I'm thinking of getting each of the 3 kids a tablet as their big Christmas gift. But I'm pretty computer ignorant beyond Google. Could someone who is knowledgeable about this stuff give me a rundown on what features I should be looking for? For example, I know that I'll want one that can accomodate a thumb drive, so they can do school projects on their tablet then bring the thumb drive into school. I'm not sure what else I would want. Any brand recommendations in that general price range?
My daughter LOVES her Kindle fire, but it doesn't hold a flash drive. You can tether it though. Tablets are still pretty expensive. I found this, that might get you started.
I don't know much about tablets, but my husband found one on Woot.com last year that he really likes and it was a great deal. And I know I have seen them on there since. Woot is a great website for deals, but they have a different sale every day so you have to check back daily. I just pop over every morning after my a to z fix.
It's difficult to find a quality tablet with a USB port. Here's one with a port: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+...Blue/3245029.p?id=1218388672398&skuId=3245029 Here's a quality one (that I'd recommend), but with no port: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...lver/5064393.p?id=1218604366681&skuId=5064393
Alice...saving documents ( even creating documents) on a tablet is difficult at best. You can't connect a thumb drive onto an iPad..there's no USB ports and iPad is top of the line. You'd have to email your work to yourself and then save on your flash drive...
Ok, so if that feature is off the table, what is important? It never occurred to me that I could get them a tablet in this price range. Someone at work was talking about the new google tablet--anyone have any idea?
I LOVE my Kindle Fire. I only use it for the tablet features, since I have a regular kind & it's easier to read from.
My sister bought my boys tablets for post surgery gifts. William got a Kindle Fire and Matthew got a Google Nexus 7. I have to say, if I had to buy one again, the Nexus wins hands down. It's not even a close comparison.
I use Dropbox for easily transferring files between my ipad, home, and school computers. Check to see if there is Dropbox support on the tablets you are considering. It is free, and very reliable.
Alice, sorry, I had, and still have, several things going on at once. Give me a few hours and I'll type out a more detailed response.
I really like my Kindle Fire. However, it is more limited on apps. They are releasing more, though. For the price I like it. I use Dropbox on my laptop, desktop, school computer, iPad, and iPod. Kindle doesn't have an app for it.
The Google Nexus 7 is rather good, you have the two options (The $200 one is 8 GB, and the $250 one is 16 GB, if I remember correctly) They are both WiFi only for internet. At that price point, the Google Nexus 7 is what you want.
I was also going to mention that Dropbox is a great alternative to using flash drives or just emailing files. Even if you can't use the program on your tablet, you can upload things to your drop box through their website quite easily.
I purchased a printer for $49 at Best Buy--Epson--it is wireless...I print from my ipads (1 & 2)...it has made them more practical. It was the best purchase I have made in a long time. You might think about that as a group present that the whole family can use. I can print from any room in my house and it supports all the computers and tablets--and my son's phone--in the house.
If you are thinking of them using it primarily for homework, think about the logistics. A group of our kids are piloting iPads this year and they were told by the IT dept that they would have to type on the screen when they have papers. The ELA dept and the kids are not happy about this. The kids hate it. So if you are thinking they will use it for homework, you might want to factor in the cost for a keyboard. Texting and websurfing on the screen are one thing - writing a report is another.
Alice, it may be the school requiring the flash drive. My students do not usually have access to the web, so they cannot access Dropbox. If printing at home is an issue, make sure you are set up for wifi and get a wireless printer. Easier in the long run. No opinions on the tablet - I have an iPad, NOT what you are looking for! Your kids are very lucky to have such a thoughtful mom!
I have the Nexus Tablet that's on the list in the link Kcjo provded. However, just so you know, there is an app/website called dropbox. You download the app onto your tablet and download it onto your computer. Whatever you do on your tablet, when you save it into your dropbox will show up on the computer!! It's awesome! https://www.dropbox.com/teams?_tk=a...ropbox" - US&gclid=CIWV6fTzs7ICFQjZQgodcwIAQQ ETA: Whoops, didn't notice that it's already been mentioned and you already know about.
OK, so I'll shelve the whole idea of the flash drive. If each of the 3 kids have their own tablets, then whoever needed the computer would have a shot at getting access to it. So taking that whole idea off the table, I'm still looking at the Nexus I think. Next question for those in the know-- I read somewhere that Apple is probably releasing a new 7" tablet, and that it might be wise not to buy anything for a month or two, thinking that the other prices might drop if Apple prices it in the same range. Any input on that?
Don't know how much it'll be and it's not out yet, but here's a tablet you might want to check out.... http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/about.aspx
Google most likely would not drop the price on their tablet, as it has only come out recently to rave reviews and was sold out for a while
http://www.woot.com/ I don't know much about the technological stuff, but I saw this and instantly thought of you this morning!
OK, someone fast-- this looks great for my kids. It's not the Nexus, but it's $80 cheaper, for each of 3 kids. Is there any reason I shouldn't get 3 of these today? Thanks K1!!! OK, wait. I read a few of the reviews, and came across this: For starter how about cost the same as nexus 7 when you include 25 $ play credit Or the fact that a Nexus 7 would be top of the line and not a refurb? ACK!!!!
OK, I think I'm going to pass, but thanks so much! I've been checking around. I think the Nexus is still my first choice, and the difference in price between a new Nexus and a New Galzxy on Amazon is $10. I would go with refurbished if it were being sold by the manufacturer. But I'm not so sure about going through Woot--- what if it arrives and simply doesn't work? It's another $30 for the extended one year warranty-- that eats the deal that Woot is offering. Someone tell me whether my reasoning makes sense. Also, so far this is the best price I've seen for the Nexus: http://www.officedepot.com/a/produc...Affiliates-_-MNovbAzOHcI-_-15-_-261067_120697
How about a NetBook? They are very user friendly. Many of the high schools and middle schools distribute those to kids.
What are the advantages of a Netbook over a tablet? I've found an Asus netbook for ballpark $250-- would it be better for the kids than a tablet?
I prefer a laptop when I have work that required typing. You can also get small laptops that have a touch screen, so they can work like a laptop and a tablet.
I'm glad you had time to research the tablet on Woot. I knew I didn't this morning, but thought of you nonetheless. Glad it helped you out!
OK since it looks like the house will sell very soon, I'm going to hold off for a month or so to avoid putting them on the charge. That will also give me time to figure out tablet/netbook.
What kind of computer is this? I remember when I was researching tablets and netbooks/laptops I wanted one where the screen flipped too, but couldn't find anything with good/consistent reviews.
