As I sit and type this post on my desktop computer, I wonder, is it just me or, in this fast paced world of smartphones and tablets, does it seem like desktops and laptops are almost extinct?
Well... I guess they are around, but most just sit and collect dust, but can smartphones and tablets really replace computers and laptops? I obviously don't know the answer to that question, but by the looks of things, they sure are trying hard.
Every other commercial on TV is for one tablet or another, so it doesn't take a genius to figure out that there are going to be a lot of tablets under a lot of trees this holiday season. But how do you pick the right tablet for that special person on your list? And can a tablet be a touching and personal gift?
I know electronics used to be viewed as pretty impersonal gifts, and they may still be to some... but these days, we're all so attached to our electronics that they've become a big part of our lives, which, in my opinion, can make picking the perfect tablet a very personal thing, especially for teens, college students, techies, and us geeks :)
(Note: To catch up on the Tablet Talk, you may want to read my previous two post on the subject, What to look for when you're shopping for tablets this season, which will get you up to date on all the tech lingo, and 9" Tablet Comps- Your Mid-Sized Tablet Shopping Guide, which will give you an intro into the different operating systems, how much memory you will be needing, and how much these things will cost you. If you don't need help with those things, feel free to read on, just know, they are there if you need them :) Happy Holidays!)
So, I've been talking a lot lately about the different sizes of tablets, but I haven't really touched on who they are best suited for... I will say, a lot of this decision has to do on price and personal preference, but here are some little things you can think about when buying:
-The larger tablets, 10.1" and larger, are always great for the movie lovers and gamers... but make sure the tablet has a good processor and decent amount of RAM. They are also good for people who are trying to get away from carrying their bulky laptops everywhere, but still want that more sturdy "laptop" feel. I'm also looking at the larger screen tablets for my mom, who's a bit farsighted, and has to wear reading glasses but still can't see her books very well. I feel the larger tablets will allow her the option of larger text/ zoom with out all the back and forth scrolling while reading books, surfing the internet, or doing anything really.
-The smallest tablets, the 7", are great for ladies on the go, who want to put their little tablets in their little purses. They can also be great for the men who are just tired of squinting at their tiny smartphone screen all the time and want something bigger to use at home, but don't want to spend a fortune. The smaller tablets are also wonderful for teens and kids, because they can just slip right into their bags, and many come with keyboards so they can be easily utilized for school reports.
-But, like I said, they can all be used to do the same things... so it's really just knowing what you, or the person you are buying it for, is going to be doing with it, if they are going to be carrying it in a little bag, obviously go small, but if they are going to carry it in a briefcase or backpack, any size will do. So it all comes down to preference and how much you want to spend.
Really a lot of pluses to this tablet... The biggest, and really only downfall, is that it runs Windows 8 RT, and the Windows RT store, (their tablet apps store, which is different than their Windows Phone App store for some reason) which is barren. So, if you have a favorite app on your old iPad you know you can probably find it in the Play Store for your new Samsung Galaxy S4, but if you want it on your new Surface RT, you're probably going to be out of luck because the Windows RT Store is young. But with all the new Windows tablets they are coming out with, I think the store will be quickly expanding in the near future.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 16GB- $299 @ Best Buy (on Sale): Probably my favorite 10'1" tablet on the market, because I'm am admitted Fandroid, and I love Samsung products because they are built to survive families like mine (or that has been my experience thus far). The screen quality is not as good, in my opinion, as the Surface RT, but is better than the Apple iPad 2, but everyone seems to have their own opinions on this topic. Galaxy Tab is light at 1.1 lbs and has a 1.6GHz dual core processor. It has a microSD and USB ports for increased usability and runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, so you can download all your favorite apps from the Google Play Store.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1" 2014 Edition 16GB- $549.99 @ Best Buy: This tablet is priced so high I doubt they are selling many, and here's the reason why... It sounds great, it's basically like the Surface, you have 3GB of RAM and a 1.9GHz processor, which allow for incredible computing speeds in a tablet, and side by side window viewing, which is great, and goes back to those "laptop like" features people are starting to look for in tables. Plus, since this is an Android tablet, you get the benefits of the Google Store...
So you might be saying, "okay, where's the problem here?" It comes down to the screen quality. The Galaxy Tab 3 and Surface RT both have WAY better screen quality than the Note 2014 Ed. When I saw this tablet in person it was next to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phone, which has a crystal clear 5" HD screen that is the best quality picture I've ever seen on an electronic device... Now that's what I was expecting on this tablet for $550, but it just doesn't deliver.
Ziki 10.1" 8GB - $134.99 @ Best Buy (on Sale) - Great for kiddos. 2lbs, 1.5 GHz processor with 1 GB of RAM, runs Android. DOESN'T HAVE A CAMERA- but the newer Ziki, for $179.99 does, it's also lighter and has a much better screen quality.
