Best tablet or ipod (for me).

Bradfield · 24 March 2012 at 3:16PM

Hi again folks,

Friend of mine recently got an Apple ipod Touch. I have only had desktop computer's and a small laptop previously so I had no idea what this new technology was about. Suffice to say that I am very impressed with it and am planning to get an ipod or tablet, myself.

It is all very confusing (to me). I have seen ipods and ipads. and tablets, on offer in Maplins and also was given a leaflet in WH Smith's about a tablet they have on offer for e-book reading. (Cant remember the name).

Problem is, trying to understand the difference between the different tablets on offer and trying to work out which one would be best for my needs.

Basically; these would be my requirements:

1. I would want it to surf the internet.
2. I would want to read e-books.
3. I would want to play some basic games like scrabble and hearts.
4. It would be good to have some kind of sat-nav app for finding routes in strange cities or towns, when on holiday.
5. I do not particularly need phone facilities as my mobile phone is quite sufficient for my needs.
6. I would need a larger screen display than the Apple ipod Touch.

I would be grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction

Thanks for your time.

Lifeforms · 24 March 2012 at 3:52PM

Bradfield wrote: »

Problem is, trying to understand the difference between the different tablets on offer and trying to work out which one would be best for my needs.

Basically; these would be my requirements:

1. I would want it to surf the internet.
Don't get an E-book reader then
2. I would want to read e-books.
Ebook reader is best for reading, better for the eyes, but tablets can read ebooks too.
3. I would want to play some basic games like scrabble and hearts.
Any tablet should do that
4. It would be good to have some kind of sat-nav app for finding routes in strange cities or towns, when on holiday.
GPS is needed then
5. I do not particularly need phone facilities as my mobile phone is quite sufficient for my needs.
Do you have a phone capable of tethering? (producing a wifi hotspot) If not, do you want your table to use internet at any time out and about? (3g may be an option to think about in that case, where free wifi isn't available)
6. I would need a larger screen display than the Apple ipod Touch.
Tablets come in various screen sizes

See the red in quoted section above for individual responses ^

Basically Ipad is a giant version of iTouch, with a few extra bits on it.
There are many makes/models of Tablets out there that would cover the need. It's going to be down to preference, what you prefer. If you're happy with an iPad, go get one, will do what you want, and more. If you want something a bit cheaper, go for something like an motorola xoom, or maybe a samsung. The question on whether to go for "new" ipad or ipad 2.... I wouldn't say it's worth it, so little extra on the new one. refurb 2's can be had reasonably cheap £50-100 off the price of an ipad 3

Please, avoid cheapy lookalikes on amazon, ebay, and shipped from china.
Take yourself into PC world, Currys, Comet etc and play with their tablets, take a note of ones you like, and find a better deal, or suggestions for alternatives online.

*The 3g will be an important decision for you. You are never guaranteed to get a free wifi/wifi spot everywhere you are, so if you are absolutely sure that your phone cant tether, or don't want to tether, then if you want internet access everywhere, you need 3g, which costs more as a model, but also monthly fees too.

Dreamnine · 24 March 2012 at 4:17PM

I'm one of those who just doesn't like e-ink and prefer reading on my iPod Touch and tablet.

Blackberry Playbook at £169 for the 16GB is the best value imo.. I have one and it's very well supported by RIM and a dedicated forum at Crackberry.com.

Dreamnine · 24 March 2012 at 4:28PM

Here's an HD video of a swan I took using my PB. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ9FhoJ0hc4

N.B. I didn't get the PB for it's cameras - more for browsing the net, watching movies and reading books - but it does have excellent cameras and the loudest stereo speakers I've ever heard on a tablet.

poppy10_2 · 24 March 2012 at 4:29PM

Dreamnine wrote: »

I'm one of those who just doesn't like e-ink and prefer reading on my iPod Touch and tablet.

Have you ever actually read on an e-ink display?

Dreamnine · 24 March 2012 at 4:32PM

poppy10 wrote: »

Have you ever actually read on an e-ink display?

Yes - and there is no way I'd go back to it. Many of my epubs have colour photos, diagrams etc.

