The note is too small. If you get the Note though it somewhat mitigates the need for an iPad. However, the screen is still too small and people find themselves at an apple store getting an iPad anyway. I change my mind. The best advertisement for an iPad is using something else as a tablet.
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Lost! 75% of my friends want me to buy a Galaxy Note!
- Thread starter Racineur
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The note is too small. If you get the Note though it somewhat mitigates the need for an iPad. However, the screen is still too small and people find themselves at an apple store getting an iPad anyway. I change my mind. The best advertisement for an iPad is using something else as a tablet.
If 75% of your friends wanted you to jump off a building, would you? 
Don't try to be like them. They should try to be like YOU!
Only terribly insecure people let their friends decide things like this for them. Do what you feel is best for YOU, and if that displeases them, you need new friends.
Don't try to be like them. They should try to be like YOU!
Only terribly insecure people let their friends decide things like this for them. Do what you feel is best for YOU, and if that displeases them, you need new friends.
I agree with this. I had an original galaxy note. When I bought it I thought it was my tablet and phone rolled into one device. The note whilst bigger than most phones at the time was still on the small side for watching content. In the end I got a tablet and got a smaller phone.
I couldn't agree more, having a small Samsung tablet from a phone vendor promotional offer. The really useful memory is the one that is there upfront, so the possibility to insert an SD-card looks nice to have some stuff ... but is way overrated when you want to do something with that stuff.
I agree. Furthermore: which of your friends has a Mac? Which of them has a close integration between his computer and his tablet? And how did they do it?
OK, the iPad is closed ... which also means things are tested and will work mostly right out of the box. Android undoubtably has its merits and Samsung builds nice stuff ... but if your not experienced with it, how will you benefit from the "openness"? Being out in the wild is great ... when you know what to do.
In that sense, the return on investment, the satisfaction with your purchase, might come much sooner in a closed environment, in which - having a Mac - one already participates.
If your friends will pay for it get the Galaxy Note.
The iPad has tons and tons more software available. I suggest you get the iPad.
The iPad has tons and tons more software available. I suggest you get the iPad.
I have had the following devices:
iPad 2
iPad 3 (now my wife's iPad)
iPad mini
iPad rMini (this is my current iPad used daily)
Coby 7" android tablet on 4.0
And lastly an Asus Transformer Book Win8 Pro 10" tablet/laptop hybrid.
I bought the Coby to try a cheap android tablet to see what the hype was about. It has micro USB, mini HDMI and a micro sd card slot built in which is a bonus. Overall it performed well for a cheap tablet. Wasn't expecting the performance of a higher end tablet. But the feel of android just didn't wow me. Maybe if I had never used and become acustom to an iOS device it would feel different. It did most of what I needed it to do but some of the apps that I wanted from iOS weren't there for android. Apps that I had become used to relying on. I am sure there are alternatives but I was just not interested in looking for them.
The Asus transformer I bought to give a Win8 Pro tablet a try, especially since it was a hell of a lot cheaper than the surface pro or surface pro 2. It has the same things: micro sad card slot, micro HDMI, micro USB (plus full size USB 3.0 if you dock it to the included keyboard). While I am not a big fan of Win8 Pro, I am getting a bit used to it. I did install a tweak to bring back the start button and have it default at login to the desktop versus the metro view. I like to use metro as my location for my shortcuts, keeps my desktop clean. The battery on it is decent. Haven't tested completely but it last a hell of a lot longer than my 5 yr old laptop. Only issue I have with it is for a tablet it is too big. The wide screen view on it makes for a weird orientation when in portrait mode. So that makes landscape the only option for me. I prefer the 4:3 layout of the iPad plus I like the small size of the iPad rMini.
Ok, so for the rMini. Love it. Don't see me going back to a larger iPad, even the Air. If the font is small I zoom in, but don't let the kid you, I did that on the larger iPad as well so I don't feel like I lost something. As for the font, I use my iPhone 5 a lot as well and I just can't stare at the small screen for long periods of time. That is why I switch to the iPad to mini. I can't wait and I hope that Apple brings out a 5" iPhone this year. If not I will be waiting another year or two to upgrade until they do. That or try android for my phone but keep the rmini for my iOS needs. The rMini fits in my back pocket most times of my jeans or it fits inside my inner pocket of my jacket. I also cargo pants and shorts a lot so it fits in those as well. While the coby tablet is smaller the rMini is the tablet device I would trust to meet my needs on a daily basis.
