Help a dummy today! Tablet advice

[sharky765]

Hi there! I am hoping someone could help me decide on an inexpensive tablet for my small(mom, no pop)business.
I started searching for one that was compatible with a swipe card reader. PayPal and Square. Then I started seeing other things that would be handy for the store.
Right now I'm using my Galaxy phone to accept cards but keeping it at the checkout desk is a pain.
My Needs are:
*Able to use card readers from PayPal and Square
*Check Gmail, Facebook Twitter

My wants are:
* Back camera(front not important, I don't skype)
* Hook up to TV and stream movies (Emerson LCD HDTV, no cable)
* Flash would be nice
Bigger would be better but okay with smaller screen if the $$ is right
Wi-fi only is fine
I don't play games so that isn't a consideration. The camera on the back would be the thing that makes me spend more for it, would be great to take pics without finding my phone.
I had it narrowed down to Kindle Fire HD(for tv streaming) and the Galaxy 10" for the back camera until I saw the price of the galaxy(Yikes).
Any experience, advice and help would be so, so appreciated along with best places to order.
Thanks so much!

 

[gorcorps]

The Kindle Fire HD is a reader first with access only to Amazon's app store. So because of that I don't know if you'll be able to get the Square to work. IMO you can't do much better than a Nexus 7 right now for a 7" tablet. They just released a 32gig version for $250 and you should be able to get a 16 for $200

For a larger tablet, you should check out the Asus transformers. The keyboard dock probably won't be of much use to you (or maybe it would?) but that's probably your best bet. You should be good with something like the TF300: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+T...blet&cp=1&lp=1

It also has an HDMI out option to get onto a TV.

 

[sharky765]

Thank you so much! Actually, the keyboard would be a dream come true! I just found this refurbished: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-pla-_-NA-_-NA
So I will stop thinking about the Kindle. I read something that made me not want the Nexus, was it a back camera it didn't have? Can't remember...
What do you think about this Newegg refurbished Asus?

 

[bearxor]

Yeah, reading your wants I don't think a Nexus 7 will fit the bill. I was thinking about a Galaxy Tab 7 2, but the Asus is a good find. Also may consider an iPad Mini but if you thought the GTab 10.1 2 was a little too much, an iPad mini seems like it would be out of your price range as well.

 

[Meghan54]

Be aware, both Square and Intuit's similar CC swipe app on Android are woefully "bad" compared to the iOS versions...such as, not functional many times on many Android devices, lack the features the iOS versions have, etc., etc. Just browse Google Play and look at the comments left for both Square and Intuit. Cannot imagine Paypal being any better.

While the Galaxy Tab 10.1, Nexus 10, Asus Transformer, etc. are all great machines, the Ipad does have its benefits, such as apps that are more feature rich. Of course, you sacrifice a lot with an ipad....no flash, no memory card slot, etc., but the apps generally are more fleshed out.

BTW.....Best Buy has the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 for $299 right now through Monday. Something to consider.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...r_Sale_Tablets_and_EReaders_100929&cp=1&lp=19

 

[sharky765]

Thanks y'all! My head is starting to swim with all the options and yes, I shouldn't spend a lot on it as I just bought a laptop. I was really just needing another way to swipe cards at the store but alas, my drool list keeps growing. The draw back to the Asus is it is a tad more than I wanted to spend and the key board is separate(an extra 100.00). I'm not a big mac person and I'm sure it's out of my price range.
I am researching Acer right now as it has a flash on the camera & just realized the Asus doesn't so that really does me no good inside the shop taking photos.
Megan, thanks for the Galaxy tab link! Going to peek at it know!

 

[bearxor]

Could also look at an iPod Touch. Would get you most of your functionality. Not sure how sold you are on a tablet though. At some point it may be cheaper to just get a credit card processor from a traditional company, but I'm not sure then upfront costs and per-transaction fees.

 

[sharky765]

BTW Meghan, I have been using Square and paypal on my Android Galaxy S(first one) phone and you speak the truth as far as paypal, but square works like a dream on my little phone!

 

[sharky765]

Could also look at an iPod Touch. Would get you most of your functionality. Not sure how sold you are on a tablet though. At some point it may be cheaper to just get a credit card processor from a traditional company, but I'm not sure then upfront costs and per-transaction fees.

More fun to spend money on a gadget! Plus I really like the idea of being able to work on the store's social media on it, take pics of customers and have them uploaded on one device and so on

 

[bearxor]

More fun to spend money on a gadget! Plus I really like the idea of being able to work on the store's social media on it, take pics of customers and have them uploaded on one device and so on

Is this something you're going to try an carry around the store as you help customers?

 

[gorcorps]

Thank you so much! Actually, the keyboard would be a dream come true! I just found this refurbished: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-pla-_-NA-_-NA
So I will stop thinking about the Kindle. I read something that made me not want the Nexus, was it a back camera it didn't have? Can't remember...
What do you think about this Newegg refurbished Asus?

That's the very first transformer, and while it was a decent machine for its day I wouldn't bother with it now. It's quite slow and may not even support the apps you need.

I would look at any of the TF200, 300, or even 700 models (though the 700 is a full 1080p display and quite more than you need)

 

[sharky765]

Is this something you're going to try an carry around the store as you help customers?

Not really, the store is pretty big but my checkout desk is in the same room as the dressing room and I love taking snaps of customers modeling and getting the pics quickly on FB. I can do that with my phone but every time I go back to my desk to ring someone up, I can't find my little phone or the battery is drained from taking pics so I can't get the card reader up and running.

 

[sharky765]

That's the very first transformer, and while it was a decent machine for its day I wouldn't bother with it now. It's quite slow and may not even support the apps you need.

I would look at any of the TF200, 300, or even 700 models (though the 700 is a full 1080p display and quite more than you need)

Brandon, thanks for that! I just found this auction that ends in 3 hours for a 300, http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-Transf...71106834154?pt=US_Tablets&hash=item3f1f39feea
And then this one on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/TF300-B1-WH-10...A1EQ8OMTAVCLH1
I don't think I can justify spending more than 300 on it knowing I'll have to spend another 100 for the dock keyboard.
Any thoughts? Oh, and the Nexus doesn't have a HDMI Output sadly

 

[gorcorps]

Brandon, thanks for that! I just found this auction that ends in 3 hours for a 300, http://www.ebay.com/itm/ASUS-Transf...71106834154?pt=US_Tablets&hash=item3f1f39feea
And then this one on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/TF300-B1-WH-10...A1EQ8OMTAVCLH1
I don't think I can justify spending more than 300 on it knowing I'll have to spend another 100 for the dock keyboard.
Any thoughts? Oh, and the Nexus doesn't have a HDMI Output sadly

Asus did a terrible job numbering their transformer line. The TF101 is the first tablet. But the TF201 is actually better spec'ed than the TF300 even though it was released earlier. The TF700 is the top of the line, so that makes sense.

The TF201 did have some reported problems with GPS reception, mainly due to the aluminum back. Some people report wifi problems, some don't, some had their problems fixed with one of the firmware updates while others blame the aluminum case for their problems as well. That said I still think the best buy link I posted earlier for $280 is a good deal.

The TF300 is a perfectly good tablet, but it's budget end so it's more plastic and a slightly lesser quality screen. It'll probably be just fine for your purposes but I'm just stating facts.

I don't think you can go wrong with either from what I see so it's really up to you at this point.

 

[sswingle]

I couldn't get square to work on my Nexus 7. This was about a month ago so they may have updated since then.