Tablets

[Shawn]

So I picked up a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7". I don't have much ownership of it now that my son has taken over LOL. My daughter has the Tab 2 7". Both are good tablets for under $200 and run the Android OS.

I think sooner or later that tablets will be what replaces the desktop for most people,I will always have a desktop and will be built by me,but for others,a tablet is better and easier for them. Cheaper as well.
I don't care for Apple products and don't like being limited to what I can do on what I bought and paid for.

So what is your take on tablets? Like em? Hate em? Don't care for them?

It's strange for me to own a 7" tablet since my Galaxy S4 has a 5" screen,but that extra 2" makes a big difference. I really want the Samsung Note Tab 10". I think it will be on my list to buy soon or rebuild m desktop.My computer is 5 years old and having boot issues. If it freezes up or I have to turn it off,it takes a min of 30 minutes to get back running. Has a bad Motherboard and I can't find a decent one to replace it so I will be needing a new board,cpu and ram.Everything else I have will work,but even going cheap,it's $500. But if I can get 5 years out of it like I did this one,I'd be happy.

[Nakor]

I've wanted a convertible or tablet+keyboard for a while, I just can't really warrant spending the money on it. It'd be great to have something that allows quick note-taking, and in mathematics it's a lot faster to jot down equations and notation by hand than it is to type it in LaTeX code with a keyboard (although for anything like assignments or papers and such, LaTeX is pretty much a must). Also, if/when I ever get the opportunity to teach, I'd probably prefer using a tablet on a projector to a chalkboard (I hate handling chalk much). One of my profs used one, and it worked quite well, they have a couple advantages: you can "scroll up" to earlier notes, which you can't do if you've erased something from a chalkboard, plus he was able to post the file with the lecture notes after class.

I'd probably want it running something more like a full OS though, whether that's Windows or a Linux variant. I'm not including Android here as a Linux variant, because I'd want a full Linux OS (so I could run Linux software and not be limited to what had been packaged in the form of an app).

[Shawn]

I've wanted a convertible or tablet+keyboard for a while, I just can't really warrant spending the money on it. It'd be great to have something that allows quick note-taking, and in mathematics it's a lot faster to jot down equations and notation by hand than it is to type it in LaTeX code with a keyboard (although for anything like assignments or papers and such, LaTeX is pretty much a must). Also, if/when I ever get the opportunity to teach, I'd probably prefer using a tablet on a projector to a chalkboard (I hate handling chalk much). One of my profs used one, and it worked quite well, they have a couple advantages: you can "scroll up" to earlier notes, which you can't do if you've erased something from a chalkboard, plus he was able to post the file with the lecture notes after class.

I'd probably want it running something more like a full OS though, whether that's Windows or a Linux variant. I'm not including Android here as a Linux variant, because I'd want a full Linux OS (so I could run Linux software and not be limited to what had been packaged in the form of an app).

I really like my Samsung Tab 3 7" since I have the 46" Smart TV that I can use to watch videos on from my tablet. I never thought I'd see the day where you can watch stuff on the TV from a phone,tablet or computer. I have really used all 3 many times with very little problems. The kids like it as well since they have to go to bed early and there are shows they want to watch,so I download them and they can watch it the next day or whenever they have time. I am considering on buying a 4TB external drive with my next computer build to use for just this purpose. I will have to do something soon,my computer is messing up. I power it down and it takes me 20 minutes or more to get running again.If I just do a restart,it works fine.I have changed Ram Hard drives and Video cards and went to Windows 7 64 bit and nothing changed so it is either the board,which is likely or the CPU. I can buy a used board but this computer is 5 years old,it's time to upgrade. I am only buying the board,cpu and ram and maybe a new main drive for the OS.I will use what I have from the old computer.My case,DVD writers, Hard drives and Power supply are all ok.

Technology is just moving right a long and I am liking what Samsung has been doing as far as making products that work together. Apple does as well,but they are way to pricey for me.

