Advice on my first tablet?

[Geosurface]

Hey all,

I'm considering getting a tablet, have never had one before.

My brother uses iPads, and is lucky enough to have an early one that has a grandfathered in permanent data plan...

Do you normally just set up a data plan through a phone provider? I have an iPhone with AT&T... would the normal course of action be to set up another account through them or?

I honestly have no idea how that sort of thing works, how you set up a data plan for a tablet.

I mean I might use it around the house mostly anyway and just have it on the wireless network here...

I may not even end up getting one.

But, if I do... I'm not set on an iPad. I'd be open to a Windows OS one, or even a Kindle Fire possibly if the Kindle Fire is effectively like a tablet... I'm not that familiar with it's limitations as compared to iPads, etc.

Can anyone with a lot of knowledge about all these devices give me some advice? I'd really appreciate it. I currently have an old school Kindle, and wouldn't mind being able to load all of my same books onto the Kindle Fire... but then again I know you can get programs to read those on other types of devices too.

I'm really not knowledgeable about this at all, as you can tell. So just some basic advice would be great.

 

[lopri]

It works like this. Mobile data-ready tablets will come with an empty SIM slot, or SIM already installed in a SIM tray. When you turn on the tablet, the SIM will try to find a network to connect. The SIM will find the network, and latch onto it. Usually when you try to access the Internet, the device's browser will first take you to the SIM/network provider's page. Or you might see a notification that you need to buy a data plan before that. It's kind of similar to how a hotel Wi-Fi works with Room numbers.

That's how my 3G Nexus 7 worked. A few other unlocked phones/tablets behaved the same way when a SIM was inserted. (my personal experiences) If you are not set on iPad, take a look at... iPad mini. ^^ Performance isn't the best by today's standard, but Apple knows how to maximize their hardware. Price is kind of steep for a data-ready version, though. ($459, 16 GB)

If not, I would take a look at Galaxy Note 8.0 or Nexus 7/10. You get the most hardware for your money with Nexus 10, but I see the trend of tablet heading towards portability, i.e. 7~8". And Nexus 10 only works with Wi-Fi. Nexus 7 is still a benchmark for every other Android tablet, although it's getting long in the tooth. Still, it's one of the least expensive option ($300, 32 GB) that is capable of accessing mobile data by itself. The Galaxy Note 8.0 has everything, plus digitizer support, but it just came to the U.S. and I haven't seen it listed in reputable shop (and $$$?).

Edit: Sorry I meant Galaxy Note 8.0, not Galaxy Tab 8.0. (I don't think it exists.. XD) Galaxy Note 8.0 has a full voice call functionality as well. (But could have been gimped by the carriers)

Edit 2: There are full-blown reviews. I didn't know. -> http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-8.0-Review_id3268 or http://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-8.0-vs-Google-Nexus-7_id3272 (Still no idea how much it costs)

 

[Geosurface]

Thank you, lopri. You've given me some good info to search from.

So if I just intend to use it around the house, on my own wireless network, it could be viable without any data plan right?

 

[poofyhairguy]

So if I just intend to use it around the house, on my own wireless network, it could be viable without any data plan right?

You bet.

 

[Geosurface]

How about the Kindle Fire as compared to like a Nexus 7 or something? Is it significantly more limited in it's capabilities?

 

[lopri]

Check this pages. Look very comprehensive.

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Class/Tablet

And yes, the Kindle Fire is significantly limited compared to the Nexus 7. Consensus is that you only get it if you are into Amazon's multimedia/library services. Hardware-wise, it has a better speaker than the Nexus 7 and I think that's about it.

 

[lopri]

You may be able to find a used/refurbished Nexus 7 for ~$150. I think it is one way to go about it since it's going to be your first tablet. You don't want a heavy investment that you might regret in the future once you learn more about these animals.

 

[jhansman]

One piece of advice (OK, more than one, but anyhoo...) : Try to get a good idea of what you want to use it for before you spend your hard-earned. I was sure I wanted one, so I got a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1" Beautifully made, thin, fairly light, excellent display, micro SD card slot, etc. Had it for a week and realized I liked the idea of having one more than actually using one. Thought I'd use it instead of my phone and desktop PC, as a reading device and, errr, something else. Nope, never felt glad I got it or that it was a natural fit for my needs. Just packed it up to go back for a refund. Again, nothing wrong with the device (quite the opposite-Samsung makes great electronics, IMO); I just never found a good use for it. BTW, I purposely got the wi-fi model 'cause I knew I'd never take it out of the house, and it worked great on my network. I put a bunch of apps on it, hoping they would wow me with their functionality and usefulness, but alas. Just my $.02

BTW, the 6" basic Kindle refurb I got for $45 last year? Use it every day, and wouldn't be without it.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

For 10" I honestly think Nexus or iPad.

If you desperately need the SDcard, then maybe a Samsung tablet, but honestly AOSP Android >>>>>>> Any skin.

As for 7", iPad mini or Nexus 7. However I'd wait on the Nexus 7 as a reboot seems likely in June.

 

[bigrash]

How about the Kindle Fire as compared to like a Nexus 7 or something? Is it significantly more limited in it's capabilities?

I owned both (ended up selling the Kindle Fire) and prefer the Nexus 7. I don't like the app limitation on the Amazon market. Plus I like the full Android os better than Kindle's os.

 

[jhansman]

You don't want a heavy investment that you might regret in the future once you learn more about these animals.

A much more succinct version of what I was trying to say in my earlier post. Although I knew (and still know) that a 7" tablet would be, for me, nothing more than a hi-res reader, I was willing to roll the dice on a 10.1". Lesson learned.

