Picking out a Tablet for school, etc.

[snakeblitz33]

Hello Friends of SWF!

I'm pretty much in my home stretch at college. I can finally see that diploma in my hands. Whew!

I see all of these younger people in my classes with these tablet PC's pulling out their foldup keyboards and plugging in their accessories... I'm completely jealous. Here I am sitting with blank sheets of paper and a pencil, while they have the eTextbook open and are typing notes faster then I can scribble. It's time for me to catch up with them.

I need some help picking out a decent tablet. Assume that I know nothing, please.

My budget is under $400. I looked at an iPad, and thought about it, but I don't think I like the fact that it is so expensive AND it doesn't come with a USB port etc.

I am currently looking at the Kindle Fire, unless someone else has other suggestions.

 

[saxman]

Unless you're good at "typing on glass", I'd look into a netbook since they have keyboards, or be sure you get a bluetooth keyboard you like.

Personally, I have an iPad 3 with a Zagg keyboard...makes it more like a tiny laptop. In fact, it's so handy, I rarely use my laptop anymore.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I am looking at a windows 2 tablet. It has a full size USB already on it. Micro SD card slot and windows 8. I don't like 8, but I played with it today and it was ok.
I looked at the Bluetooth keyboards at bestbuy and found one I liked for another $70+tax. Technology is expensive.

 

[2quills]

Nobody uses laptops anymore?

 

[2quills]

I have a kindle fire HD. It's nice for plinking around on while kicked back at home but I don't know if it would be my choice of machine if I were a power user. Check out Samsung as well, performance wise they are up there with apple.

 

[saxman]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/396612/picking-out-a-tablet-for-school-etc#post_3534033
Nobody uses laptops anymore?
Altho my laptop is is a fire-breather, it's probably 3x as big, and a lot heavier than the iPad, and for quick stuff, it's a lot more convenient. Also, you don't have to remove them from your carry-on when you travel, which is the case with laptops...traveling is a LOT easier without my laptop.

Tablets have their limitations, but they sure make life easier if you use them right.

 

[2quills]

Altho my laptop is is a fire-breather, it's probably 3x as big, and a lot heavier than the iPad, and for quick stuff, it's a lot more convenient.  Also, you don't have to remove them from your carry-on when you travel, which is the case with laptops...traveling is a LOT easier without my laptop.
Tablets have their limitations, but they sure make life easier if you use them right.
Yeah my 6 year old lap top is on it's last legs. I've just been using my tablet and phone. Probably won't get another one either. If anything I'll go for a new desk top for the house because when I want a larger screen its nice to have and just keep the tablet for general purpose.

 

[mohawkninja]

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/products/surface

This is your best bet. It has Microsoft word, and it is basically a computer.Only $349. One of my friends owns one, and it is build extremely well. USB port for flash drives, and a foldable typing cover. It's great.

 

[phixer]

Tablets for school.

I've found the best tablets are made of Asprin. They are less perishable than any computer and better at getting rid of the headaches that are caused by the electronic versions.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2Quills http:///t/396612/picking-out-a-tablet-for-school-etc#post_3534033
Nobody uses laptops anymore?

I have a brand new, running Windows 8...Dell laptop and I love it, but I'm not in school...I HATED the tablet and gave it away. I wish I knew you needed one Snake, it ran Android 4 and it was a Motorola Touchpad.

You can go to eBay, and get a brand new ipad in the box for under $400.00. I paid around $250.00 for mine, but it wasn't an ipad.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=ipad+4th+generation&rt=nc&LH_BIN=1

 

[phixer]

Everyone in my graduate classes uses laptops, I dont know why (fashionable I suppose), it's funny watching them trying to find pages with their readers and electronic versions of the text. The book works better for me. Will use an IBM T50 on occasion otherwise just use my brain, a TI 84 and a pencil. I find them to be faster and more dependable.

 

[snakeblitz33]

I really liked the Surface 2, which was the one that the guy at Best Buy recommended for me. It has everything I need... and as you said, it's just a mini - touchable laptop, which I like. The price at BB was $450 I think. I'll have to look online.

Some unexpected bills came up and I'm having to use some savings to pay it off. Looks like it will be another few weeks before I can really buy anything at this time.

 

[beth]

I think Surface is the way to go. It packs a whollop with what you need, has the keyboard and has the portability you need for school. You can also play games during lunch. Now, of course, you'll need to consider battery life as well in school, so don't forget that. The new macbooks have very good battery life, but are not in your budget.

 

[mohawkninja]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/396612/picking-out-a-tablet-for-school-etc#post_3534182
I think Surface is the way to go. It packs a whollop with what you need, has the keyboard and has the portability you need for school. You can also play games during lunch. Now, of course, you'll need to consider battery life as well in school, so don't forget that. The new macbooks have very good battery life, but are not in your budget.
The surface has battery life comparable to a macbook, I think. Both around 7-8 hours.

