion, it's the solid, safe choice. Very low likelihood of buyer's remorse.

I don't personally own a tablet. I would have bought a $99 HP TouchPad if I could have found one before they all sold out, just because I know it would have done the basics (web browsing, email, and tinkering), and was very solid hardware for $99. Other than that, the only non-iPad "tablet" that has seemed remotely interesting to me is the new Kindle Fire. It appears to get all the basics right, and because it doesn't try to do everything Android does, it looks like it's going to be one sweet machine. (I'm not sure I'd say it has "full Android tablet capabilities" like Jon did. The Kindle Fire will run some of the most popular Android apps, but it purposefully breaks with Google and most of the standard Android experience... which I think is a smart move.)

But... I don't have a need for it. I don't even have a need for an iPad (yet). If I were buying a tablet, I'd have to choose between an iPad & the Kindle Fire. I think my first choice would be the iPad, just because I live in Apple's universe. But I don't know for sure.

It sounds like you mainly want an e-reader that will also let you take/edit notes. The Kindle Fire will probably do that for you... as long as the smaller screen works for what you want. If not, then it seems to me that you can't go wrong with the iPad.

[Shea Zellweger]

I'm hoping to get an ASUS EEE Transformer 2- I've played around with the T-1, and it's pretty sweet in its own right. The T-2 is supposed to be the first tablet to feature the Kal-El processor, and will be Android Ice Cream Sandwich upgradeable. You can purchase a keyboard which converts the Transformer into a netbook replacement, with usb ports, memory card reader, and added battery life. I'm not wanting to have a "third device," so the Transformer appeals to me because I can use it instead of a laptop, rather than in addition to one. Latest word on the Transformer 2 is that it will be released on November 7, but that may be the UK release date.

[Gina Stevenson]

The T-2 is supposed to be the first tablet to feature the Kal-El processor, and will be Android Ice Cream Sandwich upgradeable.

You've got to be kidding! :smilies1722: [tho' I know you're not] Can't believe some of the names they've come up with for computerized gizmos since the first line of "food-ware" came about via Apple. :smilies0262:

[Jim Chabot]

You've got to be kidding! :smilies1722: [tho' I know you're not] Can't believe some of the names they've come up with for computerized gizmos since the first line of "food-ware" came about via Apple. :smilies0262:



I hadn't heard of "Ice Cream Sandwich" yet, my phone has "gingerbread" on it so I think Shea is serious here.

[Jon Twitchell]

Android operating systems are code-named for desserts... going in alphabetical order, starting with C.

Cupcake
Donut
Eclair
FroYo (Frozen Yogurt)
Gingerbread
Honeycomb
Ice Cream Sandwich

Arguably A & B were taken up with "Android" and "Beta."

[Rich Schmidt]

I hadn't heard of "Ice Cream Sandwich" yet, my phone has "gingerbread" on it so I think Shea is serious here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_version_history

Each version of Android is given a different name:

1.5 Cupcake
1.6 Donut
2.0/2.1 Eclair
2.2 Froyo
2.3 Gingerbread
3.x Honeycomb
4.x Ice Cream Sandwich

Honeycomb was Google's first Tablet version of Android and was never available on phones. Ice Cream Sandwich is supposed to work on both phones and tablets.

Edited to add: Looks like Jon and I had the same idea. :)

[Shea Zellweger]

I hadn't heard of "Ice Cream Sandwich" yet, my phone has "gingerbread" on it so I think Shea is serious here.

Yup. Android 4.0 is Ice Cream Sandwich. It will fuse the tablet and smartphone Android platforms, whereas previous tablets ran on Honeycomb (3.0, 3.1, 3.1), a tablet-only version, and phones have not seen an upgrade since Gingerbread (2.3). So far, all the platforms have been alphabetical desserts. I'm really hoping to see an "Android jujubees" platform come out some time next year :D.

ETA: ...I see Jon and Rich posted while I was writing. Pick whichever response you like best :)

[Bruce Nuffer]

Other than the Kindle Fire (which looks to be focused on video consumption, though it does other things as well), I'd recommend you avoid the budget tablets. Anything trying to compete with the iPad at a lower price point is going to be a disappointment. I haven't created any sermons on the iPad, but I teach my Sunday School class with it. I find the tablets are great for absorbing information and video, but not so great at helping you when you are creating content. Note-taking is the only real content generation I've ever felt worked well for me on the tablet.

[Shea Zellweger]

Other than the Kindle Fire (which looks to be focused on video consumption, though it does other things as well), I'd recommend you avoid the budget tablets. Anything trying to compete with the iPad at a lower price point is going to be a disappointment.

