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Tablet recommendations for an imbecile...

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Morning All. 

Can I have some of your experiences on these things. It's for the Wife, whilst she whiles away 6 hour Chemo cycles for the next 18 weeks.

Can you bear in mind you'll be replying to a halfwit, so make sure you hold your heads at the appropriate angle...

10" screen seems to be the favoured option...



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Comments

  • Axe_meisterAxe_meister Frets: 4613
    Apple. Simple, works and no advanced customization features that get in the way
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  • JezWyndJezWynd Frets: 6021
    Definitely Apple. My first was an Android and then I moved to Apple iPad. So much easier to use. Your main choice is whether you want/need an onboard SIM card so the machine can access the internet directly, or if you go with a wi-fi only model that links up to your home network hub and free wi-fi hotspots. If your wife is going to use it at hospital it's probably best to get a SIM installed model as hospital wi-fi is slow and very erratic ime. 10" screen is a good choice.
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  • TTonyTTony Frets: 27346
    What sort of phone does your wife use?

    If it's an iPhone, then the similarity between iOS on phone and iPad would strongly suggest iPad despite the iPad often being the more expensive option.  The familiarity is worth paying for.

    It's also worth considering what she'll use the tablet for, and then compare the range/quality of apps available for those purposes on Apple vs Android.

    Alternatively, if she's just going to be reading books, one of the dedicated book reader devices is probably cheaper and more suited to that particular task.
    Having trouble posting images here?  This might help.
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  • GrunfeldGrunfeld Frets: 4028
    10" definitely more convenient.  I'm new to apple*, went for the 12.9" which is perfect for reading pdf files but that's about it.  It's not exactly a convenient size. 

    * learning curve inevitable.  Lots of YouTube videos on how to do "obvious" stuff.  It still seems arse-backwards!
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  • crunchmancrunchman Frets: 11414

    Apple are overpriced - especially bearing in mind that the base model never has enough storage, so you need to go for one of the more expensive ones.

    Steer clear of the really budget Android ones, as the battery is one of the areas they skimp on, and they won't last 6 hours if that is your requirement.

    There are 10" Samsung tablets advertised for around £170.  You can add a microSD card to get large amounts of storage very cheaply.  Brands like Huawei are ok, and will be a bit cheaper.

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  • underdogunderdog Frets: 8334
    Depends what she wants it for, if it's simply reading, browsing and watching films i see no need to spend on an iPad when a £100 android tablet would do all that easily.
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  • olafgartenolafgarten Frets: 1648
    I'd would usually recommend an iPad rather than an Android Tablet. Mostly because Android Tablet Manufacturers seem incapable of making a good high end tablet

    Although for general Web browsing an Android Tablet, or even a Chrome OS Tablet is probably sufficient. 
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  • SporkySporky Frets: 27590
    Android Tablet Manufacturers seem incapable of making a good high end tablet
    My Tab S3 is very decent.

    But I think with the Android ones you do need to go high end if you want something that's quick and slick like an iPad. The budget options I've tried haven't been great, but the old Nexus 10 was excellent too.
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 26754
    iPad, unless she's particularly anti-Apple. Even the entry-level non-pro model is great these days. Go at least one step up from the base storage capacity (not sure what the options are at each level, but you're likely to run out of space with the smallest)
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • CirrusCirrus Frets: 8481
    Of the android tablets I've used (My company uses them for house surveying work, so we've been through many different models) I really rate the Tab A6. It's got a great battery, a good screen, feels very solid and of the approx. 30 we've got being carried around day to day in all weather up and down the country, only two or three have had problems (and I suspect they've been dropped... the bastards never admit it!)
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  • crunchmancrunchman Frets: 11414
    iPad, unless she's particularly anti-Apple. Even the entry-level non-pro model is great these days. Go at least one step up from the base storage capacity (not sure what the options are at each level, but you're likely to run out of space with the smallest)


    By the time you go up from the base model iPad, you are getting on for double the price of a name brand Android like Samsung, and probably 3 times the price of something perfectly decent like Huawei.

