Reliable, easy to use €300 tablet?

billybongoes

I'm thinking of getting a tablet for a friend. I've searched for threads on picking one but there are so many tablets and people want them for different purposes and I'm a tad confused.

The tablet would just be for wifi web browsing and maybe a few apps, maybe a bit of e reading, so I thought something with android market would be best for this? Friend is not very tech savvy so reliability and ease of use is very important. Budget is around €300 (less if possible). I've decided on a tablet over a laptop or netbook (or smartphone) because of the handiness of it, eh.... can a tablet be held in one hand like a book? They have access to a laptop but I think they might use a tablet more, especially if it's fairly fast starting up. But if you can see any holes in my plan let me know!

Thank you!

Triangla

Kindle Fire from Amazon looks pretty cool. Going for only $199 when it's released.

http://www.amazon.com/kindle-store-ebooks-newspapers-blogs/b?ie=UTF8&node=133141011

bop1977

PC World are doing the xoom for 369 if you can stretch to that:


http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/MOTOROLA-Xoom-Tablet-PC-32GB/304606/2.9

billybongoes

Thanks for super fast replies! Have just added an additional stupid question to OP, are tablets meant to be handheld like a book? Would rather have the tablet next week so don't think I can hold out for the kindle one unfortunately.... Xoom sounds promising, a wee bit over budget but if it's reliable I guess it's worth that.

Goodshape

billybongoes wrote: »

are tablets meant to be handheld like a book?

Yeah, pretty much. I think the Xoom is 10 inches, so would be like a large book.

Kindle Fire is 7" so closer again to a regular paperback but you'll be a long time waiting for that to be available in Ireland.

EPM

I bought an Acer iconia A500 a few weeks back. It was a toss up between it and the iPad. I already have an iPhone 4 and had android phones before this so was keen to see how far Android had come in the last year. Plus the iOS is a bit boring. For the use you describe it would be perfect. The battery life is great. I get 2-3 evenings heavy use out of it and it has expandable memory and a USB slot.

However, it's above your budget, is a little bulky compared to the iPad (although I now have a full cover/stand on it and the android Market isn't a match for the app store. If you can hold tough the new Kindle Fire looks like a bargain for web browsing and reading.

billybongoes

EPM wrote: »

I bought an Acer iconia A500 a few weeks back. It was a toss up between it and the iPad

In a new turn of events another friend just offered to up the budget to an ipad.
Which poses a totally different question, (sorry! ) ipad or android for someone very tech unsavvy (eg. touchscreen may be a hurdle!) who will probably want to read a lot of newspapers on it. I have no idea about apple app store v. android market, any insight EPM?

Goodshape

iPad. Particularly for the non-tech savvy. Android tablets just aren't there yet.

Don't think touch screen would be a hurdle, btw. Certainly no more -- and probably much less -- than a keyboard on a little laptop. iPad is extremely intuitive.

srsly78

The Asus Transformer is "there". Costs about e350 without dock I think.

Touchscreens are not a hurdle for anyone, it's more intuitive than using a mouse. Witness children using them.

Goodshape

srsly78 wrote: »

The Asus Transformer is "there".

I'm a big Android fan and I'm not so sure. If his budget can stretch to an iPad, they're really miles ahead of any Android tablet I've seen in terms of feature-rich easy-to-use apps, OS, and hassle free "just works" day to day use.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no Apple fan-boy... the fact there isn't a decent Android tablet yet is the reason I don't have a tablet yet. But for the OP's non-tech-savvy friend, I think an iPad is the best option if budget allows.


Plus the Asus Transformer is a big, bulky, intimidating slab of thing. Was disappointed with the heft of it when I picked it up in the shop. Have had more time with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, which is much nicer weight and feel -- but also same price or more as iPad and just not as good. IMHO.

iwo

http://androidandme.com/2011/09/news/htc-flyer-price-dropping-to-299/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+androidandme+(Android+and+Me)

billybongoes

Thanks for the help and suggestions. Went for the xoom in the end. Handy to be able to pick it up in bricks and mortar shop straight away and just seemed like a bargain compared to the ipad. Will be on hand to help my friend with it if he needs me (though I'm not far ahead of him! )

partyatmygaff

Goodshape wrote: »

I'm a big Android fan and I'm not so sure. If his budget can stretch to an iPad, they're really miles ahead of any Android tablet I've seen in terms of feature-rich easy-to-use apps, OS, and hassle free "just works" day to day use.

