Need help choosing a mini tablet for my son to take to school

[JeepinEd]

I'm thinking about getting a mini tablet for my son, who just started 9th grade.
He is currently taking Honors Biology, Honors English, Geometry, Electronics and Introduction to Engineering Design.

Aside from the possibility of getting ebook versions of some of his text books, I think it may come in handy in school. He already has a laptop, but it's too big to carry around.
I'm thinking something small, like an iPad Mini, or an equivalent Windows 8 tablet.

Does anyone have school related experience with these? Any recommendations? Will this just be a waste of money?

Thanks.

 

[Commodus]

I would probably look at an iPad mini given the stronger support for educational apps (and games, shh!). Ideally you'd hold off until an iPad mini update that some expect in October, but the current model is fine.

If not that, then the new Nexus 7. It's cheaper and technically much nicer than the current iPad mini -- my main concern is that the educational app market isn't as robust.

 

[Red Storm]

Nexus 7. it's $100 cheaper and can actually fit into a normal pocket unlike the iPad Mini, which also has a low res screen and will be updated soon. He's in the 9th grade not 3rd, so I don't think he would benefit much from educational apps that can't be found in the Android Market like this one which I feel is the most useful educational app ever.

 

[Zodiark1593]

Ehh, unless your son has a large gaming laptop, I question why he isn't able to carry it around.

Though, since I've carried some very large laptops around a few years ago (most notably, an 18-inch Pentium 4 lappy), anything seems pretty light by my standards.

edit: Just remembered, the laptop is the HP ZD8000.

 

[JeepinEd]

Ehh, unless your son has a large gaming laptop, I question why he isn't able to carry it around.

Though, since I've carried some very large laptops around a few years ago (most notably, an 18-inch Pentium 4 lappy), anything seems pretty light by my standards.

He has a normal sized ASUS laptop, which seems like too much to carry around, along with all the text books. He'll be less likely to actually use it during class (pull it out, hope the battery is still good, wait for it to boot, etc.)

 

[JeepinEd]

Nexus 7. it's $100 cheaper and can actually fit into a normal pocket unlike the iPad Mini, which also has a low res screen and will be updated soon. He's in the 9th grade not 3rd, so I don't think he would benefit much from educational apps that can't be found in the Android Market like this one which I feel is the most useful educational app ever.

Are there word processing & power point type apps for the Nexus 7?

 

[Red Storm]

Are there word processing & power point type apps for the Nexus 7?

Yes there are several apps to choose from. I personally use OfficeSuite 7, but there are others like Kingsoft, DocumentsToGo, ThinkFree, Quickoffice, and Olive Office.

 

[Ariae]

If 10 inches isn't a problem, I'd look at the Surface RT w/ Touch Cover. I'm starting to use it more than my MBA 13 during class to take notes and do assignments on. I'm also able to read some of my textbooks through IE since they offer them through the web. Aside from the lack of apps, I think the Surface is a perfect device for students in general.

 

[Zodiark1593]

He has a normal sized ASUS laptop, which seems like too much to carry around, along with all the text books. He'll be less likely to actually use it during class (pull it out, hope the battery is still good, wait for it to boot, etc.)

Maybe something along the lines of the Acer R7 might be a better idea than a pure tablet.

 

[JeepinEd]

Maybe something along the lines of the Acer R7 might be a better idea than a pure tablet.

It's a nice machine, but a little too $$$ for me. Trying to keep it >$400.

 

[zerogear]

Nexus 7 2013, definitely.

 

[cardiac]

You may be better off picking up a first gen Nexus 7 to see how much he uses it. If he doesn't use it much, you won't be out but around $100 or so. They are plentiful now that the 2013 model is out...

 

[Rottie]

How about Samsung Chromebook? very cheap and very light to carry around. And make sure his school have wifi hotspots.

 

[Chocu1a]

Nexus 7. If you don't mind spending the money, The Galaxy Note 8. It has the s-pen stylus for handwriting & note taking. Works like writing on paper. Better than any other stylus solution.

 

[Kenmitch]

Nexus 7. If you don't mind spending the money, The Galaxy Note 8. It has the s-pen stylus for handwriting & note taking. Works like writing on paper. Better than any other stylus solution.

The Note 8 is pretty nice, responsive, but kinda pricey. The stylus does seem to work pretty good....Not for the resolution is king snobs tho.

I have the ATT LTE version but wound up paying only $75 on contract for it during a promotion a couple months ago....No brainer at that price point.

