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Which Tablet to buy , in your opinion

  • 27-05-2013 10:36pm
    #1
    Brinimartini
    Registered Users Posts: 279 ✭✭


    Any idea which tablet I should buy.
    I kinda like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 with 16gb storage.
    Is that a good one for mostly doing email and watching Netflix and downloaded avi fillums and generally surfin' the web.
    I'd be doing almost no office type work on it.


Comments

  • #2
    davo2001
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,320 ✭✭✭davo2001


    iPad?


  • #3
    BionicRasher
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,820 ✭✭✭BionicRasher


    Brinimartini wrote: »
    Any idea which tablet I should buy.
    I kinda like the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 with 16gb storage.
    Is that a good one for mostly doing email and watching Netflix and downloaded avi fillums and generally surfin' the web.
    I'd be doing almost no office type work on it.

    Have no real first hand experience with the 10 inch model but my 7inch Galaxy Tab 2 works a treat for all you mentioned above. Also you can install XBMC for watching lots of movies and TV shows etc both stored on your network and from the web. Storage can be upgraded also with an SD card if you are going on holiday for example you can load it up with movies to watch.
    Prices are good at the moment too with it being 319 in the shops.
    I would recommend going to a shop and getting a feel for the device in your hand and see if its comfortable
    davo2001 wrote: »
    iPad?

    iPad can get messy trying to play AVI files


  • #4
    Duggy747
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,295 ✭✭✭✭Duggy747


    tui0hcg wrote: »
    Have no real first hand experience with the 10 inch model but my 7inch Galaxy Tab 2 works a treat for all you mentioned above. Also you can install XBMC for watching lots of movies and TV shows etc both stored on your network and from the web.

    Have XBMC on my Nexus 7 too. Runs the exact same setup as the HTPC and is insanely handy to move about the house from one device to another.

    The plus about the Galaxy is it's expandable storage which, if you plan to put a lot of movies / TV Shows on it, will be handy to bump it up in size.


  • #5
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    Moved from C&T :)

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #6
    Chazz Michael Michaels
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,822 ✭✭✭Chazz Michael Michaels


    I'm also looking into this device. Slot for SD is very appealing, as is the ability to install XBMC without risking the bricking of your device.


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  • #7
    JaneChrish
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭JaneChrish


    I would suggest i pad mini. I recently bought and I love it.


  • #8
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    If your looking to putting content onto the device regularly Android would possibly be the better choice, drag and drop into a folder over having to sync via iTunes. I am not sure if ipads can play avi or mkv files natively without conversion, although this may have changed. Android can play any format within reason, you can even get VLC Player for Android :) .

    Nick

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #9
    Matt_Trakker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,052 ✭✭✭Matt_Trakker


    Google nexus 7, mighty tablet


  • #10
    Gran Hermano
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Look at the Nexus 7 or 10. Much easier for downloading and viewing media files.
    With Android you can download straight to the tablet with no need for PC/transfer via itunes.
    XBMC also works great on both. Whilst the Nexus7 or 10 does not have an SD card slot you can
    connect a USB key and play files from it using an USB OTG cable and the Nexus Media importer app.


  • #11
    Sonics2k
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,253 ✭✭✭Sonics2k


    Major +1 for the Nexus 7.

    Just got one recently and its amazing, and having come from an S3 it was very easy to pick up and use.

    The 32GB is available in Argos for €249 for the WiFi version and €289 for the 3G version.

    Fantastic value for the price and an amazing tablet.


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  • #12
    Chazz Michael Michaels
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,822 ✭✭✭Chazz Michael Michaels


    Nexus 7 looks good


  • #13
    Chazz Michael Michaels
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,822 ✭✭✭Chazz Michael Michaels


    Chazz Michael Michaels wrote: »
    Nexus 7 looks good

    So good that I bought it. 300e for 32gb 3g version. Can't beat that price. Has all the apps you need.


