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Tablet Question (Read 2105 times)
Morphy
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Tablet Question
Sep 4th, 2019 at 9:50pm
 
So...I'm in college. Been in college for awhile now and keep thinking "You know a tablet sure would be easier than lugging around all these books."

But I have yet to buy one for many reasons. The biggest being it's a big investment and I don't know which to get.

The two main contenders right now are the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil. It is the most powerful, the most polished and the apple pencil is awesome for people like myself who enjoy drawing.

The second is the Galaxy Tab S6. It's the newest tab and a real contender at dethroning the iPad. Maybe not as powerful and fast as the iPad but it has Dex which allows it to work like a Windows computer at the click of a button. Also way cheaper and comes with the S pen which is nothing to scoff at.  It's also way easier to access files which is my main reservation with the iPad pro.

Lately there's talk about iPad pros iOS 13 update that would fix many of the issues of no mouse, and difficult file access. Which should make this an easy choice. But it's in beta right now and I'm skeptical that Apple will commit and make it the mainstream update.

I realize this is a super specific question, but it's something I've been thinking about a lot and I don't know a ton about tablets. If anyone has any thoughts on this I would appreciate it. Thanks.
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Sarosh
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #1 - Sep 5th, 2019 at 3:45am
 
do you really need it?
It's like a big smartphone or a small laptop may be good to watch a movie at random places.
book reading is much faster from the book or the laptop than the smartphone for me , tablet would be in between (?).
I find a laptop very useful for the job can't see how a tablet is helping.
good luck!
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Morphy
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #2 - Sep 5th, 2019 at 5:36am
 
Valid question. Well, simple answer would be while anyone could technically do the courses without it, it would make life much easier. Cost/benefit is there just not sure which one to get.
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Curious Aardvark
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #3 - Sep 5th, 2019 at 7:23am
 
Okay first off - NEVER EVER BUY AN IPAD !.
They are cheaply made junk that lack even the basic ability to ad an sd card to expand the memory.
The screens will break if you so much as look at them the wrong way. The parts are all glued in, almost impossible to mend and they are made by a company called Foxconn.
Back when foxconn were making computer motherboards, I would not have used one if it had been given to me, free. 

Apple are the biggest con merchants around.

As far as powerful goes - who told you that ?

Even a low to mid range android tablet has better processors and ram than the best ipad.
Apple are con merchants. Avoid at all costs.

Samsung do make good kit, probably overpriced but - obviously - not in apples league of money grabbing thievery.

The galaxy is faster and more powerful than the ipad - that's a given.

So of those two - it's a total no brainer.
Get the android tablet - always.

I am a full time it professional, been using and fixing tablets since they were invented. So I do know what I'm talking about.
Why anyone in their right mind ever buys any apple product, ever - will always be a constant mystery to me Smiley 
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perpetualstudent
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #4 - Sep 5th, 2019 at 8:04pm
 
I looked at it back when I was in grad school and I eventually fell in the "could be useful, isn't actually useful for 95% of users" camp.

I loved the idea of reading the PDF files and making notes more like they were printed. It does feel like you should be able to read it in a more natural position than on the computer. Realistically though the interfaces aren't there yet.

The only thing that might matter is if it is a convenient format to do the mathlab/statlab crap. My sister who is in college still has more stuff online for more courses than I ever did. And when I taught stats I had to use statlab with my students. E-textbooks and online homework using proprietary interfaces are becoming more common.

I'd see if any of your classmates use them. And ask them some questions about it. Don't rely on a simple "Oh I couldn't go without it" what exactly do you do on it? How often do you use it vs the computer or phone? Which is more distracting while studying? Worth asking your instructor too if s/he has observed people with tablets vs with laptop/phone and what their impression is.
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"Facts stand wholly outside our gates; they are what they are, and no more;they know nothing about themselves and they pass no judgement upon themselves. What is it, then, that pronounces the judgement? Our own guide and ruler, Reason."
 
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Morphy
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #5 - Sep 6th, 2019 at 1:38am
 
Good points everyone. Thanks for your help.

I think I'll get the tab s6. I think it will be more productive from the interface point of view.

@CA- Ive always felt apple was overpriced as well. I admit though from a artist point of view that apple pencil is really, really good. Got to stay focused though. That's not the main reason I'm getting it.

@PS- I was shocked at the difference between school today and school 5 years ago. Virtually everything is online and the book is an after thought. Every single person has either a small laptop or tablet. I have a big laptop but I'm reluctant to lug such a large screen around.
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #6 - Sep 6th, 2019 at 7:49am
 
when i was at college - the internet was not a thing.
We had a college network - but they wouldn't let us acces the wild servers with bulletin boards.

I can recommend a little folding bluetooth keyboard.
I take one to mallorca with me, makes typing emails etc so much easier.

I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/iClever-Bluetooth-Keyboard-Foldable-Smartphones/dp/B00YWL...

But this looks pretty useful with the touchpad added: https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Jelly-Comb-Rechargable-Tablet-Dark/dp/B07P2HW12...

Apple still use lcd screens. So if the tablet encounters freezing temperatures - the screen will break.
Everyone else uses led screens, freeze proof, brighter and use less power.

