Which Tablet?

8CRED · #1 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

I'm thinking of getting myself a Tablet as I'm fedup lugging a laptop everywhere.

I'm currently leaning towards a Blackberry Playbook. The new version seems to do all I want, Web Browsing, Word Processing & E-Mail, plus to will interface with my phone. I'm not too bothered about Games & Music.

Anybody got one or any thoughts on others.

Thanks

Mikelancs · #2 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

Playbook will not be updated, as RIM have stopped all development of a new version and will probably only carry on support for the current version for another 12 months. iPad 2 will start to tumble in price as the new 3 is likely to be announced this week, I have a 3G version of this and use a PAYG 30day sim in it as and when I know I'm going to need it, £5 off of eBay for all you can eat data. I just find the lack of flash a bit annoying now and again but the amount of times I find I'm without isnt worth really mentioning. I don't game etc.
I would mention that I wouldn't want to be composing word documents for a long time on a tablet there just not comfortable to do so. Browsing and email is as far as mines stretched and the odd baby app for my 18month old son - he bloody loves it!

8CRED · #3 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

Originally Posted by Mikelancs

Playbook will not be updated, as RIM have stopped all development of a new version and will probably only carry on support for the current version for another 12 months. iPad 2 will start to tumble in price as the new 3 is likely to be announced this week, I have a 3G version of this and use a PAYG 30day sim in it as and when I know I'm going to need it, £5 off of eBay for all you can eat data. I just find the lack of flash a bit annoying now and again but the amount of times I find I'm without isnt worth really mentioning. I don't game etc.
I would mention that I wouldn't want to be composing word documents for a long time on a tablet there just not comfortable to do so. Browsing and email is as far as mines stretched and the odd baby app for my 18month old son - he bloody loves it!

RIM have just launched Playbook 2.0 which seems to be getting good reviews. The WP would just be for updating the odd document rather than creating new ones.

Simon156 · #4 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

Do yourself a favour and just get an ipad3. Out Wednesday.

8CRED · #5 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

Originally Posted by Simon156

Do yourself a favour and just get an ipad3. Out Wednesday.

Why is that better for what I want?

Besides Ipad £399 Blackberry £169

Squadrone Rosso · #6 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

Blackberry have binned the play book and Adobe have binned mobile flash

AmicusPro · #7 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

Originally Posted by 8CRED

Why is that better for what I want?

Besides Ipad £399 Blackberry £169

One of a number of reasons I don't get the whole Apple phenomenon. But I know I never will.

8CRED · #8 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

Originally Posted by AmicusPro

One of a number of reasons I don't get the whole Apple phenomenon. But I know I never will.

I don't have a problem with the Apple. If I thought it was better for what I wanted then I would buy it. At the moment I can't see the advantage.

Mikelancs · #9 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

Don't get me wrong the Playbook is very good, but the lack of 10inches and 3G put me off, as someones already said the Playbook has been canned by RIM and Adobe are following and binning the Mobile Flash. If I was looking to buy again id have a stab at one and pair it with my phone but Id also have a look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Moto Xoom too, id rather pick one of those up second hand than for the price of Playbook new.

WTFH · #10 (**Post Link**) 04-03-12

Have been contemplating getting an iPad2 for a while now. Was planning on buying one now, since I'm in the US. Then they went and decided to announce the iPad 3, but it's due on Wednesday and I fly back on Thursday.
iPad 2 is down to $449 for the 16GB up to $650 for the 64GB (that's about £125 saving).

Sorely tempted to visit the local Apple stor on Wednesday night...

100th_Idiot · #11 (**Post Link**) 05-03-12

As an alternative I got the Asus Transformer Prime a month ago. Fabulous product. Becomes a really good netbook with the optional detachable keyboard.

Eee Pad | Transformer Prime

8CRED · #12 (**Post Link**) 05-03-12

Originally Posted by 100th_Idiot

As an alternative I got the Asus Transformer Prime a month ago. Fabulous product. Becomes a really good netbook with the optional detachable keyboard.

Eee Pad | Transformer Prime

Thanks,

I did see this advertised but wasn't sure if it wasn't more gimmicky than practical. Also it's a bit more than I wanted to spend.

The thing with the Playbook is that even if it's discontinued in 12 months it would last me another 12 beyond that so I would feel I've got my moneys worth out of it. It will also be about the time I will be able to change my phone so if they have gone out of business I might be able to get a Tablet & phone together.