  • #14
    molly09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,181 ✭✭✭molly09


    I am looking into getting a tablet also at the moment and to be honest it's a minefield
    Can a keyboard be attached to all tablets
    Also what would u recommend to get for downloading movies and for doing some office work?
    All advice really appreciated: -)


  • #15
    molly09
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,181 ✭✭✭molly09


    Also I am thinking it's possible to download movies and watch them later with no Wi-Fi


  • #16
    Chazz Michael Michaels
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,822 ✭✭✭Chazz Michael Michaels


    molly09 wrote: »
    I am looking into getting a tablet also at the moment and to be honest it's a minefield
    Can a keyboard be attached to all tablets
    Also what would u recommend to get for downloading movies and for doing some office work?
    All advice really appreciated: -)

    I'm fresh from a heap of research on the topic, so I hope I can be of some help here. Firstly, you need to know your budget. You can get cheap android tablets for €100, or top-end Apple devices for €500-600.

    By the sounds of it, you would like the Microsoft Surface Pro (around €600 ish), but that isn't out here yet. But be warned that while the Surface comes with MS Office and a keyboard (well, keyboard for €100 extra), the Surface has a very limited collection of apps.

    The iPad has a wireless keyboard sold separately and costs roughly the same as the Surface, for the same hard drive space, 3G, etc. But it's collection of office tools is only average, as far as I am told.

    Finally, is Android. I recently bought a Nexus 7 32GB 3G for €300, which is up to €150 cheaper than it's competitors. There are free office software tools, such as Kingsoft Office, which appear to do the job for content creation. However, given the size of the device, I just don't see it as being a comparable experience to using a laptop. The way I see it, I will use my laptop for large office work, and the tablet can be used for editing work, using something like Google Drive as a shared hard disk option.
    molly09 wrote: »
    Also I am thinking it's possible to download movies and watch them later with no Wi-Fi

    They can all do this, as far as I can tell. If you are talking about torrenting, I know that Apple have banned this from the Apple App Store, and you need to pull a few tricks to get it on your device. My Nexus 7 has uTorrent and XBMC with Navi-X, which required no messing around to get, I just installed them straight on their and I download and stream away. I have no idea whether the Surface is capable of this.

    Hope that helps.


  • #17
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    Can we avoid the torrenting discussion folks. Legal movie downloads-fine but nothing dodgy ;) .

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #18
    Riprock
    Registered Users Posts: 16 ✭Riprock


    Like the OP I have been trying to decide what tablet to purchase. I was looking at a Lenova 9" tablet yesterday, looks like good value (249e) and I like the screen size. Seems to have good reviews online. Anybody any thoughts/experience of this one or Lenova in general? It's just mainly for surfing and watching movies on flights.


  • #19
    claiva
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 767 ✭✭✭claiva


    I just ordered 2 x Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 inch tablets from Amazon. One each for my two sons, they saved up for them themselves. I cant wait to get mey hands on them !!!
    They are roughly €288 each on Amazon.


  • #20
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    Riprock wrote: »
    Like the OP I have been trying to decide what tablet to purchase. I was looking at a Lenova 9" tablet yesterday, looks like good value (249e) and I like the screen size. Seems to have good reviews online. Anybody any thoughts/experience of this one or Lenova in general? It's just mainly for surfing and watching movies on flights.

    Lenovo are a decent brand, never used their tablets but they bought out IBMs laptop division a few years back and are still fairly highly regarded systems by many.

    Nick

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #21
    kaisersose77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,711 ✭✭✭kaisersose77


    I have an ipad2 and a nexus7 both of which i plan to sell now as I got the following windows 8 tablet last week (was 310 sterling) and dont think i'll ever go back to use apple or android tablets. Both have advantages and disadvantages but to be able to install what you want and stream what you want makes this the ideal tablet for me. This has the full version of windows not windows rt and allows you to do proper multitasking (e.g. browse the web while watching a video). The specs arent amazing on this particular tablet but there are much more powerful atom chips coming out in the next 6 months or so. Delighted with the tablet so far.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-ViVoTab-ME400c-10-1-inch-Tablet/dp/B00BEFEMS6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370451198&sr=8-1&keywords=vivo+tab


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  • #22
    shamrock55
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,210 ✭✭✭shamrock55


    Op go with the samsung galaxy 2 10.1 i have one and its deadly


  • #23
    Oral Slang
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,519 ✭✭✭Oral Slang


    Jumping in on this as it's my other halfs 40th next month & among other things, I want to get him a tablet.

