[njbchbum]

does anyone here use a tablet other than the ipad 2?

since i am a t-mobile cell phone user i took a look at their g-slate, a 4g unit. got a pretty good review from pcmag - only one i've read yet. i understand that the app mkt is not real big for the honeycomb whatever that this tablet and the motorola xoom use - but i like the basic pre-loaded apps that are there.

from the review -"The standard array of Honeycomb apps, widgets, and tools comes preloaded on the G-Slate. They are: Books, Browser, Calculator, Calendar, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Downloads, Email, Gallery, Gmail, Google Search, Latitude, Maps, Market, My Account, My Device, Navigation, Places, Settings, Talk, Voice Search, and YouTube. These are all found in the apps menu, along with extra apps that come preloaded on the G-Slate, according to T-Mobile, which are: 3DCamcorder, 3DPlayer, T-Mobile TV, T-Mobile's Get Web Now, Need for Speed SHIFT HD, Zinio eReader, and Adobe Flash Player (though actually, what's loaded is an icon named "Get Flash," which then walks you through a quick download process)."

as a t-mobile customer i can get the g-slate for $349 after mail-in rebate - a bit less expensive than the ipad 2 which is 3g and waiting for 3g in the ipad 3-to-be. but oy vey! $12.99/mo for t-mobile tv!!! yikes!

anyway, just wondering what others might be using if not using an ipad.

[teachnmo]

We were going to purchase a I-Pad 2 last May, but the area we were in were out. We ended up getting the Motorola Xoom. I mostly use tablets for internet anf e-mail. I hate the Motorola's e-mail's efficiency. It takes much longer for me to write the note and getting it to send correctly is another issue. Wish I had waited for the I-Pad 2.

[njbchbum]

i have spent the past hour or so reading pc-world and c-net reviews on nooks, kindles, ipad2, ETC! and just don't know what to do or which to buy!!! poor brain!

the new e-readers appear to offer free 3g access as well as the wi-fi feature vs having to pay a wireless provider for mthly access. e-readers seem to lack the efficiency of the i-pad2 - but this user just gave up dial-up internet service for dsl - ao i am obviously not in any rush for download efficiency! and i don't think i really need cameras and loads of apps for amusement. love the idea that an e-reader can fit in a handbag!

really looking for an electronic device that can amuse me on the drives from nj to maine and nj to tv and when hanging out waiting to friends to finish shopping at malls. i like web-browsing, facebook, word games and think i might enjoy channeling in on movies and television news/talk shows. not sure the ability to read books on the device is important since i have a dozen paperbacks at home that i have not made time to pick up and read.

does anyone want to offer a direction for me to focus on re what device could be the device for me? any and all opinions will be appreciated. will return to read same after some sort of exercise to clear my muddled brain! thanx!

[memason]

I can give you a bias view.... I wouldn't consider anything but the iPad at this point. Why??? For starters, it just works! It does everything you said you wanted to do...

I have an Android phone, which has the same operating system as the tablets you are looking to purchase. Android is an "open" system, which means Google allows OEM's to add their own pieces to the OS, when it is distributed to their devices. I have a Verizon Droid and every time I get a system upgrade, it breaks something else on my phone....camera doesn't work any longer; video stopped working 2 upgrades ago. I go back to Verizon and all they know to do is reset the phone to factory defaults, which doesn't fix the problems. They replaced the phone once, which fixed one issue and created 3 others. Apple does not allow OEM's to piggy back anything on the operating system and they keep strict control over upgrades to all Apple devices. In my opinion, this is a huge plus!

I have an original iPad and I never have any issues like this with system upgrades. In a previous life, I had an iPhone and had no problems with that either.

Apple stuff just works. Hopefully, you'll get some differing viewpoints.

Good luck! All the choices can be overwhelming.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by memason

I can give you a bias view.... I wouldn't consider anything but the iPad at this point. Why??? For starters, it just works! It does everything you said you wanted to do...

I have an Android phone, which has the same operating system as the tablets you are looking to purchase. Android is an "open" system, which means Google allows OEM's to add their own pieces to the OS, when it is distributed to their devices. I have a Verizon Droid and every time I get a system upgrade, it breaks something else on my phone....camera doesn't work any longer; video stopped working 2 upgrades ago. I go back to Verizon and all they know to do is reset the phone to factory defaults, which doesn't fix the problems. They replaced the phone once, which fixed one issue and created 3 others. Apple does not allow OEM's to piggy back anything on the operating system and they keep strict control over upgrades to all Apple devices. In my opinion, this is a huge plus!

