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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
1252420	2012-01-05 20:37:00	Hi all, Wife has been asking for a laptop for years now, mainly for its portability. I guess time has come for me to help her with this purchase, and being her first piece of "own" technology I'd like it to be as compatible with her as possible. Laptops are a thing of the past I hear (never had one or the need for one, so do not know) and having had sporadic use of them at work I have never really fallen in love with the cramped feel they afforded my chunky digits over a full-blown keyboard. So off we go to look at the new tablet technology. My wife would prefer an iPad but only because that is all she ever heard of at school where she works. I like the idea, also because being a bit of a muso I like the garage band software that can be used with it. However the price tag is concerning -- but is it worth it over the tablets out there? So, is it iPad in your view or a tablet can do just as good performance wise? And if it is a tablet, then which would you recommend? My wife will use this mainly for browsing the net, email, facebook, skype, word processing and reading books. Thank you all in advance for any advice you could offer. Regards Roberto	Sanco (683)
1252421	2012-01-05 20:51:00	All these cannot use the standard software like MS Office or print that easily . They have other work arounds like 3rd party software and email printing thru the use of attachments - limited file types . So keep that in mind . I think generally, just get her to try them out and see which one she is most comfortable with . You may want to consider 3G version as you can use it more on with travel etc . . . it will be able to use WIFI as well at your own discretion . Edit . From what I seen, I stand to be corrected, but thru advertising, the iPad doesn't seem that much more expensive . There may be a few more cheaper ones though . However they may not have 3G func . And I guess one could debate with the features off the iPad as well . But I think, generally speaking for a consumer, if all you gonna consider is WIFI and 3G, to most other tablets out there, not much price diff . Sure some may have diff features, but most people probably won't be bothered by that .	Nomad (952)
1252422	2012-01-05 21:00:00	All the uses you mention would be fine on a tablet, except word processing. Touchscreens are good but they are not real keyboards and if she does this much it'll get tedious. Galaxy Tab, Asus Transformer (has a keyboard), Ipad, or any reasonable laptop would all be fine, really comes down to which you like the look of. Tablets are a bit slow when a real typist gets on a keyboard by the way, they lag a bit and struggle to keep up. Most professional reviews call Tablets great media consumption devices but call them toys when it comes to actual productive use as compared to a laptop.	dugimodo (138)
1252423	2012-01-05 21:08:00	My wife has an iPad and finds it great for email Skype and general browsing the web. I would not recommend it for word processing unless it is used with an accessory keyboard which would at to the cost. The thing just works and has required little input from me to get it going. She is definitely not an early adopter:). I would also recommend looking at an Asus Transformer and a Galaxy Tab before you decide.	CliveM (6007)
1252424	2012-01-05 21:24:00	I would recommend an iPad to someone who isn't technically minded or great on a computer as they are easy to use. For someone who is pretty good on a computer (can solve most of their own problems). Their are some other nice tablets too like the Asus transformer. Which I haven't used personally but I would expect it to be of a similar quality to other Asus tablets (which I have used). What kind of word processing software can you get on android? I know that Apple released their equivalent of ms office on the iPad.	icow (15313)
1252425	2012-01-05 21:39:00	Word processing? Laptop or Desktop.	KarameaDave (15222)
1252426	2012-01-05 21:47:00	Went through the laptop versus tablet decision recently as I had enough hotpoints to get one or the other. Talked to people who had them, researced the different types of tablets (preferred the Sony for my purposes) and went out and bought an Acer laptop. Most people I spoke to used the tablet when they first got it and then it dropped off to about once a week (with the exception of people who used it as a book reader). I concluded tablets were more of a toy and I'd get more out of a laptop. Never owned a laptop until six weeks ago (I do have a work one but it is pretty locked down) so pleased with my choice. I feel the tablets will come along quite a bit this year and as a home entertainment device the next Sony one might be worth a look. However as far as tablets go - I'd say work out what you will use it for then take a look at what tablet comes closest to meeting those requirements. There is a difference between what they do, but the Apple, Sony, Samsung and Acer ones look to be the best. I'd have likely got the Sony or Samsung because of what I wanted one for.	Twelvevolts (5457)