I don't think this is accurate. The iPad 2 starts at $499- there are several Android tablets of equal quality which are being sold at lower price points. Also, the iPad is primarily a consumption device, while several other tablets are creation devices. If you're looking for the latter, the iPad is probably not going to be your best bet.

[Rich Schmidt]

I don't think this is accurate. The iPad 2 starts at $499- there are several Android tablets of equal quality which are being sold at lower price points.

Which ones are those? I've not read a review of an Android tablet yet that says it's "of equal quality" with the iPad 2.


Also, the iPad is primarily a consumption device, while several other tablets are creation devices. If you're looking for the latter, the iPad is probably not going to be your best bet.

I'm curious how you've drawn this distinction, Shea. What can you do content-creation-wise on these "several other tablets" that you can't do on an iPad?

[Shea Zellweger]

Which ones are those? I've not read a review of an Android tablet yet that says it's "of equal quality" with the iPad 2.

As far as hardware goes, the Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab (10.1"), Acer Iconia, and ASUS Transformer are all comparable to the iPad 2- I'm sure there are others (here's a side-by-side (http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/android-tablet-news/9702-honeycomb-android-tablets-versus-ipad-2-comparison-chart.html)of Xoom, Tab, and iPad 2). Iconia and Transformer are both at lower price points, so far as I can tell. The main difference between them is software and input, and that appears to be a "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" matter. I haven't owned either variet of tablet, but between the time I've spent with them and the reviews I've read, I'm not finding any significant superiority in software in either, unless you really, really want Flash support.



I'm curious how you've drawn this distinction, Shea. What can you do content-creation-wise on these "several other tablets" that you can't do on an iPad?

The consumption vs. creation issue has been detailed for a couple of years now- earliest article I can find dates to April of last year (http://socialmediatoday.com/index.php?q=SMC/186369). Some feel that iPad is revolutionary because of the fact that it's primarily a consumption device, and I don't begrudge them that opinion. But one of the more consistent complaints regarding the iPad is that it's a "third device," rather than a replacement for an existing one. I'm pretty sure folks on NazNet who are Apple afficionados made this same observation when the iPad came out, and again when the iPad 2 didn't change the fact.

Android has added USB support to its honeycomb devices, which allows for a broader range of input. Acer and ASUS have already taken advantage of this in their current line of tablets- I've already pointed out that ASUS has a keyboard dock which effectively turns the Transformer into a netbook, with various input ports included (USB, mini-USB, SD) that the proprietary iPad keyboard does not offer (adding the keyboard brings it into the price range of the iPad 2). LG has issued a statement (http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/lg_plans_android_tablet_with_focus_on_content_crea tion_not_consumption/)saying they'll be pushing the distinction between consumption and creation even further, though they haven't said how as of yet.

At present, I don't see any significant superiority from one group of tablets or another- just various things which would cause one or another to appeal more to certain people with certain preferences. But I don't think one can really make the case that an Android tablet at a lower price point is by default inferior to the iPad 2, unless they are adamant that iOS is intrinsically superior to Honeycomb.

ETA: A programmer friend of mine made this distinction between iOS and Honeycomb in regard to creation- Honeycomb is an opensource, client-based Operating System. iOS is not. This results in iOS being a more "controlled environment," which allows for less customization, but also cuts down heavily on the potential for the "bugs" which can come from user customization. Honeycomb does not have a controlled environment, which allows for more creativity, but can result in more bugs. He said it's kind of like trying to distinguish between OS X and Linux.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I've seen this thread pop up several times and just realized the "Tablets" you are talking about aren't the ones Moses brought down the mountain.

(Just kidding)

[Rich Schmidt]

As far as hardware goes, the Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab (10.1"), Acer Iconia, and ASUS Transformer are all comparable to the iPad 2- I'm sure there are others (here's a side-by-side (http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/android-tablet-news/9702-honeycomb-android-tablets-versus-ipad-2-comparison-chart.html)of Xoom, Tab, and iPad 2). Iconia and Transformer are both at lower price points, so far as I can tell. The main difference between them is software and input, and that appears to be a "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" matter. I haven't owned either variet of tablet, but between the time I've spent with them and the reviews I've read, I'm not finding any significant superiority in software in either, unless you really, really want Flash support.

Thanks, Shea. It's been a long time since I've read reviews of those tablets, but I seem to remember most of them being described as "in the ballpark" of the iPad/iPad 2 in terms of quality, but still not quite as good. And didn't most of them debut at prices equal to or higher than the iPad? Perhaps things have improved (both in terms of quality and price) in the world of Android tablets over the past 6-9 months.

