New tablet question

[han0522]

I have an aging iPhone 3GS (2.5 yrs old) that's getting rather slow and an aging (3+ years old) asus eee netbook that's in a similar situation - I'm wanting to replace both and am seeking advice.

For replacing the iPhone, I've liked the Samsung Galaxy S3 generally for the larger size screen. I will of course wait for the lg nexus 4 to be revealed Monday before making any decisions, but am fairly set on a larger format screen for the next phone.

For replacing the netbook, I'm leaning towards an android tablet. The nexus 7 and asus transformer standout as top options. I like the portability of the nexus 7 - it's very light and comfortable to use - but I dislike the small screen as it seems like I'll still need to zoom in on webpages to read them AND it seems to be fairly close to the above mentioned phone size screens anyway (if I have to zoom in to read the web page anyway, why not do so on my handy phone).

I've really liked the transformers so far but would almost certainly want to get the keyboard dock so that it can be used as a "laptop" of sorts when lounging around. I tried one out in the store and I think it would become tiresome holding it upright when relaxing at home.

The tablet will primarily be used for media consumption: web surfing, email, simple apps (not much of a mobile gamer), document creation, youtube, and some netflix; eventually the hospital I work at will adjust to a 100% electronic medical record so I'm hoping I can use a tablet, combined with a dock or bluetooth keyboard (depending on what I go with) for documentation purposes (assuming the citrix app works well on adroid and via the hospital).

Anyway, from all of the above it seems like the asus transformer is the way to go - the two cons that I run into is the price ($500 for the tablet, $150 for the dock) and whether getting a low-end or budget 10-12" netbook would be more cost efficient.

I don't think there's a clear question up there, just seeking some advice from folks who have used these tablets.

-Chris

 

[13ilgal]

I have a little two-year-old Acer netbook that runs like a champ, gets long battery life, and cost about $200 new (costs are higher now).

I also have a Galaxy Note 10.1. For walk-around at work, the Note wins, hands down. I can check email, update and review appointments, and hit the web. I also have all my textbooks stored on it (I'm a teacher). Best part - hand-anotated PDF files are a reality on this. I LOVE the stylus. Sold an iPad (first gen) and Galaxy Tab before settling on this one. The ability to handwrite sold me.

However, I went to an all-day meeting last week and also took my netbook. Even with a blue tooth keyboard, I just can't type nearly as fast on the tablet. I used the tablet to consult PDF files and did all the data composition on the netbook. Having access to (actual) Microsoft Office is important to me.

Just an experience to consider. Good luck with your decision!

I have an aging iPhone 3GS (2.5 yrs old) that's getting rather slow and an aging (3+ years old) asus eee netbook that's in a similar situation - I'm wanting to replace both and am seeking advice.

For replacing the iPhone, I've liked the Samsung Galaxy S3 generally for the larger size screen. I will of course wait for the lg nexus 4 to be revealed Monday before making any decisions, but am fairly set on a larger format screen for the next phone.

For replacing the netbook, I'm leaning towards an android tablet. The nexus 7 and asus transformer standout as top options. I like the portability of the nexus 7 - it's very light and comfortable to use - but I dislike the small screen as it seems like I'll still need to zoom in on webpages to read them AND it seems to be fairly close to the above mentioned phone size screens anyway (if I have to zoom in to read the web page anyway, why not do so on my handy phone).

I've really liked the transformers so far but would almost certainly want to get the keyboard dock so that it can be used as a "laptop" of sorts when lounging around. I tried one out in the store and I think it would become tiresome holding it upright when relaxing at home.

The tablet will primarily be used for media consumption: web surfing, email, simple apps (not much of a mobile gamer), document creation, youtube, and some netflix; eventually the hospital I work at will adjust to a 100% electronic medical record so I'm hoping I can use a tablet, combined with a dock or bluetooth keyboard (depending on what I go with) for documentation purposes (assuming the citrix app works well on adroid and via the hospital).

Anyway, from all of the above it seems like the asus transformer is the way to go - the two cons that I run into is the price ($500 for the tablet, $150 for the dock) and whether getting a low-end or budget 10-12" netbook would be more cost efficient.

I don't think there's a clear question up there, just seeking some advice from folks who have used these tablets.

-Chris

 

[chanchan05]

Depends entirely on what you intend to use the tablet for. In many cases, an Android Tablet or iPad can't even compete with the full computing capabilities of even entry level current gen netbooks.

 

[Stuntman]

For replacing the netbook, I'm leaning towards an android tablet. The nexus 7 and asus transformer standout as top options. I like the portability of the nexus 7 - it's very light and comfortable to use - but I dislike the small screen as it seems like I'll still need to zoom in on webpages to read them AND it seems to be fairly close to the above mentioned phone size screens anyway (if I have to zoom in to read the web page anyway, why not do so on my handy phone).

I've really liked the transformers so far but would almost certainly want to get the keyboard dock so that it can be used as a "laptop" of sorts when lounging around. I tried one out in the store and I think it would become tiresome holding it upright when relaxing at home.

