[TriLUG] OT: Tablet Recommendations

Sun May 17 12:07:25 EDT 2015

OK taking external storage off the list then I would second the Nexus.
Especially if you already own an android device and use the google play
store.

I do like the kindle fires we have for the kids.  Mostly because of the
better parental control options for them.  But unrooted they are tied to
the amazon app store and purchases do not cross over from the Play store.

The nexus devices really are some of the best in android.

One alternative mention that I am interested in is the note series though.
The note 10.1 has a wacom digitizer in it like the MS Surface series and if
you do any graphic design it is pressure sensitive with the included
stylus.  I like drawing on a tablet, it is probably one of the top options
out there for that.  But that was not in your wishlist, it was in mine.

Ken

On Sun, May 17, 2015 at 11:46 AM, Alan Sterger <asterger at earthlink.net>
wrote:

> Thanks again, Ken.
>
> I'll take external storage off of the must haves.  It was never that
> strong an option as I'll always have source documents on the NAS or one of
> my other computers.
>
> At this point, I keep coming back to the Nexus 9.  As a tech person,
> appreciate the latest/greatest OS and features.
>
> Was in Best Buy talking about spending bonus points on an Android tablet.
> After a few questions the CSR said I would probably like a Nexus 9.
> However, he didn't have one for me to even hold.  Said he couldn't order
> one as their supply-chain indicated discontinued (released Nov 3, 2014).
> Supply-chain did say there was one remaining in Greensboro but i declined
> to drive there.  That whole sales experience left me scratchin'.
>
> Is there a reason why the Nexus 9 shouldn't be a my table short list?
>
> Cheers,
>
> -- Alan S.
>
> On 5/16/2015 10:00 PM, Ken MacKenzie wrote:
>
>> Well to mention this is the one I was talking about:
>>
>>
>> http://www.pcworld.com/article/2903992/meet-the-asus-chromebook-flip-a-249-chrome-os-tablet-with-a-360-degree-hinge.html
>>
>> It is coming soon and it is basically like a lenovo yoga. So convertible.
>>
>> As much as I appreciate tablets I appreciate having a real keyboard more
>> for most really important things.
>>
>> I will say this.  My chromebook goes with me everywhere. My ipad, not so
>> much.
>>
>> Oh and they do have HDs just small.  Either 16 oe 32 gb SSDs typically.
>> The HP14 I have is 16gb but I also have a 32gb and 64gb usb 3 drives I keep
>> with me and yes it has usb 3.0 ports.  Also it can take a full size SD card.
>>
>> Don't get me wrong tablets are great but you asked for external storage
>> and that knocks out the big names in the game, nexus, kindle fire, and
>> ipad.  However the galaxy and note lines do take micro SD and a lot of the
>> off brand stuff does.
>>
>> I am definitely considering that chromebook flip.
>>
>> I will say this if I dare be blasphemous.  Look at windows baytrail
>> tablets like the HP Stream or similar.  They do also take external storage
>> and can be found for near a Benjamin new.
>>
>> Ken
>>
>> On Sat, May 16, 2015 at 7:10 PM, Alan Sterger <asterger at earthlink.net
>> <mailto:asterger at earthlink.net>> wrote:
>>
>>     Thanks for the chromebook suggestions, but as I see em,
>>     chromebooks use the same form-factor as a laptop, without a hard
>>     drive.  Plus after I select a PDF to read, the keyboard becomes
>>     idle, so much dead weight and lost visible real estate.  I have a
>>     tower computer on the floor plus a laptop in my office.  I sit in
>>     front of them 8 or more hours a day doing work and reading PDFs.
>>
>>     My thinking was if I got a tablet, I could load PDF documents via
>>     Wi-Fi from my NAS and read from the comfort of my living room
>>     sofa, holding the tablet in 1 hand or resting it on a raised leg
>>     swiping pages with my thumb.  I'm looking for extreme comfort, and
>>     easy reading ability.
>>
>>     On a second front, when I had my early version Kindle, I had/have
>>     a DRM'ed document.  No matter what I did the document never filled
>>     the screen.  Is that still the case with the Android Acrobat Reader?
>>
>>     Thanks again for the suggestions.
>>
>>     -- Alan  Sterger
>>
>>     On 5/16/2015 4:32 PM, Jeremy Davis wrote:
>>
>>
>>         I recommend the chromebook over all the tablets. It is
>>         maintenance free and a good size for travel. They are cheap
>>         new and they are dirt cheap on Craigslist.
>>
>>         On May 16, 2015 12:22 PM, "Alan Sterger via TriLUG"
>>         <trilug at trilug.org <mailto:trilug at trilug.org>
>>         <mailto:trilug at trilug.org <mailto:trilug at trilug.org>>> wrote:
>>
>>             Hello Listers,
>>
>>             I'm considering buying a tablet.
>>
>>             Assume Android based.  Main usage will be reading technical
>>             documents away from my desk, PDFs mostly, with some web
>>         browsing.
>>             Wi-Fi only is fine, but perhaps with some removable
>>         storage that
>>             can be plugged into PC or laptop.
>>
>>             Open to most suggestions/price points.
>>
>>             Thanks for your input,
>>
>>             -- Alan Sterger
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>