Apple's marketing department do a great job of propagating myths like that.

mickoneill30

billybongoes wrote: »

Thanks for the help and suggestions. Went for the xoom in the end. Handy to be able to pick it up in bricks and mortar shop straight away and just seemed like a bargain compared to the ipad. Will be on hand to help my friend with it if he needs me (though I'm not far ahead of him! )

Good stuff. Go here now to register for a free keyboard and mouse.

http://www.motorolaxoompromotion.co.uk/

Could you do us a favour and post here in a couple of weeks with your friends experiences. It would be interesting to see how your non tech savvy friend gets on. He should be fine.

Some essential apps (I think) everybody should have are
Dolphin for Pad
Moboplayer
Pulse
Angry Birds
Ezpdf - not free though
Tune In Radio - pro version is free on getjar.com

These two are a bit more tech
Dropbox
SwiFTP

You'll find all those easy enough in the market.

Kenny Logins

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Goodshape wrote: »

I'm a big Android fan and I'm not so sure. If his budget can stretch to an iPad, they're really miles ahead of any Android tablet I've seen in terms of feature-rich easy-to-use apps, OS, and hassle free "just works" day to day use.

Apple's marketing department do a great job of propagating myths like that.

Android has a long way to go to match the standard of apps available for the ipad, that's fact, not opinion.

Bluefoam

Kenny Logins wrote: »

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Goodshape wrote: »

I'm a big Android fan and I'm not so sure. If his budget can stretch to an iPad, they're really miles ahead of any Android tablet I've seen in terms of feature-rich easy-to-use apps, OS, and hassle free "just works" day to day use.

Apple's marketing department do a great job of propagating myths like that.

Android has a long way to go to match the standard of apps available for the ipad, that's fact, not opinion.

These Apple fanatics get more and more pathetic. Android is a perfectly good operating system with allot of apps similar or equal to the apps for Apple OS. It's true that there are a few more games and fart apps available for Apple OS, but if you're into games get a Nintendo

Kenny Logins

Bluefoam wrote: »

Kenny Logins wrote: »

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Goodshape wrote: »

I'm a big Android fan and I'm not so sure. If his budget can stretch to an iPad, they're really miles ahead of any Android tablet I've seen in terms of feature-rich easy-to-use apps, OS, and hassle free "just works" day to day use.

Apple's marketing department do a great job of propagating myths like that.

Android has a long way to go to match the standard of apps available for the ipad, that's fact, not opinion.

These Apple fanatics get more and more pathetic. Android is a perfectly good operating system with allot of apps similar or equal to the apps for Apple OS. It's true that there are a few more games and fart apps available for Apple OS, but if you're into games get a Nintendo

Give me a break. I can't use Apple gear, it drives me mad, I much prefer Android, but I don't let that give me the blinkered views coming from both sides of the imaginary fence. Nobody said Android wasn't capable, and I stand by what I did say; ipad has a better standard of apps than the Android tablets.

mickoneill30

Kenny Logins wrote: »

and I stand by what I did say; ipad has a better standard of apps than the Android tablets.

In my post above where I list some apps / games can you post alternatives that are better on the iPad. I'm not looking for equivalents here. You're saying the Apple stuff is better so I'm looking for apps that are demonstrably better.

These are the apps I use daily so I'd be interested to know if should move to iPad.

Kenny Logins

mickoneill30 wrote: »

Kenny Logins wrote: »

and I stand by what I did say; ipad has a better standard of apps than the Android tablets.

In my post above where I list some apps / games can you post alternatives that are better on the iPad. I'm not looking for equivalents here. You're saying the Apple stuff is better so I'm looking for apps that are demonstrably better.

These are the apps I use daily so I'd be interested to know if should move to iPad.

I'm not talking about specific apps that are better on ipad than Android, I mean overall, for a new tablet user, ipad has a greater range of better quality apps. Don't worry though, I'd never expect another Android user to admit this in public.

mickoneill30

Kenny Logins wrote: »

I'm not talking about specific apps that are better on ipad than Android, I mean overall, for a new tablet user, ipad has a greater range of better quality apps. Don't worry though, I'd never expect another Android user to admit this in public.

I wouldn't mind admitting it. There might be 1000000 good quality apps on iTunes and 200 good quality apps on Android Market.

How many do you use? How many would a new tablet user use? I just counted the apps I've installed on my Xoom. 24. These are apps I use every day (or at least a couple of times a week). I uninstall rubbish rather than leave it cluttered up. It would be interesting to see how many apps the average iPad user uses. I'm not just counting installs there. We all install tonnes of crap. We only really use a few apps. My wife has a tablet too. Hers is a nightmare to navigate with all the crap she's installed on it. But she's a new user and loves it.

