Tablets

[jeanontheroad]

I am going to need one. According to the techician yesterday, the trouble I am having on the web is because my model is not made anymore and is no longer being supported in various ways - like contracts with Youtube and other sites. This makes no sense to me as DH's Nook still works just fine. His is only a couple years newer than mine. Anyway, I am even having trouble getting it to perform functions on the B& N site, which I find to be ludicrous.

I am not going to buy a new Nook if they are not going to properly support them, but I still need something tablet-sized that I can toss in my purse and go. I'd like decent batterty life. I don't do anything sophisticated, but I want to be able to use the comment section on Youtube and check my usage page on Tmobile and a few other things which I can't do now on my Nook.

What experience have people had specifically with tablets? Does anyone have an Ipad? Is it worth the extra money? I have a MacPro and love it, but I don't like to throw money away and I have heard that the Ipad battery is not impressive. Has anyone else started losing functions over time?

 

[jeanontheroad]

Never mind. DH was on the line with customer service and ordered a new model at a special discount. He's paying and I know better than to look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[caseyc]

Tablets mainly come in 3 different flavors of operating systems: iPad by Apple. Android by Google. Windows by Microsoft.

Of the above 3 operating systems, Windows (in my opinion) is the only "true" operating system that I would consider to be a "computer". The iPad tablet, and the many types of Android tablets available, are considered to be "media" consumption devices by techies. "Media consumption" meaning for fun and entertainment primarily, although certainly both operating systems also have plenty of "productivity" apps to do work related stuff.

In my opinion, you can't go wrong with an Apple iPad, despite its higher cost. My only main gripes about the iPad are its closed end (operating system) design, and the fact it has no external outlets other than the charging port. It is also my opinion that the iPad (and iPhones) are designed for "the masses". The masses meaning for the general population. That can be good or bad depending on many variables. There was a time some 25 to 30 years ago that Apple differentiated itself (from Microsoft) as being "individualist" and "non-comformist". But the irony nowadays is that owners of Apple products are "the norm" and the majority of the general population, and everyone else with a different type of device is now a non-comformist. Again, it's just my opinion.

I am a bit of a non-comformist, so I prefer my Android devices and Windows devices. I like my Android tablets and phones because there are apps that exist for Android that don't exist for Apple products. That's because Google's Android operating system allows for app makers to create apps that "lie, cheat, and steal". Apple company is very strict and won't allow apps to exist on their devices that don't follow the letter of the law. Take the app "Foxfi" for example which allows for un-authorized wireless wifi tethering. Foxfi is an app that allows users to essential lie, cheat, and steal. That's also why Foxfi (and various other types of similar apps) don't exist for the Apple app store. I also prefer Android devices for its much larger selection of hardware designs, such as larger screens, more outlets for connectivity, etc.

I also like my Microsoft Windows tablets. Why? Cuz it's a real freakin' computer! Windows tablets (and computers) allow me to install my many legacy programs I've accumulated over the years, such as Adobe Photoshop and many other apps. I've been buying computers for some 30 years, and I've seen all the many changes going on in the industry, some for good, others for bad. That's why I also know there's no such thing as the one perfect computer or tablet. It doesn't exist. That's also why I have numerous devices to fill the need for whatever occasion and circumstance.

By the way, one of the best things about any Apple product (iPad or iPhone) is the ability to hold its high resale value. If you end up selling a relatively new-ish Apple product, you are more likely to get a decent resale price for it. But trying to sell an Android or Windows device would probably not yield quite the same result.

As for your Nook product, I would say to get rid of that thing and get something else. Anything else would be better than a Nook.

 

[offroad]

You can jailbreak some iPads to get around some limits of apple. But mostly not worth the trouble unless you have experience

 

[Zil]

Android devices are ok, but i had a problem with not being "allowed" to get a video from Amazon. Google play is a lot more money per video.
Widows tablets come in two flavors, RT and Windows 8. Widows 8 is a full scale operating system and should be the same as using a lap top. RT is made for tablets only and probable has some short falls.

 

[caseyc]

Yeah, that's for sure. Jail-break and/or rooting requires a bit of expert know-how, or risk "bricking" your device, not to mention voiding any warranty, etc.

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Windows RT devices is a complete joke. Window's RT app store is equally a joke, if not a bigger joke. Just my opinion of course.

 

[jeanontheroad]

Caseyc: get rid of your Nook

Me: Yes, I agree with you. DH sort of took over and did what he thought was a nice thing by ordering a new one for me. I am not going to discourage him being nice to me, so I will take the new Nook and appreciate the thought. Then, I am going to quietly search for a different one that, maybe, works on Windows.

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Caseyc: get rid of your Nook

Me: Yes, I agree with you. DH sort of took over and did what he thought was a nice thing by ordering a new one for me. I am not going to discourage him being nice to me, so I will take the new Nook and appreciate the thought. Then, I am going to quietly search for a different one that, maybe, works on Windows.

 

[caseyc]

The price of free is hard to beat, haha! That said though, I'd still rather shell out $ for something usable that I won't throw out the window from disgust, hyuck yuck.

Sorry, I admit it, I'm a gadget snob, haha! I like things that work right.

 

[Willy]

Just my $.02, but full Win 8 tablets with the new Atom are going for as low as $230 and that would be the route I'd go if I were lookin'. ..Willy.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

I use an asus memo google tablet. But my sister got one for less at walmart with the same power and an inch more screen. It was only like 90 bucks i think, pretty crazy how inexpensive they have gotten.

