Tablets

[Mjolnir]

Hope this is in the right section. Probably not one of the more "tough" things that could be talked about, but I enjoy technology and figured a nice tablet would be a fun luxury item. So does anyone have any opinions on any of them. Iam partial to the IPads, I am familiar with their interface and they just always seem to work. What about you guys?


Boards don't punch back.

[kid_couteau]

I have the Samsung Galaxy 7" and the Trio Stealth 4"

Both work well for me

The Stealth is in the truck and hooked to the truck radio. I listen to podcasts on my way to work and watch vids at lunch break.

Kid

[SheepDog68]

Not overly tech savvy but, do find a use for them.

We were given an iPad and then later 3 iPad minis and I have to say I use them more than I thought I would.

Travel specially is nice as they are small enough to go lots of places that even a laptop would not go. Our 2.5 year old loves to watch movies etc on them while we are busy or traveling and can even type in the pass code etc to get them to come up on his own.

We took the iPad to Maui with us as our "only" computer and managed to keep up with business, banking, bills and such while we played hooky from much of the winters wrath this year. :thumbsup:

SD

[Mjolnir]

Not overly tech savvy but, do find a use for them.

We were given an iPad and then later 3 iPad minis and I have to say I use them more than I thought I would.

Travel specially is nice as they are small enough to go lots of places that even a laptop would not go. Our 2.5 year old loves to watch movies etc on them while we are busy or traveling and can even type in the pass code etc to get them to come up on his own.

We took the iPad to Maui with us as our "only" computer and managed to keep up with business, banking, bills and such while we played hooky from much of the winters wrath this year. :thumbsup:

SD

Which do you find yourself using more, the mini or the regular?


Boards don't punch back.

[Claybob]

I am using a ipad Mini most all the time. I use it in meetings, class, and lounging. I like it the best because it works well with the IPhone, and it fits in one hand.

[Doug Little]

While it is not widely known in these circles, I am definitely an Apple geek. I have owned every new Apple iPhone or iPad on launch day since the first one was introduced in 2007. Without going through a bunch of history...I have found that if you are simply consuming content, the iPad Mini is without parallel. It is light, compact and plenty powerful for video, audio, web and email. The big advantage over the regular iPad is size and weight. You can easily handle it with one hand, so reading or viewing is a breeze. Also because of its size, I find myself taking it places that I didn't take my full size iPad. When you consider that they will be coming out with the retina display version of the Mini in the next month or two and they will be coming out with a full-size iPad that will be lighter and thinner mimicking the current configuration of the Mini. I'm going to be hard-pressed to make a decision on whether I'm going to get the new Mini or the new iPad. Overall I would say if you're just consuming content, the Mini is going to be a better bet. If you're going to be creating content like long emails or creating Word documents and dealing with spreadsheets, then the iPad's the way to go.

Just my two cents from a certified Apple geek...

[Mjolnir]

While it is not widely known in these circles, I am definitely an Apple geek. I have owned every new Apple iPhone or iPad on launch day since the first one was introduced in 2007. Without going through a bunch of history...I have found that if you are simply consuming content, the iPad Mini is without parallel. It is light, compact and plenty powerful for video, audio, web and email. The big advantage over the regular iPad is size and weight. You can easily handle it with one hand, so reading or viewing is a breeze. Also because of its size, I find myself taking it places that I didn't take my full size iPad. When you consider that they will be coming out with the retina display version of the Mini in the next month or two and they will be coming out with a full-size iPad that will be lighter and thinner mimicking the current configuration of the Mini. I'm going to be hard-pressed to make a decision on whether I'm going to get the new Mini or the new iPad. Overall I would say if you're just consuming content, the Mini is going to be a better bet. If you're going to be creating content like long emails or creating Word documents and dealing with spreadsheets, then the iPad's the way to go.

Just my two cents from a certified Apple geek...

Glad Iam not the only apple fan boy. Lol. Thanks for your insight.


Boards don't punch back.