There's not much point in there being 20 great twitter clients if the average user uses one. Saying "aaaahh but iTunes has another 19" is a bit pointless. But these days the head start that iPad / iPhone had is being eroded as more developers jump on the Android bandwagon.

Those numbers are made up above to exaggerate my point. I have a few mates with iPads. They don't do anything on theirs that I can't do as well (or better) on my Xoom. They're not sophisticated users in fairness though, they didn't even know about Android. The OP is miles ahead of them already.

There is a thread in this forum where somebody asked for a list of good apps that are available on iPad and not on Android. According to that thread, the amount of good apps that iPad has that Android doesn't is pretty low.

iwo

Kenny Logins wrote: »

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Goodshape wrote: »

I'm a big Android fan and I'm not so sure. If his budget can stretch to an iPad, they're really miles ahead of any Android tablet I've seen in terms of feature-rich easy-to-use apps, OS, and hassle free "just works" day to day use.

Apple's marketing department do a great job of propagating myths like that.

Android has a long way to go to match the standard of apps available for the ipad, that's fact, not opinion.

I agree with this, android is just not there yet... I'm Apple hater as a whole company but use ipad. I'm android phone user for nearly three years and would never buy iPhone but pads/tabs...this is different story. Android tab is chaotic and laggy comparing to iPad. Also the only screen which is almost good as iPad is galaxy 10.1 everything else is not there due to colors and vanished screen for example transformer and xoom. Also I got refurbished iPad for....270euro 16gb non 3g. I jailbreaked it first day I got it. Also, ios5+ipad2+apple tv gives you mirroring from iPad to tv...android can't have this...

Royale with Cheese

I've been in the market for a tab and agree that the iPad is good way ahead of Android tabs in terms of usability, I've been really disappointed with how laggy Honeycomb is whenever I've tried it out.

That said there are many things I need a tab to do that the iPad can't, certainly not without jailbreaking anyway. Viewing flash sites, playing xvid videos, streaming videos from a NAS box, even just have a file system and never having to go near that piece of shít iTunes. There are many things Android can do out of the box that ios can't, all the things I need a tab for I know will work on Android because they work on my phone. I'm not sure I want to invest in an iPad to do those things because I'm not 100% sure it can handle them.

And the apps arguments is a bit pointless unless you want it for playing games. All the major features you spend 95% of your time using are available on honeycomb, I just wish it was a bit smoother. Thinking of just biting the bullet and getting a Samsung Tab and hoping that it will get the Ice Cream Sandwich update and that will make things a bit more fluid.

srsly78

@iwo: Android tabs are chaotic and laggy? You do realise all those tablets from last year weren't officially supported right? Try one of the proper ones, like Xoom, the new Galaxy Tab, or Asus Transformer. Definitely not laggy or chaotic. Excellent user experience.

I dunno why you think Honeycomb is laggy, I can only guess that you looked at some pre-release store demo model.

Regarding screens: This is a matter of preference. Some people think the Transformer has the best screen. It certainly has the latest IPS technology. As for "tv mirroring" I can just plug this transformer into any hdmi screen you know?

Refurbished ipad = e270. New transformer = e350. Only a spectacularly misinformed individual would choose the ipad in this situation.

iwo

srsly78 wrote: »

@iwo: Android tabs are chaotic and laggy? You do realise all those tablets from last year weren't officially supported right? Try one of the proper ones, like Xoom, the new Galaxy Tab, or Asus Transformer. Definitely not laggy or chaotic. Excellent user experience.

I dunno why you think Honeycomb is laggy, I can only guess that you looked at some pre-release store demo model.

Regarding screens: This is a matter of preference. Some people think the Transformer has the best screen. It certainly has the latest IPS technology. As for "tv mirroring" I can just plug this transformer into any hdmi screen you know?

Refurbished ipad = e270. New transformer = e350. Only a spectacularly misinformed individual would choose the ipad in this situation.

Im not comparing iPad with two years old tablets...if you read my post again you will find out that I mentioned zoom and transformer which I was playing with for two full days...did you ever used both of them for more than 5mins?

Some people think transformer has better screen?! Some, you mean blind?

Do you know what mirroring is? If not check YT as comparing it to hdmi connection is silly - sorry. Mirroring via iPad means no cables at all. What would I want to use cable in sitting room while sitting on sofa? Great for: gaming,video,YT,photos..ideal for home parties ;)

Also, why do you compare 270 vs 350? I bought iPad 5 months ago,transformer and zoom were at about 400-500 euro that time and I didn't want to spend too much on gadget. I wait for few months and see what is on the market, I will go for ipad3 or transformer 2 - depending on screen quality...

srsly78

Please stop :rolleyes:

Your wireless screen mirroring is garbage, very laggy and slow. Not suitable for movies or games. For static content like photos sure it works. Movies and games work fine over hdmi however.