I have an original iPad and I never have any issues like this with system upgrades. In a previous life, I had an iPhone and had no problems with that either.

Apple stuff just works. Hopefully, you'll get some differing viewpoints.

Good luck! All the choices can be overwhelming.

memason - i knew i could count on you for the info on the apple products...the ? here is about the cost for 3g...ipad 2 requires add'l mthly connect fee whereas the kindle/nook do not - correct? and do i want to pay for all the stuff that the ipad2 does that i don't need? i also know that dl speeds are best on the apple - but does that justify the cost difference?

i agree that the reliability of the ipad2 is probably way beyond that of the e-reader/faux tablet devices - but is it worth the difference to me who just wants to access e-mail, facebook, some word games and maybe a movie now and then. such is my dilemma. and thank you for your opinion and for sharing your experience.

[Avista]

I have the iPad2 and have been extremely pleased with it. Feel free to contact me if you want to try out mine. Afraid I don't know much about the other tablets. Just read the
Isaacson
book on Steve Jobs. Interesting to read about Jobs thought process.

I have the 3G. Wasn't sure I would use it much but find I use it all the time on road trips. Yesterday, got caught up on emails while waiting for my color at the hairdressers.

Hardly ever use my big computer any more.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Avista

I have the iPad2 and have been extremely pleased with it. Feel free to contact me if you want to try out mine. Afraid I don't know much about the other tablets. Just read the Erikkson book on Steve Jobs. Interesting to read about Jobs thought process.

I have the 3G. Wasn't sure I would use it much but find I use it all the time on road trips. Yesterday, got caught up on emails while waiting for my color at the hairdressers.

Hardly ever use my big computer any more.

thanx for the offer for a test drive - but i am still in nj! will be up north next week and am thinking i could buy the device of my choice in new hampshire and save any sales tax! just don't know if i can justify the add'l expense of an ipad2 for my limited intended use.

[Avista]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

thanx for the offer for a test drive - but i am still in nj! will be up north next week and am thinking i could buy the device of my choice in new hampshire and save any sales tax! just don't know if i can justify the add'l expense of an ipad2 for my limited intended use.

Don't be surprised if you use this a lot more than you think you will. I charge mine every night when I go to bed. Of course, I use mine as a ereader as well. Just came back from a 2 week cruise. Read two books while I was cruising. Would go to the shows 30-45 minutes early to get a good seat and read or play games. At ports I could usually find a hot spot to receive emails and send out the ones I had written offline. With each email I sent was able to send a current picture. I also have friends that I play Words (Scrabble) with off and on throughout the day. It's a whole new world.

[chisox]

I use both an Android phone and tablet and like them both very much. I've had a Samsung Captivate phone for a year and an Asus Transformer for three months. The Transformer comes with an optional keyboard, which allows me to use it like a netbook when I want. Both have been very reliable with no problems. Nothing wrong with an iPad but it's not the only game in town.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Avista

Don't be surprised if you use this a lot more than you think you will. I charge mine every night when I go to bed. Of course, I use mine as a ereader as well. Just came back from a 2 week cruise. Read two books while I was cruising. Would go to the shows 30-45 minutes early to get a good seat and read or play games. At ports I could usually find a hot spot to receive emails and send out the ones I had written online. With each email I sent was able to send a current picture. I also have friends that I play Words (Scrabble) with off and on throughout the day. It's a whole new world.

lol, avista! that's what scares me! i really do not want this device to become an appendage!

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by chisox

I use both an Android phone and tablet and like them both very much. I've had a Samsung Captivate phone for a year and an Asus Transformer for three months. The Transformer comes with an optional keyboard, which allows me to use it like a netbook when I want. Both have been very reliable with no problems. Nothing wrong with an iPad but it's not the only game in town.

chisox - how does the asus access the internet - wi-fi only or via 3g also? if 3g, what providers are available and how expensive are the data plans?

[Irishmen]

Great device for old folks like us. The keyboard is Senior Citizen friendly.

[Taj44]

I'm waiting to see how the competition gears up in the tablet market. All the major manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon so I think Apple will have some major competition. I also understand Apple will be coming out with an iPad 3 sometime in 2012, that will be smaller, lighter, and will have longer battery life. I would be inclined to wait for that model.

[doglover]

I owned an iPad2 for a few months now. I used it for Internet, email, Facebook, etc.. I use it everyday and letting my laptop collecting dust. Lots of free an paid apps.