Tablet recommendations

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FrameMakers

FrameMakers

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Mar 20, 2001
Posts
7,395
Loc
Powell, OH
While I was at the WCAF I started to really lust for a tablet. I can see so many things that I would use it for on a daily basis at work. Everything from showing customers previous frame jobs to bringing up work orders in the back to save paper.

So I see that the Ipad 3 is about to be announced. I have no love for Apple products, not that I have anything against them. So will the rest of the tablet market significantly drop their prices to maintain market share when the new Ipad hits?

I am wanting something in the 10" size and have been looking at the Asus Transformer Prime that runs Android 4.0. Of course this is still a very new tablet and still carries a pretty steep price. I have also heard good things about the Samsung Galaxy Tablet.

What is your recommendation and what memory size should I be looking for. Any to stay away from?
 
Just got the Xyboard (with a Z) from Motorola thru Verizon. Still getting used to it but I love it!

I sprang for the max - G4 cell connection and the 64 GB drive. Set me back a stunning $729.

But I need total connectivity as I am on the road 24/7, so I wanted the G4 feature. The G4 works so much faster than the G3, which it will shift to when the better signal is not available. I notice a 50% plus reduction in speed when in G3.

I will be taking lots of pictures, video, and presentation with me, so the largest drive out there was in order.

I am new to Droid, so I have yet to really bond with it. So far seems to be powerful and featured enough. But I think the available apps are lacking some of the sizzle offered from Apple. Also no one is making really cool accesories for mine as they do for iPad.

It comes with 2 smaller size drives and in an 8.5" size too. Eventually you can get it in a WiFi only version which ought to shave $100-150. I think you can get it closer to $500 depending.
 
Dave you were spying on me! I was just checking out the Ipad info. After sitting between Alan A and Mark K for a day at the PPFA CL meeting, I'm thinking that I could have some fun with an Ipad. I might forgo Mark's Etch a Sketch cover though. Might need a few extras though, like a cover, ac plug, and adapter for my digital camera card.

I think that it would be sharp to show customers photos of projects. It's very portable for tradeshows and networking meetings. Taking notes at classes looked savvy. Can you alter a Word document or Excel spreadsheet? Will those file open? I don't have a smartphone so I guess this would take the place of that to check email when out and about. Anybody out there using an Ipad for their shop? What applications are you using it for?

Is it worth waiting for Ipad3?

Susan
 
i switched to apple 9 years ago and have never looked back. We have 2 imacs, 2 airs, 2 ipad, 3 iphones. and they all work.
they work together, talk together, never crash.
After having such stable hardware/software that doesn't feel likes it needs to be replaced every 3 years, I wouldn't even look at anything else.

We use ours for quoting, and our framing staff have one to avoid job sheets floating around the workshop.

Jared rights about family members fighting over it though, my 2 year old even loves it.

Enjoy what ever you get.

Mark
 
Jared Davis CPF GCF said:
DON'T buy an iPad...

When you compare all tablets - iPad is the only one that husbands and wives will fight over using... the rest simply aren't worth the fight.

:)

Cheers,

Jared
Click to expand...

Great posting! :thumbsup:

The iPad 3 will get a stunning Retina-screen and a A6 quad-4 cpu. It's expected to be introduced at a march-event. Technically it's far ahead of all other tablets. But it all depends upon your personal needs. For only reading ebooks, this iPad 3 is far too exclusive.....
 
If you want an Apple one, I'd suggest waiting until the iPad3 in March. The current ones have very fragile screens, and the glass can break with even a 2 inch drop. I believe the new ones will have "Gorilla Glass" or equivalent, as the other brands have. I know of several people that had accidents with their ipads, and had to replace them as a result. Using a case can greatly help to protect it, too.

Functionally, all brands are very similar in features and price. Some restrict you to a specific controlled source for apps, music, books, etc. (Apple iPad and Kindle Fire) If you use websites that use flash, that could also be a consideration. (not on iPad unless you 'jailbreak' it)

One question is if you require just wifi internet access, or if you require a dedicated cellular connection. (with a monthly fee) The various models are usually available in both flavors.

