Need suggestions for a tablet.

I posted a long message in response and….poof!
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In short, if it’s gotta be windows (and not android), I’d go with the samsung. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1242404&CatId=6958
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It’s not cheap but it’s a lot of computer:
Samsung Series 7 Slate XE700T1A-A01US Tablet PC – Intel Core i5-2467M 1.60GHz, 4GB DDR3, 64GB SSD, 11.6” Display, Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Item#: S203-116302 | Model#: XE700T1A-A01US
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Core i5 is respectable, 4gb ddr3…meh. The os ssd is a really nice feature. I actually like the Win7×64 os, which is probably why they’re getting rid of it.
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I’d probably buy and android based tablet if that’s all you’re going to do. For win, though, this is my recommendation. You should ask superstretch; he knows tons about this geek stuff.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Windows based tablets are limited right now. There are some windows slate devices out there but they run the full version of Windows 7. So they are still not optimized for the tablet. Personally I have owned several iPads, and android devices. So far I would go iPad. Printing is not real easy from android or iPad unless you have a newer HP printer with airprint support. But all that might change here in the next couple of months. Windows 8 is being released and along with it Microsoft has announced they are going to enter the tablet hardware game. Their device will be called the Surface (http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx) This is all vapor ware at this point but to me it looks like a viable option to the iPad. Only time will tell.

On a side note my wife owns her own Title Company. She does 100% of her job on an iPad.

^Harper, I’ve worked mostly with ipads, too; I’ve handled the samsung above. I build big gaming-type full atx computers and I’m wondering about the Win-based, even ssd; don’t they get HOOOOOOT? The i5 is not exactly known for running cool. Just thinking out loud.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Stay away from IPAD poor warranty imho non upgfradeable without taking it to an apple store. Find one that uses gorrilla glass like a lenovo or similar and also one that you can add more memory to and you can change the battery easily unlike an ipad. Lenovo has a 3 year warranty and this so called retina display means as much as the old corinthian leather and is just a fancy name applied to try and sell it. Do your research and find something durable and upgradeable imho. I would decide what I want not what Steve Jobs says he wants for me.

-- www.cabinfevercreations.com

Bertha-
I’m really ignorant when it comes to tech.
Can I load pics from a digital camera’s card on the Samsung?
Is an external key board a good option? It would kick the price up to a grand or more. I don’t mind paying that much, but I worry that it might not do all the little, mundane crap we do on one.

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Harper-
Thanks for the “Surface” link. Looks like a really nice machine….when it becomes available. Might need to wait. But that Samsung looks good, too.
Did you see that 40” Samsung? Quite a screen.

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

I wouldn’t buy anything made by Gateway.
I had a desktop and laptop and both broke about 1 yr after the warranty. Both had bad mother boards which couldn’t be replaced.

I’ve got an acer and really like it. Make sure its windows 8 compatible whatever you get. Windows 8 likes tablets much better.

Just remember a tablet has limited drive space.

-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)

90% of my computer experience is in the business world. I use them so much when I get home I want nothing more than to unplug. I am currently leading our companies Client computing, and mobility team. We are a big Microsoft shop. So I likely have a little bias on this subject. The only slate I have used was at a Microsoft office in Detroit. It was not real hot but I am not sure how much continuous use it got. I agree though slates are built with laptop parts not ARM processors etc… So I agree heat would be a concern. My big complaint with it was the user interface. W7 was not made with a touch screen interface in mind. I have been using w8 on a test laptop I have. While it does not have a touch screen I can see how their Metro interface will be a huge improvement with touch screens. Learning how to use W8 with a traditional mouse and monitor is quite the learning experience. Have to love Microsoft for changing the user experience ever couple of years.