[Roemello]

I'm an Apple guy when it comes to my mobile stuff. I tried Android for a week while setting up my father's phone and couldn't stand it.... too different from what I'm accustomed to. I prefer the more streamlined easy to use iOS. It may not be as customizable, but it is to the extent that I need. Also found it a lot faster and easier to jump around from app to app and adjust settings quickly when needed. Only other type I'd consider going with is a Microsoft Surface... while not a big fan of Windows 8, at least it's easier to work with and sort out.

That said, I have an ipad Air for my tablet with a logitech keyboard-folio case which has replaced my laptop as a mobile computer. A lot easier to carry a tablet the size of a book. And having it with it's own 4G LTE connection is a nice change of pace from depending on finding hot spots on the go. I do the same thing with movies through Netflix at times... I'll have to leave in the middle of watching at home, then pick it back up on my iphone or ipad. Same with reading books... it saves my position in the cloud, so wherever I stop on one device, I can pick it back up on the other depending which I have on me. Music collection's on there as well as a selection of my best pix, so acts as a mobile photo portfolio as well.

[Shawn]

The biggest problem with Android phones is there are so many out there with different specs.Some are slow,which are usually the free or very cheap phones and the higher end phones like the Note or Galaxy Series. My S4 does fine,no lag switching between apps. I have been pretty happy with my phone,I have the S4. I am kind of like you Roemello,except I have a Samsung phone,Samsung Tablet and Samsung Smart TV which all are capable of working together.
After the kids got their iPods,and I had to set them up,I wasn't to happy with all the work it took in doing so.Never had an iPhone but I am sure it's not to much different.

I haven't messed with Windows 8 yet,I just did put Windows 7 on my computer,but I haven't heard good things about 8.

I think at this point in time,it's more of a preference thing then it is how fast a phone or tablet is. It has came a very long way in a short amount of time. Apple is slowly losing ground but I don't ever see them being totally shut out like blackberry is close to being.

[Roemello]

The phone I set up was a Galaxy S3, so definitely no cheapo phone. I just found Android to be more complicated than it should be. I guess I'm just too used to everything more streamlined and easy to use as it is on iOS. Everything on the latter just seems more focused where Android is just all over the place... it was like a totally foreign land to me

But really, it is all about preference at this point... some people like the full customizability, while others like myself prefer an easier to use system. Don't have to worry about malware and rogue apps, either. Can't imagine how it was difficult to set up an ipod... I've set up multiple ipods for people and doesn't take but a few minutes! Not counting the time to upload all the music onto 'em of course, but I've always found it as easy as can be.

[Nakor]

I guess my problem with Apple is twofold. One is simply that an Apple product is almost invariably more expensive than an equivalent product by some other company. Given an Apple laptop, for example, you can almost certainly find another laptop with similar specs which is significantly cheaper.

The other problem is the iron grip they tend to keep on their products. The Apple app store has a history of banning apps that they have some disagreement with. They're also prone to changing what shape their cords and adapters are every year or so, meaning if your laptop is more than a year or two old, you probably have to buy an (expensive) adapter to get it to work with anything up-to-date. For me, this is up there with Sony inventing their own memory cards rather than using the standard SD. It is just a money grab. And as far as I can tell, they still won't let you purchase OS X without actually buying it OEM on a Mac -- which of course, you have to get from Apple.

[Shawn]

The phone I set up was a Galaxy S3, so definitely no cheapo phone. I just found Android to be more complicated than it should be. I guess I'm just too used to everything more streamlined and easy to use as it is on iOS. Everything on the latter just seems more focused where Android is just all over the place... it was like a totally foreign land to me

But really, it is all about preference at this point... some people like the full customizability, while others like myself prefer an easier to use system. Don't have to worry about malware and rogue apps, either. Can't imagine how it was difficult to set up an ipod... I've set up multiple ipods for people and doesn't take but a few minutes! Not counting the time to upload all the music onto 'em of course, but I've always found it as easy as can be.

I guess the only thing I can think of is if you have been using Apple products for several years,it would seem easier for you to set them up since that is what you are used to,but since I have been using Android for the past few years,I am used to the way Android is set up and can set one up pretty fast without getting lost. I don't know of anyone personally who has had a problem with malware. I like the open source concept better and people can be more creative with Android apps then they can Apple apps since Apple is so "closed up".

