$500 Tablet either OS Please discuss

Riczter on 18/01/2013 - 00:18

Mate of mine needs some help on a tablet, but cant post on new accounts for 24hours.. see below

Hi guys, got a question. Looking at a tablet, wanting to pay around $500 and hoping to pick your brains.

What I'm looking for:
Wifi (no 3g needed)
Range of cases to suit it
Blue tooth
Ability to run an app to convert handwriting to text easily
Ability to run an app to edit and write on pdf files
Fairly good battery life (is 8hrs an ask?)
multi task on the same screen is cool (ala samsung note) but not really needed
no need to fill it with music, i have an iphone for that
decent email
ability to transfer files and data to a pc easily
a good screen in daylight
maybe a camera for video call
no need for high res cameras on the tablet
not fussed on operating software but am used to iOS
gps mapping would be a bonus

if you could make mention of your choice, with pros and cons and maybe a link that would be awesome

Thanks

Computing

Comments

  • Riczter on 18/01/2013 - 01:08

    Would the new Ainol novo 7 fire suit the OP's needs on a budget? Personally id go ipad/ipad mini. thoughts?

    • fchis on 19/01/2013 - 22:41

      I will take an ipad any day if I have $500 to spare. Or Nexus 7 if you have half of that $500. Wait, there is Hauwei Ascend Mate 6.1" Phablet you may also want to consider. 2013 is the year for new Phablets!!!

  • epicaricacy on 18/01/2013 - 01:08
    +1

    Asus Transformer Infinity

    Range of cases to suit it
    *** hmmm, perhaps not a huge range, but how many do you want?
    Blue tooth
    *** Check
    Ability to run an app to convert handwriting to text easily
    ***Um, no idea
    Ability to run an app to edit and write on pdf files
    ***Check
    Fairly good battery life (is 8hrs an ask?)
    ***Check
    multi task on the same screen is cool (ala samsung note) but not really needed
    ***Nope…. get the Samsung Note if you really need that
    no need to fill it with music, i have an iphone for that
    ***Check
    decent email
    ***Check
    ability to transfer files and data to a pc easily
    ***Check Use Radardroid or MicrosSD to easily transfer files - FREE FROM ITUNES!
    a good screen in daylight
    ***Check Excellent in fact, with a SuperIPS+ Mode. Kicks the iPad display in daylight
    maybe a camera for video call
    ***Check
    no need for high res cameras on the tablet
    ***Most have, so don;t use :-)
    not fussed on operating software but am used to iOS
    ***so, your choicce there is an iPad or an iPad
    gps mapping would be a bonus
    ***Check

  • bakerboy on 18/01/2013 - 01:21

    The handwriting to text is a big thing for me, prices seem a bit on the high side of $500 as well, but thanks, something to look into

  • Riczter on 18/01/2013 - 01:28

    The samsung note is a wierd one.. its kinda too big for a phone, but too small for a tablet. I'm yet to be convinced the "phablet" is the next big thing.

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 18/01/2013 - 01:54

      If you're looking for a tablet, why are you talking about the Note, not the Note 10.1?

      • bakerboy on 18/01/2013 - 01:59
        -1

        That is what I meant, not the phone, sorry for the confusion but I'm referring to the 10.1, forgot the "phablet" carried the same name

  • ShortyX on 18/01/2013 - 08:12

    You mention pen input is important but what is the main purpose of the tablet?

    I'd say an iPad but depending on what pen features you need as the stylus input on an iPad wouldn't be the best in the field.

  • Ramrunner on 18/01/2013 - 09:00
    +2

    If the pen input is a big deal, then the Galaxy Note is really the only contender dude, it's designed specifically for that, including software enhancements to recognize what you write.. Nice touches like draw an @ symbol on the screen and it automatically opens a new e-mail ready for you to write into, ? brings up Google Search, and you can MODIFY and ADD symbols to automatically launch any program (such as evernote perhaps?).

    Kogan does it for $549 WITH 3G - http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/samsung-galaxy-note-101-n8000-gr…

    But I'm sure being on OzBargainer, you can find it without 3G for the $500 you seek.

