tablet advice

[Eamo]

Please feel free mods to move this if it should be in another thread. I posted a new one as the tech thread wasn't specific.
Anyhow I'm thinking of giving my 14 year old a tablet for Xmas ( it's what he wants and it will be Xmas+birthday present + his savings) . I've read a flippin hundred reviews on cnet etc etc and can't decide what is the best one to buy. It will be used for schoolwork and facebook and whatever else 14 year old do. Samsung , Ipad2 or something else? Home pc is windows based if that matters. It will be the most I've ever spent on a kid's gift so I don't wanna screw up the choice and I'm pretty tech illiterate.

Any advice much appreciated oh and any advice on where to buy it?

[joyfulrodger]

You may get alot of differing opinions on things like the operating system etc. Does your son have a preference for Apple products or would he enjoy anything of a high standard?

I have an Asus Transformer TF101. This is an Android tablet which is due to get the latest update to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). From all the press that coming out about it, it is a highly anticipated update and should improve the product greatly. Its a great tablet, which does everything I need it to do very well. The build quality isn't up there with the iPad IMO but its fine. One of the advantages of the tablet is that it has a keyboard attachment available for it that essentially transforms (hence the name) it into a laptop. I don't have it personally but my brother does and it is an excellent piece of kit. I suppose this means that your son could use it for homework etc too. I'm not sure how this compares on price to the iPad. If you are getting an Android tablet make sure it is going to get the Ice Cream Sandwich update. Here is a link that will show information on that.

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/10...ream-sandwich/

I would avoid Dell (current tablets haven't been that well received), Motorola (a bit expensive) but am not sure about the rest. Asus do have a good reputation on getting updates out nice and quick though. the Acer Iconia is going to get it soon too I believe.

The iPad (by all accounts) is an excellent piece of kit. I don't have one because I'm not a massive fan of Apple stuff in general but thats just me. Lots of people love their products and enjoy the fact that everything "just works". I would say that you should go for the iPad2 as a minimum with these. Maybe some other users can offer up a opinion of this?

Is it a surprise present or would you chat to your son to figure out what he prefers?

[Eamo]

Thanks very much joyful. I've kinda told him no initially as I thought it too expensive but then felt guilty so it will be a surprise to that extent. Thanks again.

[joyfulrodger]

No problem at all. It's a difficult decision to make as it would be alot of money to spend on a complete stinker but you should be fine.

I've just gotta figure out how to make my dad feel guilty enough to buy me a new plasma TV now

[masterchief]

Just to echo what has been said, I'd push for the Acer iconia a500 tablet. I think it's currently retailing for about €300 ish. It does the same as the others mentioned but it also has a full sized USB port on the side, handy for copying stuff.

[masterchief]

I have the iconia myself, nice review of a few android tablets here.
http://www.reghardware.com/2011/11/0...droid_tablets/

[Eamo]

Thanks mc

[Hugged Rugger]

anyone chance a cheapie non branded tablet off ebay?

[NiallGK]

anyone chance a cheapie non branded tablet off ebay?

You should know HR that purchasing non-branded Viagra from interweb sites is neither safe nor guaranteed to contain any of the active ingredient.

[Hugged Rugger]

knew before asking really, just hoped someone might have got lucky, you get what you pay for

[sewa]

We bought a elonax tablet. Its greeaat. Anyone like to buy it?

[Hugged Rugger]

i'll give you €500, no, €499.99

[padjo]

my advise is to hold off as long as you can unless you don't mind buying again soon or don't suffer jealousy pangs easily.
tablets that can also act as laptops make sence as soon as you see them. I reckon the world will be awash with them by this time next year. see http://video.golem.de/mobil/6884/asu...llervideo.html as an example. you can dock the tablet to use it exactly like a laptop. I see no major reason why you can't have sizes ranges from 7 inches to well why not 17 inches.

[taz]

anyone chance a cheapie non branded tablet off ebay?

Avoid ,have heard so many bad stories from shops where customers ended up going in buying a new tablet after the junk they got on ebay broke down within a week or two.

[MrsMcGahan]

My advice is to keep taking them Eamo.

[Hugged Rugger]

had a read there and they also get very slow as you use them. essentially outside the big brands theres not much there.

anyone use an amazon fire yet? or are they available here? Barnes and Noble have something as well which of the non apple/samsung types is meant to be decent

[3Crowns3Stars]

Got the parents an Asus Transformer Prime (Android 4)
Is the business, with detachable keyboard, front and rear cameras, hdmi out etc etc.
Super fast too (quad core tech)

[taz]

had a read there and they also get very slow as you use them. essentially outside the big brands theres not much there.

Yes they burn out quickly as technology used is very inferior especially in the CPU.A lot of parts used are chinese 2nd's which are passed off as top notch.

Cortex A8 - 1.2 GHz is what you should be seeing in a decent tablet along with 1Gb of Ram. Some of the newer and better tabs have some graphics 400Mhz (ARM Mali for instance).

[taz]

Got the parents an Asus Transformer Prime (Android 4)
Is the business, with detachable keyboard, front and rear cameras, hdmi out etc etc.
Super fast too (quad core tech)

And how much did that set you back?

[3Crowns3Stars]

And how much did that set you back?

Got it in the UK (where I live) for £420 stg plus VAT

[taz]

Got it in the UK (where I live) for £420 stg plus VAT

Close on €600 so at todays rate ! :O

[masterchief]

Close on €600 so at todays rate ! :O

It's a good, albeit expensive, piece of kit.

[Drick]

on ibood today

http://www.ibood.com/ie/en/product_s..._Edition_WiFi/

Motorola Xoom2 Media edition - 16GB version for €250 - currently android 3.2 (ICS upgrade due to be available later this year)

a good deal????

[taz]

Processor excellent(1.2 ghz dual core) , hdmi+usb 2.0 excellent.Dual cameras very good.

Upgrade to 4.0 should actually be available in a few weeks as Q3 starts on July 1st.

Downside ,screen is quite small for the money @8.2.

[fitzy73]

Got a Ainol Novo Elf 2 7" Dual Core last week. Really happy with it.

[Bitter As A Lemon]

Got a Ainol Novo Elf 2 7" Dual Core last week. Really happy with it.

I bought the Ainol Novo Auroro 7, and it's an excellent piece of kit for €150.

[i_like_cake]

Just had a look at those 2 Ainol´s described above.... They look like seriously good pieces of kit.....

should have had a real check when I was buying them myself.... I will recommend them to people...

in fairness though, the names.... iPad, Ainol.... who comes up with this stuff...

[John Cooper Clarke]

...in fairness though, the names.... iPad, Ainol.... who comes up with this stuff...

One of these people getting even I suspect

[fitzy73]

I bought the Ainol Novo Auroro 7, and it's an excellent piece of kit for €150.

Where did you get that Bitter? The sister is looking for one for d'nephew.

[Bitter As A Lemon]

I bought iot from someone on adverts.ie, but they are on sale via Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_...ol%2Caps%2C381