    He has the Samsung Galaxy 10" Tablet as a wish on Amazon £234.99, but my brother was saying the Nexus 7" is great too and good value in Currys at the minute - €249. The Nexus is a 32gb, whereas the Galaxy is only 16gb, so obviously double the storage, but a smaller sized tablet. He has a samsung galaxy 3 already, so just wondering if a 7" is too similar in size to his phone? They seem small enough compared to the 10".

    I don't want to spend masses of money, as I want to get him other bits for his birthday.


  • #24
    claiva
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 767 ✭✭✭claiva


    molly09 wrote: »
    I am looking into getting a tablet also at the moment and to be honest it's a minefield
    Can a keyboard be attached to all tablets
    Also what would u recommend to get for downloading movies and for doing some office work?
    All advice really appreciated: -)

    Yes, keyboards can be attached to all devices.
    I would recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 inch model.
    Amazon have them for €288.


  • #25
    melekalikimaka
    Moderators, Education Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 10,686 Mod ✭✭✭✭melekalikimaka


    nexus 10 if you want big screen, 7 if want mobility


    rest pretty much are playing catch up on the market


  • #26
    Meesared
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,234 ✭✭✭Meesared


    Chazz Michael Michaels wrote: »
    By the sounds of it, you would like the Microsoft Surface Pro (around €600 ish), but that isn't out here yet. But be warned that while the Surface comes with MS Office and a keyboard (well, keyboard for €100 extra), the Surface has a very limited collection of apps.

    Surface Pro came out here last week, and its €899
    I think you are thinking of the Surface RT which has been out ages


  • #27
    BabyMonkeyy
    Registered Users Posts: 57 ✭✭BabyMonkeyy


    kaisersose77 wrote: »
    I have an ipad2 and a nexus7 both of which i plan to sell now as I got the following windows 8 tablet last week (was 310 sterling) and dont think i'll ever go back to use apple or android tablets. Both have advantages and disadvantages but to be able to install what you want and stream what you want makes this the ideal tablet for me. This has the full version of windows not windows rt and allows you to do proper multitasking (e.g. browse the web while watching a video). The specs arent amazing on this particular tablet but there are much more powerful atom chips coming out in the next 6 months or so. Delighted with the tablet so far.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-ViVoTab-ME400c-10-1-inch-Tablet/dp/B00BEFEMS6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370451198&sr=8-1&keywords=vivo+tab

    With the Windows tablets and phones they don't need higher specs to run well unlike android and ios.


  • #28
    Owryan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,024 ✭✭✭Owryan


    Apologies if this is a stupid question but here goes,

    I want to get an ereader but would a tablet be just as good the bit more functionality is appealing to me .


  • #29
    Meesared
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,234 ✭✭✭Meesared


    kaisersose77 wrote: »
    I have an ipad2 and a nexus7 both of which i plan to sell now as I got the following windows 8 tablet last week (was 310 sterling) and dont think i'll ever go back to use apple or android tablets. Both have advantages and disadvantages but to be able to install what you want and stream what you want makes this the ideal tablet for me. This has the full version of windows not windows rt and allows you to do proper multitasking (e.g. browse the web while watching a video). The specs arent amazing on this particular tablet but there are much more powerful atom chips coming out in the next 6 months or so. Delighted with the tablet so far.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-ViVoTab-ME400c-10-1-inch-Tablet/dp/B00BEFEMS6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370451198&sr=8-1&keywords=vivo+tab
    Dunno what you mean but I spent time last night on messaging people on Skype while watching Youtube videos on my Surface RT, so you can multitask perfectly well on Windows RT


  • #30
    Chazz Michael Michaels
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,822 ✭✭✭Chazz Michael Michaels


    Owryan wrote: »
    Apologies if this is a stupid question but here goes,

    I want to get an ereader but would a tablet be just as good the bit more functionality is appealing to me .

    Reading is less comfortable on tablets than ereader. Different technology for screen displays.