The tablet will primarily be used for media consumption: web surfing, email, simple apps (not much of a mobile gamer), document creation, youtube, and some netflix; eventually the hospital I work at will adjust to a 100% electronic medical record so I'm hoping I can use a tablet, combined with a dock or bluetooth keyboard (depending on what I go with) for documentation purposes (assuming the citrix app works well on adroid and via the hospital).

Anyway, from all of the above it seems like the asus transformer is the way to go - the two cons that I run into is the price ($500 for the tablet, $150 for the dock) and whether getting a low-end or budget 10-12" netbook would be more cost efficient.

I have both an SGS3 and an Eee Pad Transformer (TF101) with the keyboard dock. If you plan to do any significant amount of typing/data entry, I feel a keyboard is a must. The Transformer replaces about 75% of my laptop. It is lighter, more portable and has an awesome battery life (over 15 hours unplugged with the keyboard dock). There are a variety of Office-like apps available for tablets. The Transformer comes with Polaris Office. You may want something better depending on what type of document creation you do. I personally am an Excel power user, so Polaris Office's spreadsheet app doesn't cut it for me. I'm not a Word power user, so the word processor is acceptible to me. I'm using OfficeSuite now for anything more than text files.

NetFlix works great on my Transformer. I use a min-HDMI cable to play NetFlix on my TV. Same with YouTube.

As for web surfing, you may have some difficulty with sites that use Flash. Adobe removed support for Flash on mobile devices, but there are still ways to veiw Flash content on Android devices now. Mine came with Flash, but I got the first generation Transformer last year. For the most part, web surfing will be fine.

Also, with regard to the keyboard dock, I still think the Transformer's keyboard dock is the best on the market right now. It does make your tablet feel like a laptop only more portable. I think only the Lenovo IdeaPad comes close so far. MS is set to announce Windows 8, so perhaps there will be something there that may rival the Transformer's keyboard dock. Asus is making Win8 devices, so you may want to see what they have to offer after today's announcement. The Win8 Surface tablets I have seen so far still does not look as good as the Transformer with regard to the keyboard.

 

[bob60626]

I'm really happy with web pages on my 7" tablet. Perhaps a 7" tablet and a smaller phone?

 

[han0522]

I have a little two-year-old Acer netbook that runs like a champ, gets long battery life, and cost about $200 new (costs are higher now).
.....

Thanks for the advice. I'm so used to the windows environment the other option I'm thinking about is a nexus 7 for media consumption despite the small screen size and a netbook to replace my slowly dying one. I'm keeping my dying netbook alive by using remote desktop to remote FROM the netbook to my heftier desktop (used for gaming) - I wonder how good or bad an option this is for an android tablet to still have access to MS software via remote desktop into a windows desktop from the tablet.

Depends entirely on what you intend to use the tablet for. In many cases, an Android Tablet or iPad can't even compete with the full computing capabilities of even entry level current gen netbooks.

Agreed - however, I feel that underpowered windows devices can feel VERY underpowered given the relatively resource heavy OS on top of it and I wonder if a lighter OS like android would have better performance per cost of the device. That said, the price of an infinity + keyboard comes awfully close to some highly reviewed budget laptops - then again my netbook was highly reviewed, and can't play youtube or netflix videos without making it unwatchable.

I suppose the top use for the tablet will be media consumption around the house with the phone used for media consumption on the go. The secondary use would be for any future work related options so that I'm not tied to one location (work on the go).

I have both an SGS3 and an Eee Pad Transformer (TF101) with the keyboard dock. If you plan to do any significant amount of typing/data entry, I feel a keyboard is a must. The Transformer replaces about 75% of my laptop. It is lighter, more portable and has an awesome battery life (over 15 hours unplugged with the keyboard dock).
.......
The Win8 Surface tablets I have seen so far still does not look as good as the Transformer with regard to the keyboard.

Thanks for the input on the transformer. To be perfectly honest, a good part of my interest in it is based on my first impression with the first version of it - I liked it then and I've been following it's progress since. Now that my netbook is dying, I can finally justify such a purchase. Also, the primary documents I use are word and excel, so thanks for the tip on spreadsheets.

I'm really happy with web pages on my 7" tablet. Perhaps a 7" tablet and a smaller phone?

Definitely a valid option. I need to find a local store that has the nexus 7 in stock so I can see just how regular (i.e. non-mobile) web pages are rendered. That would certainly be a good option for around the house media consumption and will be much easier on the wallet.

Also with google's event next monday, I'm curious what the nexus 10 will bring (if such a device exists, of course).

Thanks for the advice,
chris

 

[chanchan05]

If pricing was an issue, not sure in your part of the world but at the price of an ASUS infinity i can buy an ASUS laptop running core i5 and an AMD graphics chip. Far from underpowered.

If portability was the main reason, go for a tab. If you woukd be ezpecting to do PC level productivity work with it like using full office suites, picture editing or video editing, you'll be in for a bad experience. As long as portability an media CONSUMPTION is your use, a tablet will do fine.