In the end, go with what best suits your needs but my vote is for the iOS device and specifically the mini.
Get Quick Office and Google Drive for office software and cloud storage. It is great. I use it on all my devices and computers so that I have most of my files with me where ever I happen to be (excluding iTunes files but those are available thru iCloud). Start a document on your tablet while at work or class, switch to laptop or desktop when you get back home. Same file in two places but technically same place. Forgot to print something out before leaving home, go to Google Drive and email it to yourself at work or connect wirelessly to a work printer to print. I also use Splashtop as well so I can remote into any of my computers and access something that I need that wasn't in GD. That and Airvideo that I use to watch downloaded video content on my computer both when I am at home or away.
If you are familiar with android go with it. iOS already has me so it will be tough to get me to convert.
iPad 2
iPad 3 (now my wife's iPad)
iPad mini
iPad rMini (this is my current iPad used daily)
Coby 7" android tablet on 4.0
And lastly an Asus Transformer Book Win8 Pro 10" tablet/laptop hybrid.
I bought the Coby to try a cheap android tablet to see what the hype was about. It has micro USB, mini HDMI and a micro sd card slot built in which is a bonus. Overall it performed well for a cheap tablet. Wasn't expecting the performance of a higher end tablet. But the feel of android just didn't wow me. Maybe if I had never used and become acustom to an iOS device it would feel different. It did most of what I needed it to do but some of the apps that I wanted from iOS weren't there for android. Apps that I had become used to relying on. I am sure there are alternatives but I was just not interested in looking for them.
The Asus transformer I bought to give a Win8 Pro tablet a try, especially since it was a hell of a lot cheaper than the surface pro or surface pro 2. It has the same things: micro sad card slot, micro HDMI, micro USB (plus full size USB 3.0 if you dock it to the included keyboard). While I am not a big fan of Win8 Pro, I am getting a bit used to it. I did install a tweak to bring back the start button and have it default at login to the desktop versus the metro view. I like to use metro as my location for my shortcuts, keeps my desktop clean. The battery on it is decent. Haven't tested completely but it last a hell of a lot longer than my 5 yr old laptop. Only issue I have with it is for a tablet it is too big. The wide screen view on it makes for a weird orientation when in portrait mode. So that makes landscape the only option for me. I prefer the 4:3 layout of the iPad plus I like the small size of the iPad rMini.
Ok, so for the rMini. Love it. Don't see me going back to a larger iPad, even the Air. If the font is small I zoom in, but don't let the kid you, I did that on the larger iPad as well so I don't feel like I lost something. As for the font, I use my iPhone 5 a lot as well and I just can't stare at the small screen for long periods of time. That is why I switch to the iPad to mini. I can't wait and I hope that Apple brings out a 5" iPhone this year. If not I will be waiting another year or two to upgrade until they do. That or try android for my phone but keep the rmini for my iOS needs. The rMini fits in my back pocket most times of my jeans or it fits inside my inner pocket of my jacket. I also cargo pants and shorts a lot so it fits in those as well. While the coby tablet is smaller the rMini is the tablet device I would trust to meet my needs on a daily basis.
In the end, go with what best suits your needs but my vote is for the iOS device and specifically the mini.
Get Quick Office and Google Drive for office software and cloud storage. It is great. I use it on all my devices and computers so that I have most of my files with me where ever I happen to be (excluding iTunes files but those are available thru iCloud). Start a document on your tablet while at work or class, switch to laptop or desktop when you get back home. Same file in two places but technically same place. Forgot to print something out before leaving home, go to Google Drive and email it to yourself at work or connect wirelessly to a work printer to print. I also use Splashtop as well so I can remote into any of my computers and access something that I need that wasn't in GD. That and Airvideo that I use to watch downloaded video content on my computer both when I am at home or away.
