Help me pick a tablet, Ipad, something else??

So this newfangled technology just keeps getting ahead of me. I’ve never been an Apple guy before, but they seem nice. OTOH, I don’t know what else might be better. I’m mostly interested in general internet, and photography field support.

And what’s the G thing all about?

I just got an iPad 3 a week ago, and am still deciding whether I’m going to keep it or return it, so I’ll give you my impressions on it so far.

The lack of Flash has so far not been an issue with me, even though I initially thought it might be. For a long time I heard that was a big downside to the Apple stuff, but either because I don’t go to a lot of flash-required websites or because most websites now have alternate options for iPads, I haven’t run into any issues on that front. After reading a letter by Steve Jobs from a couple years ago explaining the decision not to support flash, I even understand the decision.

On the other hand, the decision not to have an SD card slot, and even when you get the SD card adapter, intentionally have a set of unnecessary restrictions with no apparent reason to prohibit external storage is a bigger issue for me. If I decide to keep it, I will probably be jailbreaking it in order to allow for using SD cards as external storage. I also feel that this is a blatant money-grubbing move by Apple to try to force people to buy higher capacity versions.

I’m very satisfied with its performance, as all the apps seem to function quickly and efficiently. This is sadly not something I can say for the several Android devices I have had or tried in stores - sometimes even display Android tablets in stores have major hiccups and delays. As much as I prefer the fact that Android devices allow you to do more of whatever you want with them than Apple devices, the fact that my iPad has so far never frozen or made me wait for a minute before it would respond and so on is a big plus for it.

For web browsing, the iPad works fine. The onscreen keyboard also works far better than I expected it to, and I can type at nearly full speed on it - it’s big enough to make it possible to touch-type, and sensitive enough for that as well. I don’t have much experience in photography so I couldn’t tell you what it can or cannot do for you on that angle.

The ‘G thing’ I believe you’re referring to is wireless connectivity through cellular radio. I can’t speak to its usefulness because I thought the expense was too much for what I was getting - neither of the available wireless plans has unlimited data transfer, and the monthly cost felt high (capping out at 5GB/month for $50). 3G/4G is simply the difference in bandwidth you get.

Overall, I would suggest going to an Apple store if one is in your area and taking a look at the iPads yourself. The staff at the one in my area was reasonably helpful and knowledgeable, suggesting various apps to do what I wanted out of it. Being able to try out the basic functions on their demo models was a big part of selling me on it, as well as exposing the concerns I have so far that I’m yet undecided on. I’d also look into the details of jailbreaking the iPad and ask yourself whether you’re going to need to do it to obtain the full functionality you desire, and whether you’re willing to do it.

If you don’t like the Apple offerings, one thing to consider (if you are not in a rush to get your tablet) is that Windows 8 is scheduled to release in October, and several companies are intending to release tablets to coincide with it. On the other hand…first generation.

Thanks M, I’d been leaning towards the Ipad but now I think I’ll pull the trigger. I don’t see needing a G network all that much, but I’m planning to go smart phone when my next contract renewal time comes, so there’s that.

When you get a smart phone, you’ll probably want to stick with an iPhone if you have an iPad or an Android phone if you have an Android tablet. That way you can download the same applications to each (no need to pay twice, both stores will allow you to download to multiple devices). Just something to consider in case you already have a phone preference in mind.

I personally have an Android phone (Samsung Galaxy S II) and a quasi-Android tablet (It’s an HP Touchpad which is rooted to run Android) and am completely happy with each. But I know a lot of people like the Apple products and have no prejudice toward them. Never noticed/experienced the slowness or hang-ups Mnemnosyne describes but maybe I just haven’t used enough iThingies to notice the difference.

Just don’t whatever you do buy a Playbook from Blackberry, trust me I cannot wait to shoot mine

Capt Kirk

outlierrn, what do you mean by “photography field support?”

Veiwing photos on a larger screen while I’m shooting, weather and maps, clearing my cameras card.

