Tablet Computer advice. Please!!

[spacial]

I am seriously looking at Tablet computers. I won't be buying one myself of course, but for others.

I've checked numerous reviews and they all seem to concentrate upon specs. But the memory seems so small I find it difficult to see how it can do very much.

I need to know what it can actually do.

Will it run Skype? Will it do it well?

Will it surf the net, especially banking and shopping sites?

Will it send and receive email?

I see some have USB others SD cards. How versitile is the USB? Can it run anything other than a memory stick?

How easy is it to connect one of these things to a printer?

Most important of all, does it need a phone contract. So many seem to imply connection to a Phone connection. Can it connect to the net through the WiFi?

[Zumbagirl]

I have both an iPad and an android tablet and I really like the iPad. I thought about a Microsoft surface tablet but after trying one I still prefer the iPad. I just want to add that I have bought a few apple items for home not to mention an iPhone so I might be a bit biased. If you want an iPad and don't want to pay a lot try game stop, craigslist or pawn shops. Used iPads can be had for cheap.

[blueconstancy]

I have a Kindle Fire (the original, non-HD model).

It does fine with web browsing, including banking/shopping, and can handle email. No SD expansion and I honestly don't know what you mean by USB (it connects to a computer and can up/download that way, but not run a program from the computer or anything?). Never tried Skype, unfortunately. Mine is WiFi, and I believe all the Kindle Fires come with WiFi capability, but it's true that some of the newer models offer an additional "phone contract" type connection to Amazon's network for a monthly fee.

Basically, I was shocked by how much it can do with so little - it's faster and more efficient at the tasks it *does* do than my netbook is, and the netbook has tons more memory - which is probably true for most of them. Of course, that does mean the specs are not that helpful to you.

[spacial]

I keep hearing about how much it can do and how many adds each one has, but still don't know what any of these things can do and I've never found a list of apps, other than in the most general terms.

USB is the basic memory stick. Kinda essential really, unless there is another means of storing data.

With 16Gb memory, it isn't going to hold very much. How does it store it's programs, (apps)? Are these always stored online? How much does that cost?

Does anyone know if one of these things can handle Skype. (It will need a web cam).

At the risk of sounding paranoid, I've been asking so many different people for the last couple of years at least. blueconstancy's response in #2 is the most comprehensive so far! I'm sure lots of people know but they seem to treat it with more secrecy than Digital Research. And they've gone bust!

[LilDevilOfPrada]

It comes down to who do you prefer for an OS.

If you want android then go for a Samsung.( Actually I am not sure if the latest model uses windows)

You want mac then go for the iPad.

You want a hybrid laptop and tablet in one then you go for the Ultrabook convertable.

Want DELL with win 8 then go for the XPS 10 tablet.

Its all done to personal preference.( keep in mind ipad are the fastest tech to be outdated do to macs rapid production style income methods. However this doesnt make them any less of a good tablet then any of the others)

[spacial]

Well that is also very nice.

But what does it do?

[LilDevilOfPrada]

Well that is also very nice.

But what does it do?

They all have about the same specs, here you looking at things like what apps I can get etc, Ipad can do most of everything all the others can but out of any tablet the ultrabook convertable is best work and fun tablet.

In terms of price however mac will cost you a leg where as a samsung would cost you half a leg.

[spacial]

With great respect they don't all seem to.

Some have web cams, other have USB. Different memory.

And that still doesn't explain where the data and stuff are stored.

But if you really can't explain it, can you at least say why?

Have you signed a confidentiality clause, that you won't discuss how the thing works?

[LilDevilOfPrada]

With great respect they don't all seem to.

Some have web cams, other have USB. Different memory.

And that still doesn't explain where the data and stuff are stored.

But if you really can't explain it, can you at least say why?

Have you signed a confidentiality clause, that you won't discuss how the thing works?

Okay want me to explain the tech behind them then ask specific qustions like is it imporant that is has a minimum og 2 GB of ram?? Then I could simply answer yes because ram is the memory used to performer proccess and the more ram you have the thousands more processes per second can occur.

