Thinking about getting a tablet

[kostageas]

I was first considering an iPad 2, but I'm turned off by the price. I can't afford that as an unemployed high school student!

So, I was wondering about other tablet options. I'm looking for something that can install a lot of cool apps, take notes, have a keyboard that I can actually use (I love the iPad for this) use the internet, read ebooks (high importance) and watch videos. Flash would be great. And as cheap as possible. I'm not really sure where to look. At the local verizon store they have the galaxy tab, but it's the same price as the iPad =/

Any suggestions?

[bs5765]

I'm thinking of getting one too, however, if you want a good tablet you have to pay the $$. I don't want to get a mediocre one that I won't be happy with. I would pay the extra couple hundred dollars and get a nice one.

[PhillyPhil]

I see the tablet market in three segments right now: expensive quality (iPad and it's direct competitors), cheap rubbish, and a third category in the middle: fairly cheap, not bad quality.
Archos is the only manufacturer I can think of in that last category.
They sell tablets mostly sub-$300, and the tablets really aren't bad at all. They just released some new models: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/archos-intros-80-gb-and-101-g9-android-3-1-tablets-1-5ghz-cpu/
http://www.archos.com/
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/archos-arnova-7-hits-the-fcc-brings-new-hope-to-penny-pinching/

[kerry_s]

your looking at least $400, for a decent tablet which would be the eee transformer if you can find it in stock somewhere.

i think i'm just going to wait, maybe grab a ipod touch 4g (while there going on sale), to past the time. i seen them at bestbuy for $209 for the 8gig. my niece calls it a baby ipad :lolflag:

[akand074]

If you like keyboard. Asus Transformer (http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_Pad/Eee_Pad_Transformer_TF101/#overview), apparently 399$ US starting price. Otherwise Galaxy Tab 10.1 (http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxytab/10.1/index.html) also starts at 399$. There is also a 8.9" version of that model. There is sooo many choices when it comes to Android. Sony has dual screens coming out as well. You just get a bunch of great companies with great ideas making a wide variety of tablets/phones under the same great platform. Best thing about Android (aside from freedom). Take a google around, there are too many different tablets to count in a bunch of price ranges. There are even no-name type brand Android tablets for super cheap, though personally I wouldn't waste my money. I'm not sure what HPs touchpad prices will be, but WebOS is also great. Blackberry devices are usually pretty pricey.

EDIT: From a post above, Archos is a good choice for sure if you want to save money.

[trizrK]

I was first considering an iPad 2

I thought you said that you wanted a tablet? Lol

[akand074]

I thought you said that you wanted a tablet? Lol

I'm going to go ahead and +1 this.

[Macskeeball]

$349 can get you a refurbished first generation 16GB WiFi iPad, if that's what you want. http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad

My experience with refurbished products from Apple is that refurbished from them is actually not a bad thing. It really just means that the item has been through quality control twice.


I think I'm just going to wait, maybe grab a iPod touch 4g (while there going on sale), to pass the time. I've seen them at Best Buy for $209 for the 8 gig. My niece calls it a baby iPad. :lolflag:
The 8GB model is the cheapest 4th gen iPod touch, but it's not actually a good deal. $70 more gives you four times the storage. So the 32GB is the sweet spot in the current line up. In fact, the refurbished 32GB is only $30 more than the 8GB in new condition.

An issue with iOS devices before iOS 5 comes out this fall is that they require iTunes for initial setup, OS updates, and syncing. iTunes isn't available for Linux. When iOS 5 comes out, it will be possible to user iOS devices without a computer.

[Jose Catre-Vandis]

Get a netbook - and / or an Android smartphone .....

[steveneddy]

How the iPad 3 then?

Just get your parents to get it for you, explaining how much better your homework could get accomplished with modern hardware and up to date and easy to use graphical user interface.

[kerry_s]

The 8GB model is the cheapest 4th gen iPod touch, but it's not actually a good deal. $70 more gives you four times the storage. So the 32GB is the sweet spot in the current line up. In fact, the refurbished 32GB is only $30 more than the 8GB in new condition.