 

[superccs]

I thought about getting a tablet with Data but just got a 32Gb Nexus 7 instead. I saved $140 and just tether to my mobile phone when I need data out side of Wifi.

It works like a charm and really saves you a ton upfront and month to month.

 

[Geosurface]

I was doing a bit of research, and apparently the Nexus 7 doesn't allow you to just easily plug a USB external hard drive into it without some minor level "hacking" of the device, or so it seems.

Can anyone recommend a tablet that provides this functionality right out of the gate? Ideally with a full sized USB port in it?

 

[s44]

Can anyone recommend a tablet that provides this functionality right out of the gate? Ideally with a full sized USB port in it?

Only at 10". 7" Nexus alternatives are either under-specced on the screen, not really Android w/o hacking (Nook, Kindle), or not out yet (Note 8.0).

 

[lopri]

Galaxy Tab 2.0 7 has native USB OTG function built-in, as well as micro-SD slot. But it uses a proprietary cable for charging, I've heard. I would avoid it at this point. It's a nice tablet, but definitely a generation behind despite similarity to the Nexus 7.


Edit: Oh, you won't find a full-sized a USB port on 7" tablets. As s44 said, it's usually on a bigger and fatter tablets. People generally do not like thick tablets.

Edit 2: I take it back on a "generation behind" on Tab 2.0 7." It has an 4G LTE version, to my surprise, and cheaper than the Nexus 7 HSPA+. It's still not something I'd get at this point, though.

 

[Rottie]

What is wrong with wifi enabled hard drive like Seagate Satellite you don't need USB based hard drive!

 

[scaramoosh]

I have a Surface Pro, they're amazing, the best Tablet by far as it'll actually replace your Laptop and function really well as a tablet thanx to the Metro UI.

Only problem is the price but if you think of it as an ultra book and not competition to an iPad then you'll get your moneys worth.

 

[Geosurface]

After looking at some tablets in person at Best Buy the other night, and giving it further contemplating, I've realized two of the most important things to me are:

1.) That it be able to access a large media library of various movie file formats over my wireless network and play those video files without a bunch of pickiness on it's part about the format.

2.) That I be able to directly hook a MyPassport 1tb WD drive into it and access files off of that, those drives use cables which are regular USB on one end, and I think "Micro USB" or "Mini USB" on the other? Something like that, so I could get a cable which was the micro type connector on BOTH ends instead of just one, if some tablets have that small USB connector... even better would be a tablet with a full sized USB port but I'm starting to realize that desire will really limit which models I can look at.

Any thoughts in light of these?

 

[gaidin43]

The surface will be your best bet if you want to be able to play every type is media and connect external HDD to it without any issue.

Android and iOS tablets will be able to play most formats and can even access it wirelessly in some cases but the ability to attach HDD to either is limited.

 

[s44]

The surface will be your best bet if you want to be able to play every type is media and connect external HDD to it without any issue.

Android and iOS tablets will be able to play most formats and can even access it wirelessly in some cases but the ability to attach HDD to either is limited.

Wrong.

 

[Geosurface]

Wrong.

Can you elaborate on that?

 

[Midwayman]

Can you elaborate on that?

Nexus 7 can support USB OTG so should be able to hook up to an external drive.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Can you elaborate on that?

I will.

First of all, an iPad CAN have a hard drive hooked up to it. My wife uses a 1.5TB HFS+ formatted HD almost every day with her jailbroken iPad 2 and XBMC. Sure has watched tens of hours of TV that way encoded many different ways. You have to mount the drive for it work (and connect it using the Camera Connection Kit), but that can be done via a simple toggle.

Secondly, some Android tablets are even easier. My non-rooted, stock Transformer Prime can easily hook up to an external HD via a USB adapter (much like the iPad) and can read NTFS drives by default (note this is not an Android default thing, just a feature of Asus Android tablets). Oh and on Android you can get really good players without jailbreaking or rooting.

So when you get down to it, the only difference with a Surface when it comes to external storage is that you have WAY less apps to actually use the data on those drives.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I'm not sure I'd base my tablet purchasing decision on it's ability to attach a USB hard drive to it. There are other ways to access content and you are taking something built to be portable and tethering it down.

If that hard drive is powered over USB, then that'll limit your options even more. Seems like most micro USB ports won't provide enough power (even some full sized USB ports may not). And if it's an externally powered hard drive, that sounds like an even more inconvenience. Might as well be using a laptop.


However if you insist on this. Then obviously iPad is out. Some Android tablets support this, but it's hit and miss and I'm not sure which do off hand.

Sounds like maybe a Windows 8 tablet would be what you want. The Surface Pro would probably be perfect for you if you are okay spending $1,000 on a tablet.

The Samsung Ativ Smart PC 500 has a full sized USB port and I did power a 500GB hard drive off this just fine. But I don't like this tablet because it's kinda big, heavy, and the back gets slippery after handling it a little bit.

I hear the Lenovo Tablet 2 is pretty good and I believe it also has a full sized USB port. It is an Atom tablet, so will be a little slow (or much slower than the Surface Pro), but usually sufficient for most normal tablet activities (this won't really be up to replacing a laptop really). However the $650 price tag is a bit easier to swallow.

 

[poofyhairguy]

If that hard drive is powered over USB, then that'll limit your options even more. Seems like most micro USB ports won't provide enough power (even some full sized USB ports may not).

Yup you are right. You need a battery powered hub going this route. This is why I only used powered external HDs with my tablets.