If you are familiar with android go with it. iOS already has me so it will be tough to get me to convert.
I'd go for iPad Air or Mini but...
Thanks so much for all your input and precious help. After reading all the posts very carefully and spending a good amount of time at the store playing with an iPad Air or Mini and Samsung Note II 2012 and 2014 and a Nexus 7, I come to this conclusion. I would buy an iPad or Mini (not too fussy about the size) but in the short time I had the Ace IIx phone, I became hooked on Widgets and all they bring to te overall experience. So much that when I switched to the iPad, I found myself searching for them and being a bit frustrated no to be able to have some information without opening and app. But one thing for sure, the Air screen is unbeatable. Nexus 7's screen comes close but this pure Android OS is a pain. I think I will go for the iPad after all but I'll have to find a way no to miss "my dear" Widgets. Use them a lot on my iMac. BTW why does Apple eliminated the widgets from iOS? Can they be added to iOS?
Again: thanks a lot for your help.
Thanks so much for all your input and precious help. After reading all the posts very carefully and spending a good amount of time at the store playing with an iPad Air or Mini and Samsung Note II 2012 and 2014 and a Nexus 7, I come to this conclusion. I would buy an iPad or Mini (not too fussy about the size) but in the short time I had the Ace IIx phone, I became hooked on Widgets and all they bring to te overall experience. So much that when I switched to the iPad, I found myself searching for them and being a bit frustrated no to be able to have some information without opening and app. But one thing for sure, the Air screen is unbeatable. Nexus 7's screen comes close but this pure Android OS is a pain. I think I will go for the iPad after all but I'll have to find a way no to miss "my dear" Widgets. Use them a lot on my iMac. BTW why does Apple eliminated the widgets from iOS? Can they be added to iOS?
Again: thanks a lot for your help.
What kind of information are you looking for in the widgets? I tried the widgets on the android tablet and really didn't find the, that needed. Stuff like Facebook, email, weather. But my iPad does pretty much all of that as well with the notification screen that you pull down from the top. I would rather have it there than on my screen all the time. I even turned off the live tiles on the Asus transformer book because it drains the battery a lot faster.
In the iPad notification screen you get date, the current temp and projected high for your area. You get a list of appoint,pimentos and alarms you have scheduled for that day. Any reminders you have for the day. List of any notifications you have setup to go to it like email, Facebook, CNN, etc...
For me this is the perfect method of having widget information but not have it always showing. Can access it from the lock screen as well.
With the introduction of Control Center in iOS 7 you have some of the standard toggles in a "control panel" that you swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Now stock CC gives you decent access to things you would want but still leaves some to be desired. But jail breaking your device, which is extremely easy, allows for installation of tweaks to the OS like FlipControlCenter that allows you to choose from a number of toggles in iOS to place there so you can have what you want versus what apple chose for you. This is one of the main reasons I JB my devices.
Make sure you read the reviews for everything, good and bad, and make an informed decision. I know some of the android devices were having issues wth slowing down after a period of time. Not sure what was up with that but something to be aware of. iOS has its issues too. Sometimes updates will do the same. Other times the iPad may have a defect but apple is usually very good with exchanges. I have always been lucky and never had a problem with my iPads or iPhones.
If you have more questions though ask. I am partial to apple stuff but am open to all technology. I love to play around with new devices. If I had plenty of money I would buy one of each so I could test them out.
He is considering a Note 3. You cannot compare an Ipad mini and a Note 3 different beast. The Ipad is a Tablet and The Note 3 is a phone or a Phone/Tablet.
Before you ever decide on hardware, FIRST decide which OS you want to use. iOS or Android. I think the choice is pretty easy.
95% of the 75%are wrong
I have had the following Android tablets (after my ipad 1)
Asus Transformer Prime - WiFi was horrendous - returned
Asus Transformer-Sold - Cheap Plastic Separated from Screen
Samsung Tab 7 plus- Sold - One word.....Touchwiz
Nexus 7 - sold - Great little screen, horrible quality....