I was simply giving you exaplames of tablets I consider worth the money.

So let me rather go back to your original question and answer that.

I am seriously looking at Tablet computers. I won't be buying one myself of course, but for others.

I've checked numerous reviews and they all seem to concentrate upon specs. But the memory seems so small I find it difficult to see how it can do very much.

I need to know what it can actually do.

Will it run Skype? Will it do it well?

Will it surf the net, especially banking and shopping sites?

Will it send and receive email?

I see some have USB others SD cards. How versitile is the USB? Can it run anything other than a memory stick?

How easy is it to connect one of these things to a printer?

Most important of all, does it need a phone contract. So many seem to imply connection to a Phone connection. Can it connect to the net through the WiFi?

All modern post 2009 can run skype.

Most tablets use a sim card system so yes they can all surf the web. Also all of them have wifi connctablity so you can use wifi net if you need. So even if it cant use internal 3G you can always use wifi.

The internet access means yes you can send and recieve email like any smart phone on the market.

USB- You know you standard port system your computer uses? Thats USB meaning you can plug in standard pc memory sticks and external harddrives into the tablet.

SD cards are mini memory sticks that have a maxium storage capacity of 16 GB( so this limits the amount of extra storage space your tablet can have.

To connect to a print the tablet will need a windows OS or Mac however I have never seen someone use ipads to print.
You do get wifi printers these days so I guess USB isnt a need for tyhat however, for most prints you will need a USB port on the tablet to print.

Ipad uses a contract system because it runs like a phone however the extra perk to this is a ipad can become a mobel wifi for your family.

I can tell you for what you want, dont go android OS tablets you wont get what your looking for (printing etc).

Now I dont know every tablet on the market but if you find some you like read its spec and read its features those usually tell you its capabilities.

My suggests are the Ultrabook convertible from the pc side
And Ipad from the apps and true tablet side.

[Incarnadine]

Well that is also very nice.

But what does it do?

Picked up an Ipad 3rd Gen refurb'ed from the Apple website.  I also use a Samsung Galaxy S2 cell phone; I include this info only to keep from appearing to be an Apple fan-boi.  I have just the 16GB model, and even with 30ish songs and 2.5 pages worth of apps, I've used around a third of the storage.  I only got the WiFi version, as I have my cell for when I need to access the internet while away from a Wifi hotspot or preferred network.

Just about everything that follows that's capitalized is the name of an app I use...

On my Ipad, I use Calendar for all 3 of my Google calendars; it syncs fine and keeps the calendars distinct by color.  I use the Ipad email client (Mail) sparingly.  I've used Notes to type lessons while I travel.  I use the Mint.com app for tracking my financials.  Nutrition Menu tracks my Weight Watchers points daily tally.  I use Garageband for working on tunes that I'm working on.  Dropbox keeps all of my lessons available no matter what device I use (also accessed on my S2 cell).  Paper, Brushes, and Inspire Pro are used by my wife for her artistic musings.  Adobe Reader does what Adobe Reader does on any device.  And E-sword allows me to read/study the Bible whereever. 

Skyburger, Tiny Towers, Risk, Pirates, Sentinel 3, TowerDefense, Angry Birds, and Minecraft PE are great stress relievers, as well as tools to keep my kids occupied on trips.

Hope this helps!

[spacial]

Thank you. That is quite good.

I'm looking at Kindle.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083PWAWU/ref=amb_link_173059367_6?ie=UTF8&nav_sdd=aps&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=00BM0Y181M1FDJK401JC&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=364330087&pf_rd_i=468294

But how do these things save their apps?

If I install Skype, how can I make sure it will be there next time?

How many apps can be installed at a time?

Found this as well, looking good: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12157/how-do-i-use-skype-on-my-kindle-fire-hd

[LilDevilOfPrada]

Thank you. That is quite good.

