Looking for a tablet (need help/advise)

Let me just start by saying, I am not tech savvy and I know very little about things like this. I am graduating from college (finally) and have been asked by family members what I want for graduation. I have decided that I would like to get a tablet of some sorts, since my only computer is a desktop and it looks like I may actually have to move before the "household" moves for a new job. Also I would just like the portability of a tablet and dont see the benefit of a laptop over most tablets now a days. But that is where my knowledge ends. I dont know how to even start looking for a tablet. I have a few very improtant requirements for the tablet, but other than that I am open to any help and suggestions, or even just flat out "get this one right here right now". I know that the budget will probably be $300 or less so I also know that that doesnt leave much wiggle room, I am sure they are all much more expensive than that. I also know that I prefer pc style systems over mac. I do not have a smart phone nor have I ever, but I am sure I will be getting one shortly after I start my new job (current job would kill a smart phone in about the first 5 minutes). I would have to have a tablet that is capable of running microsoft office stuff like word and excel (THIS IS A MUST!). I am seeing that most have the cameras and webcams stuff so you could vid chat, that is nice. One thing I also have gathered on my own is that a 7" screen is too small, as I dont have the best vision and would prefer something larger, although I dont think that would be a must.

Overall I just need it to be able to:
surf the web (mainly tacomaworld of course)
run microsoft office files, like word or excel
do not want one that needs a phone bill of its own, will just run off wifi.
being able to play games, watch videos, listen to music, or read books is a bonus as well.

Any help or advice someone could offer me would be greatly appreciated. For all I know maybe all tablets will run office???

Thank you all!

 

iPad 2 at $399, includes the iWork suite of apps for doc, excel and ppt editing. Unless you go open source for a productivity suite, Windows is gonna stick it to you with an expensive tablet or requiring you to subscribe to Office 365

 

huh, well that doesnt sound good. so in all actuality the ipad is my only reasonable option? not feasible at all to get one with an android OS and run office apps or whatever?

 

I wouldn't necessarily say that. There are many free products for android such as Google drive or Open Office, they are just not as powerful as iWork or MS Office. Up to you to decide on that.

 

I bought a nexus 10 32 gb. Love it and way better than an ipad.

 

I got a kindle fire HDX recently. I don't use Microsoft office type stuff but it has most of that preinstalled. I use it mostly Netflix, reading, games, and internet. I love it.

 

well im not looking to do spreadsheets and type word docs with it. just use it to review them. have a desktop i use to make them. but is there anything that would prevent me from being able to readily view and possibly make slight changes and save in a friendly format with excel and word?

what kind of price for nexus? similar to like an ipad or galaxy?

thanks btw and keep the views and opinions coming!

 

OP, my wife is the head of her I.T. department and generally can purchase any of the latest/greatest devices made. while I'm happy with the latest ipad she's "given" me, she replaced it with the new Lenovo thinkpad (though that's since been replaced, lol). the thinkpad runs windows 8 which makes it pretty versatile for work purposes as well as having streaming properties of course. it's more than $300 ($6-700 iirc) though a new ipad can approach that, and the ipad has far more apps as well. hope this helps.

 

that does help quite a bit. although i believe that might be a bit out of the price range.

but on a plus note i found out the range is actually closer to $400 and if all else fails i might be able to throw a few dollars in as well to get something under like $475 or so. but that would be absolute limit and not even sure i could work that out with me adding to the available limit??

 

There are many options to go with, Of course the IPAD is one of the first thing people think of when Tablet comes to mind... My opinion and no im not starting a fight with anyone.... if you dont have apple products i wouldnt get the IPAD.. yes i may be called anti apple but if you dont have apple products to connect to then all you have is a super expensive tablet that you cant send stuff to your phone, home computer, ect. ...That being said i build computers for a side job and get to see alot of the reviews, and honestly it will all come down to user choice...

If you like Amazon and have an account with them, Kindle HDX (from what i have read not personal experience) isnt a bad choice.

