Advice on tablets please...

[eggroll]

So, that's it, my computer is officially broken. I try to turn it on and the fan starts, then stops, then nothing. It's an Acer 1GB netbook with no files I need left on it, so it's not worth getting fixed. It was kind of a piece of crap the whole time anyways.

So I'm looking for a cheap easy way to get online at home and I'm thinking of a tablet. (I have a computer at work I can use and was planning to get a MAC in the spring/summer, possibly a smartphone then too.) I'm looking for something I can surf with, log into SC, facebook, gmail, watch docs online, etc., and the possibility to print from it using a plug-in USB cable. (Coupons, you know.) Some minimal word processing would be cool too but I'm not sure if any tablets support that. I'm not at all tech savvy and I've only ever used a windows OS up until this point.

So I'm looking at tablets, but I have no idea what's good and what isn't. I'm leaning towards the BB playbook but I haven't done all the research I need to do yet. I WILL be off to Bestbuy this weekend to drive all the salespeople nuts, but wondered if anyone has any pros or cons for the tablets they already have and why? Is there any one you swear by?

Thanks if anyone can help.

eggroll

[anisa]

cnet.com always has a good reviews section, and buying guide

[bhlombardy]

BB Playbook is not all it's cracked up to be. If you're looking for a minimal approach, look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.0 7-inch or the Google Nexus 7.

Both are around $250 give or take, but IMHO, come highly recommended.

[shirley55]

So, that's it, my computer is officially broken. I try to turn it on and the fan starts, then stops, then nothing. It's an Acer 1GB netbook with no files I need left on it, so it's not worth getting fixed. It was kind of a piece of crap the whole time anyways.

So I'm looking for a cheap easy way to get online at home and I'm thinking of a tablet. (I have a computer at work I can use and was planning to get a MAC in the spring/summer, possibly a smartphone then too.) I'm looking for something I can surf with, log into SC, facebook, gmail, watch docs online, etc., and the possibility to print from it using a plug-in USB cable. (Coupons, you know.) Some minimal word processing would be cool too but I'm not sure if any tablets support that. I'm not at all tech savvy and I've only ever used a windows OS up until this point.

So I'm looking at tablets, but I have no idea what's good and what isn't. I'm leaning towards the BB playbook but I haven't done all the research I need to do yet. I WILL be off to Bestbuy this weekend to drive all the salespeople nuts, but wondered if anyone has any pros or cons for the tablets they already have and why? Is there any one you swear by?

Thanks if anyone can help.

eggroll

thank you for your thread,hopefully we will get more replies since i am also looking for one for my husband.have to keep it very simple since he is from the older generation(70).bought him i galaxy phone last xmas and he still has issuies and im learning through trial and error.

[st_claire]

It sounds like you want something you can use as a laptop. Email and such is much better with a physical keyboard. I think your best bang for your buck in that case is the Asus Transformer Infinity. It's $500 plus another $150 for the keyboard dock, but it is powerful enough for what you want, unlike most other tablets.

Alternatively, if you want something that is just a laptop (so you can't take off they keyboard and have a tablet) but is cheaper, I would suggest the new chromebook. It's $200, and everything is in the cloud, but it sounds like that would be fine.

Hope that helps

[lighthousejen]

I don't know I got the BB playbook last year and I gotta say it's pretty decent. Maybe not as nice as and ipad but then again it's much more affordable. Did have a problem with it working once and sent it off to BB support, now normally if something I buy stops working after a year, I would say don't buy it but I had no problems getting them to fix it.(needed an upgrade) they were fast, friendly and my playbook works great. At no cost to me, so I don't know if you would get the same service with something else. And really with customer service the way it is I will stick with the guy that still believes in it Hope that was helpful.

[Weeeooojr]

Blackberry Playbook 32gb is $150. (costs them more to produce, lol)
I have had the 16gb for quite some time now and it's not amazing, but it's good (the OS could be a bit better I guess, but they still have updates to improve it. The 2.0 OS added a lot of features that it was missing). Most of the bad talk about it would come from it's lack off games/apps, but that doesn't sound like it'd be a problem for you. It also has Microsoft office.
If you look at it's inside specs, it's definitely the best for it's price. (and has better specs than other low end tablets)

Also, I second that their CS is awesome.

[Habman1]

Re BB Playbook:
Their operating system is about to get a big boost with the new OS for the BlackBerry on Jan 30 - the same is suppose to be available on the Playbook incl existing models - If I recall correctly.

[indaypomo]

we are also debating which tablet it is we are going to buy. IPad2 (older model) is 399 right now, and the other one we are looking is Samsung galaxy tab2 (newer than ipad2)- samsung is also cheaper by $50 and 16GB internal storage with an expandable microSD slot that supports up to an additional storage of 32. With 3 kids under 10, I crossed out BB because of limited apps. I too am curious of what other people will suggest.

[matrix82]

Do you just want to use it for websurfing? For the price of some of the tablets you could get a Playstation 3. The downfall would be you'd be stuck in one room, so not portable like a tablet. Just thought i would throw that idea out there for you.

I've heard so many different views on tablets from friends who have different models. They all seem to really enjoy the portability of the tablet. They have a computer that they use for work, so the tablet in in addition to a laptop/desktop. The ipad seems to be the champion. I have seen a tablet on sale at Canadian tire for $99 in the past few weeks, panosonic. I don't know any of the stats on it, sometimes you do get what you pay for.

I would look at the reviews on amazon and cnet. choose from there and then go to a physical store. If you are able to go to a store like future shop I would go and look at the tablets, see what you like the best based on the reviews and just handling the tablet itself. Good luck, hope you find something you like for a good price.

[st_claire]

With 3 kids under 10, I crossed out BB because of limited apps. I too am curious of what other people will suggest.

For young kids, I recommend the iPad. It restricts the user a lot more, which is good for kids as they need that extra hand holding. You pay a big premium for it though. You should always get the latest model. Why buy something already out of date?

What will the kids be doing on the tablet though? Are they each getting their own, or are you thinking they will share? If sharing, that won't work well. Tablets (except for the nexus 10) are designed for a single user. Maybe consider something else instead? The new Wii U control pads are very tablet-esque, and they can play games with it. And because they are so much cheaper, each kid can have their own.

[anisa]

i have the playbook, and it is decent for farting around on

the only thing i miss on it is kindle (had it on my HP tablet that i LOST *waah*)

i'm too lazy to sideload, but a lot of ppl do it i guess. it's something to consider.

[Zonny]

Some of my coworkers have them and are pleased with Playbook, good for the price.

My DS is six, one of his classmates has a Playbook for his own use, had it for a couple years at least. His Dad buys every version of Angry Birds that comes out for him (according to the dad, $7 each), it's a toy for the kid. I don't believe in buying that expensive of a toy for a kid, would never buy an iPad for a child, but plenty obviously don't think the same way.

[mooon]

I recommend iPad, now it is cheaper beause of iPad mini. It can do all the things you said before and iPad can provide you more fun.

[redfrog1]

I recommend iPad, now it is cheaper beause of iPad mini. It can do all the things you said before and iPad can provide you more fun.

I bought ipad 2, satisfied with it. real provide me fun.