Advice on buying a tablet PC

[Lone Wanderer]

Has anyone had any experience using a windows tablet for web browsing? I want to get a lower-end tablet for web browsing at Christmas, and used ones go for about $100.

[Dakinggamer87]

I've got an ASUS Transformer, and it's absolutely fantastic. Aside from PC games, there's really not a huge disconnect between using it vs a full-fledged PC. The Transformer seemed to have some build issue, early on at least, but mine never suffered any problems, and even the ones with problems were apparently RMA'd with very little trouble, ASUS stands by their products. The Transformer also gets very fast updates, sometimes before the Xoom (which is technically the developer tablet), and is confirmed to be getting Ice Cream Sandwich shortly after it comes out.

I'd recommend the hell out of the Transformer, if not for one reason: Transformer Prime. The next Transformer will be coming out in the next couple of months, so if you can wait for it, it's going to be a beast. It's got a quad-core (technically 5-core actually) Kal-El Tegra 3 processor, and it's thinner than it's predecessor, and weirdly enough looks kind of like an Apple Macbook Air actually.

So in short: ASUS Transformer, either the original now, or the Prime in a few months. I really don't think you'll be disappointed, and if you have any questions about it, or Android in general, feel free to ask, I'm a pretty big Android nerd.

If I get a tablet that's the one I'm gonna wait for..

[gtmtnbiker]

So in short: ASUS Transformer, either the original now, or the Prime in a few months. I really don't think you'll be disappointed, and if you have any questions about it, or Android in general, feel free to ask, I'm a pretty big Android nerd.

Thanks for sharing your comments. I'm looking for a tablet myself and have been thinking of the iPad 2 32GB but I'll have to check out ASUS product as well. Have you used the iPad and what do you think are the pros/cons of each? Yes, the iPad is more expensive and I'm a Windows person but still it's a pretty good product. I guess I'll have to go to Best Buy this weekend and just check them out in person.

[Lokkenjawnz]

So in short: ASUS Transformer, either the original now, or the Prime in a few months. I really don't think you'll be disappointed, and if you have any questions about it, or Android in general, feel free to ask, I'm a pretty big Android nerd.

Thanks for sharing your comments. I'm looking for a tablet myself and have been thinking of the iPad 2 32GB but I'll have to check out ASUS product as well. Have you used the iPad and what do you think are the pros/cons of each? Yes, the iPad is more expensive and I'm a Windows person but still it's a pretty good product. I guess I'll have to go to Best Buy this weekend and just check them out in person.

It's a bit difficult for me to speak towards the differences between the two tablets, I've used iPads a few times, though I own the Transformer which says a bit in and of itself. If I'm being brutally honest, Android tablets beat out iOS tablets in just about every way possible, functionally speaking. However, for someone who's not willing to learn something a bit different, then iOS is the way to go. The iOS products are very simple to pick up and use for just about everyone, though I tend to have trouble with them after using Android for so long.

My opinion is that if you're on the fence, check them out at a store. Don't just poke and prod at them, really try using them for what you would do with it. Short of that, find a place with a really good return policy, see if you can take it for an at-home test drive. A lot of it is personal preference, so I don't want to steer you in the wrong direction.

[gtmtnbiker]

I was at Best Buy and BJs today and checked out the tablets. The Samsung one was nice. Ditto for the ASUS Transformer. I didn't like the Motorola Xoom because of the power switch on the back issue. I also like the iPad 2.

They all seemed thin & lightweight enough. I do like Apple's interface design such as the home button being on the tablet and it's physical. When entering a URL, you have the .com button. Little stuff like that.

I might end up getting one of each: iPad and Droid eventually.

[Lokkenjawnz]

I was at Best Buy and BJs today and checked out the tablets. The Samsung one was nice. Ditto for the ASUS Transformer. I didn't like the Motorola Xoom because of the power switch on the back issue. I also like the iPad 2.

They all seemed thin & lightweight enough. I do like Apple's interface design such as the home button being on the tablet and it's physical. When entering a URL, you have the .com button. Little stuff like that.

I might end up getting one of each: iPad and Droid eventually.

Yeah if you're really on the fence, and you can afford both, I'd say go for it. They have very different strengths and weaknesses. The one big thing that the iPad has is sheer number of apps/games, and the fact that there's more big name games and such there. Though the upside of Android is fewer total apps, but a higher percentage of good apps, at least in my opinion.

If you do end up getting the Transformer though, they're going to be on sale for $250 at Best Buy on Black Friday, with the dock at only $100, so that's an incredible deal if you're up for it. Good luck!

[gtmtnbiker]

Noticed that Amazon does not seem to be selling the iPad directly any more. Is this a permanent change because of the Kindle?