Which Tablet OS for my Purposes?

[escobarcaruso]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for a nice, large tablet. This should be simple, but there are so many products out there, that I'm struggling to recognize which one is most suitable for me.

I had a Nexus 7 for a brief while, and I felt it was next to perfect for a 7", but I think the form factor isn't a great fit for me.

What do I need it for?

Checking E-Mails, browsing the net, viewing .pdf-files (very important!), looking at sheet-music (.pdf again), watching some TV-shows, streaming twitch.tv, keeping track of appointments, downloading stuff.

It absolutely needs to be able to play .mp3-files while reading .pdf, for most of my instructional guitar and piano books are in such a format. The process of operating MP3s should be easy and not obscure the .pdf files too much. Any apps that complement my music learning, like sight reading practice, ear training etc. are a boon and a half. Downloading ** via p2p would be great, so would an SNES-emulator with bluetooth gamepad.

I want it to completely replace my smartphone, so mobile internet would be neat.

What I don't need:

It doesn't need to be super powerful, and I wouldn't want a device that has active cooling anyways. I have a very powerful desktop as a productivity machine.

Here are the tablets that caught my fancy:

Apple Ipad

The first choice for millions, here are the pros and cons I've found thus far:

+Looks pretty and shiny
+4:3 is the perfect aspect ratio for sheet music
+Mobile Broadband is available
+Retina Display beats most other devices
+plenty of cool accessories
+plenty of dedicated tablet apps
-extremely costly
-iOS seems super restrictive
-no P2P-downloads (torrents)
-no compatibility with non-iOS-bluetooth
-no SNES-emulator
-super expensive apps
-no memory extension via mSD, USB
-iTunes "prison"
-I would support the most pretentious, annoying cult of modern times.
-no flash in browser (how does one watch porn without it?)


Android: Nexus 10

+highest resolution screen out there
+Android far less restrictive than iOS
+torrents are no problem
+same with SNES + bluetooth gamepad
+apps less expensive, usually free
-fewer dedicated tablet apps
-16:10 isn't exactly the best aspect ratio for pdfs
-no LTE or any mobile internet(WTF is up with that?)
-doesn't look as sleek as alternatives
-no memory extension again (come on...)


Windows 8: Asus Vivo Tab Smart

+looks great
+supports legacy software
+supports all peripherals
+insane value for money
+really, really cool cover
+cheap memory extension
+ideal aspect ratio for video content
-no LTE
-extremely low resolution
-few dedicated touch apps
-lackluster hardware
-horrid aspect ratio for my purposes
-some overlap with desktop

I'd really value your input, please do point out anything I might have missed. I've never had an Apple-device, so if I misunderstood anything, feel free to rub my nose in it.

Thanks guys,

Caruso

 

[N4g4rok]

The Vivo tab sounds like it would fit well as long as the aspect ratio won't bother you. I know that there are a couple apps for reading sheet music out there, but since it's full windows, you could at least use what you're used to.

No idea if there are any plans for LTE on that model, so if that's a necessity and you can't use your phone as a hotspot, you might want to look elsewhere.

 

[vshah]

if you want mobile data, check out the galaxy tab 2 10.1

personally i'd take the nexus 10 though, for the high res screen & faster cpu.

 

[escobarcaruso]

I've considered the 10.1, but the tech and display seem rather dated.

Anyways, I'm not even sure which OS to go for, so maybe somebody who used both could share their experience with me.
My leaning away from the Apple OS is sort of offset by the fact that the hardware seems ideal.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Really it seems like your optimal solution is a jailbroken iPad.

 

[escobarcaruso]

Really it seems like your optimal solution is a jailbroken iPad.

Yeah, that seems about right, but I heard you can't jailbreak the current OS anymore, so I'd somehow have to get one that runs on the last version, which should be difficult.

If I bought a new one now, would it have the most recent iOS update installed already?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Maybe, it would be kinda a crapshoot. Would be better to buy from retail than say Apple for something like that.

 

[escobarcaruso]

What's a crapshoot? Like a shot in the dark?

The best price I could get would be from my ISP, but I'm not sure how "fresh" their iPads are. As far as I could work out using google, a downgrade isn't possible.

 

[pm]

What's a crapshoot? Like a shot in the dark?

The best price I could get would be from my ISP, but I'm not sure how "fresh" their iPads are. As far as I could work out using google, a downgrade isn't possible.

It's a term from the gambling game craps http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craps - he means you would be gambling and you'd have to get lucky to get the right one.

 

[poofyhairguy]

What's a crapshoot? Like a shot in the dark?

The best price I could get would be from my ISP, but I'm not sure how "fresh" their iPads are. As far as I could work out using google, a downgrade isn't possible.

Yup, a downgrade is not possible. Buy from a brick and mortar retailer with a good return policy.

 

[dagamer34]

You want your tablet to replace your smartphone? :hmm:

 

[escobarcaruso]

You want your tablet to replace your smartphone? :hmm:

Yeah, I will clearly keep a phone, but checking anything but SMS / calls I find really tedious on 4" screens. I wear a backpack 95% percent of the time anyway.

 

[Commodus]

Personally, I'd pick an iPad... it's more likely to have the apps you want for all your legal purposes, and it comes in LTE-capable versions for three major US carriers (truly unlocked if you're going to use AT&T). Like you mentioned, the native aspect ratio is also important -- there are few good Android tablets at 4:3, and none on Windows 8.

