Looking for a basic tablet, need input

[KennyTheKangaroo]

OK, kenny the kangaroo wants to get updated into the 21st tecnologies, at least to an extent. ITT, there are going to be some really stupid questions, and quite frankly kenny the kangaroo does not mind.


1.) Are there any tablets that have a halfway decent spreadsheet program? Is it true that the ipad has no compatability with excel?

2.) how easy is it to find a 10 key number pad for a tablet?

3.) When is this new fancy microsoff tablet coming out?

4.) If you own a tablet, how easy do you find it to read pdfs on the table?

[pittsoccer33]

Surface is coming out October 26th and rumored to be $200 - that might not include some kind of monthly license for software like Office 365.

If a given tablet can connect via bluetooth to a keyboard I assume any bluetooth number pad will work. Also I would assume that if a tablet has USB ports and can connect to standard peripherals (like the Toshiba Thrive) a usb based one would work too

[ulf]

10 key... such an accountant lol

[meow]

I just got the Google Nexus 7 last week. I can read PDFs perfectly. I haven't found anything I don't like about it yet.

[KennyTheKangaroo]

Surface is coming out October 26th and rumored to be $200 - that might not include some kind of monthly license for software like Office 365.

If a given tablet can connect via bluetooth to a keyboard I assume any bluetooth number pad will work. Also I would assume that if a tablet has USB ports and can connect to standard peripherals (like the Toshiba Thrive) a usb based one would work too

For reference, kenny the kangaroo is totally out of the loop when it comes to tablet/smartphone technology. its kind of embarassing.

so hypothetically, you can just go to pretty much any best buy (or new egg or amazon or whatever) and buy a 10 key pad that will work with most tablets (as long as they usb or bluetooh setup)? if so, great.

[Gabe]

I have a Kindle Fire. Overall, it's probably my favorite possession. There are some limitations that hopefully they fix with version 2, but otherwise, its a great buy. There is no way to use a ten-key pad with it though.

[KennyTheKangaroo]

any of you clownshoes use spreadsheets on your tablet?

[mac5155]

I use Quickoffice on my Droid and it works well for viewing. I've never really edited with it though.

[eddysnake]

I just got the Google Nexus 7 last week. I can read PDFs perfectly. I haven't found anything I don't like about it yet.

This thing looks pretty hard to beat, is the google play app the same one found on android phones? Any problems with those apps?

[Digitalgypsy66]

any of you clownshoes use spreadsheets on your tablet?

Google Docs has issues with the iPad. I've used it (and the Google search app, which has a lot of the Google products bundled into it like Docs, Reader, G+ etc.) to take meeting minutes and it stops responding and crashes.

However, it did work to use the browser based Google Docs product. YMMV, however. I wasn't using spreadsheets.

[mac5155]

Sams club has the Nexus on sale this week for $246. dunno if thats a good deal or not. It also comes with Transformers Dark of the Moon preloaded and a $25 Play Store giftcard.

[eddysnake]

Amazon just released their new Kindle Fire HD tablets today...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57507656-93/amazon-takes-aim-at-apples-ipad-with-kindle-fire-hd/

That starts with a new, $199 7-inch model with an HD screen that doubles the built-in storage of the previous entry-level Kindle Fire to 16GB. Amazon has also doubled down on that product line with a larger, 8.9-inch model that has a 1920-by-1200 resolution, 16GB of built-in storage, costs $299 and ships Nov. 20. Topping out the line is a new, 32GB model with 4G LTE wireless connectivity for $499, which Bezos compared directly to Apple's $729 third-generation iPad with similar specs.

[Troy Loney]

I got the kindle fire only for the reason that I wanted a cheap tablet to read non copyrighted classic literature for free. I'll play around with other stuff, but i'd never suggest as a comparable to other tablets. I still intend on getting an ipad soon.

[Puffymuffin]

Surface is coming out October 26th and rumored to be $200 - that might not include some kind of monthly license for software like Office 365.

If a given tablet can connect via bluetooth to a keyboard I assume any bluetooth number pad will work. Also I would assume that if a tablet has USB ports and can connect to standard peripherals (like the Toshiba Thrive) a usb based one would work too

Not sure about the prices you mentioned, I thought the cheaper version would be around 500, which includes Office home/basic and the advanced version will be around 900, with Office pro (I think). It has an usb port so you can connect devices to it.