[JustMe]

ive been a windows holdout for a ling time, mostly because of custom tools. just not realistic to switch to a mac.

i purchased an ipad 3, cellular, maxed flash, and use my laptop for the tools i mentioned. ive been very impressed.

i still can't ever see getting completely away from a non tablet. but the ipad does far more that i thought possible.

[Stoic]

Okay, my .$02:

I'd rather stick an icepick in my eye than buy an Apple product, so I went with a Motorola Xoom, a couple years back. Love it, never leave home without it. Wrote a (short) book on it, with a bluetooth keyboard. Whichever you pick, tablets are definitely the wave of the future, and for most applications, they're superior to laptops IMHO. The only thing they don't do well (yet) is gaming.

Not a big fan of Google either, but any of the Android laptops will work great.

[Mjolnir]

So why the dislike for apple. Just curious, I know there are some great android products.


Boards don't punch back.

[Froggy]

I'm using an iPad now. I like iPads, but you definitely drink the apple cool aid when you buy any apple product. There is no perfect solution, but apple offers relatively intuitive solutions.

[Prometheus]

I like the abilities the android platform has over the apple products. Like Dr meade I sync everything from phone to tablet and it makes things very nice and easy. I'm also not boxed in with all of apples proprietary nonsense.

I gave my Galaxy Tab to my wife when I got my Tab 2. great devices.

[SheepDog68]

Which do you find yourself using more, the mini or the regular?


Boards don't punch back.

Wife uses the iPad and I have two of the mini's one at the office and one at the house so I guess I use the mini's a lot more.

The mini is real easy to travel with and even fits in the glovebox or bag pocket until needed. May be too much info, but padded with a couple of diapers on each side it even travels in the diaper bag which is how we traveled to Maui and back with it.

SD

[ewayte]

I went all Apple at home when work forced me onto Windows 7 with no "personal" apps (iTunes). My wife has an iPad Mini (small hands) while I carry the full size iPad. With a Logitech keyboard cover, it has replaced my laptop for carry when I'm on call (Oracle DBA). I can remote in to my desktop at work using 4G LTE faster than I can with the POS Clear 3G/4G USB modem provided by work.

[bae]

I use iPads all over the place. Not because I have any great affection for them, or like/dislike Apple.

But, I'm a busy guy, and spent too much of My Previous Life dorking around with computers, and don't wish to spend any more. These iPads basically Just Work for the sorts of things I need, and I don't have to spend too much time and effort getting involved with them. There's a huge ecosystem of users and producers for the thing, and it's no fuss - it's like buying a Colt AR instead of some hand-crafted-by-swiss-gnomes piston gun.

I realize it's not The Cool Kid's solution, but that isn't my requirement for this product.

[Web Services]

I like the Galaxy line.

These days it's going to come down to features, given so many models out there now. If you go Apple, you will likely have to pay for every app and service you would normally get free on Android, just saying! Plus Apple will cost much more to boot, and multitasking abilities are a bit different between Android and Apple. If everything else you own is non-Apple, then your iPad would end up being lonely red-headed step child in the home. If money is no object and you are fine with less tinkering abilities and would stick to the tried-and-true Apple lineup of common apps, go for it. You will likely get a Thunderbolt plug and be stuck with all Apple accessories. This makes programs and hardware work quite well, but is limiting and expensive. On Android, you can literally plug almost anything in the USB and try to get it to work, but may have to tinker or deal with a crash if there are issues. Take for example people who have used the Xbox wireless controller and turned their Android tablet in a retro old gaming emulator. With Android you can usually "unlock" it and have full access to the system drive and do all sorts of strange tinkering.