 

[beth]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mohawkninja http:///t/396612/picking-out-a-tablet-for-school-etc#post_3534183
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/396612/picking-out-a-tablet-for-school-etc#post_3534182
I think Surface is the way to go. It packs a whollop with what you need, has the keyboard and has the portability you need for school. You can also play games during lunch. Now, of course, you'll need to consider battery life as well in school, so don't forget that. The new macbooks have very good battery life, but are not in your budget.
The surface has battery life comparable to a macbook, I think. Both around 7-8 hours.
For school purposes long battery life would be essential. I would never buy a macbook. You can't even change out components except on their old school 13"

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/396612/picking-out-a-tablet-for-school-etc#post_3534190
For school purposes long battery life would be essential. I would never buy a macbook. You can't even change out components except on their old school 13"

LOL...Anybody remember those desks with the inkwell hole? I had no idea when I went to school why all the desks had that hole...my mother told me about the liquid ink kids used when she went to school. Maybe the new school desks will have an outlet for all the electronic gizmos for the students to use...LOL...LOL. I can imagine some kid asking mom why there was a dent/ groove at the top of all the desks, and her explaining about the old days when people used pens and pencils... the groove was to prevent them from rolling off the desk.

 

[snakeblitz33]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/396612/picking-out-a-tablet-for-school-etc#post_3534190
For school purposes long battery life would be essential. I would never buy a macbook. You can't even change out components except on their old school 13"

Definitely need a long battery life. I was looking at the windows surface 2. I think it is a pretty good fit for my purposes. I am able to play around on it pretty well. I get tired of sitting at the desktop computer at home, and would much rather be on the couch. Besides, I want to get rid of the desk in the living room and put it in the bedroom anyways,... so a tablet will also be good for that as well.

Right now I am dealing with back taxes. The State overpaid me a few years ago in a refund check and this year they are terrorizing me to get back their $150. I got on a payment plan, and every month that I pay, they say that it's the SAME FREAKING AMOUNT. I can't believe that there is $30 a month in interest fees. I'm going to go ahead and pay the whole dang thing off and get a receipt and print a few out and physically mail them the receipt of payment... The last piece of mail I got from the state said that if I don't pay, that they would suspend both our drivers licenses, costing 1k each to get them back. WTF?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/396612/picking-out-a-tablet-for-school-etc#post_3534193

LOL...Anybody remember those desks with the inkwell hole? I had no idea when I went to school why all the desks had that hole...my mother told me about the liquid ink kids used when she went to school. Maybe the new school desks will have an outlet for all the electronic gizmos for the students to use...LOL...LOL. I can imagine some kid asking mom why there was a dent/ groove at the top of all the desks, and her explaining about the old days when people used pens and pencils... the groove was to prevent them from rolling off the desk.

I remember going to an old abandoned school and looking around one time and seeing those desks with the hole in them. Never knew what it was for. That's interesting. I can see where you're going with this... handwriting, especially cursive handwriting is becoming a lost art with the age of computers. There are so many people who would rather type than write these days, and practically everything that a student turns in to a teacher is typed.

Next thing you know, desks themselves will have built in computers in them. I wouldn't doubt it.....

 

[snakeblitz33]

Ok, there are two things that I really want right now,... one is a tablet and the other is a macro lens for my Nikon. A few weeks ago, I had the money for both.

Tablet vs. Macro lens.

I think a tablet is going to win. I am going to buy the Windows Surface 2 today I guess. A macro lens won't really be a good investment until next Spring / Summer until the bugs and blooms start coming out.

 

[2quills]

Anybody remember when we used to write with hammers and chisels? Those were the days.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/396612/picking-out-a-tablet-for-school-etc#post_3534202

Definitely need a long battery life. I was looking at the windows surface 2. I think it is a pretty good fit for my purposes. I am able to play around on it pretty well. I get tired of sitting at the desktop computer at home, and would much rather be on the couch. Besides, I want to get rid of the desk in the living room and put it in the bedroom anyways,... so a tablet will also be good for that as well.

Right now I am dealing with back taxes. The State overpaid me a few years ago in a refund check and this year they are terrorizing me to get back their $150. I got on a payment plan, and every month that I pay, they say that it's the SAME FREAKING AMOUNT. I can't believe that there is $30 a month in interest fees. I'm going to go ahead and pay the whole dang thing off and get a receipt and print a few out and physically mail them the receipt of payment... The last piece of mail I got from the state said that if I don't pay, that they would suspend both our drivers licenses, costing 1k each to get them back. WTF?!


I remember going to an old abandoned school and looking around one time and seeing those desks with the hole in them. Never knew what it was for. That's interesting. I can see where you're going with this... handwriting, especially cursive handwriting is becoming a lost art with the age of computers. There are so many people who would rather type than write these days, and practically everything that a student turns in to a teacher is typed.

Next thing you know, desks themselves will have built in computers in them. I wouldn't doubt it.....

LOL...Old abandoned school! My son had those desks....OMG am I really THAT old?

2Quills...LOL...