Reply to: Tablet Recommendations Please

[Platypus]

Thanks all for your inputs. The iPad was duly selected and arrived Monday. £319 minus the VAT makes a very cost effective Christmas present. One of the deciding factors was Facetime, but I think that iOS was winning even before that.

[FarmerPalmer]

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 and love it. Does everything I need, easy to use. It is just like having a larger version of my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone.

[yasockie]

For a power user iOS is hell. I couldn't delete the Stocks app for years!
For someone who barely 'gets' what the Internet is all about (hint: cat videos, food pics and selfies) IOS tablet is still a superior experience.
It probably lets you do less (no flash etc) but it pretty much never breaks.
Go for the iPad, you'll regret the tech support for going with Android.

[SteelyDan]

As an appendix to my previous post I have a Samsung new series 9 laptop and the build quality is fantastic.

I have deep distrust of android and google.

Agree.
Had an Ativ Book 8 (Metal, 15.6" screen, 1 TB HDD) for a couple of years now. Superb.
Although I'm toying with swapping HDD for SSD to keep up with my Desktop m/c.

[minestrone]

As an appendix to my previous post I have a Samsung new series 9 laptop and the build quality is fantastic.

I have deep distrust of android and google.

[d000hg]

I bet you used to get a 486SX instead of a 486DX too: "It's the same instruction set, why bother paying a premium?"

When the DX was new I would have bought a SX. When the P60 came out, I'd have bought a DX4.

Buying top-end is well into the diminishing-returns end of the graph.

But as an AppleBoi you wouldn't understand

[minestrone]

Mother in law has got a Samsung Galaxy about 6 months ago and the battery has taken a severe dive in recent weeks. Hardware battery issues rather than some rouge background app.

I'm not a big apple fan but I would go for the ipad.

( I think MS surfaces are the muts nuts although nobody agrees)

[NickFitz]

Buying the top-end has always been a mugs game when it comes to computers, you pay a massive premium.

For the usage intended, even an iPad2 would be fine (I have one and it's great for browsing, netflix, etc). Your main issue buying too old is you might become ineligible for new iOS versions. But if you can get an Air 1 cheaper than an Air 2, why not?

I bet you used to get a 486SX instead of a 486DX too: "It's the same instruction set, why bother paying a premium?"

[FatLazyContractor]

HP have a very good printer plug in for Android. Print over your wireless or over the internet to your local printer.

Thanks for that. Downloaded HP All-in-one printer app and it works brilliant!

[d000hg]

And 640k should be enough for anyone

If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that whatever power is there will, in fact, get used, even by users with the most basic requirements. Also, as far as the iPad is concerned and possibly with tablets more generally, people tend to use them for a number of years rather than upgrading often, so one bought today should be expected to be running the software that will be coming out in four years or so.

So don't skimp.

Buying the top-end has always been a mugs game when it comes to computers, you pay a massive premium.

For the usage intended, even an iPad2 would be fine (I have one and it's great for browsing, netflix, etc). Your main issue buying too old is you might become ineligible for new iOS versions. But if you can get an Air 1 cheaper than an Air 2, why not?

[sal]

On the other hand, you could buy one new £150 Android tablet every year for 4 years for the price of buying an iPad now and hoping it's still relevant in 4 years.

Math fail? 4x150=£600 iPad Air 2 is £400 and even if the cost was the same you can't compare cheap Android tablet to it now and won't be able to in the next 2 years at least. Top Android tablets are on par with it performance/feature wise but also price wise.

You can also by an iPad now, sell it in one year for £100-150 less than the original price and buy the new model, always getting one of the best pieces of hardware instead of mediocre £150 tablet. Cheap £150ish Android tablets have their rightful place on the market, but it's not to replace iPad

[TheFaQQer]

It doesn't meet the 10" requirement, does it? Otherwise I'd say the same.?

Didn't read that bit in the original post. I was on a conference call and skim reading...

[NickFitz]

On the other hand, you could buy one new £150 Android tablet every year for 4 years for the price of buying an iPad now and hoping it's still relevant in 4 years.

And at the end of four years you could still get a decent selling price for the iPad, while the Android tablets would only be good for landfill

[VectraMan]

If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that whatever power is there will, in fact, get used, even by users with the most basic requirements. Also, as far as the iPad is concerned and possibly with tablets more generally, people tend to use them for a number of years rather than upgrading often, so one bought today should be expected to be running the software that will be coming out in four years or so.

On the other hand, you could buy one new £150 Android tablet every year for 4 years for the price of buying an iPad now and hoping it's still relevant in 4 years.

[Platypus]

So don't skimp.

^^ Agree 100%