Look at connectivity as well, do you need an HDMI port, will you need cellular service, will you be using it as a video/audio player or a reader or a gaming device? Look at accessories available for it, do you need bluetooth (wireless keyboard, headsets, etc)? How good is the camera if you want to take pics? Are there critical home or business apps you require and are they available in the app stores? Are you an artist and would like to do handwriting and art? If that's the case, you need a special tablet with very precise tracking like the Galaxy Note. If you try to "write" on most tablets, at best you get giant sloppy lines, certainly not accurate handwriting precision.
Be careful of tablets that have even less tinkering abilities than the iPad, for example a Kindle Fire. Since that runs Android with proprietary Amazon software on top, it limits you to Amazon's interface and abilities and even apps. Plus it has no camera and so on.
So for ultimate tinkering abilities, get the purest form of Android you can, which is like the Nexus, Google's OWN offering and is very popular. The nest most open is any other Android except for hardware built by cellular providers who may have installed their own proprietary stuff on them. After tha are Ipads and various manufacturer-specific customized tablets such as the Fire.

I didn't mention Windows 8 but a tablets running Windows 8 are bound to be quite powerful and "open" if they allow any Windows programs to run. I just haven't used or seen one yet or read much about them. The Windows app store is quite limited still but growing. Again if you want the full "tablet" full-screen-apps experience, Windows 8 may give you grief until all your favorite programs and apps make it into the store.

In any case, a person who has never had a tablet and gets one, is going to have fun no matter what, just go get your feet wet. And if you want to "play" with them, most stores have them on display.
If you're married and you buy yourself a tablet, be prepared to lose it to your wife within two weeks and go get yourself a second one.

[Al Lipscomb]

With an Apple device things tend to be either very easy or impossible, with little in between. That being said, they are very stable and of good quality. At work they use a Citrix (remote desktop/application) to access anything they can't do in a native iPad. While I like the Android, I have found there are more useful apps for the Apple world. Would I switch to Apple? Not at this time but if you are starting fresh, think about it.

[Mjolnir]

Thanks for all the suggestions and insights guys. Currently we are an almost complete Apple family(two phones and a laptop). So my natural "lean" is to one of the IPads. You have some good points Zack. I could see wanting the ability to "unlock" the tablet and tweaking things, but I have never really been that kind of guy. And I figure why not pay a dollar or two for a well done app? Anyways, some of my friends are more techy so I can see the want for something that isn't restrictive. So it sounds like one of the IPads is right for me?


Boards don't punch back.

[AlwaysVigilant]

Be mindful of the position and time that you spend on a mobile device. It is murder on your neck and shoulders, especially if you have a desk job and use a computer all day at work.

[gps man]

I'm an Apple guy. I've got two iPhones, an iPad and a MacBook.

Forced to use a windows laptop at work.

I love the iPad. It does everything I need it to do and is a lot of fun.

My best friend bought a Samsung Galaxy tablet ( mostly to mess with me) and it seems fine too.

I go with the recommendation others have made. Go all apple or all android. Trying to mix them is a headache.

[Mjolnir]

Be mindful of the position and time that you spend on a mobile device. It is murder on your neck and shoulders, especially if you have a desk job and use a computer all day at work.

Too true my man. Luckily I have blessed with a job that gets me up and moving and outdoors. But I can defiantly tell when I have been on my IPhone for to long.


Boards don't punch back.

[Web Services]

....You have some good points Zack. I could see wanting the ability to "unlock" the tablet and tweaking things, but I have never really been that kind of guy. And I figure why not pay a dollar or two for a well done app? Anyways, some of my friends are more techy so I can see the want for something that isn't restrictive. So it sounds like one of the IPads is right for me?

If you don't mind the extra expense. Not just apps, a $4 app isn't that big a deal, but simply higher cost of hardware, accessories, repair, etc.
Don't worry too much about the "tweaking", you'll have plenty of fun doing other stuff.

If you do want the iPad, then the question is, buy new or used, what screen size, how much memory, etc.

[JustMe]

Don't worry too much about the "tweaking", you'll have plenty of fun doing other stuff.

yes, having a device "that just works" is a real pleasure, and worth the extra expense of the hardware.

[Jack Rumbaugh]

I have the Toshiba Thrive. I like it. The Excite is a bit thinner. Runs ICS and have had few issues with it.

Getting an iPad soon. We'll see. Not an Apple fanboi.

[Mjolnir]

If you don't mind the extra expense. Not just apps, a $4 app isn't that big a deal, but simply higher cost of hardware, accessories, repair, etc.
Don't worry too much about the "tweaking", you'll have plenty of fun doing other stuff.