[KennyTheKangaroo]

any insight on Acer tablets?

[mac5155]

My friend got the newest Acer that just came out like 3-4 weeks ago and he loves it.

[pittsoccer33]

Surface is coming out October 26th and rumored to be $200 - that might not include some kind of monthly license for software like Office 365.

If a given tablet can connect via bluetooth to a keyboard I assume any bluetooth number pad will work. Also I would assume that if a tablet has USB ports and can connect to standard peripherals (like the Toshiba Thrive) a usb based one would work too

Not sure about the prices you mentioned, I thought the cheaper version would be around 500, which includes Office home/basic and the advanced version will be around 900, with Office pro (I think). It has an usb port so you can connect devices to it.

Engadget reported it first http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/14/micr ... rface-199/

[Gaucho]

I ordered a Kindle Fire yesterday. Now I'm thinking about cancelling the order because the more I think about it, the less I know what the hell I want with it. I'll probably download more free literature than I could possibly read in my lifetime and that's about it. Consumerism ftl.

[Troy Loney]

I ordered a Kindle Fire yesterday. Now I'm thinking about cancelling the order because the more I think about it, the less I know what the hell I want with it. I'll probably download more free literature than I could possibly read in my lifetime and that's about it. Consumerism ftl.

I got the Kindle for two reasons. First for the free literature, which you seem to be souring on that purpose. But I also quit running because of bad feet, so I use the eliptical instead, and reading the kindle on the cardio machines is so much more convenient than trying to read a magazine or anything else....works perfect for that....that's basically the only time I use it cause the screen kind of gives me a headache, so I'm typically two books at the same time.

[Gaucho]

I ordered a Kindle Fire yesterday. Now I'm thinking about cancelling the order because the more I think about it, the less I know what the hell I want with it. I'll probably download more free literature than I could possibly read in my lifetime and that's about it. Consumerism ftl.

I got the Kindle for two reasons. First for the free literature, which you seem to be souring on that purpose. But I also quit running because of bad feet, so I use the eliptical instead, and reading the kindle on the cardio machines is so much more convenient than trying to read a magazine or anything else....works perfect for that....that's basically the only time I use it cause the screen kind of gives me a headache, so I'm typically two books at the same time.

Well, I decided not to cancel the order and just give it a try. I figure maybe it's a good thing I don't have excessive expectations. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be my favorite device after all.

[columbia]

My take on ebook readers:

I'm already reluctant to pay for digital-only music and I would be even more so with books....Just can't see ever buying one.

[Gaucho]

I wouldn't mind at all to have some sort of digital all-media subscription with unlimited access to every film, song, book etc. with no need to store it. I already got rid of all my CDs some time ago and do not miss them at all. That said, I love physical books and comics and will continue to buy them.

[Shyster]

For those with Kindle Fires, do you have any magazine subscriptions? If so, how well does that work? A lot of the image-heavy magazines like, say, Road & Track are only available on the Fire. Do you just get an image of the magazine page that you can zoom around? Are the text and photos separated somehow? I do have a fair number of magazine subscriptions, and if the reading experience is good enough I might get a Fire and transfer them over.

[pittsoccer33]

Surface is coming out October 26th and rumored to be $200 - that might not include some kind of monthly license for software like Office 365.

If a given tablet can connect via bluetooth to a keyboard I assume any bluetooth number pad will work. Also I would assume that if a tablet has USB ports and can connect to standard peripherals (like the Toshiba Thrive) a usb based one would work too

Not sure about the prices you mentioned, I thought the cheaper version would be around 500, which includes Office home/basic and the advanced version will be around 900, with Office pro (I think). It has an usb port so you can connect devices to it.

Engadget reported it first http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/14/micr ... rface-199/

And they were way wrong http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/16/micr ... he-scenes/

Microsoft Surface for Windows RT pricing now official: tablet starts at $499, keyboard not included

[Loaf31]

Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 a decent tablet? I'm looking for a decent tablet around $200