In 2 years there will be a lot of changes to the Tablet market & hopefully things will have stabalised a bit. At the moment everybody & their dog is producing one.

Who knows by then IPAD5 might be out.

8CRED · #13 (**Post Link**) 05-03-12

Originally Posted by WTFH

Sorely tempted to visit the local Apple stor on Wednesday night...

Better join the queue now then.

AlfaJack · #14 (**Post Link**) 05-03-12

Originally Posted by 8CRED

Better join the queue now then.

Bette get practising your cheering and "whopping" for every time someone comes out with their shiny new iPad!

GhostyDog · #15 (**Post Link**) 06-03-12

iPad FTW, its just so fabulously easy to use

Tirreni · #16 (**Post Link**) 06-03-12

+1

(But then I am an Apple tart

)

wynne71 · #17 (**Post Link**) 06-03-12

I use a MacBook Pro for work, and a Blackberry Bold 9900. Both utterly brilliant bits of kit in many, many ways. I tried an iPad2 for a few weeks and just didn't get it at all.

If I am not using the MacBook, then i use the BB. So why do I need something in-between? Just don't get it. So it went to another member of staff who thought it was Christmas and birthday all rolled into one!

Its a great piece of kit, but not sure as to the purpose and functionality of it.

GhostyDog · #18 (**Post Link**) 06-03-12

Originally Posted by wynne71

I use a MacBook Pro for work, and a Blackberry Bold 9900. Both utterly brilliant bits of kit in many, many ways. I tried an iPad2 for a few weeks and just didn't get it at all.

If I am not using the MacBook, then i use the BB. So why do I need something in-between? Just don't get it. So it went to another member of staff who thought it was Christmas and birthday all rolled into one!

Its a great piece of kit, but not sure as to the purpose and functionality of it.

I bought 20 ipad 2 for sales and senior managers, some embrace them some don't, its difficult to see where it would benefit you initially but once you start getting some apps on there and it becomes instant access to lineof business data and apps its almost like losing a leg when its not there any more.

Ipads are very versatile bits of kit.

#19 (**Post Link**) 06-03-12

Can't you get a Playbook for 12p now? I am a Blackberry fan as deal with them at work and own a Torch myself so I reckon the Playbook would suit me down to the ground but they have been a nightmare for RIM

GhostyDog · #20 (**Post Link**) 06-03-12

Originally Posted by Graham P

Can't you get a Playbook for 12p now? I am a Blackberry fan as deal with them at work and own a Torch myself so I reckon the Playbook would suit me down to the ground but they have been a nightmare for RIM

I've had a bit of exposure to the playbook and personally i dont think its very good. I think part of the problem is that it has a crisis of identity, it doesnt know if its a toy or a business device.

The iPad doesn't have this its equally at home as a toy or a business device. Apple don't position the iPad as a toy or a business device, it's demographic independent which is one of the reasons why it is so successful (along with it being REALLY good).

Squadrone Rosso · #21 (**Post Link**) 06-03-12

Since I've had my iPad 2, our laptop / netbook never gets used & our desktop seldom gets used.

Great bit of kit & getting better due to all the apps & the soon to be death of mobile flash.

8CRED · #22 (**Post Link**) 06-03-12

Managed to get down to PC World this morning to have a little play. The main ones I tried were the IPad,Playbook & Galaxy.

In the 10 minutes or so I spent on each one I found them all fairly intuitive to use.

I think I'm going to pass on the IPad at the moment. I can't get past the thought that you're tied into one manufacturer.

So that leaves the Playbook & the Galaxy (maybe). The 2 differences between them seems to be the screen size & 3G connectivity. As far as screen size goes I was quite happy with both & to be honest didn't really see the difference. 3G connectivity is useful but if I read correctly then the Playbook can connect thought my Blackberry 3G to the Internet if there is no WiFi available.

As a good Scotsman I am still struggling to see past the prices

so if I decide to dip my toe into the Tablet market I think I'll go with the Playbook. That said the new IPad tomorrow may be so stunning that I'll change my mind.

Mikelancs · #23 (**Post Link**) 06-03-12

Playbook can be bridged with your Blackberry and use its 3G connection, good idea by RIM although I'm sure if they had tried harder they could have come up with a 3G version, its just one way of them keeping the costs down when it was launched.