When it comes to Android vs. Apple opinions are plentiful. If you love one device you usually hate the other. Again my business bias likely has a lot to do with why I like the iPad. Androids have zero standards (bad for Business) The operating system is open source and the individual hardware manufacturers implement and change the OS all the time. so no 2 androids will operate the same. On the consumer side this is fine since you likely will only own one. Androids tend to have easier parts to replace. They have a huge following by developers and people who like to tinker and change the OS. They are the fastest growing device in the US.

As for keyboards. They sure are handy when writing long winded blog posts like this one. But for every day web surfing and short e-mail/tweeting, and Facebook posting they are not required in my opinion.

When it comes down to it try to get hands on any device you are considering and play with it yourself. There are lots of differences between devices and what works for one person wont work for another.

Sorry got a little long winded.

Don, I checked the website you listed and couldn’t help but notice. The old plains in the pictures are
Made in the USA!

Samsung galaxy 2. Best bang for the buck in my opion. About the same price as the ipad, but i like it much better. The 10.1 has a keyboard that plugs in, or you can use a bluethooth keyboard if you like.

-- www.newageneanderthal.blogspot.com . @NANeanderthal on twitter

I make my living in IT and something I can claim to know more about than most people (unlike woodworking). Simply put, any tablet other than the iPad is kind of a waste of money. The only exception being the Kindle fire, because it is only 200.00. It does have it’s limitations though and is by no means a full form factor replacement.

To put this in woodworking terms as an analogy, I’ll compare the iPad and the Samsung galaxy tab. Ideally, both are the equivlent of a brand spanking new 5hp Delta Unisaws. Here is the difference.

The iPad “unisaw” would have a standard 5/8” arbor. Go ahead and get any blade you want. If they make it, it will work on the iPad. The Galaxy “unisaw” would have a 1/2” arbor. Have you ever found a good collection of blades (or any) with a 1/2” arbor? Nope. Also the blade it comes with is terrible.

The iPad “unisaw” comes with a fence we all know and love. Standard bies t-square fence. The Galaxy “unisaw” comes with a fence that requires 3 hands to lock down, and the measurements on the ruler are in parsecs

The Galaxy unisaw has one miter track that is a completely random width, and the other one has been partially machined out, but will be useful on the next upgrade.

The only “cons” to the ipad version is only the manufacturer can service it. Say the belt (battery) went. You would have to have the manufacturer replace it for you. Fortunitely they made that belt (battery) so the life will likely outlast the devices usefulness.

-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts

from someone “greener” about computers than wood working…and that aint saying much…whatever you get, 10 minutes after you get it it will be out-dated, a newer, better version will be coming out next week and all your friends will have known of a btter deal if only you had let them know. At least that’s pretty much what I have had happen. LOL Whatever you buy, it will be old when they had you the receipt! Like my neighbor says…”I may not know how to do something but, by God, I do it a 110% !”

-- Use it up, Wear it out --------------- Make it do, Or do without!

Thanks to all of you that replied to my query about tablets.
After reading every post, I think that maybe this less than savvy old man will just replace the laptop with another one. It seems that many of the features I enjoy with this laptop might not be easily available in a tablet….yet.
Without all of your informed input, I would have made a costly mistake. I am grateful for all of your time and and information.
Thanks again!

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Good choice Gene. I’m not making any age assumptions or under the general impression that “old people don’t get it”. One of the engineers that works for me is almost 70 and is more tech savy that I could ever aspire or want to be.

My parents (60’s) recently made the same assumption and realized the same disappointment after the fact.
Mom and Dad needed new laptops. Mom got an iPad, Dad got an Android (Asus Transformer). VERY shortly after they realized that tablets are not full form factor PC replacements; even with tactile keyboards (which they both have). It is an entirely different class if device meant to compliment, not replace a computer. In some cases, it’s good enough. In most cases, it is not. My dad found out the first time he bought and downloaded some plans for an arts and crafts bookcase, and could not print them unless he also purchased a network ready printer.

They now each have new tablets and new laptops

-- http://www.etsy.com/shop/KandJWoodCrafts