Tablets - where to start?

[Soupermom]

Can you plug a flashdrive in a Galaxy? Would I be able to plug my iPhone into it somehow to upload photos?

 

[DLgal]

My 1st gen Nook has an sd card slot in the back under the plastic cover.

I also have a Nook HD+ that has a sd card slot next to the charger area. I can save movies to the my sd card and upload or save my documents to my sd card and load for work with my bluetooth keyboard.

My bad. MIL has a Nook and it doesn't have an SD card slot. I don't know which one it is though. I assumed they were all similar.

 

[DLgal]

Can you plug a flashdrive in a Galaxy? Would I be able to plug my iPhone into it somehow to upload photos?

You can just put the photos onto an SD card and plug that into your Galaxy tablet. I don't know of a way to direct connect an iPhone to a tablet to transfer photos. The two operating systems are not compatible.

 

[Soupermom]

You can just put the photos onto an SD card and plug that into your Galaxy tablet. I don't know of a way to direct connect an iPhone to a tablet to transfer photos. The two operating systems are not compatible.

I often edit photos and then load them on to a flashdrive to take to school for the yearbook and to post on our school's website, so I was hoping for a way to plug in that way, too. I suppose I'm asking for too much, but isn't there a commercial comparing an iPad to another tablet and one of the things the iPad voice says is "I don't have that" in reference to the flashdrive port?

 

[DLgal]

I often edit photos and then load them on to a flashdrive to take to school for the yearbook and to post on our school's website, so I was hoping for a way to plug in that way, too. I suppose I'm asking for too much, but isn't there a commercial comparing an iPad to another tablet and one of the things the iPad voice says is "I don't have that" in reference to the flashdrive port?

Yes, the Microsoft Surface tablet has a USB port. I forgot. My husband has one.

But that is a full sized tablet and runs Windows 8. The Windows app store is very limited and most developers aren't making windows versions of popular apps so keep that in mind. Other than that, I honestly think (tech wise), the Surface is the best tablet currently out there. I personally prefer Android OS, so that's what I have.

You can get the Surface RT with a click in keyboard cover for under $500.

 

[Nana2Callie]

I've been wondering the same thing as the OP. Right now we have a laptop, my kids have iPhones (5s) and I have an Android phone but will probably switch to an iPhone in the spring. I have a difficult time using my phone for the internet/games because of eyestrain. I want a tablet basically for games, surfing the net, maybe watching movies or reading a book and playing/editing my photos. Because of the latter I'm thinking I need one that has a port for an SD card and flashdrive. Does a device exist for under $500 that meets these needs?


Thanks so much for your time. I know these questions get asked frequently!!!!

I'm looking for a tablet for the same reasons you mentioned and the same budget. Did you find one?

 

[Soupermom]

I ended up purchasing an iPad mini the day before Thanksgiving at Best Buy. It was $300 with a $100 gift card (which I used to by an iTunes gift card and Big Bang Theory DVDS on sale). I LOVE IT! It is the perfect size and is just what I wanted. I have my music, photos and books on it. It can be used with a Kindle account, but I found the iBooks to be the same price at the iTunes store online (and I could use the iTunes gift cards for I; I also have downloaded and read many of the free books from iBooks). I love the way it works as a reader. You can change the brightness, color, font, etc and it has really helpful features like the dictionary and person search. (If you come across a person in the text and you forgot who they are, you can highlight their name and it will bring up all the previous mentions of them...LOVE this!). My photos look amazing on the screen and I have take some photos with it; the quality isn't nearly as good as my Canon camera, but for pictures in general, in good lighting, it is fine. Transferring photos from my computer to the iPad is a piece of cake. I use it for Facebook, Pinterest, keeping notes/reminders, and playing some games. It fits well in my purse and is comfortable to hold. I LOVE IT!

 

[wiigirl]

Yes, the Microsoft Surface tablet has a USB port. I forgot. My husband has one.

But that is a full sized tablet and runs Windows 8. The Windows app store is very limited and most developers aren't making windows versions of popular apps so keep that in mind. Other than that, I honestly think (tech wise), the Surface is the best tablet currently out there. I personally prefer Android OS, so that's what I have.

You can get the Surface RT with a click in keyboard cover for under $500.

 

[pryncess527]

I often edit photos and then load them on to a flashdrive to take to school for the yearbook and to post on our school's website, so I was hoping for a way to plug in that way, too. I suppose I'm asking for too much, but isn't there a commercial comparing an iPad to another tablet and one of the things the iPad voice says is "I don't have that" in reference to the flashdrive port?

The iPad does not come with a USB port. There is an adapter you can buy so that you can plug a USB device into the apple port that is on the iPad

and to answer the question of a PP, the iPad does have iTunes and can play music.

 

[timmac]

I have a four year old iPad and it still runs all the apps just fine. And batteries and screens are replaceable aftermarket - just replaced the screens on one. You can also break it open and increase the memory after market - though Apple won't tell you that you can - just in case.