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 - sold - best of the bunch......many features that you never use......cheap plastic body, but expensive, and.....Touchwiz
Ipad Air - the feeling of a great tablet is back.....I sold all of the others because it was lacking the iOS and the great ecosystem.
Oh yes.....I tried rooting many of these tablets. The problems will migrate to other areas. The mystical magic of widgets wears off after a week after you realize many of them drain your battery.
Samsung makes the best Android tablets......which is nothing to brag about. The OS feels pokey and jittery.......Samsung Touchwiz amplifies this two-fold. Oh yeah, good luck getting any OS updates from Samsung.
Android is good for phones, not tablets. I still gladly use my Galaxy S3 ( screen size is perfect). The Google Store has many apps now, but not many are made for tablets. Trust me. Been there, tried that. So ecstatic with the ipad Air. Good luck. You have been warned.
I have had the following Android tablets (after my ipad 1)
Asus Transformer Prime - WiFi was horrendous - returned
Asus Transformer-Sold - Cheap Plastic Separated from Screen
Samsung Tab 7 plus- Sold - One word.....Touchwiz
Nexus 7 - sold - Great little screen, horrible quality....
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 - sold - best of the bunch......many features that you never use......cheap plastic body, but expensive, and.....Touchwiz
Ipad Air - the feeling of a great tablet is back.....I sold all of the others because it was lacking the iOS and the great ecosystem.
Oh yes.....I tried rooting many of these tablets. The problems will migrate to other areas. The mystical magic of widgets wears off after a week after you realize many of them drain your battery.
Samsung makes the best Android tablets......which is nothing to brag about. The OS feels pokey and jittery.......Samsung Touchwiz amplifies this two-fold. Oh yeah, good luck getting any OS updates from Samsung.
Android is good for phones, not tablets. I still gladly use my Galaxy S3 ( screen size is perfect). The Google Store has many apps now, but not many are made for tablets. Trust me. Been there, tried that. So ecstatic with the ipad Air. Good luck. You have been warned.
Lost! 75% of my friends want me to buy a Galaxy Note!
Overall I prefer iOS and the iPad because of integration with my other Apple devices and friends iOS devices.
However I found going from an Android tablet to an iPad pretty tough.
There is a lot of screen on an iPad that doesn't do anything. Just a grid of icons that I felt was a waste. Email, Facebook, weather, etc widgets made the Android tablet experience more enjoyable for me. From the home screen I could check all my notifications without touching anything. If they needed to be addressed further touching them takes me right to that exact email or update or whatever.
Live wallpapers were cool too especially since there was a lot of 3rd development.
Also all the non jailbreak or root stuff you could do. Like playing old school emulators via a standard gaming controller (Wii via Bluetooth, PS3 via USB).
Micro SD was nice too. Had a few loaded with movies and music. Endless storage space.
Camera with a flash. I avoid using my iPad for a lot of things because of that and use my iPad. It's funny to see a big square shadow on a pic on craigslist or eBay from someone using the iPad camera.
At the time, stereo speakers! Huge difference!
Some of that stuff might drain the battery but it's a tablet. I'd get days of use. I never ran out of power before having easy access to recharging.
I could go on and on but even after all that I still prefer my iPad and iPhone. I use iMessage, FaceTime and AirPlay 1000x more then any of that stuff.
I would go on and say stability and while my iPad 3 has been more stable then any Android tablet I ever owned my iPad Air was so bad I returned it. Even Android 3.0 honeycomb on its initial rushed release on my Motorola Xoom was EASILY more stable then my Air unfortunately. I'm assuming that will be sorted out with upcoming updates though.
Overall I prefer iOS and the iPad because of integration with my other Apple devices and friends iOS devices.
However I found going from an Android tablet to an iPad pretty tough.
There is a lot of screen on an iPad that doesn't do anything. Just a grid of icons that I felt was a waste. Email, Facebook, weather, etc widgets made the Android tablet experience more enjoyable for me. From the home screen I could check all my notifications without touching anything. If they needed to be addressed further touching them takes me right to that exact email or update or whatever.
Live wallpapers were cool too especially since there was a lot of 3rd development.
Also all the non jailbreak or root stuff you could do. Like playing old school emulators via a standard gaming controller (Wii via Bluetooth, PS3 via USB).