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  • #31
    Owryan
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,024 ✭✭✭Owryan


    Chazz Michael Michaels wrote: »
    Reading is less comfortable on tablets than ereader. Different technology for screen displays.

    Thanks a mill, thats just what I was wondering .


  • #32
    kaisersose77
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,711 ✭✭✭kaisersose77


    Meesared wrote: »
    Dunno what you mean but I spent time last night on messaging people on Skype while watching Youtube videos on my Surface RT, so you can multitask perfectly well on Windows RT

    Didnt mean that windows rt cant multitask (havent even used one). I was just saying that it has the full version of windows unlike the RT, and allows you to do multitasking which isnt something you can do on all tablets.


  • #33
    Meesared
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,234 ✭✭✭Meesared


    kaisersose77 wrote: »
    Didnt mean that windows rt cant multitask (havent even used one). I was just saying that it has the full version of windows unlike the RT, and allows you to do multitasking which isnt something you can do on all tablets.
    Ah ok, fair enough! Wasn't clear from your post. :)


  • #34
    hybie
    Registered Users Posts: 104 ✭✭hybie


    Hi Guys,

    After reading all these comments, I'll either go for Nexus 7 or Galaxy 2 10.1....I had been thinking the ipad but it seems nearly nobody has mentioned it as the best one to get.

    One thing with the Nexus or Galaxy...what is Skype and Video Calls like? I bought a Samsung Ultrabook in December and it's terrible for video calls. In a long distance relationship so my other half will murder me if my Skype breaks down one more time. Thanks!


  • #35
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    hybie wrote: »
    Hi Guys,

    After reading all these comments, I'll either go for Nexus 7 or Galaxy 2 10.1....I had been thinking the ipad but it seems nearly nobody has mentioned it as the best one to get.

    One thing with the Nexus or Galaxy...what is Skype and Video Calls like? I bought a Samsung Ultrabook in December and it's terrible for video calls. In a long distance relationship so my other half will murder me if my Skype breaks down one more time. Thanks!

    The iPad should be fine if you won't be needing to add/remove content off it that often. The mandatory "Syncing" of Apple devices and restrictiveness makes them more inefficient for watching videos, manipulating files/folders, Flash etc. content but in most cases the tablet OSes is on a par (although you will hear arguments from both sides).
    I don't think your issue with Skype is to do with the ultrabook though, who is your internet provider? Tablets typically have poorer wifi range given the compactness of the devices, so no tablet would be an "improvement" if your connection is poor to begin with. Skype will probably perform the same on either Galaxy or the iPad, the Galaxy may have the edge with the camera as it's more recent hardware than the last iPad (I think?)

    Nick

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #36
    hybie
    Registered Users Posts: 104 ✭✭hybie


    Thanks Nick. It's UPC but in Europe, not in Ireland. I have the highest speed with it, and no problem with work laptop (Lenovo) on the network or with video calls. It's a Core i3 processor, and all different internet browsers are also extremely slow.

    I would be using the tablet to download, and add/remove content quite often so it looks like the ipad wouldn't be the option for me.


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  • #37
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    hybie wrote: »
    Thanks Nick. It's UPC but in Europe, not in Ireland. I have the highest speed with it, and no problem with work laptop (Lenovo) on the network or with video calls. It's a Core i3 processor, and all different internet browsers are also extremely slow.

    I would be using the tablet to download, and add/remove content quite often so it looks like the ipad wouldn't be the option for me.

    Hmm, that is odd. Are the drivers up to date on it? If it is as slow as that then there is clearly a fault with it as it is a new machine. Tablet wise it does sound like a Android or Windows Surface are your best bet, Android being the more open (* compared to Surface RT). Android and Surface devices usually have USB ports you can plug a USB key into/or have an adapter available

    Nick

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #38
    hybie
    Registered Users Posts: 104 ✭✭hybie


    Yeah all the drivers are up to date with it. IT shop weren't sure either why it was so slow.

    Think I'll go for the Galaxy Tab 2...can get it here for 292 euros (and a 40 euro voucher when you buy from Samsung for online purchases)...seems like a good deal.

    Can't seem to find the Nexus 10 anywhere so the only thing that I'd consider apart from Tab 2 would be the Galaxy Note (about 430 euros here).

