Tablet for grad school & research

[zerogear]

You can get Microsoft Office on iPad/Android devices now...

They do, but they're still horrifically crappy compared to the Desktop counterparts and the one on Surface.

 

[North01]

The Lenovo Thinkpad 10 is said to be launching on May 14th. It's a 1.3lbs Z3795 Windows 8.1 tablet. It will feature a 1920x1200 display with an optional Wacom active digitizer and stylus. We're still waiting on the pricing and complete details.

There is also an optional keyboard dock as seen in the image above.

 

[sequoia464]

They are not as versatile as a windows tablet. File operations are a pain.

I agree in spades on androids file system. I have a couple of android tablets that I use only occasionally since I got a windows tablet. I would never consider another android machine - especially for work/school/research use.

Cruising the net checking email and watching an occasional movie is all I ever use my android tablets for, even then they only rarely get used.

 

[cronos]

That's why I said if he needs this tablet for a primary work machine, then without a doubt get a full Windows tablet, everything else will just be frustrating.

However, an Android tablet as a supporting mobile device can be completely fine. Obviously everyone's needs aren't the same, but I've done everything in Office Suite Pro 7 (creating/editing MS Office files) on my Note 8 with very little problem. I have full blown desktop computers at home and at the office, and I have stopped bringing my laptop anymore because everything I needed to do while mobile (e.g. couple of days work trips) I could do with the Note 8.

 

[desura]

An android tablet can work fine as a document viewer--but an atom tablet works well also and for about the same price. In my venue 8 I actually rarely use desktop applications, instead relying on tablet specific apps. But it can be useful in a pinch to have compatibility. You never know what research programs you want to run and nearly all of them are pc based. And windows desktop is much more flexible and powerful than any of the various android file viewers.

 

[cronos]

I don't disagree, which is why the keyword here is whether this would be a primary or secondary device for him.

I too am a big proponent of the Bay Trail Windows 8.1 and if you looked at my post history you'll realize that I'm a big fan of the Venue 8 Pro (don't forget the Pro or you'll confuse it with the Android device 🙂) and have been plugging it here since December after I bought one for my dad and played around with it.

In fact I actually mentioned in my first post above that the Bay Trail tablets are possibly the best middle of the road solution for the OP considering price/performance+feature. The only thing that bugs me about the Venue 8 Pro is the digitizer isn't Wacom, and while the performance could be similar, you have to 1. buy the stylus at an extra $30 cost (and apparently is rarely in stock, at least it used to be), and 2. it won't be compatible with the many Wacom digitizer accessories that are out there. That's why I think the Vivotab Note is probably the better option right now.

 

[Imaginer]

While Android, the best advantages is that this is an open system, every one can develop new app. But the security may not so good as IOS.

Visual Studio and other IDEs have always been existence for Windows, and comes in variants from the free Express versions to Professional versions.

While the OS may not be open as the open source community would like (and a fallible thinking) - I do not think that matters, you can still code things and have your code be as open to others as you want. There are open source and free software under all OS camps.

 

[lilrayray69]

It would be a secondary device, I have this desktop at home as well as a Win7 laptop, though it's heavy/bulky which is why I don't often take it to class or anything. This would primarily be for class use and working on some things in-between.

 

[ControlD]

Since there are many big manufacturer they can produce larger screen tablet. But comprehesively speaking, now there are three systems, IOS, Android, Windows. Actually each one has there advantages, IOS is a very excellent and high quality system, it has many authentic apps, but one thing is not satisfied is that every time you want to download a new app, you should imput your App ID.

While Android, the best advantages is that this is an open system, every one can develop new app. But the security may not so good as IOS.

The last, windows system, really, I don' know what to say, the app is so little. It has to grow.

So, the best chioce may be the first two one.

If you are talking about Windows 8.1 tablets then the need for a bunch of apps really isn't there. Just run the same desktop programs you run on a "regular" PC. It took me a little bit of time to get used to not always having to browse the app stores to find desktop replacements when I moved to a Windows tablet. Now that I have been using a tablet with a full desktop OS for a couple of months I doubt I will ever go back.

