Tablet Recommendations Please

[Platypus]

Personally I'm an iPad user, but a friend has asked me about getting his Mrs a Tablet for Xmas, and has asked "what about the Samsung Galaxy S?"

Any views, comments or recommendations?

The recipient of this doesn't have an iPhone or Android phone, they have a crappy old Nokia, so there's no existing ecosystem lock-in. Must be a 10" tablet.

Can you print from the Samsung? To what? How?
Same question for the iPad ... I don't print from mine. I assume both need a wireless printer, probably HP, and maybe additional software.

It seems that the choice is Samsung Galaxy S or iPad Air 2 (also £399). I know my friend would value cheaper suggestions!!

Usage likely to be browsing, emails and possibly photo-sharing. The usual sort of casual usage stuff.

Thanks!

[northernladuk]

IMO you need to think about the recipient first. Are they older? Taking a stab at that because of the phone. If they are old are they really going to use it much to warrant bothering with a Samsung etc...

Dunno about other people here but i've lost count of the number of people that have been given a tablet for xmas and it rarely get's used. Thinking about it I could say the same for people that bought their own.

Any more info on the target audience? I am still leaning to the side of replacing the phone.

[Platypus]

Replacing the phone is not an option - She wants a tablet (heart set on one and all that).

She's about 60 years of age.

[NickFitz]

For printing from an iPad you need an AirPrint printer, though supposedly most recent WiFi printers support it nowadays: more info at About AirPrint - Apple Support

Dunno about Android tablets, but I would imagine they can also print easily enough.

FWIW, my WiFi printer is about four years old, and was bought because it was only a fiver more than a new set of cartridges for my old wired one. So if they need a new printer, it's easy to get one without breaking the bank, assuming they don't then actually print stuff and need more ink

[eek]

For printing from an iPad you need an AirPrint printer, though supposedly most recent WiFi printers support it nowadays: more info at About AirPrint - Apple Support

Dunno about Android tablets, but I would imagine they can also print easily enough.

FWIW, my WiFi printer is about four years old, and was bought because it was only a fiver more than a new set of cartridges for my old wired one. So if they need a new printer, it's easy to get one without breaking the bank, assuming they don't then actually print stuff and need more ink

Not that it will be an issue in this case but AirPrint only works if both printer and iPad are on the same wifi network or the printer is wired up.

It's a real faff when your house requires multiple networks due to its shape and location of phone line.

[Scruff]

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

[cojak]

Ooh! I have a wireless HP printer. I'll have look.

Ta Scruff...

[d000hg]

You might look at an older iPad, they are still sold new from 3rd parties and often a fair bit cheaper (you can look 2nd hand if you're bothered). An iPad4 or Air 1 would be more power than is needed.

[VectraMan]

Even old iPads seem to be >£300. I have a 10" Lenovo S6000 (I think) that was £160. I only use it as a sitting in front of the TV internet device, and for that it's great; I don't think a more powerful/newer model would gain me anything. I'm sure there's something in there about printing but I've never tried. Everything's going to be Android 4.x these days, so they're all going to be good.

Though it has to be said, Android tablets are a silly size (16:9), which is only better if your watching movies.

[TheFaQQer]

Hudl2 from Tesco if you are after a bargain.

Google Cloud Print will print to anything that is connected to a Google account - I printed some stuff from Birmingham this week on the home printer.