I'm looking at Kindle.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0083PWAWU/ref=amb_link_173059367_6?ie=UTF8&nav_sdd=aps&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=00BM0Y181M1FDJK401JC&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=364330087&pf_rd_i=468294

But how do these things save their apps?

If I install Skype, how can I make sure it will be there next time?

How many apps can be installed at a time?

Found this as well, looking good: https://support.skype.com/en/faq/FA12157/how-do-i-use-skype-on-my-kindle-fire-hd

You install them via your application store, and they are there until you manually delete them. The amount of apps you can have is the amount you can fit into the amount of storage space you have. Each OS type has its own app store which is usually obvious and easy to use.

[spacial]

Thank you all.

I know a load more now than I did.

Kindle seems the way to go. It does Skype, email, browsing and it's not too expensive.

Thanks again

[LilDevilOfPrada]

Thank you all.

I know a load more now than I did.

Kindle seems the way to go. It does Skype, email, browsing and it's not too expensive.

Thanks again

Plus kindles are known for being good for ebooks.

[blueconstancy]

I'm glad I was somewhat helpful, although honestly that's all I knew. The older model Fire (...it's less than six months old, sheesh!) does NOT have a webcam, so  no help there.

I can only assume that the apps are designed to be lightweight in terms of memory, as I have a dozen or so installed on mine beyond what it came with, and no issues even though it's only 8 Gb. As for where the apps "go," I think they're stored on the device just as a computer stores its programs - and on the Fire they display a lot like the icons on a desktop, very easy to find and use - but you can also rely on Amazon to remember anything you ordered and let you download it again later, so you can delete any apps you want without worrying about it.

I have not tried using any form of external memory; the Fire does have a micro-USB port. (That means I would need an adapter to fit a full-sized USB item in there.)

Honestly, the biggest selling point for me with the Fire was price (and size - I've got small hands). It's one of the cheaper ways to get a taste of the tablet experience, and if the person you're gifting likes it a lot, you/they can always upgrade eventually.

Good luck!

[Incarnadine]

AFAIK, unless you break into your Kindle (also called "rooting"), you can't [easily] install Google apps, if that's part of what you're looking for.  You have access to Amazon's app store, but you'd have to do some nerdy dancing to get Google's apps to work.  Here's a couple websites to give more info...

http://www.intomobile.com/2012/12/03/running-google-apps-kindle-fire-without-root/

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/12/how-to-side-load-googles-own-apps-onto-your-kindle-fire-hd/

[spacial]

I'm glad I was somewhat helpful, although honestly that's all I knew.

Believe me when I say, it was a ton more than I knew.

All I've ever had are responses such as, 'It can do anything', It's runs Apps.

I needed to know if it can do those basics, Skype, Email, basic surfing. The extras may be handy, but not my problem.

AFAIK, unless you break into your Kindle (also called "rooting"), you can't [easily] install Google apps, if that's part of what you're looking for.

No, but thank you.

I really looking for something that will do those basic things and which a couple of people I know, can easily use. My wife being one.

Hate to tell you what comes to mind with rooting.

Something else I did forget to ask. How long to these things generally take to start up?

[hazel]

Haven't had any other tablets to compare it with but for what it's worth,  I got a nexus 7 last month and couldn't be happier with it, web browsing is very fast, Skype works flawlessly,webcam on the front, tons of android apps and surprisingly good graphics too. I've also heard good things about the kindle fire HD and came close to getting one of those instead, so either would probably cover everything you want it to do.

Edit: one small problem I just thought of, you often have to hold down the power button for about 20 seconds before it will turn on. Apparently its a pretty common problem with them.

[Incarnadine]

Something else I did forget to ask. How long to these things generally take to start up?

Can't answer for other devices, but when used with a case/cover that activates the magnetic lock within the Ipad, power-on from an idle state is immediate.  Also, if the Ipad is not in a case and has gone to sleep (from not being used, similar to most other devices), pushing the button and swiping the on-screen lock makes it immediately active and ready as well.

[spacial]

Thank you for that response Incarnadine and others.

I think it's clearer now what to expect and it sounds not too bad.