If you do want the iPad, then the question is, buy new or used, what screen size, how much memory, etc.

I think an IPad would make the most sense at this point, I don't think I can convince my wife to give up the IPhone or Mac. I was toying with the idea of a android phone, but it just seems like they are less responsive, harder to grasp. Maybe it is the owner and not the hardware. If I was to use a tablet as a laptop replacement of sorts, what would you all recommend?


Boards don't punch back.

[KaiserJeep]

I am a tablet geek, I spend a lot of time with them.

The IPads are the very highest quality at the highest price. There are about 4000 apps supported by the Apple App Store, about three times that many unsupported.

The Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 are the best mid-priced tablets, features comparable to the iPads at a lower cost. Pick from 70,000+ supported Android apps in the Google Store, another half million unsupported.

The Barnes and Noble Nook HD and HD+ are the best low-end Android tablets. You may not need a camera or GPS chip. The Nooks excell at media consumption, including downloadable E-Books, magazines, comics, and catalogs. Also streaming music and video. They have access to the full Google Store selection of 70,000+ apps. A month ago, the Kindle Fire would have held this low end ranking, but Nook surged ahead with full Google App Store access.

Windows 8 and Blackberry missed the tablet market and are also-rans.

With any high end or midrange tablet, I reccomend getting a unit with WiFi, a SIM card slot for your cellular provider, and a minimum of 32GB memory. Around town, there is really no need to pay for a data plan, leave the SIM card out and use WiFi. When you are away from home, get a SIM card and activate the device.

With iOS and Android there is not much functionality difference when doing E-mail, Navigation, Web browsing, Document readers, or other common applications. However, you MUST take the time to distinguish smartphone optimized apps for those written for the larger, higher resolution screens on tablets.

Need I say it? DON'T keep anything you want to keep private in the "cloud". Especially stuff you want to hide from various governments and agencies.

[JFSanders]

I use a Lenovo running windows 8. No issues just works, runs all of my desktop programs including excel office. Not cheap as I paid 800 and change for the tablet with a usb keyboard/second battery combo but I find that I only use the keyboard when I need to do a bunch of typing or numerical entry. It has a huge screen and is IPS so my colors are true when I am in the field with the camera. It is very nice to be able to shoot tethered to the tablet and see your images full size at very high resolution.

[Dr. Keith Seto]

I use Apple products because I find that they're easier to manage. I use an Apple laptop, iPad, and iPhone, so the easy crossover of data and commonality of apps makes more sense.

If I used a different OS I would probably have a Windows or Linux OS laptop, Android phone, and Nexus 7.

[Mjolnir]

So for you apple guys, should I wait till fall for the new IPad, or should I just get the 3 instead?


Boards don't punch back.

[JustMe]

i dont consider myself an apple guy. that said, i have almost filled up my 64 gig ipad 3. that is my only attraction to the new ones, 128 gigs of space.

[BillyOblivion]

I went shopping for a tablet a while back, and then another one at Christmas time.

The one issue that put in in the Android camp over the Ipad was that many Android tablets had SD card readers, while the Ipads all use onboard storage only. This means that with Android I can rip my daughters DVDs for traveling. Start with what you need and let that drive the decision.

[Dr_Dave]

Yi use a HP laptop for business, hate windows 8. I was an alpha for,8 and said it sucks don't do it. Oh wel, they want to leverage developers with phone. I use a Kindle Fire as a tablet when I'm not at work. Fast but touch screen typing is terrible. Still next personal machine will be a 'droid tablet of some kind

[michael]

I have a Kindle Fire for reading and light surfing, and it is excellent for that. However, I am more than sold with my Nexus 4 phone, which is better than the iPhone 4s I had. My next tablet will be a Nexus.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[Mjolnir]

I have a Kindle Fire for reading and light surfing, and it is excellent for that. However, I am more than sold with my Nexus 4 phone, which is better than the iPhone 4s I had. My next tablet will be a Nexus.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

What about the Nexus sold you? I haven't had any time on one but it sounds like a lot on WT have enjoyed there tablets.


