Posted: 11/1/2015 12:24:52 PM EDT
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Dislaimer: I'm basically tech-retarded.
I'm searching for a tablet computer to replace my ancient, failing netbook. I was all set to pull the trigger on an iPad, but then I changed my requirements a little, and I don't think its the best choice anymore, but I've got no clue what IS the best. So any help would be great. Requirements: 1) Has some type of rubberized case options (like otterbox/life proof-esque. Tablet will at times be in a backpack full of other junk bouncing around, in a dirty, dusty environment) 2) Capable of watching movies stored on an external hard drive. -Note: If this means that I have to buy a new external, that's okay, but the price needs to be factored into #3. 3) Budget tops out around $300, not including the case. One last thing that I would LIKE to have, is a built in webcam, but above are the only requirements. So, what should I look at? |
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Do you need to run any of the major Windows programs on it like iTunes or photo software, or just surf the web and run the common tablet / phone apps from Android or iOS?
Movies - Netflix or HBO or the like, or ripped DVDs? When you say "external hard drive" presumably you mean a USB one you already own? Few people in 2015 would buy a spinning media drive these days; they'd buy a flash memory based drive ("USB stick"). A good Windows-laptop-replacement-capable tablet is a Surface 3 but it's above your budget. http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.314885500?icid=en_US_Surface3_cat_modG_100615 Many /most tablets in your price range are Android based with smallish screens. You can't run Windows programs, and maybe you can or maybe you can't use that external hard drive, but huge selection of apps to run. See http://www.cnet.com/topics/tablets/best-tablets/ ETA: I'm a big fan of The Wirecutter and how they review things: http://thewirecutter.com/?s=tablet/ When I want to shortcut my research and bypass analysis paralysis, I trust their review processes. They haven't steered me wrong yet. Note that article I linked is a bit stale, maybe 2 months, it mentions iOS 8 as the latest iPad OS and it's now on version 9. |
| With that budget you might be better off looking at a refurbished tablet. You can probably get a new smaller form factor for around $300 but it wouldn't be best for watching movies. You'll always pay a premium for an Apple product. Android takes a bit more fiddling but are usually more economical. Look for one that can run a stock Android image. You'll just have less headaches that way. I can highly recommend the Google Nexus lineup. Let me know if you need help finding a good deal. You might want to check Tanga which is an Amazon owned liquidator. I bought a couple of refurbished items from them and have always been pleased. |
| So why doesn't an iPad fit your requirements? It does or has all of the basic thing you mentioned. Actually, just about any tablet does. The only thing you probably can't do with any tablet is get it new for $300 unless you go small. In the end, the iPad is going to be easier all around than any android. For computers I stick to windows and don't prefer Apple. Phones and tablets are Apple, you will thank yourself later. |
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Quoted:
Do you need to run any of the major Windows programs on it like iTunes or photo software, or just surf the web and run the common tablet / phone apps from Android or iOS? Movies - Netflix or HBO or the like, or ripped DVDs? When you say "external hard drive" presumably you mean a USB one you already own? Few people in 2015 would buy a spinning media drive these days; they'd buy a flash memory based drive ("USB stick"). A good Windows-laptop-replacement-capable tablet is a Surface 3 but it's above your budget. http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.314885500?icid=en_US_Surface3_cat_modG_100615 Many /most tablets in your price range are Android based with smallish screens. You can't run Windows programs, and maybe you can or maybe you can't use that external hard drive, but huge selection of apps to run. See http://www.cnet.com/topics/tablets/best-tablets/ ETA: I'm a big fan of The Wirecutter and how they review things: http://thewirecutter.com/?s=tablet/ When I want to shortcut my research and bypass analysis paralysis, I trust their review processes. They haven't steered me wrong yet. Note that article I linked is a bit stale, maybe 2 months, it mentions iOS 8 as the latest iPad OS and it's now on version 9. Talking DVD ripped .mp4 type files for the movies. I assume most anything in a "full size tablet" size will be fine for me, as my netbook screen is (very roughly) 10x6 and that is fine. This is sit on your lap/airline tray table wearing headphones type movie watching, not at all looking for a cinematic experience. Do they have flash media drives in the TB range yet? As for opening windows based apps, I have a work computer for virtually all of that that I need to do. My two main uses are the movie watching and random, time passing games (like monopoly and brick attach type shit) while travelling, and surfing the internet at home. For anything serious I use the actual computer. |
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Quoted:
So why doesn't an iPad fit your requirements? It does or has all of the basic thing you mentioned. Actually, just about any tablet does. The only thing you probably can't do with any tablet is get it new for $300 unless you go small. In the end, the iPad is going to be easier all around than any android. For computers I stick to windows and don't prefer Apple. Phones and tablets are Apple, you will thank yourself later. I don't know that it doesn't work, only that the price point is higher, so I would hate to see one get smashed up, and I am not aware of one that I can plug in to IOT watch movies and stuff. I should mention that it needs to have the movie watching, photoviewing, time wasting functions available without access to a network. |
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Quoted:
I don't know that it doesn't work, only that the price point is higher, so I would hate to see one get smashed up, and I am not aware of one that I can plug in to IOT watch movies and stuff. I should mention that it needs to have the movie watching, photoviewing, time wasting functions available without access to a network. Quoted:
Quoted:
So why doesn't an iPad fit your requirements? It does or has all of the basic thing you mentioned. Actually, just about any tablet does. The only thing you probably can't do with any tablet is get it new for $300 unless you go small. In the end, the iPad is going to be easier all around than any android. For computers I stick to windows and don't prefer Apple. Phones and tablets are Apple, you will thank yourself later. I don't know that it doesn't work, only that the price point is higher, so I would hate to see one get smashed up, and I am not aware of one that I can plug in to IOT watch movies and stuff. I should mention that it needs to have the movie watching, photoviewing, time wasting functions available without access to a network. My current tablets are a Nexus 7 Android tablet and a Microsoft Surface 3. I have a Surface 2 I need to sell or donate, and I have an old Kindle Fire I use as a reader on the treadmill. Previously I've owned a full-size iPad, a Kindle Fire HD, and an iPad Mini, all given to my children. I work in the software industry and have owned all of these for SW development purposes. So - Android tablets don't mount external HD very easily. If you're "tech-retarded" then using your existing external HD will be difficult. iPads have similar problems. These small tablets instead like to use SD cards (usually micro SD) if they are expandable. You'd have to buy some 32G or 64G SD cards, copy your data to them, etc. I think the highest supported microSD card I've seen is 128G but maybe 256G exist now (clarification: larger microSD cards exist, but the hardware may not support the format they use). Apple products don't do external storage. I think your best bet is a Windows tablet. The Surface 3 is out of your price range, but there are several from Dell and others. You want to replace a netbook, and it sounds like you want to use it as your sole computer. They runs "real Windows", support plugging in anything USB (including external keyboards, etc), they will support your existing external HD just plug-and-play, same as your netbook. Here's a $360 refurbished Dell. I've used this before and they are reasonable and an upgrade from your netbook: http://www.amazon.com/Dell-Venue-11-Pro-Refurbished/dp/B00U6CPGME/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446403603&sr=8-1&keywords=dell+venue+11 |