Do you have a source to verify this? I'm inclined to question the veracity of this claim, as the storage chips are soldered to the main board in an iPad.

 

[squirrel]

I'm looking at switching over to an iPad mini from a horrible HP Slate 7.

I have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer.

Will the Wi-Fi work from Europe to North America (slate won't do this)?

Is it worth paying more for the retina display? This model also comes with GPS needed for some games.

What size do most of you have? I'm thinking of a 32GB as 16 might be too small.

If I get one with cellular do you have to have cellular carrier? I don't have a cell phone right now but was thinking in the future I might, is it worth getting an iPad mini with cellular if I don't need that feature right now but might in the future?

 

[starbird]

I'm looking at switching over to an iPad mini from a horrible HP Slate 7. I have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer. Will the Wi-Fi work from Europe to North America (slate won't do this)?

Wifi, yes. Cellular, not likely, at least without getting a local sim

Is it worth paying more for the retina display? This model also comes with GPS needed for some games.

Yes, but the retina version is also much more powerful. The non retina is essentially a small iPad 2, which came out in 2011. The retina has the latest processor/etc. This will extend its life as far as iOS updates.

What size do most of you have? I'm thinking of a 32GB as 16 might be too small.

I would say 32 gb is the minimum. I have that and will be going for 64 GB next time.

If I get one with cellular do you have to have cellular carrier? I don't have a cell phone right now but was thinking in the future I might, is it worth getting an iPad mini with cellular if I don't need that feature right now but might in the future?

You don't need to get a contract, but you do need to pick a carrier when you buy it. If this is your plan, I would suggest t-mobile. If you buy it from them, they will give you 200 meg of data free each month. It isn't a lot of data, but it is something.

 

[squirrel]

Thanks for answering my questions. I would use Wi-Fi to send e-mails from Europe on my next trip.

What kind of case do you have? Is a screen protector needed?

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

There are all types of different cases from just something to cover the screen while it's in your bag to decorative cases for just the back to full cases with physical keyboards. It really depends on your preference.

I will say that my experience with apple products is that the back device is susceptible to scratches but the screens have pretty awesome built in scratch resistance so I definitely wouldn't put one of those sticky film things over the screen.

 

[squirrel]

Thanks! I'll skip the screen protector and make sure I get a case that covers the screen.

 

[kiramay]

Thanks for answering my questions. I would use Wi-Fi to send e-mails from Europe on my next trip.

What kind of case do you have? Is a screen protector needed?

I bought iPad mini cases from an online company called Tmart. They're very similar to the thick otterbox type covers but cost $11.50. Included a plastic front cover. They've been dropped many times, including into 6" of snow.

This is the one bought, two of them: http://m.tmart.com/Griffin-Survivor-Military-Duty-Shell-Cover-Case-for-iPad-mini-Blue_p172128.html

 

[squirrel]

I bought iPad mini cases from an online company called Tmart. They're very similar to the thick otterbox type covers but cost $11.50. Included a plastic front cover. They've been dropped many times, including into 6" of snow.

This is the one bought, two of them: http://m.tmart.com/Griffin-Survivor-Military-Duty-Shell-Cover-Case-for-iPad-mini-Blue_p172128.html

Thanks, I saw those on ebay when searching to see what was available.

 

[starbird]

Thanks! I'll skip the screen protector and make sure I get a case that covers the screen.

I have a Targus leather case that acts as a stand, and has the Auto lock/unlock magnets in. That way, when I shut it, the screen is protected and shuts off as well.

 

[JB2K]

I'm so confused, can someone help me? Whats the difference between an Ipad, Kindle Fire, Samsung Galaxy, Google Nexus etc and so on? Is there a quick guide for comparisons? What does one do that the others don't?

Thank you so much!

Basically, speaking...it's not all about the tablet, but how you get your favorite things "on" the tablet

iPad, of course, is made by Apple and you can only purchase apps (software) from their App Store -- at some point, you would also need to install iTunes on your home computer fgor certain functions.

Anything "Kindle" is manufactured for Amazon, and while it is very much "Android-like", you can only purchase apps for the Kindle family from Amazon.com

Most of the rest of the tablets out here (Samsung, Google, a boatload of mystery names, as well as Barnes & Noble's "Nook") all run on a basic Android system, and apps for these devices can be purchased from Google Play. Most of these models will also have some sort of an SD card slot, making it easy to move photos, etc. to your device.

 

[JB2K]

I bought iPad mini cases from an online company called Tmart. They're very similar to the thick otterbox type covers but cost $11.50. Included a plastic front cover. They've been dropped many times, including into 6" of snow.

This is the one bought, two of them: http://m.tmart.com/Griffin-Survivor-Military-Duty-Shell-Cover-Case-for-iPad-mini-Blue_p172128.html

These are very good covers (and they go for quite a bit more at Target, and other retailers) -- very good call!