Tablet/E-reader advice needed

[LarryinArk]

My laptop decided to go on permanent vacay over the weekend. I am thinking of getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab, Kindle Fire HD, or Nook HD. Anyone have any advice?

Larry

 

[disney_girl125]

My sister and I both started out with kindle fires. We both returned them and got ipads. Couldn't be happier! I love my ipad! I use it with a logitech keyboard that it sits in.

 

[dawnhaze]

My main advice is not to expect any of those things to fully replace a laptop. I'm not sure if that's your intention from your post.

If you're wanting a general purpose tablet that can sort of get close to being a laptop replacement (at least for most non-work purposes), go with the Samsung.

The Kindle Fire can be nice if you're already in Amazon's content ecosystem by virtue of being a Prime subscriber, or if you already buy digital content from them.

I've never used a Nook HD so I can't comment on it.

 

[UncannySquirrel]

I have a Kindle Fire HD. It good for reading, playing games, checking facebook, Netflix & browsing the internet. I haven't done much else with it, but I don't think it has any Office apps.
I still rahter my laptop for working with, tablets are more casual.

 

[LarryinArk]

Thanks for the info. I should have stated in my original post that since graduating; I really just used the laptop for Netflix, Hulu Plus, Facebook, Email and of course planning for trips to Disney.

Larry

 

[disney_girl125]

If that's all you're using it for then the ipad should replace a laptop just fine. I don't need a laptop with my ipad. My ipad does everything I need it to do. It just depends on what you need it for.

 

[wiigirl]

I would suggest a Google Nexus rather than a Kindle, less restrictive.

 

[luvmy3]

You cannot add storage to the Kindle Fire. You can with nook HD, not sure about the Galaxy but I assume it has a microSD port.

 

[Tink575]

Thanks for the info. I should have stated in my original post that since graduating; I really just used the laptop for Netflix, Hulu Plus, Facebook, Email and of course planning for trips to Disney.

Larry

I would go for the Galaxy tablet, assuming it allows you to add a card for more memory. The larger screen is nicer for Netflix viewing etc. I would buy the Nook HD vs the Kindle because you can add a memory card.

My top choice is an iPad and I have a Nook tablet with a card rooted to Android. I find I use the iPad more for movie viewing and by extension everything else now except for reading books.

 

[Colleen27]

I love my Galaxy Tab.

Expandable memory was a must for me, which meant ruling out the iPad and Google Nexus right off the bat. Right now I don't need a ton of space but I don't want to have to buy a whole new device if my use habits change, and the removable card adds flexibility - for long road trips I pop in a card that holds the kids' movies and music, then swap back to my primary card when we get home.

The Nook HD was a close second to the Galaxy when I was shopping for a tablet, but I prefer the "generic" Android OS and direct access to Google Play; when I bought my Tab the Nook was still "locked" to BN's own app store (I think I heard that has changed now?). The new generation can't be rooted easily like the Nook Color could, and I was just more comfortable with a "neutral" manufacturer rather than one marketing the device as a way to sell content. The Kindle was never really much of a consideration for the same reason - I don't like being restricted to just one store or format. On my Galaxy I have the Nook, Kindle, and Kobo apps and buy my e-books from whichever has the best price on the title I want.

 

[thematson]

If a tablet is what you want, get an iPad. Too expensive? Get a refurbished iPad from apple.com Otherwise a Google Nexus or a chromebook would be your best bet.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I love my Galaxy Tab.

Expandable memory was a must for me, which meant ruling out the iPad and Google Nexus right off the bat. Right now I don't need a ton of space but I don't want to have to buy a whole new device if my use habits change, and the removable card adds flexibility - for long road trips I pop in a card that holds the kids' movies and music, then swap back to my primary card when we get home.

The Nook HD was a close second to the Galaxy when I was shopping for a tablet, but I prefer the "generic" Android OS and direct access to Google Play; when I bought my Tab the Nook was still "locked" to BN's own app store (I think I heard that has changed now?). The new generation can't be rooted easily like the Nook Color could, and I was just more comfortable with a "neutral" manufacturer rather than one marketing the device as a way to sell content. The Kindle was never really much of a consideration for the same reason - I don't like being restricted to just one store or format. On my Galaxy I have the Nook, Kindle, and Kobo apps and buy my e-books from whichever has the best price on the title I want.

I have a new Nook HD. It does have direct access to Google Play and the different AP stores. I didn't particularly want a tablet to be honest but my husband thought it would be easier when I travel. I have a Bluetooth keyboard with my tablet and also downloaded the MS Office App for I think less than $20 so I can create documents and spreadsheets. There is a MS Office app just for reading documents without editing.

I also like the option of being able to side load with a memory card especially for the movies that come with the digital download option. I personally use the memory cards for work and pictures. The Nook HD does not have a camera at all and no ability to "face time" if that is important.

OP, if you are just looking for something to tool around the internet, I probably would not spend all the money for an IPAD but again I am just cheap.

 

[mymeme]

I have totally replaced my old laptop with my iPad. There is a work around for almost anything you could do on laptop. Also with all the cloud storage such as iCloud, Dropbox, Box and many more it is so much easier for me. Plus you can choose to sync contacts, documents, email, everything with iPad and iPhone so you always have what you need with you. hth

 

[Echo queen]

I have totally replaced my old laptop with my iPad. There is a work around for almost anything you could do on laptop. Also with all the cloud storage such as iCloud, Dropbox, Box and many more it is so much easier for me. Plus you can choose to sync contacts, documents, email, everything with iPad and iPhone so you always have what you need with you. hth

I second this, my laptop is just sitting collecting dust.

 

[3boymthr]

I just bought the Nook HD to replace my Nook 1st Gen. Love it - as an e-reader with the occasional use of the internet such as checking facebook or the odd movie or so. It does have direct access to google play, etc. but I don't use this. If you are doing a lot of typing - and you actually type as opposed to hunting and pecking a tablet can be a pain when accessing the internet - you are restricted to hunting and pecking- I type 75 wpm so this is really really annoying for me. Also, when accessing the internet it is much slower than my desktop (this could be a problem with my wifi though) and doesn't have shockwave player. I like it just fine for searching the net for minimal things but find I prefer my desktop if I have intensive internet searching to do. Also because of the shockwave thing some web pages don't load properly.

 

[Pigeon]

I've got a 7 inch Galaxy and an iPad. I like the Galaxy much better. I find it more intuitive. I will confess to hating most things Apple, however.

I also have a Nook Simple Touch, which does not have tablet functionality, but is much more comfortable to use when reading in bed. The full sized tablets are heavy and awkward for that. The 7 inch Galaxy is better, but not as good as the Nook.