Tablet noob..which is best?

[SanDiegoMan]

I want input on tablets. I want one to replace my netbook (yeah with a keyboard and everything.) One thing I'm finding annoying is it seems like all the tablets that are top rated have 7" screens. I'm thinking I'd like one with maybe a 8 or 10" display. Cost is a factor too, I kind of prefer droid over apple because I feel like they go out of their way to make everything proprietary. I've been looking at ASUS tablets quite a bit. What do you guys think are best?

[Iknownot]

What do you want the tablet for?

I was a pretty big fan of traditional tablets up until recently (I've used a variety between iPad and droid as an alternative to turning on my main PC) when I purchase an Asus t100 transformer (which is a win 8 tablet that doubles as a traditional netbook).

I much prefer having the Win 8.1 OS because I think it's more versatile for what I need it for. You can leave it in RT UI mode if you want the ease of a tablet or if you really need to run some full win programs, you can switch to the win desktop and you can do that as well (no intensive Win8 programs like photoshop but programs like office run great).

So for me, something like the Asus t100 is the best of both worlds and at a price point that cheaper than the typical ipad. The Asus t100, that comes with a very usable keyboard cover and office 2013 sells for $350-400. It turns on in a couple of seconds, apps and programs start up on it quickly, you can flip between multiple apps running, and if you need to do something with it other than basic internet, email or entertainment, you have that option. Plus with a microSD slot and a USB slot, you have a very easy way to transfer files or docs, especially if you already have a PC and are hooked into the windows file system.

The Asus T100 is great for me as I am taking it between work and home. I use it more often in win desktop at work and in RT mode for basic internet stuff at home. I get the best of both worlds between tablet and laptop.

The one caveat I would list is that the windows app-verse is very (VERY) limited compared to iOS or Droid apps, but the major apps are available, for the most part. If apps are important to you, look to iOS or Droid. (The flip side, obviously is you can run real windows programs).

So once again, it depends on what you want to do.

If you really want a "tablet" tablet, I'm still a fan of the iPad over a droid tablet for the simple fact that they work and they are plug and play simple and fool-proof. You never have to think about anything going on with them. (Of course, the flip side is you get less customizability). Still, I think the point of the tablet is that you turn it on and you do what you want to do on it immediately. For that, I'd rather go with the iPad, which is exactly what it delivers.

Anyway, my 2 cents. Frankly, at this point, everything is pretty much the same in terms of real world usability. It just depends on what you want to use the device for if you have specifics and how much you want to pay for certain features.

If you're really just going to be doing email, web browsing, and entertainment you could even get away with spending even less $ and going with an Amazon fire tablet. It really just depends on what you want to do.

[SanDiegoMan]

I want to put books on it, watch videos, and hook up a keyboard to it and type essays for class....I have a desktop but I want to be able to write in between classes and my Acer Aspire one netbook is really messed up (overheats and the battery no longer works.)

[SanDiegoMan]

Found a ASUS TF101 manafactuer refurb for 75.00. Maybe that would be a good choice?

[Victor Cachat]

My Brother got a Galaxy Tab and loves it.
Not the cheapest.
I got a Nook HD+ on sale and it does most of what I want.

[DNA]

The tf101 will work. You should be able to find a keyboard on eBay for $60ish... And hit up the XDA forums.... Root the bugger and get kitkat on it and it'll help speed it up.

Dan

[gorn5150]

Galaxy Tab's are nice. Woot.com has been selling refurb tablets for under $200. They are putting them up quite a bit. My daughter has one. It is a real nice tablet. I have a windows tablet and don't use it much because it is a pain in the butt.

[71MUSTY]

Alka Seltzer IMHO

[Iknownot]

I want to put books on it, watch videos, and hook up a keyboard to it and type essays for class....I have a desktop but I want to be able to write in between classes and my Acer Aspire one netbook is really messed up (overheats and the battery no longer works.)

I would recommend you look at the ASUS t100. It will have everything you want to do. It's selling for $400 right now on amazon but I've seen it as low as $365 recently. It comes with a keyboard cover, win office 2013, the Battery lasts all day, etc. The windows store has the kindle app to read books with if you like your books from amazon. Or you can use adobe reader if you do PDFs. Just research if Win more limited App-verse is something you can deal with in general. (You do get to run what ever win OS programs you might want to though).

You can not beat the versatility for the cost. And it sounds like you are used to netbooks, so you will be able to jump right in on using the key aboard when you want to.

[sl0re10]

I want input on tablets. I want one to replace my netbook (yeah with a keyboard and everything.) One thing I'm finding annoying is it seems like all the tablets that are top rated have 7" screens. I'm thinking I'd like one with maybe a 8 or 10" display. Cost is a factor too, I kind of prefer droid over apple because I feel like they go out of their way to make everything proprietary. I've been looking at ASUS tablets quite a bit. What do you guys think are best?

I've bought a lot of android tablets. A bunch before very good ones were low priced (and used various third party software updates to try to bring them up a tier or two software wise). All that said; the Samsung galaxy tabs are very good and not over priced.

I'd say great but when they've introduced non critical errors via updates they've taken their time to fix them.

[2DoorImpala]

Asus $215

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-VivoTab-TF600T-B1-Bundle-10-1-Keyboard/dp/B00F5OTD2M/ref=zg_bs_1232597011_17

[Bastard]

Nexus7 you "should" be able to hook up a bluetooth keyboard though I haven't tried it. if I remember correctly they have a 10" as well

IMHO the 7" tablet is the way to go, big enough to be usable yet small enough to be pocketable

[klewan]

http://www.frys.com/product/8033684?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

What is a $300+ tablet going to do, that this $100 won't? I know nothing about tablets, just curious about getting something small and light to take to the Wi-Fi spots.

[glock_this]

There is now only 1 choice... Samsung Galaxy Tab S - a beast of a tablet at a decent price.

[pitbull30]

Nexus7 you "should" be able to hook up a bluetooth keyboard though I haven't tried it. if I remember correctly they have a 10" as well

IMHO the 7" tablet is the way to go, big enough to be usable yet small enough to be pocketable

I have this one and a Ipad. The 7 inch screen is a tad small for me. I prefer the larger screen on the Ipad.

You can catch the nexus 7 and 10 on Groupon for 149-199 new.

Heres a quick search for keyword "tablet"

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-asus-101-32gb-transformer-pad-tablet-with-optional-keyboard-dock-2

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-google-32gb-nexus-7-7-tablet-with-4g-1

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-7-8-or-10-samsung-tab-3

At klewan//\\. I would spend the extra money for a name brand with more storage. 8gb sounds like a lot, but apps and uodates tend to fill it rather quick.