The S3 is a pretty decent phone,not much different then the S4 and still gets updates to the OS since there are so many still in use.

[Shawn]

I guess my problem with Apple is twofold. One is simply that an Apple product is almost invariably more expensive than an equivalent product by some other company. Given an Apple laptop, for example, you can almost certainly find another laptop with similar specs which is significantly cheaper.

The other problem is the iron grip they tend to keep on their products. The Apple app store has a history of banning apps that they have some disagreement with. They're also prone to changing what shape their cords and adapters are every year or so, meaning if your laptop is more than a year or two old, you probably have to buy an (expensive) adapter to get it to work with anything up-to-date. For me, this is up there with Sony inventing their own memory cards rather than using the standard SD. It is just a money grab. And as far as I can tell, they still won't let you purchase OS X without actually buying it OEM on a Mac -- which of course, you have to get from Apple.

I agree with you on this. Samsung done this on the Tab 2,used a different type of charger then the standard,but went back to the standard on the Tab 3.I have both.
Samsung has really put a hurting on Apple and will only continue to do so. Like I posted above I have an S4 Tab 2 and 3 and a Samsung Smart TV and have them linked together and watch stuff from my phone,tablet or computer on the TV. This is so much easier to do then the way I was doing it last year with a WDTV box and External Hard drive.Plus it supports more file types then the WDTV does.

[KenseidenXL]

Tablets will NEVER replace PCs.
Why?
1. No tablet will ever have the CPU/GPU/RAM power of even a contemporary laptop.
2. No tablet will have the internal storage capacity of a contemporary PC or laptop.
3. Tablets will always be at a disadvantage in multi-tasking. Few can do it and none do it well.
4. No tablet will ever be able to do the high-end videogaming a PC can do.

Tablets will be a niche product. Less portable than a smartphone, but far more portable than a PC. They will be used for things that CAN be done on the go. Ideally, they will be used in network situations where many tablets are linking to the same server network to communicate and interface, rather like PADDs in Star Trek.
After all, do you REALLY want to be stuck with a "virtual keyboard" to do serious typing? I don't. That means, you'll STILL have to have an external, physical keyboard to make it work easier. I think Microshite had a good idea about the future of tablets with the way they set up the Surface, with that detachable keyboard that can serve as a screen protector.

[Shawn]

Tablets will NEVER replace PCs.
Why?
1. No tablet will ever have the CPU/GPU/RAM power of even a contemporary laptop.
2. No tablet will have the internal storage capacity of a contemporary PC or laptop.
3. Tablets will always be at a disadvantage in multi-tasking. Few can do it and none do it well.
4. No tablet will ever be able to do the high-end videogaming a PC can do.

Tablets will be a niche product. Less portable than a smartphone, but far more portable than a PC. They will be used for things that CAN be done on the go. Ideally, they will be used in network situations where many tablets are linking to the same server network to communicate and interface, rather like PADDs in Star Trek.
After all, do you REALLY want to be stuck with a "virtual keyboard" to do serious typing? I don't. That means, you'll STILL have to have an external, physical keyboard to make it work easier. I think Microshite had a good idea about the future of tablets with the way they set up the Surface, with that detachable keyboard that can serve as a screen protector.

I think the technology is already there to do what you wrote above,but they are slowly releasing them so that way they can bilk us out of more money.
My phone has a 1.9 Quad core cpu if I remember right,so CPU speed will not be a problem.Also my S4 has 2GB ram and I am able to play games like NFS Most wanted and some other games and they work ok.
I would never give up my desktop for anything else. The tablets are great for those who travel a lot.Doesn't take up as much space as a laptop would and battery life is better.
I give it less then 2 years and tablets will have 100GB drives,quad core or higher CPUs,more ram and GPU to be able to play games on easily. I like how technology is making things more interesting and what all can be done now with Cell phones. Never would of thought 10 years ago that a cell can do what they do now considering what they were when they first came out.