 

[runawayprisoner]

If textbooks and educational app support is a primary concern, then iPad Mini is your only game in town. There are apps dedicated entirely to allow you to rent digital versions of textbooks, and I've seen far more apps that would support studies in chemistry, physics, math, etc...

Don't even think about Nexus 7 or any Android tablet. While they are nice, app support for them is disgustingly weak, and also the software gets slower with time. I've just recently pushed my last-gen Nexus 7 away, and I don't see the situation getting any better with the new 2013 one despite it having a much nicer screen.

 

[lopri]

Nexus 7 (2013) without a doubt. Note 8 is nice if you can get it subsidized with a reasonable plan. My friend got one from AT&T for $200 (LTE version), and it shares the phones' data plan for just $10/month. It does have a proper palm rejection mechanism when the digitizer is used, which is nice. But if you're paying full price I would still say go with the new Nexus.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Right now its hard to recommend anything but the new nexus 7. I own one. It is very much the best tablet in its price and size range. That said, I look for the new iPad mini update to eclipse it shortly. Even then apple won't be able to beat it from a price/performance perspective though. Then there's the educational app support to think about. I'd say if you don't mind the price and can wait for the apple refresh then do that. If you can't then the new nexus 7 is a fine choice that will likely remain viable for just as long as the upcoming apple products.

 

[Shackanaw]

An Android tablet supporting 4.3 would be a great choice. The ability to create a limited profile with app restrictions (e.g. disabling YouTube or Netflix so he can focus on work instead) is great, if you feel inclined to use them.

For the moment, you're limited to Nexus devices, but I'd imagine that others will be updated eventually. I'm also fairly impressed by the reviews I've seen on the Galaxy Note 8.0.

Don't even think about Nexus 7 or any Android tablet. While they are nice, app support for them is disgustingly weak, and also the software gets slower with time.

4.3 has really improved the performance of my 2012 Nexus 7. TRIM support does wonders.

 

[Zaap]

I'd vote for Galaxy Note 8. The pen features would actually be very handy for taking notes and such in class.

Otherwise, Nexus 7 as it seems to be the best deal around these days at the 7" size.

 

[lopri]

An Android tablet supporting 4.3 would be a great choice. The ability to create a limited profile with app restrictions (e.g. disabling YouTube or Netflix so he can focus on work instead) is great, if you feel inclined to use them.

That's not nice..

4.3 has really improved the performance of my 2012 Nexus 7. TRIM support does wonders.

Very much so. I believe it's more than TRIM support. My recent N4 replacement came with 4.2.2 despite 4.3 being out, so I was able to compare 4.2.2 and 4.3 on a fresh device. Even without fragmentation or what not, 4.3 beat 4.2.2 hands down in transitions. WiFi (and possibly data) performance improved, too.

 

[MrX8503]

If you're looking for educational apps or apps in general, the iPad mini is a good choice.

 

[JeepinEd]

I spent a couple of hours at BB, looking at the Nexus 7, Windows RT, & iPad mini. I also got a chance to talk to a couple of seniors at his school. After evaluating all the options, I decided to get the iPad mini.

The school uses almost exclusively apple products, and having ebook versions of the textbooks is a major plus. I know there is a new iPad coming out soon, but he is already going to have to put his first presentation together for engineering class. I figured if it truly becomes a useful tool for him, I'll keep it & get him the new version.

I'm also ordering a cover w/keyboard & a stylus. I'm sure there is an app that will allow him to write notes.

Thanks for all the input!

 

[Puddle Jumper]

I spent a couple of hours at BB, looking at the Nexus 7, Windows RT, & iPad mini. I also got a chance to talk to a couple of seniors at his school. After evaluating all the options, I decided to get the iPad mini.

The school uses almost exclusively apple products, and having ebook versions of the textbooks is a major plus. I know there is a new iPad coming out soon, but he is already going to have to put his first presentation together for engineering class. I figured if it truly becomes a useful tool for him, I'll keep it & get him the new version.

I'm also ordering a cover w/keyboard & a stylus. I'm sure there is an app that will allow him to write notes.

Thanks for all the input!

I wouldn't bother with the stylus if you got a keyboard already , using it for writing is extremely frustrating due to the lack of precision or any sort of real palm rejection.

 

[JeepinEd]

I wouldn't bother with the stylus if you got a keyboard already , using it for writing is extremely frustrating due to the lack of precision or any sort of real palm rejection.

Well, that stinks.