Also, what's the claim about "non-iOS Bluetooth?" I've used plenty of Bluetooth gadgets that weren't explicitly meant to support iOS. You'll even find hardware gamepad support, although I believe it tends to be more app-specific (i.e. apps X, Y and Z will support these gamepads).

Android and Windows 8 are both seriously lacking in truly tablet-optimized apps. Yes, Apple does impose some restrictions on what you can do with iOS, but it's going to hurt more if you're either using a phone-oriented app or don't have an app at all. Don't get me wrong: Android and Windows 8 do some things very well, but a lot of what you want isn't necessarily best-served by them.

One last thing -- just because there's an extremely vocal contingent of fans doesn't mean you'll be like them or even tacitly support them. There are plenty of people who don't make a big deal out of owning Apple gear, and often combine it with non-Apple devices (many Googlers use Macs, even on the Android team).

 

[escobarcaruso]

Personally, I'd pick an iPad... it's more likely to have the apps you want for all your legal purposes, and it comes in LTE-capable versions for three major US carriers (truly unlocked if you're going to use AT&T). Like you mentioned, the native aspect ratio is also important -- there are few good Android tablets at 4:3, and none on Windows 8.

I didn't know there were any Android ones that use 4:3, mind pointing them out?

Also, I don't live in the US. As you may have guessed, I'm not a native speaker and live in Europe. That doesn't change the fact that the LTE-capability would come in very handy and the largest ISP here does offer the iPad at a decent rate. I hope it will come un-upgraded, though.

Also, what's the claim about "non-iOS Bluetooth?" I've used plenty of Bluetooth gadgets that weren't explicitly meant to support iOS. You'll even find hardware gamepad support, although I believe it tends to be more app-specific (i.e. apps X, Y and Z will support these gamepads).

As I said, all I know about the iPad or any Apple product is hear-say. Gamepad-support in and of itself isn't that useful when I can't run an emulator, but maybe I get lucky and get one I can jailbreak.

One last thing -- just because there's an extremely vocal contingent of fans doesn't mean you'll be like them or even tacitly support them. There are plenty of people who don't make a big deal out of owning Apple gear, and often combine it with non-Apple devices (many Googlers use Macs, even on the Android team).

That's a sensible stance to have, I can't stand the cult-like behaviour many Apple-fans show. Maybe it's worse here, but people take these gadgets way too seriously. I suppose I could just get a nice, neutral cover without a piece of fruit on it and not "show my colours", as it were.

Cheers for the reply, much appreciated!

 

[IndyColtsFan]

For what it is worth, I've generally been one of the biggest anti-Apple people that I've known and when I went to buy a new tablet, the iPad 4 was what I got. I believe it is the best tablet on the market and is the most complete package.

 

[escobarcaruso]

Did you jailbreak yours or would you say it's a "complete package" on the standard iOS?

 

[Barpanda]

Jail breaking is not a good idea, it has become illegal. Though it has several advantages but it is not advisable.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Jail breaking is not a good idea, it has become illegal. Though it has several advantages but it is not advisable.

Illegal smegal. Jailbreaking is the only way to get a file manager, install emulators, install XBMC, and other great stuff.

I have a iPad 2 on 6.1 that is jailbroken and works just fine.

 

[pm]

Jail breaking is not a good idea, it has become illegal. Though it has several advantages but it is not advisable.

Jailbreaking is not illegal. Providing software which circumvents DRM software with the purpose of unlocking a locked communication device is.
http://www.copyright.gov/1201/2012/Section_1201_Rulemaking _2012_Recommendation.pdf

You can jailbreak all you want. And besides, the whole DMCA thing is a United States thing. The rest of the world is more enlightened than us, and I get the impression the OP isn't a US resident (but I could be wrong).

 

[Red Storm]

Kindle Fire HD? You could sideload the emulators and torrent apps.

 

[escobarcaruso]

The rest of the world is more enlightened than us, and I get the impression the OP isn't a US resident (but I could be wrong).

What tipped you off?

Also, I don't live in the US. As you may have guessed, I'm not a native speaker and live in Europe.

Kindle Fire HD? You could sideload the emulators and torrent apps.

I literally don't see any advantage over any other Android device.

 

[Red Storm]

I literally don't see any advantage over any other Android device.

It has LTE? And a nice resolution. You can install the other Android apps (emulators and torrent) on it. Just throwing the idea out there.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Did you jailbreak yours or would you say it's a "complete package" on the standard iOS?

I did not jailbreak it. I got tired of doing things like custom firmwares and stuff like that years ago on things like my PSP so I tend to get things that will work for me out of the box as much as possible (the lone exception recently is that I did load Android on my HP Touchpad). I liked to fiddle and tweak things when I was in my 20s and 30s, but I'm in my 40s now and would rather spend time doing other things.

When I say complete package, I'm referring to the hardware and the app ecosystem. I think Apple still leads here.

 

[escobarcaruso]

It has LTE? And a nice resolution. You can install the other Android apps (emulators and torrent) on it. Just throwing the idea out there.

Oh, cheers then. It's also quite a bit cheaper.

Reading reviews, the OS seems to be Amazon-based rather than being a "real" Android device. 'sup with that?

 

[lopri]

You want to replace a phone with a 10" tablet??

Umm.. maybe ASUS Padfone or something like that? Other than that only Samsung's Note series does that. VOIP is OK on Wi-Fi, but it's shaky on mobile networks.