Good luck with your tablet purchase! Also remember that nomorerack.com has tons of great accessories for tablets at greatly reduced prices!
Well... I guess they are around, but most just sit and collect dust, but can smartphones and tablets really replace computers and laptops? I obviously don't know the answer to that question, but by the looks of things, they sure are trying hard.
Every other commercial on TV is for one tablet or another, so it doesn't take a genius to figure out that there are going to be a lot of tablets under a lot of trees this holiday season. But how do you pick the right tablet for that special person on your list? And can a tablet be a touching and personal gift?
I know electronics used to be viewed as pretty impersonal gifts, and they may still be to some... but these days, we're all so attached to our electronics that they've become a big part of our lives, which, in my opinion, can make picking the perfect tablet a very personal thing, especially for teens, college students, techies, and us geeks :)
(Note: To catch up on the Tablet Talk, you may want to read my previous two post on the subject, What to look for when you're shopping for tablets this season, which will get you up to date on all the tech lingo, and 9" Tablet Comps- Your Mid-Sized Tablet Shopping Guide, which will give you an intro into the different operating systems, how much memory you will be needing, and how much these things will cost you. If you don't need help with those things, feel free to read on, just know, they are there if you need them :) Happy Holidays!)
-The larger tablets, 10.1" and larger, are always great for the movie lovers and gamers... but make sure the tablet has a good processor and decent amount of RAM. They are also good for people who are trying to get away from carrying their bulky laptops everywhere, but still want that more sturdy "laptop" feel. I'm also looking at the larger screen tablets for my mom, who's a bit farsighted, and has to wear reading glasses but still can't see her books very well. I feel the larger tablets will allow her the option of larger text/ zoom with out all the back and forth scrolling while reading books, surfing the internet, or doing anything really.
-The smallest tablets, the 7", are great for ladies on the go, who want to put their little tablets in their little purses. They can also be great for the men who are just tired of squinting at their tiny smartphone screen all the time and want something bigger to use at home, but don't want to spend a fortune. The smaller tablets are also wonderful for teens and kids, because they can just slip right into their bags, and many come with keyboards so they can be easily utilized for school reports.
-But, like I said, they can all be used to do the same things... so it's really just knowing what you, or the person you are buying it for, is going to be doing with it, if they are going to be carrying it in a little bag, obviously go small, but if they are going to carry it in a briefcase or backpack, any size will do. So it all comes down to preference and how much you want to spend.
10.1" Tablet Comps
The Surface RT 32GB- $199 @ Best Buy (on Sale): can buy additional keyboard/ protective case. Closest thing to a laptop I've seen in a tablet. Great HD screen quality (better than the Samsung line in my opinion), comes with MS Office 2013 RT, is 1.5lbs, 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and 2GB RAM makes it fast and allows for great productivity, you can have 2 windows open at a time, and it's easy to figure out how to set up multiple users and to run this tablet if you are used to MS systems...
Really a lot of pluses to this tablet... The biggest, and really only downfall, is that it runs Windows 8 RT, and the Windows RT store, (their tablet apps store, which is different than their Windows Phone App store for some reason) which is barren. So, if you have a favorite app on your old iPad you know you can probably find it in the Play Store for your new Samsung Galaxy S4, but if you want it on your new Surface RT, you're probably going to be out of luck because the Windows RT Store is young. But with all the new Windows tablets they are coming out with, I think the store will be quickly expanding in the near future.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 16GB- $299 @ Best Buy (on Sale): Probably my favorite 10'1" tablet on the market, because I'm am admitted Fandroid, and I love Samsung products because they are built to survive families like mine (or that has been my experience thus far). The screen quality is not as good, in my opinion, as the Surface RT, but is better than the Apple iPad 2, but everyone seems to have their own opinions on this topic. Galaxy Tab is light at 1.1 lbs and has a 1.6GHz dual core processor. It has a microSD and USB ports for increased usability and runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, so you can download all your favorite apps from the Google Play Store.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1" 2014 Edition 16GB- $549.99 @ Best Buy: This tablet is priced so high I doubt they are selling many, and here's the reason why... It sounds great, it's basically like the Surface, you have 3GB of RAM and a 1.9GHz processor, which allow for incredible computing speeds in a tablet, and side by side window viewing, which is great, and goes back to those "laptop like" features people are starting to look for in tables. Plus, since this is an Android tablet, you get the benefits of the Google Store...
So you might be saying, "okay, where's the problem here?" It comes down to the screen quality. The Galaxy Tab 3 and Surface RT both have WAY better screen quality than the Note 2014 Ed. When I saw this tablet in person it was next to the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phone, which has a crystal clear 5" HD screen that is the best quality picture I've ever seen on an electronic device... Now that's what I was expecting on this tablet for $550, but it just doesn't deliver.
Good luck with your tablet purchase! Also remember that nomorerack.com has tons of great accessories for tablets at greatly reduced prices!
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