I had to take apart an apple allin one desktop recently. The screen was attached with sticky tape. Not screws, bolts or clips - bloody double sided tape !
It's just junk !
lol 
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Do All things with Honour and Generosity: Regret Nothing, Envy None, Apologise Seldom and Bow your head to No One  - works for me Smiley
 
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Morphy
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #7 - Sep 6th, 2019 at 10:37am
 
Those are nice. Reviews look very good too and the price is quite good for both.

I will definitely be getting a keyboard with the tablet. There interface will never be as productive without one, especially one that can use a mouse or touchpad as well. The ability to just pick up and use it as a tablet or use it as a laptop I think is a good combination. Reading and note taking, just the tablet. Writing papers and doing homework, use the keyboard too. Best of both worlds really.
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perpetualstudent
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #8 - Sep 6th, 2019 at 12:38pm
 
definitely let us know how it's working for you afterwards. It might be that the 6 years since I stopped taking classes the interfaces made a big jump.
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"Facts stand wholly outside our gates; they are what they are, and no more;they know nothing about themselves and they pass no judgement upon themselves. What is it, then, that pronounces the judgement? Our own guide and ruler, Reason."
 
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NooneOfConsequence
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #9 - Sep 6th, 2019 at 6:29pm
 
I’ve owned iPads, Samsung Galaxy tabs, and Kindles, and despite the strong feelings from CA to the contrary, I would vote for the iPad. Apple’s software integration is top notch, and you will be more productive overall by not having apps and features that don’t play nice with each other. I also trust Apple’s security more.
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“My final hour is at hand. We face an enemy more numerous and cunning than the world has yet seen. Remember your training, and do not fear the hordes of Judas. I, without sin, shall cast the first stone. That will be your sign to attack! But you shall not fight this unholy enemy with stones. No! RAZOR GLANDES!  Aim for the eyes! May the Lord have mercy, for we shall show none!“  -Jesus the Noodler
 
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Morphy
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #10 - Sep 6th, 2019 at 9:48pm
 
Ahhh.... I'm so confused.

Only one thing can help me now...








...

DOH!
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Sarosh
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #11 - Sep 7th, 2019 at 5:08am
 
the more you think it the more expensive it gets . Tongue  it costs you time and willpower .

P.S.: I flip a coin and if i'm unhappy with the result I change it.
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #12 - Sep 9th, 2019 at 12:50pm
 
I don't really know anything about specific tablets, but I would say it's a good idea to have a tablet or a laptop if you are still unsure on whether to get one or not. Some of the classes I took had readings that were only posted online, so it was nice having something to access the internet with so I could read a bit between or before classes while I ate lunch Smiley
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #13 - Sep 11th, 2019 at 7:43am
 
we have a friend who has apple phones.
several times a year she drops them and the screen breaks.
the cost for a new screen is more than my dad paid for his android phone.
And despite my dads phone being regularly thrown at: things, people. the floor.  And it regularly falling out of his pocket when beating into, mud, puddles undergrowth etc.
It's still good as new.

Apple build quality is genuinely embarrassing - or at least if they weren't such money grabbing con merchants, they should be embarrassed.

Software wise, pretty much all decent software is dual platform.

It's a non-issue. don't get apple.

The reason android kit is immesurably better than apple is quite simple.
Apple refuse to licence their os to anyone else.

Anyone can make an android tablet - hel you can even ru it on a raspberry pi.
So in the android market there is stiff competition, lots of manufacturers vie with each other to make the best and give the best value for money. android devices evolve constantly.
Apple have no such competition, so they just carry on with the same old crap.
Actually that's not fair.
The original ipad and up to model 3. Could easily be taken apart and dead components easily changed. with the model 4 they changed all that by using cheaper components and just glueing everything into the case, making it extremely difficult to fix or change.

So while android devices evolve upwards and increase in quality and speed competitively - apple kit is actually devolving and being made cheaper and more fragile all the time.
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Do All things with Honour and Generosity: Regret Nothing, Envy None, Apologise Seldom and Bow your head to No One  - works for me Smiley
 
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Morphy
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Re: Tablet Question
Reply #14 - Sep 11th, 2019 at 12:40pm
 
Yea, those are all valid points CA. I'm with you on a lot of that.

The devils advocate would say that while Android has the better competition that Apple makes sure their apps all work together more seamlessly than Android.

But that being said, I've always chosen Android for that very point. There's an old meme out there that Apple is constantly releasing the latest, newest updates that have been part of Android for years. I think there's some truth to that.

The other option which I neglected to mention is the Surface Pro. The geekbench numbers seem to suggest that the Ipad Pro is the fastest speed wise of any mobile device, rivaling some decent laptops out there. But speed isn't everything and durability and usability is just as, if not, more important to me.

I've looked into the Surface a lot but from what I've read although it's fully capable of using windows software (of course), that software is not optimized for the mobile form. The buttons and windows can be way to small too use easily. I've also read there are fan issues that start up and won't stop, and it heats up quite hot leading to hardware failure.

Originally it was going to be the Surface Pro for sure, but I've read so many reviews of people that got burned it really made me cautious about it. 
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