What kind of tablet should I get?

[Redwings538]

I want a tablet with a lot of storage, a big screen, long battery life and lots of apps! I also have a question. Is there a tablet that has USB ports? Be sure to include the price of the tablet!

 

[bigrash]

Go with the ipad if you want lots of apps. If not got with the Nexus 10. Don't think either has USB.

 

[Crono]

You can use USB via USB OTG for Android tablets like the Nexus 10, but you need a separate (and luckily cheap) cable for that. The iPads have a ton of apps, but Android is close enough in practical use.

The Surface RT doesn't have as many apps or some of the notable apps that iOS and Android have, but it meets your other requirements, especially USB support for a decent number (but not all) plug-and-play devices. I use a flash drive with mine to shuttle content, it's quite convenient. If you don't need Android/iOS specific apps, there's a decent library of Win 8/RT apps now and it's growing fairly rapidly. Office 2013 included is a big plus for me.

Personally, I would go for a Jelly Bean Android tablet (Nexus 10) over the iPad - the retina display isn't as impressive to me as it is to others, and I prefer the flexibility of customization with Android. The Surface RT is what I currently own, but I'd only recommend it over the others if you can live without apps like official Google apps or Spotify (Xbox Music is a good alternative, but it's not polished yet) and lean toward productivity needs.

All the above have decent battery life (between 6 and 10+ hours real usage depending on test and source), though the Nexus 10 seems to be on the lower side with the iPads on the higher and the Surface closer to the iPads.

If you have both money and time, wait for the Surface Pro tablet to be released in January. Support for all Windows programs will make that a killer to have, though battery life will probably be ~ 5 hours (still better than most laptops).

Nexus 10 32GB - $499
iPad 64GB ("new"/retina) - $699
iPad 2 64GB - $499
Surface RT 32GB - $499/$599 with TouchCover (I recommend getting the TypeCover for $30 more though as it's better feel and more durable) - 64GB version with TouchCover is $699

EDIT: missed the "lot of storage" bit. 64GB iPad for built-in capacity, but if what you need is storage for videos/music/documents and not necessarily apps, go with the Surface RT. I have a 32GB Surface (half of that used by Windows), but with a 64GB microSD card for videos and music. There's a 64GB version as well.

It's a good time to get a tablet as iOS and Android are pretty smooth and capable OS', and Windows RT is getting there with some additional unique features.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I bought a Touchpad in the 2011 firesale and loved it, but it was starting to have a few issues and I decided it was time for me to upgrade (even though I'll likely install Android on the Touchpad at some point). I looked at Kindle HD (both form factors), Nexus 7 and 10, Surface, and the iPad and studied them all carefully. The decision I arrived at was that the best tablet on the market (in my opinion, of course, and for my needs) was the iPad 4. I bought it a little less than 2 weeks ago and couldn't be happier.

Now, with that being said, I have a few other points worth mentioning:

1. I had $570 in Amazon credit card reward points to use so the cost of the iPad 4 32 GB with wifi plus a leather case only cost me $123 out-of-pocket. While I love the tablet so far, I am not sure I would've paid full price out-of-pocket for one. If I needed a tablet and didn't want to spend iPad 4 money on one, I probably would've leaned towards one of the Nexus models. I think the iPad app market is superior, but the iPad mini in its current form (see point below) represents too many compromises IMO.
2. Had the iPad mini had a Retina screen, I would've purchased that instead as I like the form factor better.

Oh, and for the record, the iPad 4 is the first Apple product I've ever owned. I've never been a big fan of Apple the company, but they do make good (albeit overpriced in many cases) products.

 

[s44]

Transformer Infinity, though waiting a few months will get you a lot more power.

 

[Capt Caveman]

OP really needs to provide more info. Price range and size.

If you're interested in a 10" tablet, being a Nexus 10 owner, I would still recommend an iPad. Using a Nexus 10 feels like using an unfinished product. And the tablet apps don't come close in quantity or quality compared to the iPad.

