Tablet computer opinions

J

jc100

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Anyone got a tablet? What do you use it for? Is there anything lacking on the one you have that you wished you had?

I'm looking to buy one, partly for work use (instruction), partly for reading and watching movies on a plane etc, partly for portability.

Just wondered if anyone has one and has opinions on it?

Since you bought it do you use it more or less than you thought you would?
 
I bought a playbook. I bought it to replace my iPod...which was primarily used to entertain me on my commutes to and from work; also if I'm ever at the airport for travel and etc.

The thing that appealed to me the most was it's size, but also the blackberry bridge browser app that comes standard on the playbook. It basically allows me to tether my playbook to my blackberry phone so that I can access the internet outside of wifi areas, without incurring additional tethering-related costs. It works pretty good. Obviously it'll vary from place to place but overall, it's quite impressive.

My overall impressions of this tablet are positive. The music player is good; it's not quite as robust as the iPod but the big plus for me is not having to deal with iTunes haha. The external power, volume (which also double as skip forward/backward buttons) and play/pause buttons are super convenient. The browser on this thing is amazing. The speed is good and it will load up any website anywhere.

Cons are that it's a blackberry product, and as such is subject to blackberry support LOL. There are apps, but nothing to brag about. The updates also seem to make everything buggier, which is odd but not necessarily surprising if you're used to blackberry.
 
I've programmed some apps for tablet use and in testing I find them pretty useless for any real kind of work. If you can deal with the lack of a keyboard then they're neat. Some are very fast..games and videos would be cool. I'd rather read a paper book or magazine though..call me old school. :-) When it comes to e-mail or messaging or anything else..I bring my laptop. I can't stand the on-screen keyboards..ugh..
 
Flashmonkey said:
I bought a playbook. I bought it to replace my iPod...which was primarily used to entertain me on my commutes to and from work; also if I'm ever at the airport for travel and etc.

The thing that appealed to me the most was it's size, but also the blackberry bridge browser app that comes standard on the playbook. It basically allows me to tether my playbook to my blackberry phone so that I can access the internet outside of wifi areas, without incurring additional tethering-related costs. It works pretty good. Obviously it'll vary from place to place but overall, it's quite impressive.

My overall impressions of this tablet are positive. The music player is good; it's not quite as robust as the iPod but the big plus for me is not having to deal with iTunes haha. The external power, volume (which also double as skip forward/backward buttons) and play/pause buttons are super convenient. The browser on this thing is amazing. The speed is good and it will load up any website anywhere.

Cons are that it's a blackberry product, and as such is subject to blackberry support LOL. There are apps, but nothing to brag about. The updates also seem to make everything buggier, which is odd but not necessarily surprising if you're used to blackberry.
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Would you recommend it if you didn't have a blackberry phone? They are at an attractive pricepoint which is good but the price isn't a factor for me for choice.
 
invictus43 said:
I've programmed some apps for tablet use and in testing I find them pretty useless for any real kind of work. If you can deal with the lack of a keyboard then they're neat. Some are very fast..games and videos would be cool. I'd rather read a paper book or magazine though..call me old school. :-) When it comes to e-mail or messaging or anything else..I bring my laptop. I can't stand the on-screen keyboards..ugh..
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I wouldn't mind being able to play PowerPoint slides through one and perhaps annotate on the slides, plus for travel I can keep a large selection of books on it and maybe a few movies. Some of the magazine subscriptions say they also have tablet versions too but I'm not sure if that's just for iPad.

I agree with you, for anything lengthy an onscreen keyboard sucks but I'll sacrifice a fair bit for portability and also some of the bluetooth keyboards seem pretty good/slim so you effectively have a netbook option too.
 
I bought one of these Asus Transformers for my dad. He loves it. Uses it to check his email, read some news, watch youtube, watch movies when he's travelling. He likes that it has a keyboard because that's what he's familiar with, and he likes that he can just touch the screen instead of using a mouse.

P_500.jpg


specs: http://ca.asus.com/en/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Transformer_TF101/
 
jc100 said:
Would you recommend it if you didn't have a blackberry phone? They are at an attractive pricepoint which is good but the price isn't a factor for me for choice.
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That's tough to say. Without a BB you lose out on a LOT of functionality. On the other hand the browser really is that good.

It would depend on how good the competition is; particularly that new samsung galaxy tablet. In all honesty, though, if it weren't for my bb then i probably would've waited for the right android tablet.
 