1252427	2012-01-05 22:05:00	Being a teacher (my assumption from your post), your good wife has possibly been brainwashed by the Cult of Apple prevalent in most NZ schools. There are many alternatives out there - "browsing the net, email, facebook, skype, word processing and reading books" can be achieved on an iPad, as it can on the Asus Pad Transformer (www.asus.com) (I have a TF101, the 32GB version), a Samsung Galaxy Tab (3 different sizes), Motorola Xoom or an Acer Iconia. Or even a Sony Tablet S, which has an interesting shape. The Asus machine has the additional benefit of a purpose-designed (as opposed to 'after-market' designed) detachable keyboard, and, running Android v3.2 (soon to be upgraded to 4.0) has access to a plethora of inexpensive applications - some good, some fairly average, but there are a number of word-processing applications available. I don't know that there is an equivalent of Garageband software for Android - but then this is a machine for your wife, not you, isn't it? :) The Transformer also runs on a dual core nVidia Tegra 2.1 GHz CPU, which means that watching HD movies on the machine is a pleasant experience. It also has around 16 hours of battery life when paired with the keyboard!! I use my Transformer for email, Skype, ebooks, web browsing, Google+, movies, composing short documents, TV guide (Teevoid app), weather, games - so, mostly consumption and only a little creation... One disadvantage of the Asus is that it is WiFi only, so if you intend to travel with it, you will need access to an alternative WiFi service or a phone that can provide a WiFi hotspot. Have a hands-on play with a few variants in-store and see which one she feels more comfortable with - but spend more than just a couple of minutes on the non-Apple machines. You'll be pleasantly surprised...	johcar (6283)
1252428	2012-01-05 22:23:00	Today, 10:39 AMKarameaDave Re: Advice about purchasing ipad or tablet Word processing? Laptop or Desktop . 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:	Sanco (683)
1252429	2012-01-05 22:35:00	Being a teacher (my assumption from your post), your good wife has possibly been brainwashed by the Cult of Apple prevalent in most NZ schools . There are many alternatives out there - "browsing the net, email, facebook, skype, word processing and reading books" can be achieved on an iPad, as it can on the Asus Pad Transformer ( . asus . com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Transformer_TF101/#specifications" target="_blank">www . asus . com) (I have a TF101, the 32GB version), a Samsung Galaxy Tab (3 different sizes), Motorola Xoom or an Acer Iconia . Or even a Sony Tablet S, which has an interesting shape . The Asus machine has the additional benefit of a purpose-designed (as opposed to 'after-market' designed) detachable keyboard, and, running Android v3 . 2 (soon to be upgraded to 4 . 0) has access to a plethora of inexpensive applications - some good, some fairly average, but there are a number of word-processing applications available . I don't know that there is an equivalent of Garageband software for Android - but then this is a machine for your wife, not you, isn't it? :) The Transformer also runs on a dual core nVidia Tegra 2 . 1 GHz CPU, which means that watching HD movies on the machine is a pleasant experience . It also has around 16 hours of battery life when paired with the keyboard!! I use my Transformer for email, Skype, ebooks, web browsing, Google+, movies, composing short documents, TV guide (Teevoid app), weather, games - so, mostly consumption and only a little creation . . . One disadvantage of the Asus is that it is WiFi only, so if you intend to travel with it, you will need access to an alternative WiFi service or a phone that can provide a WiFi hotspot . Have a hands-on play with a few variants in-store and see which one she feels more comfortable with - but spend more than just a couple of minutes on the non-Apple machines . You'll be pleasantly surprised . . . Awesome advice here . Taken on board and will scope the Asus as well as an hybrid alternative . Thank you	Sanco (683)
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