Need Tablet Buying Advice

[gggoodgggirl]

I am stumped. I am getting an Android Tablet for my holiday gift but I have to pick out the one I want. Don't get me wrong, I am VERY excited, but I really can't seem to find ONE device that has what I want. So I need to figure out the must-haves vs the nice-to-haves.

First off, I have an android phone - an EVO Shift - and I love it. I have the hotspot activated on my phone, so I can easily access WiFi through that hotspot on whatever tablet I end up with. Secondly, I already have a 12" mobile laptop which is fairly portable. I am wondering if a 10.1" Tablet won't be that different than the laptop, so I am thinking about a smaller tablet - perhaps 8 or 9".

My general concerns with many of the tablets are with the lack of on-board connections (SD slot, USB connection, HDMI, etc), but I don't know if I should be focusing on that. I want to easily transfer data between my Shift, my laptop, and my tablet, but I am worried it will be challenging without the connections available.

I am also concerned with the inability to change the battery. On my Shift I carry a back-up battery with me and like that I can swap it whenever I need more power. Even on my laptop I know I can swap in a new one if the old one becomes worn. I really don't understand why tablet batteries are locked out of our reach.

One last think I am unsure of is the hard drive size I need. Since many of the tablets don't have SD card slots, do I need to worry about a 16gb being too small?

So, I was initially intrigued by the Toshiba Thrive because it has all the connectors, the SD slot, a full size USB and HDMI, and a swappable battery. But then I went to the store and held it, and YIKES, that think was BIG and HEAVY. It was an immediate turn-off. Definitely does not accommodate the portability I am seeking.

So then I looked at the Samsung 8.9" - its the complete opposite. The size it great - its light and mobile, yet large enough to see and read. But there are no connectors to speak of and the battery is locked away and not swappable. I am also concerned about getting a 16gb model since I can't run apps from an add on memory card. That means I would have to spend $550 for the 32gb model.

I have also looked at the ASUS (but I don't need a keyboard), the ACER and the XOOM (which are also big and heavy like the Toshiba).

I know there are a zillion other choices out there. I would prefer to stick with a name brand, and I am expecting the price to be somewhere between $300-600.

Can anyone give me advice related to the things I am concerned about? Help me tip the scales?

Thanks in advance, Jill

 

[Yeahha]

Welcome to AF

I've moved this thread to the general tablet forums to get you the best support.

I know with the transformer and the new transformer prime by ASUS the keyboard are optional.

You also have the option to use the cloud to transfer data to the tablet.

I am not the best person to ask about tablets so I am sure the people around here will be able to give you much better advice but I suspect with your price range you will be able to get a nice tablet that will work well for you

 

[Podivin]

Welcome GG.
I have the Asus Transformer, so naturally I'm prejudiced towards that one. I don't have the keyboard, and haven't really felt that need to get one. If I'm doing any SERIOUS typing I'm on a PC, so a virtual keyboard is fine.
Previously I had a Nook Color that was rooted, and therefore a 7" tablet as opposed to just a reader. It was a great device, but I find a 7" screen to be to small for comfortable use when web browsing. (I'm 51 and need reading glasses these days, if I were 20 something and still had eyes like a hawk I might feel differently about a 7" screen )

I agree with Yeahha's point about using the 'cloud' to transfer files. I use Dropbox to move files between my PC, PC, PC, PC, phone, phone, phone, Nook & Transformer.

 

[gggoodgggirl]

Thanks very much for the input. I am also 51, and am currently trying browse the web on my EVO Shift - well, that isn't working so well. I think I am leaning towards the Samsung 8.9.

I have to say I am most worried about the battery having a short life-span... my laptop batteries and even my shift batteries have lost a lot of endurance even after a few months from being new.

So the battery stops holding a charge... and then what? Are you supposed to throw the tablet away? The clerk in Best Buy said you can't even have them replaced by Samsung. I just can't believe that such a high-priced item would be considered "disposable".

 

[Podivin]

I'm having a little trouble believing that the battery can't be replaced. Here'so hoping that particular BB person was just making it up as he went along.
If you're really interested in that one, then I'd suggest calling Samsung tech support to find out about the cost of having the battery replaced (which would probably be a good idea regardless of brand. It seems that tablets lean towards not having batteries that are user replaceable)

 

[Chrome Cat]

Extra batteries definitely seems to be an issue with the tablets. I don't understand why companies are not giving customers what they want with these devices.

I'm only in my 30's so I really want a 7" tablet for portability. And the initial post has many of the correct concerns. I have been researching these for weeks now and there is NO tablet that has everything I want!!!
I'm seeking a 7" tab, with standard USB, SD or microSD for expandable storage, speakers on both sides not just one end, and no less than 1GB RAM... No one tablet no matter how expensive or inexpensive offers these combined features.

I believe that right now tablets are very new to market - they have a LOT of glitches and bugs to be worked out. They're guinnea pigging the public with the new product (we're paying for their further research and development at this stage). In about 1-2 years they'll be offering what we want in such a device with the exception of swappable batteries, of course.