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
Thank you.
“I happen to like Microsoft products. Yes I know I am the ONLY Freeper who does, but what the heck?”
I do too. I have the Surface Pro 3 and love it!!
For your stated purposes, there are several inexpensive tablets that fit the bill. Most have Android OS...................
Good luck with your purchase.
I know you say that you don’t want a smartphone, but I will suggest those I’ve known who have bought a tablet before buying, say a Samsung Galaxy Note 1-4 large smartphone and found it is more convenient, while making a tablet redundant.
Apple iPad2 for almost 4 years without problems. Expensive but durable. You would need iTunes on your home PC to fully utilize the iPad (have music, photos, video on iPad).
Mac Ipad Mini.
Best place to go is also to Ebay.
Best one going, etch-o-sketch, simple to use, only has 2 knobs, great battery life, no spam, easy to program. No USB port, take a long tome to put in a book or a movie.
When you say Google, you mean Android?
Brace yourself, you are going to get A LOT of responses to your question. My only suggestions would be to match your needs to the functions of the Tab. Also, bestbuy has ‘em displayed powered up and wifi connected for test rides. Good luck.
I know two people who have the Surface and love them but I will wait for a few more versions before I take that leap...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.