 

[s44]

USB port: Nexus 10 (400/500), Surface RT (500)
Lots of storage: Surface RT+microSD, Transformer Infinity (450)+microSD, Transformer T300 (325)+microSD, iPad 4 64gb (700), refurb iPad 3 64gb (550), refurb iPad 2 64gb (500)
Big screen, long battery life: all above (Surface RT, TF300, and iPad 2 are much lower resolution)
Lots of apps: all above *except* Surface RT

The Infinity and TF300 also have a USB connector on their keyboard dock (100-150), which also massively increases battery life. I would get one of these or the refurb iPad 3, unless USB can *substitute* for lots of storage in which case the Nexus should be an option.

 

[s44]

Actually, I hadn't considered this option, given the bad reviews it initially got, but revised firmware (backported from the Note 2) might make it a real option:

Galaxy Note 10.1 (400). USB, microSD slot, and cool multi-window stuff. Only thing is that it's 12*8 instead of a really high resolution.

 

[IamDavid]

Samsung Ativ smart pc... amazing 11.6 inch tablet. Full usb. Full Windows. Amazing.
Paid 699 for mine.

 

[CaptnKirk]

Just got a Samsung tablet for my wife . . .
good trade, don't you think?


Posted from Anandtech.com App for Android

 

[midwestfisherman]

iPad Mini!

 

[dagamer34]

USB port: Nexus 10 (400/500), Surface RT (500)
Lots of storage: Surface RT+microSD, Transformer Infinity (450)+microSD, Transformer T300 (325)+microSD, iPad 4 64gb (700), refurb iPad 3 64gb (550), refurb iPad 2 64gb (500)
Big screen, long battery life: all above (Surface RT, TF300, and iPad 2 are much lower resolution)
Lots of apps: all above *except* Surface RT

The Infinity and TF300 also have a USB connector on their keyboard dock (100-150), which also massively increases battery life. I would get one of these or the refurb iPad 3, unless USB can *substitute* for lots of storage in which case the Nexus should be an option.

You forgot an important point:
Most likely to get long term support (2+ years): Surface RT, Nexus 10, any iPad.

 

[frozentundra123456]

USB port: Nexus 10 (400/500), Surface RT (500)
Lots of storage: Surface RT+microSD, Transformer Infinity (450)+microSD, Transformer T300 (325)+microSD, iPad 4 64gb (700), refurb iPad 3 64gb (550), refurb iPad 2 64gb (500)
Big screen, long battery life: all above (Surface RT, TF300, and iPad 2 are much lower resolution)
Lots of apps: all above *except* Surface RT

The Infinity and TF300 also have a USB connector on their keyboard dock (100-150), which also massively increases battery life. I would get one of these or the refurb iPad 3, unless USB can *substitute* for lots of storage in which case the Nexus should be an option.

Yea, about the micro SD. I have a Acer A100 with a micro SD slot. So I bought the SD card, but find I am unable to move apps to it. Am I missing something?? Seems kind of pointless to have an SD card unless you can easily move things to it.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Just got a Samsung tablet for my wife . . .
good trade, don't you think?


Posted from Anandtech.com App for Android

Naw, you should have held out for an iPad retina.

 

[master7045]

If you're interested in a 10" tablet, being a Nexus 10 owner, I would still recommend an iPad. Using a Nexus 10 feels like using an unfinished product. And the tablet apps don't come close in quantity or quality compared to the iPad.

This, I just sold my Transformer Infinity b/c the tablet app selection & the OS fluidity of Android doesn't come close to rivaling iPads. It's getting better, but I got tired of waiting. I picked up an iPad mini instead. I probably should have tested out a Nexus 7, but my first experience w/ Android on a tablet left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[JackMDS]

Stick with what you raely need and forget about "Jargon make believe tech".

If One use 50 apps the important thing is to look at them in Windows, Android, IPad, and see which one fit best for your need. It is irrelevant if above the 50 that you need a vendor has 10,000 more or 200,000 more.

Take also a look at this unit, it seems to be the closet to what you asked for.

http://www.asus.com/Tablet/ASUS_Transformer_Pad/ASUS_Transformer_Pad_Infinity_TF700T/

 

[zerogear]

Go with the ipad if you want lots of apps. If not got with the Nexus 10. Don't think either has USB.