Boards don't punch back.

[michael]

What about the Nexus sold you? I haven't had any time on one but it sounds like a lot on WT have enjoyed there tablets.


Boards don't punch back.

I don't have the tablet, the 4 is the phone. It has a quad-core processor and other goodies and is smoking fast. It has been rock solid, and I have had nothing but a great experience with it. I like it so much I am ordering my wife one this week.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[Mjolnir]

Cool cool. Well if I get a chance to play with one I might do that. I think Iam going to try and be patient till fall to see what is available. Besides the weather is getting nice up here in Washington, not to to sit inside on a tablet. I have some fishing to do!


Boards don't punch back.

[jimdigriz]

I have a Kindle Fire for reading and light surfing, and it is excellent for that. However, I am more than sold with my Nexus 4 phone, which is better than the iPhone 4s I had. My next tablet will be a Nexus.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I have a Kindle Fire 8.9. Mostly it's inferior to iPad and the Nexus 7, but it has incredible Wi-Fi range compared to all of my other devices (including my laptop), which makes a big difference in my long-ish house. Also, great sound and screen quality for viewing videos.

[michael]

I have a Kindle Fire 8.9. Mostly it's inferior to iPad and the Nexus 7, but it has incredible Wi-Fi range compared to all of my other devices (including my laptop), which makes a big difference in my long-ish house. Also, great sound and screen quality for viewing videos.

I am very happy with my Kindle Fire, which is actually the first version produced. I'll use it until it dies, since I mainly use it for reading.

[Michael Swisher]

I am very happy with my Kindle Fire, which is actually the first version produced. I'll use it until it dies, since I mainly use it for reading.

Same here. Only problem is, I now buy a lot more books than I have time to read.

[JustMe]

The one issue that put in in the Android camp over the Ipad was that many Android tablets had SD card readers, while the Ipads all use onboard storage only. This means that with Android I can rip my daughters DVDs for traveling. Start with what you need and let that drive the decision.

the ipad apps i use have a wifi ftp app builtin. just select, then drag and drop from windows to the ipad, no sneakernet required. the same apps play audio, video, pdf reader, word docs, you name it. ive been very impressed with the ease of use. i never use itunes, only these apps for sharing files, never plugged my ipad into a pc yet.

[michael]

Me too, especially with the new job, reading has slowed to a crawl.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

[heavyzee]

we have an iPAD and i don't care for the interface, and the limits. I played with a friends Nexus 7 and was kindof ehh on the whole thing. I just bought a new phone the Samsung NOTE 2 and it's the best thing ever. Portable as a phone, with a screen big enough i can do almost anything... it has a 5.5" screen (the new and upcoming note 3 will have a 6") It does things that tables cant do too, like multi screen, phone calls... etc...

so far i love it and before you ask, yes everyone always comments on how huge it is, to which i grab their iPhone turn it sideways and lay it atop my NOTE and show them my screen is as wide as theirs is long... hehehe

[Mjolnir]

we have an iPAD and i don't care for the interface, and the limits. I played with a friends Nexus 7 and was kindof ehh on the whole thing. I just bought a new phone the Samsung NOTE 2 and it's the best thing ever. Portable as a phone, with a screen big enough i can do almost anything... it has a 5.5" screen (the new and upcoming note 3 will have a 6") It does things that tables cant do too, like multi screen, phone calls... etc...

so far i love it and before you ask, yes everyone always comments on how huge it is, to which i grab their iPhone turn it sideways and lay it atop my NOTE and show them my screen is as wide as theirs is long... hehehe

Does it even fit in your pocket? Haha


Boards don't punch back.

[heavyzee]

If you wear pants big enough to conceal a g17 tsd glock you can for sure put a note 2 in your pocket. Actually I only have 1 pair of jeans that the phone wont fit in....


Sent from my Note 2 Phablet using Tapatalk 2

[Mjolnir]

Haha. I conceal it in jeans. Cool, I always thought they looked nice, but have never commited to getting one.