I own a Transformer and it has an excellent screen and is not laggy.

iwo

srsly78 wrote: »

Please stop :rolleyes:

Your wireless screen mirroring is garbage, very laggy and slow. Not suitable for movies or games. For static content like photos sure it works. Movies and games work fine over hdmi however.

I own a Transformer and it has an excellent screen and is not laggy.

1. It's not my mirroring and I don't even have ipad2!
2. Ohh tel me what is the future like ? Ios5 and mirroring is in beta stage ! so where did u see that?
3. If transformer screen is is excellent then iPad's is what...awesome? Or super excellent?
4. Transformer is not laggy comparing to what?

I'm HTC sensation user and it is quicker than iPhone which I returned to shop after 3 days as i coulnd stand it. Different story with tablets...

dsrckiyisvddht

HTC flyer just got reduced in the US from 499 to 299 if that's any interest to you

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393972,00.asp

billybongoes

mickoneill30 wrote: »

Good stuff. Go here now to register for a free keyboard and mouse.

http://www.motorolaxoompromotion.co.uk/

Could you do us a favour and post here in a couple of weeks with your friends experiences. It would be interesting to see how your non tech savvy friend gets on. He should be fine.

Some essential apps (I think) everybody should have are
Dolphin for Pad
Moboplayer
Pulse
Angry Birds
Ezpdf - not free though
Tune In Radio - pro version is free on getjar.com

These two are a bit more tech
Dropbox
SwiFTP

You'll find all those easy enough in the market.

Thanks a million for all this info. I'm starting to think that how well he gets on will be more of a reflection on his level of interest in the whole thing rather than the OS, so I'll try and spend some time with him picking out apps, and I'll definitely let you know how it goes

Bluefoam

iwo wrote: »

3. If transformer screen is is excellent then iPad's is what...awesome? Or super excellent?

3. Magical !

Goodshape

Bluefoam wrote: »

These Apple fanatics get more and more pathetic. Android is a perfectly good operating system with allot of apps similar or equal to the apps for Apple OS. It's true that there are a few more games and fart apps available for Apple OS, but if you're into games get a Nintendo

I'm not an Apple fanatic. I use Android on my phone and Linux on my PC: that's what works for me.

But for a non-technical person looking to buy a tablet today, I'd recommend the iPad because having used them all I think it offers the best, most hassle-free, user experience with unquestionably the largest number of Tablet optimised apps.

I'm sure Android will catch up, maybe in devices like the Kindle Fire, but for the time being I really don't think you have to be a fanatic to see that the current crop don't match up as an overall experience. For me that means I'll wait. For anyone who's just got to buy a tablet this week/month/year, it means I'll recommend an iPad.

srsly78

There is no pleasing some people. Guy above calls the Asus transformer (tegra 2 device) laggy. This is simply not true, as anyone that has used the device will attest to.

All the AAA titles for ipad are also available for android. No serious developer does "apple exclusive".

Goodshape

srsly78 wrote: »

All the AAA titles for ipad are also available for android. No serious developer does "apple exclusive".

BBC Player? Flipboard? iMovie? Omnigraffle? GarageBand? official TED app? Netflix? The Daily? Wired? Instapaper? Countless games?

Just a few of the things I'd be missing for starters.

srsly78

You do realise that a lot of apps are simply not needed on android right? I can watch bbc off the website. The only app I was jealous of was the Economist app, and that's on android too now.

As for the games, android and iphone use the same graphics API. It's trivial to port highend games. See samurai vengeance + galaxy on fire etc.

There is also lots of android stuff that isn't on iphone

edit: There are multiple TED apps on android, not official tho? Anyway, you are just nit picking. In reality noone is that gonna be that bothered.

Goodshape

srsly78 wrote: »

I can watch bbc off the website.

Sure, and you can watch TED on TED.com or on one of the cludgy unofficial apps. And who needs Flipboard anyway? Just use reader.google.com... same content, right?


..except that the best, most hassle-free, user experience is available on the iPad and not (yet) on Android.

Goodshape

srsly78 wrote: »

There is also lots of android stuff that isn't on iphone

Just to be clear, I'm not at all talking about Android phones vs iPhone. Only the tablets vs iPad.

edit: There are multiple TED apps on android, not official tho?