Nexus 10 has USB and USB OTG. Not sure about MHL.

 

[Bateluer]

Transformer Infinity, though waiting a few months will get you a lot more power.

The Infinity is a damn good tablet, but Tegra 3 is getting a bit long in the tooth now. And the slow write speeds on the Infinity's internal NAND can get aggravating depending on what you're doing with it too.

Hopefully Asus learns from this. Definitely looking forward to what they show off at CES. They seem to improve every generation more so than other manufacturers.

OP needs to provide more information though, price range, screen size desired, and what they define 'lots of storage' as.


And disregard posts that claim there's no apps for Android tablets, thats flat out false, one of those little falsehoods that simply refuses to die because John Smith's grand mother couldn't find Crocheting for Dummies on her Galaxy Tab 24 months ago. With a few exceptions, any app that runs on an Android phone runs on an Android tablet just fine.

 

[HeXen]

Nexus 10 seems to remain sold out, i wonder how long until it can be commonly purchased. Ipad's on the other hand remain no issue finding one.
Only thing that makes me skeptical about Nexus is Android itself in regards to resolution. I know most of Ipad's apps have been updated to higher resolutions and that most of the Android ones just "scale" to it. Leaving me wonder which version of the same apps would truly look "better". I know on the Android's Zinio app has a ton of complaints about it and it's one i use on Ipad.

Personally for me, my issue is that i already have investment in apps for Ipad, so it would take some good reasons to switch to a new platform and purchase them again, assuming all would be available. It's somewhat sad that in almost 2013, only 1 other tablet is deemed true competition for the ipad. I had high hopes for Surface

 

[Bateluer]

Personally for me, my issue is that i already have investment in apps for Ipad, so it would take some good reasons to switch to a new platform and purchase them again, assuming all would be available.

Valid question for a lot of people. But also one that could potentially lock a user into a platform when there's better options.

There's a good chance that the iPad app or equivalent on Android is free or ad supported, so one would need to do research with their must have apps.

 

[Skott]

Did they fix the Nexus 10 charging issue yet? There have been many people, including prefessional reviewers, saying it takes a long time to recharge it and also it cant effectively charge while its being used. Meaning even while plugged in and charging and actively using it the battery still gets depleted. The nexus 7 doesn't have this issue. That's one reason it is more popular than the Nexus 10. Other 10 inch tablets don't seem to have this problem like the Nexus 10 either. This would be the one reason why I wouldn't get the Nexus 10.

 

[riversend]

The point about app investment is a good one. The platforms all have their own cash flow schemes, whether it is app, content delivery, advertisement etc. or a combo. I'm in the same market and don't need many apps, but flexible content delivery is something to consider (Amazon video and books, music, tv shows) etc.

 

[HeXen]

V
There's a good chance that the iPad app or equivalent on Android is free or ad supported, so one would need to do research with their must have apps.

Free apps on Ipad are usually free on Android and WinRT and vice versa. Same with pay ones. Ads in exchange for $99 is exchanging money for annoyance and screenspace imo. A few bucks for a decent app is nothing. Whichever mobile OS you initially choose and invest in, your technically "locked" from that standpoint. Features will typically vary with each new version release, so often it's hardware features that may be the lock breaker.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Nexus 10 seems to remain sold out, i wonder how long until it can be commonly purchased. Ipad's on the other hand remain no issue finding one.
Only thing that makes me skeptical about Nexus is Android itself in regards to resolution. I know most of Ipad's apps have been updated to higher resolutions and that most of the Android ones just "scale" to it. Leaving me wonder which version of the same apps would truly look "better". I know on the Android's Zinio app has a ton of complaints about it and it's one i use on Ipad.

Personally for me, my issue is that i already have investment in apps for Ipad, so it would take some good reasons to switch to a new platform and purchase them again, assuming all would be available. It's somewhat sad that in almost 2013, only 1 other tablet is deemed true competition for the ipad. I had high hopes for Surface

I bought my nexus 10 at Walmart.

 

[ew915]

I bought my nexus 10 at Walmart.

I bought mine at Walmart and the good thing is that you can take it back if you don't like it