Tablet computers... what do you guys use/recommend?

[noiseredux]

There's also the option to get a Surface Pro, so you get the tablet but with the ability to run all your desktop apps. It's definitely pricy, but if you don't already have a laptop then it'd be worthwhile.

you missed the part where I was only considering this because I had a GS giftcard so will spending $0-almost$0 in actual people money.

[MrPopo]

There's also the option to get a Surface Pro, so you get the tablet but with the ability to run all your desktop apps. It's definitely pricy, but if you don't already have a laptop then it'd be worthwhile.

you missed the part where I was only considering this because I had a GS giftcard so will spending $0-almost$0 in actual people money.

There's a chance I was responding to the original poster. The world doesn't revolve around you Noise

[Cronozilla]

I should have noted that my interest in playing games on a tablet is really, really minimal. Close to non-existent. Though I've been a total convert (obsessive) of Android phones for the past few years, I've played um... Angry Birds, Words With Friends and Draw Something for a combined total of like 40 mins. Maybe.

Tablet-wise, I'm basically looking for something to use to read a few sites/blogs, post here and maybe once in a while stream Youtube or Netflix when I'm in bed or at the kitchen table or in the basement or back yard or something rather than hanging out in my game room.

It could also come in handy for things like checking out a map for a game I'm playing without switching screens or something y'know?

That's exactly what I used my tablet for most of the time ... until I found out I could stream my desktop remotely and play the same games using a pad. For example.

You'd probably want to check video codecs as well, since most tablets can utilize DLNA in some way.

Just trying to offer the most use. BlueTooth is pretty important and has a lot of uses. It's for devices to be connected wireless, whether that's a controller, or a remote control while the device gets hooked up to a TV. Why would you ever do that? There's lots of reasons.

I'm not suggesting you spend a lot of money (or any), but you definitely want to give yourself the highest possible chance of enjoying the device.

[Gunstar Green]

I have a first generation Nexus 7 and have gotten far more use out of it than I ever expected.

[noiseredux]

good advice, Crono. Thanks. I am still sort of weighing out what I think I'll really use and what is just superfluous geek lust in my mind. I'm also weighing out "do I want to just use the giftcard and get whatever I can for free, or am I actually in the market to buy something specific that I want to spend additional money on? I'm prob gonna end up at the local GS on my way home to see what models they have in stock, how nice the screens look, and what features each has vs. how much I think those features are worth. So we'll see.

[isiolia]

Just looking at the Gamestop site has, I think going and buying one you'd really want instead is the better option. I think most of what they have for ~$100 would be $20-30 less on eBay for a 16GB version instead of an 8GB one.
What I'd consider is using your credit to take a chunk out of a more expensive one. Or just use it to buy games/etc that are a good deal, since it's opportunity cost either way.

[noiseredux]

I gotta say, it makes a big diff in price, but the Nexus 7 sure does look enticing...

[isiolia]

They're nice little tablets. I have a first-gen one that I tend to use at home.

[noiseredux]

They're nice little tablets. I have a first-gen one that I tend to use at home.

kind of eye-balling the 16GB. Seems like it's got all my bases covered: Google Play Store access, micro-SD slot, bluetooth, and even 3G/4G.

Stupid question, the 3G/4G is "free" right?

[isiolia]

Nexus 7 doesn't have micro SD on either revision. There are LTE models, but they don't have free service on 'em, and it takes jumping to the 32GB version I think, at least on the current model.

You do get official, vanilla Android, so Play store and all that, along with timely updates to new versions.

The original version is more or less the same guts as the Ouya, though obviously managed differently as the Ouya has a fan and no battery life to worry about. Those are more what I glanced at, since Gamestop is selling the 8GB for $110, and you can find the 16GB on eBay for under $100.
The 2013 model has a fairly decent spec bump, along with a higher res screen.