    The only reason to go iPad is if there is specialist stuff you want to do.  E.g. some digital mixing desks have apps for Apple but not Android (at the moment - although Android apps will be on the way because they will be losing sales to other brands that have Android apps).

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  • Winny_PoohWinny_Pooh Frets: 7735
    edited August 2018
    An imbecile and their money are easily parted: buy Apple
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 26754
    crunchman said:
    iPad, unless she's particularly anti-Apple. Even the entry-level non-pro model is great these days. Go at least one step up from the base storage capacity (not sure what the options are at each level, but you're likely to run out of space with the smallest)


    By the time you go up from the base model iPad, you are getting on for double the price of a name brand Android like Samsung, and probably 3 times the price of something perfectly decent like Huawei.

    The only reason to go iPad is if there is specialist stuff you want to do.  E.g. some digital mixing desks have apps for Apple but not Android (at the moment - although Android apps will be on the way because they will be losing sales to other brands that have Android apps).

    I'd argue the main reason for iPad is it's so ubiquitous (which means more apps) and easier to use. I know die-hard Android-people/anti-apple-people will hate me for saying so...
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • PhiltrePhiltre Frets: 4164
    I've owned various versions of iPads (and iPhones) from the day they arrived on the market. Always upgraded to the next model when the apps didn't work so well, or iOS needed to be upgraded. Looking back I threw a lot of good money away. If I was to get something new now I'd get an Amazon Kindle Fire for £80. Apple products are a waste of money. I was an Apple fanbois for 10 years. No longer.
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  • SporkySporky Frets: 27590
    I'd argue the main reason for iPad is it's so ubiquitous (which means more apps) and easier to use. I know die-hard Android-people/anti-apple-people will hate me for saying so...
    Are there more apps for the iPad? There might be more better ones...

    I'm not sure about the easier to use thing either - it might be because I'm used to Android, but I find iOS devices infuriatingly weird. Even little things like not being able to put a shortcut icon on its own in the middle of a page.
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
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  • IPad all day long, you might initially swoon at the price but you won’t regret it. 
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  • EricTheWearyEricTheWeary Frets: 16255
    as someone who is close to IT illiteracy I certainly found the basics on an iPad  pretty easy. They use them with primary school children so I suspect Mrs North would be fine with one.

    Just to pick up on something Tony said - I have the Kindle app on my  iPad. It isn't the same as using a kindle ( in terms of eye strain) so if reading books/ magazines on line is likely to be a major use then a kindle plus a cheaper tablet would be better. I can't remember the model names but make sure it's a kindle with a light. You also can't buy books direct from the Apple kindle app ( you have to go into the kindle store on the amazon app) which you can on a kindle and the battery life on a kindle is much longer. 

    Hope the treatment goes well.
    Tipton is a small fishing village in the borough of Sandwell. 
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 26754
    Sporky said:
    I'd argue the main reason for iPad is it's so ubiquitous (which means more apps) and easier to use. I know die-hard Android-people/anti-apple-people will hate me for saying so...
    Are there more apps for the iPad? There might be more better ones...

    I'm not sure about the easier to use thing either - it might be because I'm used to Android, but I find iOS devices infuriatingly weird. Even little things like not being able to put a shortcut icon on its own in the middle of a page.
    I've always understood it to be more-better (ie more apps you actually want to use), rather outright more (which isn't inherently a good thing). Whether that makes any difference to the imbecile in question I don't know. 

    What I do know, is that, as an iPhone and mac user, the way the 3 devices work together is really impressive. I have icloud-linked access to all of the files on my mac via my iPad whenever I need it, and no housekeeping type admin ever needs doing. Being able to receive a letter while at work, and have it scanned & filed via the iPad and waiting for me on my mac when I get home and actually need to look at it is fantastic.
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • underdogunderdog Frets: 8334
    Apple is great for specialist apps for drawing, animation, making music etc but everyday apps are pretty much cross platform now or at least there will be a good android alternative.

    For the basics and killing time I just don't see how apple is the answer, unless the question is "what's the most expensive way to obtain a basic tablet".
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