Boards don't punch back.

[Ghost Warrior]

When it comes to Android and Apple based products I like to explain it like this:
1.If you like to really customize, be different and have more options then you will reasonably use but want anyway- Android.
2.If you want something that just works and realize you can't customize every single thing so you will have to sheeple a bit- Apple.

I have previously run a rooted Nook as a tablet, two android phones that both got rooted, a 2G iPhone both stock and jail broken and a pure android (no bloat ware like Samsung, HTC, etc.) Nexus 4. While the customizing, able to change any and everything has been fun, I am back to an Iphone (5) and a Ipad3. Both of them are using Google emails as their base for syncing all the essentials (email, contacts, calendar) and I use them with iTunes on a Windows 7 computer I built almost three years ago piece by piece. I switched because the two work seamless together, but I can still function with my Google base and PC home computer.

The two platforms work together now unlike even just two years ago where it was nearly impossible to have them coexist without headaches. Most programmers making apps that work on both platforms still usually release first or better on Apple. There are work around for everything essential that aren't to extensive to complete. I would definitely wait until after the MAC conference to see what the new Ipad and 5s phone will bring. Google should be releasing Key Lime (Android 5.0) around that time as well so you can see if they do anything you rather have or vice versa with Apple. If you are on the go a lot and see yourself taking whatever you buy all the time then probably the Nexus 7/Ipad mini size platforms will be your best bet.

[s4141]

I'm still trying to figure out how to use my phone.....

[Mjolnir]

Good post Ghost Warrior. I wish I was a more technical person, Iam just not really. Iam sure if I was, I would probably be running an android as we speak. I think I will wait, and see what both parties bring to the table this summer. Should be interesting.


Boards don't punch back.

[Mjolnir]

Doing a bit of a thread resurrect. With all the company's releasing their new wave of products, does anyone have any different thoughts on some of the new products out there. Unless Apple hits the new iPhone out of the park (we will find out today I guess) I find myself being more and more tempted to pick up a android phone. Was even looking at the blackberry z10. Am I crazy?


Boards don't punch back.

[Dr. Keith Seto]

Unless Apple hits the new iPhone out of the park (we will find out today I guess) I find myself being more and more tempted to pick up a android phone. Was even looking at the blackberry z10. Am I crazy?

The last time I checked, HTC and Samsung were tops as far as Android phones, preferably with a carrier that doesn't have a terrible UI pasted on top of Jelly Bean. For an Android tablet the new Nexus 7 is supposed to be pretty nice, although ASUS makes a version for themselves that is pretty similar.

I like my iPhone and iPad well enough since they are pretty seamless with my MacBook, but if you didn't have an allegiance to Mac OS or iOS then you have plenty of good choices.

Good luck.

[Sammy]

Note 3 is out soon. If you want real screen size. :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 4

[Mjolnir]

Well it looks like the new iPhones look decent, the fingerprint tech will be interesting. Anyone have any experience with the blackberry or are they best avoided?


Boards don't punch back.

[Mjolnir]

Note 3 is out soon. If you want real screen size. :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 4

Notes are nice although a little too big for me. If I went Samsung it would probably be an S4.


Boards don't punch back.

[ZeroTA]

I'm not tech savvy. I have an iPhone 5 and an iPad Gen 3. I like it because it syncs photos, music, messages, etc between them with no effort on my part. I have no interest in customizing anything. Safari and iTunes works just fine for what I want.

Android is a much better platform if you have the desire to fiddle with every detail, especially across multiple platforms (phone, tablet, etc). I don't.

[Sammy]

Notes are nice although a little too big for me. If I went Samsung it would probably be an S4.


Boards don't punch back.

Wife has the S4 active. Seems like a great phone and the water resistance will save me money where she is concerned. Especially with a 3 year old in the house.

