Forum Home
PC World Chat
Thread ID: 122664	2012-01-05 20:37:00	Advice about purchasing ipad or tablet	Sanco (683)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1252430	2012-01-05 22:37:00	I've played with both model iPads, the Acer Iconia A500, Galaxy Tab (Just two weeks ago now), Motorola Xoom, Lenovo Thinkpad, and owned about 6 different Netbooks myself. Taken all the tablets home for at least 48 hours and given them a real good "run through". Definitely prefer the Asus Transformer, hands down! Go into a store and have a play with one. The 16 hour battery life with the dock is not something to be easily dismissed, and I regularly attain close to it! Then, add in the Gorilla Glass (Or equivalent strengthened glass) and you have a real winner with the Transformer :D All todays Tablets / Netbooks / Laptops come with Wifi. 3G usually costs extra.	Chilling_Silence (9)
1252431	2012-01-05 23:24:00	Maybe I should consider a laptop after all for her? But can they do all the 3G and wireless too like a tablet then? (what a noob question I know:o ) My understanding is a tablet can take a sim card and you're away with 3G -- am I wrong? It depends on the tablet or the iPad, some have 3G, some not. For example the cheapest iPad is 16GB I think but that is Wifi only. If you pay a bit more you get the 16GB version that has Wifi and 3G. The Asus transformer I think is Wifi only. OTOH, not sure if you can stick a 3G USB stick though ..... A few laptops and a few Netbooks have a simcard holder as well. So it is 3G. You don't need to buy a 3G stick. But you have to purposely look for them..... For me a Pad is good for travelling. Online usage, banking, booking hotels and flights. General word processing is probably fine. But if it is work related or if you have a interest in writing maybe not. As a touch typist, the Pad don't really work for me from what I have tried, nor from the few Netbooks I tried. The min I can use is a Ultraportable laptop those 12" screen laptops that tends to be a bit more expensive - sold to corporates. Ie., Thinkpad X series and Macbook Air to name just two. If I really need the portability and the work is not impt, I guess I just put up with a Pad and hunt and peck. RE: a tablet laptop. I have a older Thinkpad X series. That's not a Pad. Man it is sig bulky. It is larger and heavier than a normal X series that is not a tablet. But at 1.8kg it's not exactly a 0.70kg Pad, maybe 1.6kg with the smaller battery :lol: plus it can get a bit hot with the CPU vents. If you really want portability - it's just a tradeoff and strip it right down. It might be ok if supplied by work and you use it for your normal work stuff and use the tablet features in a meeting.	Nomad (952)
1252432	2012-01-05 23:32:00	Hehe, a desktop would be rather cumbersome to cart around...:o I guess when I wrote word processing I didn't mean to imply working hard out on a project etc., and I can see how that could mislead the reader - apologies on that. For word processing I mean writing some diary entries (for our kids stuff) and as per different software to do so; yes, we use open office at home and are happy with that :) However I want to thank you all for your valuable input so far, it IS really helpful. Maybe I should consider a laptop after all for her? But can they do all the 3G and wireless too like a tablet then? (what a noob question I know:o ) My understanding is a tablet can take a sim card and you're away with 3G -- am I wrong? So far, and from your answers, is either an iPad or a laptop... keep them coming :thumbs: Laptops can do anything a tablet can do (except touch screen of course), you can get wireless on them anywhere (but you generally need to get a Vodem or similar) or just use them at a wireless hotspot (Starbucks, Maccas etc). You need a wireless router or similar to use any wireless device at home, but wireless in tablets and laptops have wireless receivers built into them these days. I don't believe iPads have a USB port on them, that would be a show stopper for me (not to mention the horrible iTunes). However the teaching fraternity is brainwashed these days into thinking Apple is best (believe me I know this from repeated ear bashing) so I think for you it is an Ipad or an Apple laptop.	Twelvevolts (5457)
1252433	2012-01-05 23:35:00	Hehe, a desktop would be rather cumbersome to cart around...:o Dont bet on it....it can be done 3491	Gobe1 (6290)
1252434	2012-01-05 23:38:00	But it would need a fairly long extension cord....	johcar (6283)
1252435	2012-01-05 23:38:00	However the teaching fraternity is brainwashed these days into thinking Apple is best (believe me I know this from repeated ear bashing) so I think for you it is an Ipad or an Apple laptop. After working the education sector for some time, I can wholeheartedly state that there is definitely not brainwashing going on. It happens that the Ministry of Education gets a deal from Apple or whoever via various contracts to supply x number of computers. Although I am an Apple fanboy, I preach the idea of the "right tool for the job". There are going to be instances where an iPad won't cut the mustard, but I would say that is an issue of the form factor rather than the software in most cases. There's a limit to the number of ways you can use a tablet to operate physics experiments, for instance. A laptop would work better there. We also have to remember that it is for that reason that the iPad (and other tablets following) are designed the way they are. They're designed as a secondary device, for consumption rather than creation. The creation should be left to the notebook/desktop form factors. Just as you wouldn't attempt to read (squinting at) an entire novel on your smartphone.	darkie (16661)
1252436	2012-01-06 00:38:00	I got a Sony Tablet S at Christmas ($640 at Noel Leeming Boxing Day sale) because the Sony has a good boat-anchor application. (In the olden days when we bought a piece of equipment and it turned out to be absolute junk, we said it could always be used as a boat anchor) In the case of the Sony Tablet S, it can always be used as a learning remote, and it does quite a good job. It is nice to control different bits of equipment on the same screen (eg change the amplifier volume, go up/down on the Sky channels), label the remote's buttons how you like, use swipe to send any 4 codes whether related to the current device or not, make big pads on the screen so you don't have to hit accurately, and so on. I also like the Tune-in radio app and the ability to surf the net for programme listings, or whatever, while slouching on the couch. But I agree with KarameaDave that if you want wordprocessing you want something that runs Windows and has Word. Possibly a netbook with bluetooth keyboard and mouse	BBCmicro (15761)
1252437	2012-01-06 01:04:00	Ok, excellent . :thumbs: All your input has helped me clear some air around the needs vs the wants . It definitely won't be an iPad because my wife would get very little use from it due to the garageband software that can be purchased for it, but also due to some ethical decisions I have made after reading a bit of the apple stance on taking the competition to court . So, it will either be a laptop or an Asus thingymagig . But my wife and I will need to have the opportunity to have a kinestetic experience with the product before purchase and the local harvey norman does not stock the Asus, and would not order one in unless we commit to purchasing it . I'll try noel leeming and/or dick smith . Thank you all for the awesome advice . I wish you all the best of health and happiness for 2012!;)	Sanco (683)
1252438	2012-01-06 01:11:00	I'm not sure where "Free Republic of Banana" is, but perhaps try your local PBTech store, they've always got them on display. Word of advice, don't get the "Asus Slider", it's nowhere near as nice in my limited experience with it ;)	Chilling_Silence (9)
1252439	2012-01-06 01:14:00	It it were me, I'd buy my wife whatever she wanted. I'd recommend an android tablet but at the end of the day if it's for her then my preference is of zero importance.	Metla (12)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14