I think screen size and price will be big considerations in the next year, as this market is still developing. They're very pricy right now, IMO. The Kindle Fire really set an example with their $199 color tablet. (which has a $40 promotion right now, as a gift card). The downside is that they restricted some of the things you can do with it. I predict most tablets will be in the $299 range within a year or so.

Until recently, I didn't really see a need to have one. We (our family) didn't get our first one until two weeks ago. Andy purchase a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, for purposes of taking class notes at WCAF. I have to say that that I'm very impressed with the battery life and functionality of the thing. It could easily replace a computer, when travelling, and was very suitable for email and web browsing. I found myself trying it out in the RARE times when he would let it out of his sight. I was able to use it to remote control my home pc, from the plane and from Vegas. His is the 32gb version and has wifi only, which is good enough for our needs.

I also got to use an iPad (and an iPhone) while in vegas, and they were nice as well. The booth I was helping out at was using a pair of iPhones to process credit cards with PowerPay, which is just about identical to Square's product.

As long as you do your research and ask questions, I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever functional product you choose. The only thing I would avoid are some of the really cheap knockoff products, which are often in the $150 or less range. (found on ebay, etc) The quality of those are just terrible, and some of them don't even have a volume control. The name brand products are decent.

Mike
 
I was thinking of just getting the wi-fi version as long as it has a bluetooth connection I can wirelessly access the internet by using PDAnet and my phone. If it doesn't I could still tether it to my phone.
 
I opted for the Samsung Galaxy 10.1.

I took it to the WCAF to test drive it as a road warrior machine, it worked out so well that I cannot see myself bar on a rare occasion ever taking a laptop with me again on a road trip.

I picked up a Samsung keyboard/dock for it at Philadelphia airport on the way back another sweet addition for the pad.
 
I debated for a while between the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the iPad. Finally bought the iPad.

Essentially the same functionality, but I was finally sold on the "smoothness" of the iPad display.
Go somewhere that carries both (Best Buy?) and try them side by side.

The iPad really was much much smoother on transitions and display.

I had trouble with the UI for a while. Anyone that thinks Apple is intuitive must think weird.
I'm getting used to it, but the droid was easier to figure out IMO.

I used the iPad for my presentations in my classes (Keynote app $9.99), calendar, mail, notes, everything at the show.
Worked like a champ! easy peasy!

I got a 16G wifi only. The extra for the 3G connect on either seemed sily to me. You can pick up a hot spot from Verizon for less than half the cost and then you can share the connection if you need to.
 
Cliff Wilson said:
I debated for a while between the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the iPad. Finally bought the iPad.

Essentially the same functionality, but I was finally sold on the "smoothness" of the iPad display.
Go somewhere that carries both (Best Buy?) and try them side by side.

The iPad really was much much smoother on transitions and display.

I had trouble with the UI for a while. Anyone that thinks Apple is intuitive must think weird.
I'm getting used to it, but the droid was easier to figure out IMO.

I used the iPad for my presentations in my classes (Keynote app $9.99), calendar, mail, notes, everything at the show.
Worked like a champ! easy peasy!

I got a 16G wifi only. The extra for the 3G connect on either seemed sily to me. You can pick up a hot spot from Verizon for less than half the cost and then you can share the connection if you need to.
Click to expand...

dont bother doing the hot spot thing unless you really need it. you can use a free app (PDAnet) that will share your connection via USB or Bluetooth.
if you have android it's in the market
if you have an iPhone you will need to jailbreak it so it can be tethered.
 
howdytex said:
dont bother doing the hot spot thing unless you really need it. you can use a free app (PDAnet) that will share your connection via USB or Bluetooth.
if you have android it's in the market
if you have an iPhone you will need to jailbreak it so it can be tethered.
Click to expand...

yeah .... I have neither. I have an old flip phone and am perfectly happy with it.
 
pdanet can be downloaded from www.junefabrics.com and works for all popular smartphone OS types. Google Android, RIM Blackberry, PDAReach, Apple IOS, Windows Mobile, PocketPC, and PalmOS.
 
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