If you have Apple products and you like apple (ie Iphone Mac computer) then go with the IPAD

If you are used to Android you cant go wrong with the Nexus 7 or ASUS MeMO

If you Like Windows 8, Dell and Acer make some great windows based tablets (acer fan myself) I have sold quite a few of Acer Windows 8 Tablets and no complaints yet.

If your looking at the Microsoft surface tablets (new ones on TV with Click keyboards)... just remember that the price the advertise on tv doesnt include $150 Keyboard.

You also have to look at the features Camera, Speed, Memory, , Does it have SD port or USB port(IPAD doesnt have these and most android ones only have SD) Having the SD and USB means you can expand your memory and not be stuck with the stock memory.

All tablets now will have a "cloud" option. Android now has a cloud and so does windows. All these have options for free and then upgrade for a price. Also there is a program called dropbox which can place any file you want and get it on any phone or computer connected to internet.

All these tablets should support office (either Open office or Microsoft office)

As far as music. All tablets will have a way to download it to your tablet. You can download music directly to all tablet.This is where if you have apple products then IPAD is great, if not..ehh not so much. Just remember music can take a lot of space, (for instance i have 13GB of music on my computer) But if you have SD capable tablet, put it on an SD card you can take anything with you because the Cloud is wont help you without wifi, on a tablet without a Cell plan.

If you want movies from your computer (ie:AVI or Digital downloads) you should look at either the Android, IPAD, or Windows tablets. (IPAD you have to convert to special format, others wont need to be converted from AVI or DD) Kindle will only allow you to get movies from amazon store (from what i have read) other than that you can download movies from the app stores for rent or full movies from any app stores. Also Netflix (while in wifi) is a APP to download

All the games are going to be on all with minor ones missing

Kindle app to read books can go on every tablet along with Nook (except kindle tablet doesnt include Nook)


If it was me .. go with Android or Windows tablet... More bang for your buck.. but its better to be informed about all your options than just someone stating go with this....

 

I've had the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 for about 2 years now and I love it. Paid 400 for it. Never had a problem with it and easy to use. Doesn't have Microsoft but has Polaris Office where you can create files in .doc or .docx format or use excel spreadsheets.

 

Paid 300.00 for my nexus 10 32gb. It literally does everything you're wanting for it. It is androids top of the line tablet next to the nexus 7. And the reason behind that. It doesn't have any bloat ware that the others have. Very quality machine.

 

I like my Kindle Fire HD. I bought it before the Fire HDX came out. I'm pretty sure you can load office files on it. It's pretty much idiot proof.

 

Wow, thank you very much for breaking it down like this. really helps a lot. and incredibly informative. i do not have any apple products. i run windows 7 on my desktop and have an old zune for music (i know im prob retarded for getting a zune but hey i like it just fine)

 

Well after my graduation ceremony my parents presented me with my gift.... a Google Nexus 10 32gb

havent really gotten a chance to mess around on it much but what little I did i enjoy it.. seems quite user friendly, just need to find a good case for it that isnt leather(as that seems the popular option) thinking about one of those silicon case things or a Gumdrop(?? i think that is the name??) cases, any input on cases would be great as well.

I realize a case wont make it indestructible but it would be nice if it could help from a splash of water or maybe the accidental drop off the table...

 

Ohhh Ohhhhh Ohhhhh I got one lol. Get a poetic rugged I think is the name I will look when I get home. It is just like an otterbox and has a stand and all.

Edit: it's a poetic revolution. Just looked it up on my Amazon orders. I got it for 16.95 shipped.

I also have the poetic slim line for my everyday use. It has the sleep wake function like the ipads I got it for .99 on amazon as a black friday deal

 

Oh and update that sicker to 4.4.2 kitkat. It's well rounded

 

what does that mean???

also, does the nexus not have the option for external storage? like a micro sd or anything?

 

Nope no extra storage. But.... A otg cable and thumb drive works great. It's what I use on occasion. And 4.4.2 is the operating system for android.

 

as embarassed as i am to have to as, i still need to ask it... How do i change/upgrade operating systems? is there a big difference between the two systems?