    Read some reviews...Note is a good tablet, but is much more superior to the Tab for the extra 140 quid?


  • #39
    seva42413
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 32 ✭seva42413


    molly09 wrote: »
    I am looking into getting a tablet also at the moment and to be honest it's a minefield
    Can a keyboard be attached to all tablets
    Also what would u recommend to get for downloading movies and for doing some office work?
    All advice really appreciated: -)
    dell xps 10..you can attach a keyboard to it,and it runs windows 8.


  • #40
    hybie
    Registered Users Posts: 104 ✭✭hybie


    Went into my local place last night and Galaxy Tab 2 was sold out...sales assistant recommended to hold on till Tab 3. I know they announced in June 3rd, but any idea when the release date might be in Europe, and rough idea of price?


  • #41
    andrewdeerpark
    Registered Users Posts: 951 ✭✭✭andrewdeerpark


    I have the Surface RT about a week and absolutely love it. The touch interface is brilliant, Office 2013 is free including the brilliant Onenote. Outlook for the RT is on the way and will be out with Windows 8.1

    To get the best out of the RT you have to have a Microsoft account (hotmail, outlook.com, live.ie) sign in on that, trust the device and away you go all your contacts, emails, FB linkage and skydrive documents are all their perfectly.

    They are now giving away the type keyboards free which means when you attach the keyboard, pop up the kickstand you have a perfect laptop for students that just want a device for projects and note taking as well as the flexibility of a tablet. It prints directly without issue to my HP Officejet 6500A, most Android tablet devices have terrible or no print support.

    It also has a full size USB 2.0 slot so you can pop in a memory stick and read files from it directly. You can also get adapters for hooking up to a VGA and HDMI so it will function as a perfect presentation laptop with native power-point support. Storage is also expandable by 64GB using micro SD.

    The apps are not near as complete as the iPad however as a productivity tool the Surface RT (Windows 8 Tablets in general) beat the iPad.

    It really is a brilliant device. I cannot compare against the Asus Atom mentioned earlier which looks really good as well.

    I would say to anyone buying a tablet be wary of Android and in particular the low end devices they just do not have the polish of Apple's iPad and Windows 8 devices, go to the store and test.


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  • #42
    sasta le
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,586 ✭✭✭sasta le


    Samsung tab 2 or the Nexus 7
    Is HMDI a big thing not to have in the Nexus 7


  • #43
    Fiskar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,599 ✭✭✭Fiskar


    Moving away from tablet format to the Yoga 11s. Laptop and tablet in a nice format. Was toying with an IPAD mini but reckon this 11s will cover all needs without compromise. 11S will fold in to a variety of formats suitable for all locations.

    Going to wait for Nexsus 7 v2 before pulling the trigger on the 11s


  • #44
    andrewdeerpark
    Registered Users Posts: 951 ✭✭✭andrewdeerpark


    Yoga 11s is nice, I am a slow convert to the Android tablets as I have seen so many bad dead end ones. Currently the choice as I see it is between the iPad or the Surface RT. You pay a bit more for both but its worth it. Surface RT student deal is a steal.


  • #45
    Interceptor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,180 ✭✭✭Interceptor


    Anyone bought a Sony Xperia Z yet? I think I want one to bolster my current mid-life crisis...

    'c


  • #46
    yosser hughes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭yosser hughes


    andrewdeerpark wrote: »
    Yoga 11s is nice, I am a slow convert to the Android tablets as I have seen so many bad dead end ones. Currently the choice as I see it is between the iPad or the Surface RT. You pay a bit more for both but its worth it. Surface RT student deal is a steal.

    What student deal? Most colleges don't appear to be running with it at all.There's a thread about it here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056975734

    maybe you know different/ If you do,let us know.

    By the way OP, the Surface is what I'd get if I were you.


  • #47
    andrewdeerpark
    Registered Users Posts: 951 ✭✭✭andrewdeerpark


    yosser hughes wrote: »
    By the way OP, the Surface is what I'd get if I were you.

    Especially since Windows 8.1 now supports offline skydrive file access and full Outlook 2013 is bundled.


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