Looking to get a tablet for Christmas for somebody but I am open to any and all suggestions. I know iPad gets the hype because of the name among other things but I also know there are some other worthy competitors out there. The tablet won't be for me and it will be used a lot of time taking notes and submitting those notes online (social work). I'm sure it will be used for Internet, movies, music and other activities. My question is, what would you recommend? What tablets have you had experience with? Any tips, hints suggestions or otherwise?
I have an iPad 2 and a HP touchpad. The iPad 2 is a lot better IMHO, but if you can find a touchpad for $100-$175, go for it No experience with any other tablet
Are you sure it's for "taking notes"? Why not "Recording what the professor says"? If it's for reading PDFs and books, and such, and to save money: the Amazon Kindle. If it's for viewing your email, the web, downloading apps, viewing things in color: the iPad.
I really enjoy my rooted nook color. Lightweight, great display, and expandable memory. The 10" tablets seem too unwieldy (for one handed use) if you were to use it as a reader. My only complaint is a lack of a slim useful case like the ipads smart cover. That's why I would suggest waiting for the kindle fire. Undoubtedly it will be user friendly with so much Amazon and Google stuff integrated. And with Amazon support there's bound to be lots of accessories.
As much as I love my iPad and wouldn't be without it, if Flash is important to your friend, go with something else. I also have a Samsung Galaxy that I received as part of a Best Buy TV bundle. I think I would like it more if I didn't already have an iPad.
I love my Galaxy 10.1, and my friend actually prefers it to her iPad, but I'd get a netbook for your purposes, particularly note-taking.
I would be disappointed if somebody bought me any tablet other than the iPad. Half of the gimmick is that it's an iPad. Not everybody needs or wants a tablet, but everybody would love an iPad
Some people actually get some use out of their tablets. It's no gimmick, and this is the worst defense of the ipad I've read.
I have an HP TouchPad, having lucked out and purchased it for $99 during the firesale. Previously I questioned the value of tablets, especially if you have a smartphone with a decent screen (btw, I have a HTC Thunderbolt). There are neat things about tablets, but for the most part I use it as a couch computer... email, browser. Stuff I would/could use the T-Bolt for, or my laptop. There are a few fun games, and I have a few apps that make the TouchPad more useful (Splashtop Remote Desktop which enables me to virtually run my laptop's programs from the tablet; HBO Go running in the browser to watch movies). Between the iPad, any Android tablet, and the TouchPad... way more apps on the others. But the TP works fine as a couch computer. If I was really that serious though, I would still skip the tablet and put the money into a really small/light laptop. Something like the new Asus or even the MacBook Air. Just as light, almost as small, but the keyboard and greater functionality would warrant the added cost.
For people recommending netbook/laptop, the person I am buying this for currently has a netbook and uses her iPhone for typing her notes on. The netbook rarely gets used. I am thinking the tablet would be better than the phone.
You're better off getting her an iPad since she already know how to use it and it will sync with her stuff if price isn't a problem.
Totally agreed. Netbook/laptop are still a superior for note taking. Typing on a tablet is pretty terrible if you do a lot of taking notes.
If she already has an iPhone get her an iPad. Shared apps across devices, cloud syncing across devices for music, calendars, reminders, documents and photos. She could take notes on the iPad and review them later on her iPhone effortlessly. Apple offers ease of use and a complete solution. If she has to have flash (and no one really does) is the only reason I wouldn't go with an iPad. Read the HP tablet owners thread here and see if she wants any of those headaches.
Thought I'd quote this since you catch hell for trolling apple threads and this is good advice. Rep+1