After having the Note series, I don't think I could go back down in screen size. Granted, I'm a heavy power user and have been rooting and modding phones since the Windows Mobile days, so ymmv.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 4

[Mjolnir]

Just because the Android OS allows fiddling doesn't mean you have to do so. If you are the type that wants to change stuff, it will allow it. My wife just uses her devices, with no fiddling whatsoever. We are an all Android household, with Windows OS laptops. Just like iOS, Android does "just work" out of the box.

Would agree with you. The androids are just as ready out of the box as anything else, they just also seem to give you more control over the features. Here is where Iam at, I think my wife is in the apple camp, Iphone and Macbook Pro. I have kinda lost my attraction to the Iphone experience. I think I would like to jump into either the android camp or the windows camp (possibly a Nokia lumia 928) but I don't want to jump if it is going to be a pain since our computer is a Mac. Maybe it wouldn't be painful (wish I was more of a techie) but Iam just not sure. Anyone made the switch or in a similar position? Also thinking the wife is going to be getting a Ipad at some point.

[ZeroTA]

Just because the Android OS allows fiddling doesn't mean you have to do so. If you are the type that wants to change stuff, it will allow it. My wife just uses her devices, with no fiddling whatsoever. We are an all Android household, with Windows OS laptops. Just like iOS, Android does "just work" out of the box.

Oh I agree. I had an Android and it was fine as is. Then I got an iPad and when my contract was up I switched phones to an iPhone just for compatibility. My iPad is basically my phone with a bigger screen.

So that's the biggest plus for me. Compatibility between devices without setting up additional apps. IOS is streamlined from the get-go for that. I imagine Android can do that too, if you know how...which I don't.


Sent from my Stark Industries Jarvis Personal Interface

[michael]

I still have my Kindle Fire, but recently acquired a free iPad as part of a promotion by DishTV. It is pretty nice and I use it a lot, but it is nothing special. I still use a Google Nexus 4 for my cell phone with a 45.00 per month unlimited plan with no contract through Straight Talk (Walmart) that works like a champ. Runs on the AT&T network and is very fast. The KF is mainly used for reading now, and the iPad for surfing and FaceTime with the Grand kids.

[Manwell]

I'm a very long way from being any type of computer or technology geek... but I do love my iPad, no doubt about that! I use it literally every day. The technology is just awesome, very easy to use and carry around. I travel a lot for business and in the past was pretty much forced to use the company laptop for personal stuff - never liked that as it's their's and they can and do copy and back-up anything on there. Now I can do all my personal stuff right off the iPad. Bought one for my SO and she loves it too...

Manwell

[michael]

I'm a very long way from being any type of computer or technology geek... but I do love my iPad, no doubt about that! I use it literally every day. The technology is just awesome, very easy to use and carry around. I travel a lot for business and in the past was pretty much forced to use the company laptop for personal stuff - never liked that as it's their's and they can and do copy and back-up anything on there. Now I can do all my personal stuff right off the iPad. Bought one for my SO and she loves it too...

Manwell

I had hopes of doing away with the laptop and using the iPad exclusively, but there are some things it just doesn't do well, or at all. Maybe one day the software will be able to and I can make that a reality.

[Manwell]

I had hopes of doing away with the laptop and using the iPad exclusively, but there are some things it just doesn't do well, or at all. Maybe one day the software will be able to and I can make that a reality.

At one point I was thinking the same and there are some great apps that can can get you close, but it really isn't a computer. I'm positive that a real computer in this format is in the works and will be available soon.

Manwell

[JoeB40]

I like the Galaxy line.

I'm a little late to join the discussion here, but I'm a recent convert from Apple to Android and I chose a Galaxy s4 and Tab 2. So far I'm very pleased with the switch in platforms. The initial transition wasn't painless but it was short lived none the less. This is my first tablet and I'm pretty much hooked.

In hind sight, perhaps the Note would have been a good choice; I spend lot of time with my tab, and wish it were a cell phone too. One thing that was really easy to get used to is the screen size of the Galaxy s4 over my old iPhone. The only thing this 10 inch tab is missing is cell capability. Perhaps some day...

