Posted on 11/24/2014 10:12:22 AM PST by Chickensoup
I want to buy one of those pad type of computers so I can use the Internet, check my email and perhaps read books on the road. I do not have a smart phone, and do not want one. I will only hook up to wifi and not have a "data package" for the machine.
there seem to be several opeating systems. Apple, Google and Microsoft.
Apple eeeh.
Google? I am not keen about feeding the Beast.
I happen to like Microsoft products. Yes I know I am the ONLY Freeper who does, but what the heck?
I cannot really figure out the products well enough to compare them.
Freeper tech ping?
WAnother option is an Android powered 11 inch pad with 64BG sd card capabilities. You can pick up a carrying case which has a Bluetooth keyboard if you want to use it and it functions as a kickstand too. With the 64 BG card inserted you can run a word processing program from the card and then print to a machine.
Kind of depends on what you want to do with it, honestly.
The problem with any of the Android (Google) variants is that the reason they’re cheap is because you’re not the customer, you’re the product. Or more to the point, Google will take a loss on the device in order to capture and sell information about you. You’ll have the widest selection of devices here, though, at all price points.
Not sure what Amazon’s fork of Android means in terms of data collection, though if it’s not so bad you might want to consider a Kindle Fire. The biggest knock on Amazon I’ve heard is that again, they’ll sell the device at a loss because they want to use the device to drive sales traffic back to Amazon.
The Apple devices tend to be the most expensive, but they also tend to hold their value longer. If you only want lightweight use (email, web) and not planning on using much for productivity, look for older models and/or refurbished units to save money. Naturally, Apple devices work best for content consumption when you use their “store”, so watch for costs associated with any content you want to get, though it tends to be competitive with other platforms.
If you like Windows, there are some tablets that run Windows 8. I’m not too familiar with them so I can’t help much, but I doubt you need something as beefy as the Surface Pro, and I’m not sure they still make the Surface RT, which sounds more like what you’d want.
When you say Google, you mean Android?
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Isn’t Android the Google OS?
I did purchase a 2nd one recently though the first still works OK after almost 4 years.
With an adequate WiFi connection, I can watch movies from almost any service. It is very cool.
My IPAD Kindle app is superior to my actual Kindle. I have an older one which is good for reading outside, but the books are better with the Apple version.
I cannot imagine that Microsoft or any other manufacturer has available a superior product.
I use Windows only for its Office software. Admittedly, the IPAD is for recreation and not work, but everything it does for me is better than any PC ( and I have had a bunch) I have ever used.
iTunes on anything of mine is a deal-breaker.
One can get a refurbished iPad on the Apple site for less than new price. They come with a new warranty. I bought an iPad 4 w/retina and it works great. I think it was less than $400.
The one I had worked fine for me, it was cheap and had no problems until someone sat on it and broke the screen. I guess the lesson is, don’t lay it down in a chair.....................
Best buy. I will stop there. Staples didn’t have them on.
You would probably be well served by any of the pads out there. Make sure the pad you are looking at has the appropriate book reading software. You do not have to buy a “kindle” to get the kindle app from Amazon.
I have an iPad, but I use it for pretty much the same purposes as you are looking for.
The Only reason I would recommend the iPad is if you want to watch movies on it. The retina screen is pretty sweet.
I have both the iPad and android, iPad wins by a mile.
Here is another vote for the Samsung Galaxy Note. The screen is huge for a phone, big enough to replace a tablet.
I also have a Surface Pro 2 with the keyboard cover for when I need to type something lengthy or run MS Office.
I went Android because I was fed up with Microsoft, but a friend who is very tech-smart says the Dell Windows 8 tablets are the best thing going. About $200, you don’t need to pay the premium for a Surface unless you want those features. I’m tempted to get one myself - don’t have specific models but have a look at the Venue 8 series.
Android is good. Apple is like being absorbed by the Borg. Avoid.
I hear ya—so to speak.
I’ve had a Dell Venue 7 tablet for a year now. It does everything you mention and more.
http://www.cnet.com/products/dell-venue-7/
I’ve been very pleased with it’s performance. For $149.00 it’s giving me a good bang for the buck.
It’s just an OS.
I can check out iPad’s from the library but I found them to be difficult to operate compared to a laptop.
The questions to answer are :
Do you want to hold it in your hand or your hands? (size)
How much do you want to spend?
I have a Samsung S3 phone and it does what I want.
The problem with any of the Android (Google) variants is that the reason they’re cheap is because you’re not the customer, you’re the product. Or more to the point, Google will take a loss on the device in order to capture and sell information about you. You’ll have the widest selection of devices here, though, at all price points.
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The reason I want to steer clear of Goooogovermentgle.
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