Not official, not very nice and I don't think any of them are Tablet optimised.

srsly78

No you can just watch it off the website :rolleyes: Just like BBC and RTE. I would actually agree that using the website on a phone is a bit annoying (less so with high res big screen ones), but with a tablet it's fine. Actually gives you more features than being limited to an app.

Keep the propaganda coming. Same rubbish you guys have been spouting for ages, thoroughly debunked in many threads. How you manage to spin Apple's shortcomings (no flash) into an advantage would be quite impressive if not for the inherent dishonesty.

nedd

This thread is dead to me!

Goodshape

srsly78 wrote: »

No you can just watch it off the website :rolleyes: Just like BBC and RTE. I would actually agree that using the website on a phone is a bit annoying (less so with high res big screen ones), but with a tablet it's fine. Actually gives you more features than being limited to an app.

I'm thinking of my mother as the "non-technical" user I might buy a tablet for. She doesn't care about more features, but she cares everything about "a bit annoying". The chances of her knowing where to even write "www.ted.com" are slim. The difference between an official TED iPad app and an unofficial TED Android phone app isn't something she's going to work out --- she'll likely just download the first result and forever wonder why this is all a bit crappy.

I'd say give Android tablets another 6 months to a year. It was the same on the phone... pretty useless, by comparison, until 2.0+.

Same rubbish you guys have been spouting for ages

Who are "you guys"?!

The only thing that annoys me more than fan boy's spouting over-positive ****e about their favourite gadget, is when fan boys can't accept even honest criticism.

thirtythirty

As a Transformer owner, I'd admit there aren't the same number of tablet-optimised apps as on the iPad.

However I couldn't live my day-to-day with just an iPad, i'd need a laptop. But the transformer allows me to:

- Have an on-tablet torrent downloader (not that im advocating that, but it can solve music/film issues for people)
- On-tablet file manager so I can plug in my external hard drive and a usb stick and get my files to their right places e.g. download PS3 update and transfer it to usb stick
- Slot in my microSD from my camera
- Watch tv with Filmon TV, and can get around no 4od or tv3 apps with flash; agreed not as easy, but at least facilitated
- Have the tablet connected to tv and watch *everything* via HDMI, I don't have to rely on the app having that functionality built in, while also controlling everything via bluetooth (mouse for tasks, controller for games)
- Have a device that will allow me to work on word documents / powerpoint etc seemlessly with an integrated keyboard/trackpad
-Have the full internet! Whatever you think of flash, it can't be ignored that some sites are currently built fully in it
-As a bonus I can also get about 14 hours of battery out of it, and the dock allows for extremely easy viewing while lying on my side in bed vs propping up the tab only with a pillow and having the bottom slide out all the time!

None of which I could do with an iPad. The only thing the iPad has that I need/want is Sky Go, but I've read that's coming. So for me personally the lack of polish in some apps, and the larger number of games on the iPad isn't an issue. And the tablet support is increasing literally every day which is good

Star Lord

Goodshape wrote: »

...The chances of her knowing where to even write "www.ted.com" are slim. The difference between an official TED iPad app and an unofficial TED Android phone app isn't something she's going to work out --- she'll likely just download the first result and forever wonder why this is all a bit crappy...

All well and good for a COMPLETELY non technical user, but for anyone that has an ounce of knowledge on the use of computers/smart technology at all, the above are simply not valid.

billybongoes

Having left my friend with the motorola xoom for about 6 weeks, I thought I'd let you know how he was getting on. I already mentioned a few times he's extremely tech un-savvy but that really wasn't much of an obstacle. The touchscreen was not a problem and once he was shown the basics he was playing with email, web browser and the apps I installed for him very quickly and well able to navigate the tablet, get back to the home screen etc. So ease of use definitely gets a thumbs up.

That was the day one review, 6 weeks on, he's using it regularly for email and the kindle app but not much else. The kindle fire would have probably been the perfect (and cheaper) gift but unfortunately I needed it before the fire was out. With time I might introduce him to android market but in truth I'm not sure there are many apps he would bother with. Considering he previously had access to a laptop that he never even turned on, I would still consider that a success.

Thanks to all for your advice and help

pickarooney

I can't get my head around the argument that the iPad is easier to use than an Android tablet. I brought an iPad2 away with me for work for a week last month and I could do virtually nothing with it. I'm no stranger to computers but I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to put any of the films, books, music or photos I had on my SD card and USB stick onto it. With no internet connection for most of the week I just couldn't find any use for it at all. These are all things that are really simple to do with an Android tablet (excluding the Galaxy tab, the concept of which baffles me).