There are definitely "personality differences" between the iPad & Android tablets... which is part of why I was asking what Michael was wanting to use his new tablet for. Given his requirements, just about any tablet will do. But, like Bruce, I'd advise most folks to avoid "budget tablets." The ones you've mentioned, Shea, are the top tier of Android tablets, and they probably compare relatively favorably to the iPad 2. But then there's a large pool of sub-par Android tablets at lower price points -- some with "features" like resistive touch panels, etc., that will frustrate anyone trying to use them.



The consumption vs. creation issue has been detailed for a couple of years now- earliest article I can find dates to April of last year (http://socialmediatoday.com/index.php?q=SMC/186369). Some feel that iPad is revolutionary because of the fact that it's primarily a consumption device, and I don't begrudge them that opinion. But one of the more consistent complaints regarding the iPad is that it's a "third device," rather than a replacement for an existing one. I'm pretty sure folks on NazNet who are Apple afficionados made this same observation when the iPad came out, and again when the iPad 2 didn't change the fact.

The iPad was introduced as a third device between smartphones and laptops. I guess people can complain about it, if they want to, but evidently several million people have felt like it's worth their while to purchase one (or more). Like I said earlier, I haven't really felt a need for one, because my MacBook Pro is already portable enough.... though it's showing it's age and will likely need to be replaced within the next 12 months. I may opt for an iMac & iPad instead of a new MacBook Pro. We'll see.

While the consumption/creation contrast is long-standing, I believe it's also misleading. Yes, the tablet form-factor has tradeoffs when compared to a laptop or desktop (no physical keyboard, no humongous hard drive, etc), but these are true for any tablet, not just the iPad.

The iPad was introduced alongside Apple's iWork suite of office software: Pages, Keynote, and Numbers. Some people edit audio, video, and photos on them. The iPad (and most tablets) are nearly infinitely extensible via software, hardware add-ons, and their connection to the internet.

Think of the many ways in which the iPad (or any tablet) is better than the original Macintosh, or early IBM PC's, or Apple IIc's. People created with those all the time. And people create on the iPad (and, I assume, other tablets) all the time, too.

This article -- The iPad is the "third device" I'd hoped for (http://www.tuaw.com/2011/08/23/counterpoint-the-ipad-is-the-third-device-id-hoped-for/) -- expresses my point of view well.

[Rich Schmidt]

I know it's about phones, not tablets, so I apologize now for the sidetrack. But this article gives just one reason why I'd rather stick with Apple's products than risk going with one of the many Android devices.

Android Orphans: Visualizing a Sad History of Support (http://theunderstatement.com/post/11982112928/android-orphans-visualizing-a-sad-history-of-support)

[Shea Zellweger]

But, like Bruce, I'd advise most folks to avoid "budget tablets." The ones you've mentioned, Shea, are the top tier of Android tablets, and they probably compare relatively favorably to the iPad 2. But then there's a large pool of sub-par Android tablets at lower price points -- some with "features" like resistive touch panels, etc., that will frustrate anyone trying to use them.

I agree. I was responding to the statement that "Anything trying to compete with the iPad at a lower price point is going to be a disappointment." At present there are at least a few tablets which are at a lower price point than the iPad, and are (IMHO) as good as the iPad in the hardware department. Yes, there are ones to avoid, but it's by no means automatic that an Android tablet that's cheaper than an iPad will disappoint.

[Dave McClung]

I was wondering if anyone out there could offer me some advice on what some good tablets are currently on the market. I am considering purchasing one (easier to carry than my laptop) but only really know of the Ipad (which is the expensive one). I am aware that there are others out there but am unsure of where to start looking. Any suggestions? (note that I am not looking for one that has an internet option, simply one with wi-fi)

I bought an iPad, but have found that it is a poor substitute for my laptop. After a few trips, I decided to give it to Linda.

I have found that I my iPhone does anything the iPad could do and the iPad just isn't a laptop.

[Ryan Pugh]

I've seen this thread pop up several times and just realized the "Tablets" you are talking about aren't the ones Moses brought down the mountain.

(Just kidding)

http://www.ijailbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/funny-Steve-Jobs-heaven-Moses-tablets.jpg

[Michael Flowers]

Thanks to you all for the conversation, it definitely gave me a few things to consider when I get ready to buy one (and it informed me of a few things I didn't know personally about the whole tablet realm).

Honestly I hadn't known that Apple had developed the iWorks stuff until I did a little searching in response to posts on here, also found that Asus' Transformer seems to be able to do the same things. I think I am torn between those two at the present (although I kinda wish that Dell's Duo didn't have as many apparent bugs as it does, seems like a great idea).

And Ryan, thanks for the pic post, I'm interested as to how Moses would respond.

[Hans Deventer]

And Ryan, thanks for the pic post, I'm interested as to how Moses would respond.

Well, the implication is that the 10 Commandments are not so carved in stone as we always thought they were...............