Micro SD was nice too. Had a few loaded with movies and music. Endless storage space.
Camera with a flash. I avoid using my iPad for a lot of things because of that and use my iPad. It's funny to see a big square shadow on a pic on craigslist or eBay from someone using the iPad camera.
At the time, stereo speakers! Huge difference!
Some of that stuff might drain the battery but it's a tablet. I'd get days of use. I never ran out of power before having easy access to recharging.
I could go on and on but even after all that I still prefer my iPad and iPhone. I use iMessage, FaceTime and AirPlay 1000x more then any of that stuff.
I would go on and say stability and while my iPad 3 has been more stable then any Android tablet I ever owned my iPad Air was so bad I returned it. Even Android 3.0 honeycomb on its initial rushed release on my Motorola Xoom was EASILY more stable then my Air unfortunately. I'm assuming that will be sorted out with upcoming updates though.
GET AN iPAD!!!! If some one tells you that android is better even if they say it's just a little bit THEY HATE YOU A LOT. Get an iPad it's better that way.
The thing about widgets, is - they're NOT necessarily up to date!
I think my phone refreshes my email widget every 15 minutes? For news, I often have to press the "refresh" button in order to get the most recent news.
Sure, you could set some of them to check for information more frequently, but to what affect on the battery? And is THAT really worth it?
I think widgets (news, email, weather) are nice until you spend time with them, and realize you have to refresh the information more often than not, to see the most recent available. (or suffer reduced battery performance).
You might as well just click the individual weather/news/email app, and see up to date information, when you actually want it. And the plus side with iOS - the apps are much more optimized/polished than what's on Android, due to not having such a split in the hardware.
I've owned many Android tablets (beginning with the Xoom), and was one of the Android tablet fanboys, but - there's a reason I've switched to Apple.
I think my phone refreshes my email widget every 15 minutes? For news, I often have to press the "refresh" button in order to get the most recent news.
Sure, you could set some of them to check for information more frequently, but to what affect on the battery? And is THAT really worth it?
I think widgets (news, email, weather) are nice until you spend time with them, and realize you have to refresh the information more often than not, to see the most recent available. (or suffer reduced battery performance).
You might as well just click the individual weather/news/email app, and see up to date information, when you actually want it. And the plus side with iOS - the apps are much more optimized/polished than what's on Android, due to not having such a split in the hardware.
I've owned many Android tablets (beginning with the Xoom), and was one of the Android tablet fanboys, but - there's a reason I've switched to Apple.
Not necessarily. For example, Apple paid for my calculator app (built-in), but I spent my own money to buy PCalc.
My friends can buy me a Big Mac, but I wouldn't eat it. I would rather spend my own money getting another burger that I want. "Free" only goes so far.
Ok, I know I strayed off topic. But sometime it's fun to be literal.
I read that you lost 75% of your friends when you bought a galaxy note
Buy whatever you want. My friends never influenced me in buying electronics, or anything else for that matter. I know what I want myself. That said, it could be easier to connect with your friends if most of them use Android.
Buy whatever you want. My friends never influenced me in buying electronics, or anything else for that matter. I know what I want myself. That said, it could be easier to connect with your friends if most of them use Android.
I do prefer my iPad but also have had Android tablets.
What concern is the battery even using tons of widgets? I mean if you absolutely need the tablet to last a week ok then but even with widgets and live wallpapers etc I'd still get 2-3 days out of my Android tablets I owned in the passed.
I also have a Xoom (rarely use it) and not only would I use a bunch of widgets I'd occasionally plug my iPhone into it to charge it via USB when on the road.
I'd find good widgets update well but I know what you are talking about when you say some don't update. I'd generally delete those.
So not seeing your point. But, anyway Apple didn't pay for your calc app they provided it. They are the vender, you the customer. His friends aren't the venders.
My point is free (some one else paid for it - Apple paid some programmers to develop the Calculator app that comes with iOS) is not always a good choice, as in the case: "If you can't afford an attorney, a public defender will be available to you at no charge."
You really think that a public defender is worse than not having a lawyer at all?