[Sammy]

I'm a little late to join the discussion here, but I'm a recent convert from Apple to Android and I chose a Galaxy s4 and Tab 2. So far I'm very pleased with the switch in platforms. The initial transition wasn't painless but it was short lived none the less. This is my first tablet and I'm pretty much hooked.

In hind sight, perhaps the Note would have been a good choice; I spend lot of time with my tab, and wish it were a cell phone too. One thing that was really easy to get used to is the screen size of the Galaxy s4 over my old iPhone. The only thing this 10 inch tab is missing is cell capability. Perhaps some day...

You could grab a bluetooth headset and use Skype/Google Voice. Can be a pain though.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 4

[Echo_Four]

Since it is somewhat on subject and we've turned off into the land of phones... it is time for an upgrade for me. I'm currently running an HTC that is about 2 years old. I don't use the iPad much simply because when I'm home I have computers and when I'm out and about I don't tend to take the iPad with me. I'm intrigued by how much can be done with a tablet though- so I am leaning towards a phablet.

For those in the know, is the slightly older processor in the Samsung Mega really a big issue? The Note 3 and the LG G2 are both about to come out with the latest and greatest chipset but neither is as large as the Mega. In my mind the Mega is just about the perfect size for an on the go type tablet, particularly since the voice function on my phone is quickly becoming one of the least common reasons I use it.

[Sammy]

The lack of stylus in the mega killed it for me. If that doesn't matter to you, the dual-core processor in the mega compared well with the Note 2 quad-core in the benchmark testing I looked at. Probably won't preform badly, but won't be the Note 3.

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[JoeB40]

You could grab a bluetooth headset and use Skype/Google Voice. Can be a pain though.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 4

Still gotta have a wifi connection though.

[Sammy]

Still gotta have a wifi connection though.

Ah, my fault. Assumed lte version.

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[michael]

I'm a very long way from being any type of computer or technology geek... but I do love my iPad, no doubt about that! I use it literally every day. The technology is just awesome, very easy to use and carry around. I travel a lot for business and in the past was pretty much forced to use the company laptop for personal stuff - never liked that as it's their's and they can and do copy and back-up anything on there. Now I can do all my personal stuff right off the iPad. Bought one for my SO and she loves it too...

Manwell

I think so too, probably within a couple of years. It was great to take the iPad on vacation and not have to lug a laptop.

[Mjolnir]

Well I ended up ordering a Nokia Lumia 928 online. Had some great reviews, I will do a bit of a write up on the move from my iPhone 4 to this highly rated windows phone.


Boards don't punch back.

[Mjolnir]

Well I received my new Nokia Lumia 928 last Tuesday. Got it activated and running and downloaded Tapatalk right away. 😃 So far I have really enjoyed my move from Apple to Microsoft. The phone is built extremely well, in my opinion better than Samsung and it is close to Apple. Nice lines and a clear screen. The jump in screen size has been a true delight and the Live Tiles have been fun to rearrange and customize. The third day was a bit interesting, had the screen lock up for unknown reasons. Was able to do a soft reset and that resolved the problem. Overall I am extremely impressed with this phone and operating system. Nokia has put a great product out that I would recommend.



Sent from my Nokia Lumia 928 using Tapatalk

[paranoid]

Well I received my new Nokia Lumia 928 last Tuesday. Got it activated and running and downloaded Tapatalk right away.  So far I have really enjoyed my move from Apple to Microsoft. The phone is built extremely well, in my opinion better than Samsung and it is close to Apple. Nice lines and a clear screen. The jump in screen size has been a true delight and the Live Tiles have been fun to rearrange and customize. The third day was a bit interesting, had the screen lock up for unknown reasons. Was able to do a soft reset and that resolved the problem. Overall I am extremely impressed with this phone and operating system. Nokia has put a great product out that I would recommend.



Sent from my Nokia Lumia 928 using Tapatalk

Hows the battery life?

[Mjolnir]

Good question Paranoid. It has been good for me, I would say about the same as my Iphone 4. Usually lasts me all day until I charge it when I go to bed. I am not a "heavy" phone user, I usually check the email a couple of times a day and get on warrior talk multiple times so your experience may vary.