An issue with iOS devices before iOS 5 comes out this fall is that they require iTunes for initial setup, OS updates, and syncing. iTunes isn't available for Linux. When iOS 5 comes out, it will be possible to user iOS devices without a computer.

that's $70 more dolloars i don't have. :lolflag:
rumor is there's going to be a bigger itouch or smaller ipad, so i decided to wait & see, i'd really like to have ios 5, but it won't be out till at least next year. still you can use samba(folder sharing) for the current gen's

anyways, itunes is not a problem for me, i'm ready.

[Macskeeball]

that's $70 more dolloars i don't have. :lolflag:
rumor is there's going to be a bigger itouch or smaller ipad, so i decided to wait & see, i'd really like to have ios 5, but it won't be out till at least next year. still you can use samba(folder sharing) for the current gen's

anyways, itunes is not a problem for me, i'm ready.

iOS 5 will be out this fall according to Apple. iPod events have been held in September since the second iPod in 2002. I would expect iOS 5 to be released at that time. When that happens, the current gen will be upgradable to it.

[kostageas]

I'm really liking the look of the iPad 2, especially with the Retina display. I could care less about the rear facing camera, but it's a plus. I'll probably buy one refurbished a few months after the third generation comes out, as long as God (Steve Jobs) doesn't convince me the iPad 3 is worth it :P

[mamamia88]

I would reccomend a netbook but then i saw that you where looking for something to read books on. in that case i heard the nook color makes a decent tablet and it was meant for reading to begin with. i'm lucky i had a netbook already and bought a kindle. i think that combination is the way to go if you can afford it.

[kostageas]

I already own a netbook . . .

A Dell Mini 10v

It's just a bunch of parts now.

I got mad.

When looking at my grades.

And took a hammer to it.

No joke.

[CraigPaleo]

I already own a netbook . . .

A Dell Mini 10v

It's just a bunch of parts now.

I got mad.

When looking at my grades.

And took a hammer to it.

No joke.

Wow. I would check into anger management classes if I were you. There are healthy ways to deal with anger. I'm serious. I used to dig myself all over out of anger when I was very young so I know the feeling.

[kostageas]

That was the angriest I have ever gotten, it has never happened before or since.

I don't think I need anger management, just need to control myself like I usually do. Just kind of snapped for a moment.

[Bandit]

I was first considering an iPad 2, but I'm turned off by the price. I can't afford that as an unemployed high school student!

So, I was wondering about other tablet options. I'm looking for something that can install a lot of cool apps, take notes, have a keyboard that I can actually use (I love the iPad for this) use the internet, read ebooks (high importance) and watch videos. Flash would be great. And as cheap as possible. I'm not really sure where to look. At the local verizon store they have the galaxy tab, but it's the same price as the iPad =/

Any suggestions?

I want a Dell Inspiron Duo, check these out (http://www.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/global/products/landing/en/inspiron?c=us&l=en). Netbook size, plus speed, plus flip over touch screen.. God has answered my wishes..

[Darris]

I see the tablet market in three segments right now: expensive quality (iPad and it's direct competitors), cheap rubbish, and a third category in the middle: fairly cheap, not bad quality.
Archos is the only manufacturer I can think of in that last category.
They sell tablets mostly sub-$300, and the tablets really aren't bad at all. They just released some new models: http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/23/archos-intros-80-gb-and-101-g9-android-3-1-tablets-1-5ghz-cpu/
http://www.archos.com/
http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/archos-arnova-7-hits-the-fcc-brings-new-hope-to-penny-pinching/
do not get an archos!
i got an archos for christmas.
it's terrible, I don't know how they exist as a company.
The resolution is for the touchscreen is less resolute than the screen itself on mine, so sometimes to press something I have to put my finger above it. The home edition has no flash support and it has nothing redeeming that I know of.

[jhonan]

I don't think I need anger management, just need to control myself like I usually do. Just kind of snapped for a moment.
I bet if you'd paid for it using your own hard-earned cash you'd have been able to control your anger.