 

[sequoia464]

Obviously everyone's needs aren't the same, but I've done everything in Office Suite Pro 7 (creating/editing MS Office files) on my Note 8 with very little problem.

I agree everyone needs are different, each has to select what works best for him/her.

I also have office suite pro, as well as several other office type apps, the issue for me with them is with the use of pre-formatted report forms in Word - they too often seem to format incorrectly on the android apps.

 

[lilrayray69]

I'm going to get this Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition - it's from someone I know basically brand new for $300, if I don't end up thinking it'll be good for what I want I can always just sell it again.

Anyone know of a good keyboard for it? I know I'll want one, not sure which types/brands are good

 

[s44]

A lot of the keyboards they had in stores were mushy and cramped, so I got the Logitech K810. Excellent feel for typing -- better than a lot of laptop keyboards. Adjustably backlit, remembers 3 devices (sometimes I pull it out to type on my phone), and charges over microUSB.

Only downside is that it's expensive: about $75 new (Amazon) or $50 refurb (Newegg). There might be a $20-30 internet-only model that feels just as nice, but since this my primary portable input device I thought there was no reason to cheap out. It's also a bit longer (maybe 1.5") than the Note, but whether that matters depends on what sort of bag setup you're planning on.

 

[sequoia464]

The Logitech recommended above looks nice, I personally really like illuminated keyboards. The three connects is a nice feature also. Might get one of these myself.

If compact is more what you are looking for, I'm fairly happy with my Microsoft Wedge keyboard. Again, not the cheapest, but if you are patient you can get a decent price.

Logitech .. http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Bluet...=logitech+k810

Wedge .. http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-U6R-...BD1TMK15FYVYWK

 

[lilrayray69]

Yeah I had been looking at the Wedge too. I'll probably get one of those, just gonna keep looking a bit and maybe see if I can't get a good price on one.

So far I'm liking this Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition (but damn that's a long name for a tablet!). I like how the Pen has it's own slot to keep it in on the tablet which conceals it well, I couldn't even find the thing at first. After changing the settings/apps a bit the battery life seems good. The screen really is beautiful, that resolution is very high I honestly don't know why they felt the need to go above 1080p but I've played a couple games and it's very good looking. But that nice screen is probably also quite the battery drain. The handwriting recognition software is pretty good, I have a tremor and my handwriting is notoriously bad but it recognizes most of what I write. It works in several apps too, even Skype - not very useful, but still cool. It's quite responsive and I imagine you could draw pretty well if unlike me you have artistic abilities.

I'd read somewhere that it wasn't easy opening/editing PDFs on Android but whatever software this came with has no problem. PDFs booted right up, selecting text is easy and I can underline/highlight with no problem and even write out little notes or circle things.

I tried out watching a few videos and again the screen is great and speakers are surprisingly good.

I haven't quite figured out the whole 'multi-window' thing. So far I haven't found much use for it and figuring out how to close one of those windows is kind of hard.

It comes with a lot of built in features that have to do with gestures or keeping the screen on while your eyes look at it, or hovering the pen above the screen - that type of stuff. Honestly I turned most of those off just b/c I probably won't figure them out or use them so it's just needless battery usage.

I'm sure there is a lot I haven't figured out yet. However it was easy to set up, and having a Galaxy S phone I already knew how to do most things on it. It synced up nicely with my email and google accounts, and I even found an app to be able to text from the tablet (it even shows the Phones battery % which I thought was neat). Oh and SnapChat works on it, I didn't think it would. SnapChat has never worked right on my phone (probably b/c it's an old S2 model) so it's neat to have a fully working version lol.

Oh it has this 'My Magazine' thing built in that I have not figured out in the slightest. I think it's basically like Flipboard - but I never figured that out either. Can't say much about it.

So far it seems well built, functional, and has good utilities. Battery life so far I think seems good, but I'll have to use it more to be sure. For $300 I think it was a good deal, now just to find a good case and keyboard, really I'd like a case with the keyboard built in but those are surprisingly hard to find for this model - the 2014 edition has different dimensions than the previous so cases built for the old one will not work.