An ipad isn’t going to help with that, unless you have one of those wireless cards that zap the files directly via … bluetooth? Or you could just buy a bunch of extra cards for a lot less.

I bought a Toshiba Thrive a few months back. It works very well. I use the SD card slot regularly for moving media files back and forth.

The camera connection kit for the ipad does allow you to download photos (and only photos, unless the ipad is jailbroken) to the ipad…not sure if it clears the card after that, but once the photos are downloaded to the device, you can clear the card in the camera.

If you want weather and maps while in the field away from a wifi connection, though, you would need the versions with a wireless connection and a contract with a cellular company to give you some data access. Otherwise you need to be connected to a wifi network to download the updates. However, if you’re getting a smartphone, this stuff will be available on that device.

I’m sort of in the market as well–I’ll be going to Boston in a few weeks, and I’d like something I can tote around town/campus with me that’s smaller than my laptop, that I can use to take pictures, that I can use for browsing, that maybe I can use for simple games, and possibly that I can use to Skype with my wife & kid back home. I don’t want to spend a huge amount on it, and am leaning toward Android. Do folks have recommendations for that situation?

if you’re not sure what kind of tablet you want, just get an iPad.

I have used an iPad3 before and it does blow everyone else away. But I will say the lack of SD card support hacks me off. Since this would be a luxury purchase, I can hold off.

I liked the Xoom too, it’s not as quick or light as the iPad but I’ve seen it on sale as low as $250.

Also the older versions of iPads have really come down in price, which leads me to believe if I wait a year for an iPad3 it will too fall way down in price.

So I was thinking of getting a stop gap tablet, in the meantime.

I probably will wait for Windows to debut their tablets this year, I think they said in September, before I weuld consider buying anything.

If you don’t mind paying a lot. Especially since the older iPads have tanked in price. It might be better to get a lower priced stop gap and wait a year till all of this settles down.

Could you expand on that a bit.

Or buy a second hand first or second gen model. Really other than the amazing screen of the Ipad 3 there’s no other compelling reason to choose it over the 2. If you can get an excellent deal on the 2 you’ll have the lightest, coolest, longest battery life Ipad of the bunch.

The screen is amazing though :cool:

Also please never take pictures with the Ipad. I know it can and I know the camera is fairly decent but you’ll look like a douche. Trust me.

I have an Asus Transformer Pad TF300. It’s quad core processor with Android 4.0. Very slick, very fast. $399, 32GB internal storage and a micro SD slot that can hold up to a 32 GB card. If you want, you can get a keyboard dock for it (I did not) that doubles your battery and basically turns it into an Android netbook.

In all honesty, Android tablet or iPad, they all do the same shit: internet, email, games, music, movies, blah blah. Your best bet is to go to a store that has both and play. Get whichever one you like the best.

iPad is the standard for tablets. Apple has the largest app selection and anything you might find on Android you’re very, very likely to find an iPad equivalent. The iPad hardware is as good or better than what you’ll get in an Android tablet. Maybe certain aspects might be beaten by this or that model but, over all, you’ll have a quality piece of hardware. The OS is easy to use and most people are very happy with them. Unlike Android tablets, your options are much more streamlined so you’re not going to wind up with a piece of junk with a resistive screen or an outdated version of firmware that won’t connect to the Google apps store. There’s a bajillion iPad cases, chargers and other gadgets that you won’t have to worry if they’ll work with your tablet.

In short, if you’re not sure, it’s near impossible to not have a good tablet experience with an iPad. You’ll possibly pay more for the privilege but it’s unlikely you’ll ever toss it aside and say you wish you had gotten another brand instead.

I say all this as a happy Android user.

I’ll append to say I was unaware the iPad didn’t have an SD slot but my overall opinion is still the same about iPad being a safe bet for the vast majority of purchasers. Maybe not always the best pick (if they could pay less for something they’re happy with in the Android family) but a safe pick.

Well, the camera adapter kit is like 25$ so that’s a non issue for me. OTOH do some of these other tablet handle photos in RAW format? That would most likely be a deal breaker for me.