I bought a Playbook as well. I've been a Blackberry user for quite some time now. What I like about it is the size and battery life. I can literally fit it in my back pocket. Front and back cameras makes for great video chatting. But unfortunately their video chat isn't up to par with Apple yet so you might have to wait on that. Also the browser randomly closes sometimes and it gets quite annoying or maybe it's just mine. They have been coming out with a lot of updates but nothing noticeable. It's also great because it has Microsoft software in it like Excel and Powerpoint. Also love the Blackberry Bridge option.

If I didn't have a Blackberry, I would still get it over the iPad. iPad is too big for me. I'll be getting a bluetooth mini keyboard for easier typing.
 
There's a smaller version of the Galaxy Tab coming out soon (8.9 inches), are the smaller tablets better then for the form factor? 10 inches always struck me as a bit unweildy for an ultraportable device (no rude jokes please).
 
nfq said:
I bought one of these Asus Transformers for my dad. He loves it. Uses it to check his email, read some news, watch youtube, watch movies when he's travelling. He likes that it has a keyboard because that's what he's familiar with, and he likes that he can just touch the screen instead of using a mouse.

P_500.jpg


specs: http://ca.asus.com/en/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Transformer_TF101/
Click to expand...

How's the build quality on that? I have an ASUS netbook and I'm pretty pleased with it.
 
jc100 said:
There's a smaller version of the Galaxy Tab coming out soon (8.9 inches), are the smaller tablets better then for the form factor? 10 inches always struck me as a bit unweildy for an ultraportable device (no rude jokes please).
Click to expand...

I do prefer the smaller ones because they're easier to carry around. I would say that it does depend on what you intend to use it for, though. The screen is pretty small on this playbook and can be tiring to look at.
 
Use my IPAD for browsing and checking personal email. Looking to purchase a BB playbook to tether to my BB for work when I travel so I can read and respond email and even view attachment. The Tablet will never replace a laptop at least with the models available. They are great for sales presentation one and one or browsing and email. When you say work use (instruction) what do you mean exactly.
 
Dahulk said:
Use my IPAD for browsing and checking personal email. Looking to purchase a BB playbook to tether to my BB for work when I travel so I can read and respond email and even view attachment. The Tablet will never replace a laptop at least with the models available. They are great for sales presentation one and one or browsing and email. When you say work use (instruction) what do you mean exactly.
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I wouldn't mind outputting PowerPoints to a projector occasionally. I have a wireless USB to DVI device that I can use for this but I'm not sure how easy that would be to use in that way with Android OS or any other OS for tablets.
 
I purchased an Asus Eee Slate EP121 and I'm happy with my decision.

Pros
  • Bluetooth keyboard
  • Stylus
  • Case/cover
  • SD card slot
  • Windows 7
  • Mini-HDMI out
  • Easy to throw in a backpack and ride
  • Webcam

Cons

  • 64gb HD (too small for me)
  • No CD ROM (easy for me to deal with, might not be for you)
  • Short battery life
  • No 3G/4G (must rely on iPhone/Android to provide WiFi which means it isn't an issue)
 
For me I would stay with a laptop for business, tablet are for personal use in my view. For me when I travel I take both my laptop and IPAD, laptop for work and IPAD for personal email and web browsing. I have ordered a playbook from RIM as I use a BB for work and Iphone as my personal. With the Playbook I can read and respond to work emails. While I can output from the playbook for presentation I would not be able to control the presentation. Recomend stick with a laptop how about the HP2740P?
 
Dahulk said:
For me I would stay with a laptop for business, tablet are for personal use in my view. For me when I travel I take both my laptop and IPAD, laptop for work and IPAD for personal email and web browsing. I have ordered a playbook from RIM as I use a BB for work and Iphone as my personal. With the Playbook I can read and respond to work emails. While I can output from the playbook for presentation I would not be able to control the presentation. Recomend stick with a laptop how about the HP2740P?
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you're gonna need a cart just to cart around the electronic... 2 smart phones, 2 tablets, another note book....
 
My plan is to get an ipad2 with credit card points. Failing that I'd buy a palmtop.
 
CruisnGrrl said:
you're gonna need a cart just to cart around the electronic... 2 smart phones, 2 tablets, another note book....
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Fits in Carry on luggage and my briefcase just fine as with most business travelers we travel light. I do not take both phone just forward my personal to the work and will use the playbook when I am traveling on business.
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