I found e-ink to be a strain on my eyes unless I had a good light behind me.. I think dedicated ereaders are becoming dead in the water.

Lifeforms · 24 March 2012 at 4:50PM

I am used to reading large amounts on a tablet, but I've also used my fathers kindle briefly, and I do find those better for plain reading. But if your media range is spread over things like comics, diagram textbooks, illustrated, like mine, the tablet has been the best for me. My dad did try and use a picture book on his kindle and struggled with it.

To the OP: I guess it boils down to how much do you want to pay? Do you want an upto date model, with full accessibilities regarding apps, and markets? Or are you happy with lower spec, cheaper model that is limited in some aspects?

Bradfield · 24 March 2012 at 4:55PM

Lifeforms wrote: »

See the red in quoted section above for individual responses ^

Basically Ipad is a giant version of iTouch, with a few extra bits on it.
There are many makes/models of Tablets out there that would cover the need. It's going to be down to preference, what you prefer. If you're happy with an iPad, go get one, will do what you want, and more. If you want something a bit cheaper, go for something like an motorola xoom, or maybe a samsung. The question on whether to go for "new" ipad or ipad 2.... I wouldn't say it's worth it, so little extra on the new one. refurb 2's can be had reasonably cheap £50-100 off the price of an ipad 3

Please, avoid cheapy lookalikes on amazon, ebay, and shipped from china.
Take yourself into PC world, Currys, Comet etc and play with their tablets, take a note of ones you like, and find a better deal, or suggestions for alternatives online.

*The 3g will be an important decision for you. You are never guaranteed to get a free wifi/wifi spot everywhere you are, so if you are absolutely sure that your phone cant tether, or don't want to tether, then if you want internet access everywhere, you need 3g, which costs more as a model, but also monthly fees too.

LF Many thanks for the detailed info.

With regard to sat-nav. It is not an essential requirement. It would suffice to be able to download some town centre maps when away on holiday.

No; I do not have a phone capable of tethering. It is not essential to have internet access everywhere. I could always use places like Wetherspoons to connect when away from home. But it would be interesting to check out the 3g options, and I will do.

Great idea to check out the tablets in places like Comet and PC world. They are both local to me.

Lots there to think about. Thanks.

Just to add in reply to your last post. I would be happy to pay a decent price (but not silly money) as I have now decided not to upgrade my desktop PC. I would prefer a good spec rather than choosing an inferior model and then regretting it later.

Lifeforms · 24 March 2012 at 5:17PM

It's very difficult to say go for this Tablet, or go for a 2nd gen iPad/3rd Gen, because ... This is where we all change. Most of us prefer one or another for our own reasons, but if you pop into one of the local technology stores and can have a play around, decide exactly what you need/want/desire then you can be advised further.

The only thing I will say about Store tablets, most of them will have bloatware, software, apps that aren't needed/slows it down a bit. Because obviously people have used them, and also downloaded on them too (if able) so don't be overly worried if things seem a bit laggy in use. You can always search on this later, and find out if that really is the case.

When I got my wifi xoom, people who tested it in the shops prior to it turning up (on a special hot deal thing) were saying it was quite laggy. Now I've installed Ice Cream Sarnie on it, latest android version, it is really quite smooth. Even before with the uk versions of old android it was decent as well. Personally I want full accessibility to the marketplace (now called Google Play) and that was a big choice in my decision, which is why I recommend going for what I'd consider to be a proper tablet. Built by someone I know of, with traceability, and come backs if/when it breaks/stops working.

There are the cheap tablets that people see (including one that looks like a fat iPad) as being very cheap, and frankly you get what you pay for. Search Tablets on this section, and some of these, and other cheap models come up with a lot of issues, and disappointments. Money saving is great! But so is having a product worth using on a daily basis, and not feeling sad because it doesn't cut it.

patman99 · 24 March 2012 at 11:41PM

If you buy an iPad 3, just be aware that the cpu reaches over 50 deg. C when running cpu-intensive software so the outer casing can reach 48 deg. Place it in a protective case and the extra insulation can stop the heat dissipating and, if used at full-tilt for a long time, will lead to premature hardware failure due to the cpu operating at or just below maximum temp.