    Although the Asus mentioned here (and did I hear the usual iPad scream from the peanut gallery? lol) are fine choices for some people, you need to buy the right tool for the job and if the job is handwriting on a screen, you will NOT get satisfaction from the others.

    Let's put a round peg in a round hole.

    • andz88 on 18/01/2013 - 09:27
      +1

      +1 with galaxy note 10.1, as you want handwriting recognition.

  • razorack999 on 18/01/2013 - 10:27

    3g is needed for mapping on ipad

    • ShortyX on 18/01/2013 - 12:55

      Good point - standalone GPS is not included in the WiFi models. You'll need to get a WiFi + 3G/4G model.

      • m0nkeycheese on 19/01/2013 - 13:04

        ?? Works fine on my wifi mini?

        Edit you are right! Probably should have researched that :/

  • Noblejoker on 18/01/2013 - 11:26
    +1

    You mentioned you have an iPhone for music
    If you already have an iPhone then buy an iPad or mini - or sell iphone and get Android phone
    You want 2 devices the same not different IMO
    Plus lots of apps etc will work on both etc

    • ProspectiveDarkness on 18/01/2013 - 13:42

      There's nothing wrong with being spread between two ecosystems. The iPad is out, since it doesn't fulfill the OP's main requirements. The only real choice here is the Note 10.1

  • Deebs on 18/01/2013 - 12:59

    No idea if anyone has mentioned but I think most android tablets can do something similar to multiscreen, they can do popup video player and internet browsers using floating browser and super video app on the market. I use them on my note 10.1 and they work pretty well.

  • bakerboy on 18/01/2013 - 15:18

    Thanks guys, the phone stays regardless of what I end up with the tablet, I'm happy with what the phone does, and most work related apps are available for both platforms, not a huge deal. Main purpose of the tablet? do away with paper print outs of lecture notes and instead use electronic copies of the pdf slides and write notes onto them, yes there are apps on the ipad for that, but I did like the built in software the samsung has. Thank you for your guidance.

    epicaricacy, whilst the base asus transform is available cheap from the US by the time I chuck in the docking keypad it's well over $600 which is a tad too much for me at this stage, thanks though for the heads up

    • epicaricacy on 19/01/2013 - 20:58

      So don't get the docking pad - I didn't. As this stage I have no need for the keyboard side of it… but I have the option by buying the transformer

  • chansthename on 18/01/2013 - 18:50

    might not be suitable, I don't know about most of your requirements but look into the Surface RT with a capacitive stylus (buy from somewhere else) and I believe that onenote will do handwriting to text.

    although I may be wrong

    • Ramrunner on 19/01/2013 - 10:26

      Bugger me. I have an Asus VivoTab RT, AND a capacitive stylus and haven't even TRIED writing in to Evernote on it.

      If I get some time today (I'm working), I'll try it and post back on it's effectiveness.

  • earlsaint42 on 19/01/2013 - 06:51

    Only Tablet that will fill your needs is Lenovo, I purchased mine for $249.00 and another $60.00 fot case with keyboard,have a look at their site.

  • Tnetennba on 20/01/2013 - 01:58

    I purchased the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet (NOT THE NOTE PHONE THING), and it's amazing. Multi-tasking on one screen is really, really useful. The stylus is great for precision work, and the handwriting to text feature works wonders. It's a little over $500 for the base model (I paid $517 at Dick Smith - asked for a lower price [$545] and then my staff discount -5%). I think you can get it for about that online.

    It has a variety of cases available also, so that's no worry.

    Seriously, every criteria you listed is met by the tablet. It's powerful, easy to use and the S-pen is amazing. Definitely recommend it.

    Ps. don't worry about screen protectors, I got one from an xtremeguard deal and it just makes the s-pen feel funny to use (still works though).

    • Click_It on 20/01/2013 - 12:37

      What about the glass protectors? I use one with my Galaxy Note 1 (N7000) and it's just like theres no protector there at all. The plastic ones flex with the s-pen so they're no good.

      EDIT: Might cost a bit though, I think I got mine for $40 and its only a 5.3" screen

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