Just want to note the windows tablets for 20o something dont have the version of windows that can run windows programs and apps, its windows 8 RT which is apps only. The full win8 tablets are like 800

 

[caseyc]

Devices running Windows RT versus Windows 8 (or 8.1) are two entirely different operating systems. Worse, the 2 operating systems are completely incompatible with each other.

Windows RT was Microsoft's lame attempt at trying to compete against Apple's iPad. Microsoft lost miserably with their Windows RT operating system and is a complete joke, a total waste of time and money.

Windows 8 (or 8.1) on the other hand is something useful and you would be able to run all (or most) of your legacy Windows apps/programs.

 

[jeanontheroad]

Got the "new" (Certified Pre-Owned Nook), today. Oh, boy, do I not like this thing. It has the functions my old Nook was losing, but I liked my old one better. I was used to it. The pre-owned status does not bother me. DH paid for a 3-year warranty. As long as I get my 3 years out of it, I couldn't care less. The thing is spotless. But the keyboard is not quite what I am used to and it seems very sensitive.

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It also feels funny, smaller than my old one, lighter and maybe flimsier. I guess I will get used to it. Not easy after four years of steady use for the old one. I tend to like what I have and don't like involuntary changes.

 

[Willy]

Just want to note the windows tablets for 20o something dont have the version of windows that can run windows programs and apps, its windows 8 RT which is apps only. The full win8 tablets are like 800

Nope. http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Venue-Pr...d=1391714652&sr=1-1&keywords=dell+venue+8+pro Of course, prices fluctuate, but full Win 8.1 (NOT RT) and an Atom Bay Trail cpu. It will run Windows legacy programs too. ..Willy.

 

[caseyc]

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Encor...qid=1391715011&sr=1-1&keywords=toshiba+encore

Toshiba has its own version, which looks awfully similar to the Dell model. I'm actually more partial to Toshiba, and Toshiba will be soon coming out with their 64GB model in a couple weeks and will be $349 with a $50 discount on their website.

It's important (for me at least) to get the larger 64GB model because I read online reviews that say you only get a small amount of usable internal storage space given the fact that Windows is such a huge operating system. IMPORTANT to reiterate, you do NOT get all 32GB of usable space when buying the 32GB version, you will get something much smaller per reviews/comments I've read.

Yes, yes, yes, I know the tablet comes with a micro SD card slot for external storage, but STILL, I'd rather get a device with larger versus smaller internal storage especially when it only costs a little more for double the internal storage.

 

[jeanontheroad]

Willy;: Amazon link.

Me: That looks good. Between you, me and the lamppost, I will be quietly looking for another tablet, soon.

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I'll be looking at the Toshiba, too. Got to wait until DH stops patting himself on the back so I don't hurt his feelings.

 

[caseyc]

Plus what's extra cool about the Toshiba Windows tablet (maybe Dell model too?) is that it's powered by a micro-USB cable, which is the same cable I charge my smartphone with. VERY convenient to use the same cord for tablet and phone instead of those darn proprietary cords that brand names typically use.

 

[Willy]

One reason I'm waiting is cuz of problems when it comes to charging and utilizing the USB port at the same time. Would also like more RAM and a 64 bit OS. This will all come in time as the competition heats up. ..Willy.

 

[jeanontheroad]

Caseyc: same charger connection

Me: that is one thing that really annoys me. Every device we have wants to be special and have its own connection style. At least my new Nook uses the same connector DH's does. Our charging area looks like a deranged octopus.

 

[caseyc]

Regarding USB ports on (underpowered) Windows tablets, this can be very problematic. One big potential problem is that even IF a Windows tablet has say a full size USB port, that doesn't necessarily mean it can do all the things a normal laptop could. For example, an underpowered Windows tablet with a full size USB port might only be compatible for use with accessories that require low power. For example, a USB thumb stick might work. But not an external USB storage drive that is large in size. This is true for the Lenovo Tablet 2 (Windows tablet) that I have. Even though it has a full size USB port, it can only be used for small accessories such as a mouse, small USB stick, etc (but can't be used for USB devices requiring more power). Annoying for sure. This is something some people might not realize.

One reason I'm waiting is cuz of problems when it comes to charging and utilizing the USB port at the same time. Would also like more RAM and a 64 bit OS. This will all come in time as the competition heats up. ..Willy.

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You should see my own cable nightmare. I have multiple power cables for the same device, for example both an AC outlet cable, plus a 12 volt cable just so I can choose what power source I want. Sick, I know.

Caseyc: same charger connection

Me: that is one thing that really annoys me. Every device we have wants to be special and have its own connection style. At least my new Nook uses the same connector DH's does. Our charging area looks like a deranged octopus.

 

[dvdchris]

I am going to need one. According to the techician yesterday, the trouble I am having on the web is because my model is not made anymore and is no longer being supported in various ways - like contracts with Youtube and other sites. This makes no sense to me as DH's Nook still works just fine. His is only a couple years newer than mine. ...

Two years is a significant amount of time when we are talking about the product cycle of mobile devices. Operating systems, technical standards and capabilities, as well as business alliances, etc can change quite a bit in that time.
Also, many tablets have non-replaceable batteries and batteries have a limited number of charge cycles (3-500 typically) before crapping out. In many less expensive tablets, the charging port itself can become internally broken after being plugged/unplugged hundreds of times.
For these reasons, I expect to get about 18 months from any sub-$300 tablet. What I do is keep electronic devices like this 6 months to a year, then put them up for sale, replacing it with a newer version. Since I opportunity buy, I will only replace a device if there is a really good price on one. I keep them in pristine condition with all the packaging and usually get 75-100% of my original purchase price when reselling.