Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 or iPad2?

[JohnK]

Yes I know they are old models but I am thinking about buying one and do not want to invest too much money. With the TRS refund (assuming I can get to the end of the queue) the overall cost should be ~AUD350.

I think 16GB and Wi-Fi is more than enough for now. Looking to download some free games.

I was also thinking of buying a real cheap MP3 player. Can I download from YouTube or do I have to buy music?

P.S. You can tell I am not any good at this sort of stuff. I have tried Googling but most of the stuff goes way over my head.

 

[Blinky]

Okay, I'm on my second iPad now, and with all my travel, I would have been lost without 3G capability. The extra cost outweighs the benefit IMO. I'm on wifi at home now, but at hotels or in cars, mobile access is important. I'm on a $20 a month plan, and never use my allocation.

With an iPad you can only download music from iTunes (AFAIK), but you don't have to purchase every track you copy to iTunes. I'm a self-admitted pirate.

As for a MP3 player, I have an early model iPod which still works sensationally, but if I didn't have one, I'd buy an iPod Nano. Only $60 or so as I recall.

Galaxy looks good, but everyone tells me that Apple apps are what makes the difference.

 

[samh004]

The apps are what make the difference, but I'd be looking at getting at least 32GB, just for the simple fact that space does run out pretty quickly.

As for music on an iPad or iPod, not legally purchased, you can add whatever you like from wherever you like to iTunes and sync it to your iPad. It doesn't need to be purchased. You can even "rip" a CD you own into iTunes.

Personally, I'd consider the iPad mini if you're not after the top end iPad, as it's basically an iPad 2 in a smaller form factor with a few newer features.

Though you own a Samsung phone don't you? So maybe best to stick with what you know?

 

[here2go]

What computer setup do you have at home? If you have a Mac, get iPad for lazy synchronisation unless you are into self-abuse like me (been using Macs for 9 years, but staunchly refuse to use iPhones, and mainly use iPads as toys).
If PC, I'll defer to brains trust here, all my mobile devices are Windows 8 ($700 incl GST with keypad for MS Surface RT), and Lumia 920 Windows Phone. These are beautiful devices, but don't play very well with the world of Mac.

 

[JohnK]

I am after something I can use when I am overseas and if it gets stolen or lost it will not matter as it was cheap. Also if I get bored with it then one my friends in Thailand can have it as a present.

It is not going to have music or movies loaded so I think 16GB is adequate. It is not going to replace my laptop.

I am not one for buying apps. I want to download a few free games if possible and also surf the internet. 3G is not needed as I will be using the free Wi-Fi from Nine-Oh-Four coffee or the Eastiny hotels. USB port would be handy.

Though you own a Samsung phone don't you? So maybe best to stick with what you know?

Not good enough for internet access. I don't understand how you guys use your phones all the time.

 

[Mal]

I can't see you being happy with an Ipad JohnK. I don't think it really correctly ticks any of your criteria, and while it may be easier to use overall than Android, I don't think the benefits are there for you.

But if you are after cheap, why just look at Samsung? There are a myriad of Android tablets out there at varying price ranges... Yes, support for them is generally bad and upgradeability is also bad - but it depends what you are really wanting overall.

 

[here2go]

Best advice is to go to Hardly Normal, JB or Officeworks (they now do iPads), and play.

 

[richie9x]

I must admit I have a slight prejudice against Apple. But solely between those two I would say that the iPad 2 is the better option. Just better hardware, easier to use, also Apple tend to provide more updates for older hardware.

Personally if I were in the market for a tablet at the moment I would go for either the Nexus 7 or the Nexus 10. If you can live with the smaller screen on the 7 you can pick up the 16gb version for $249.

 

[markis10]

Why not an iPAD mini?

 

[Bundy Bear]

I would go with a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, Apple products tend to lock you in and it is hard to get out once you are sucked in.

Apple makes you sign up for an account, it wants to update all the time and to set up an account then it wants your credit card on file.

 

[simongr]

Apple makes you sign up for an account, it wants to update all the time and to set up an account then it wants your credit card on file.

That is simply not true.

 

[Blinky]

Why not an iPAD mini?

Not so great for game playing IMO.

 

[dontwanttoregister]

I would go with a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, Apple products tend to lock you in and it is hard to get out once you are sucked in.

Apple makes you sign up for an account, it wants to update all the time and to set up an account then it wants your credit card on file.

Rubbish to both points.

Lock in? I move between an iPhone, Mac, Windows PC and an Android tablet and share content between all of them easily. Sure I've had to buy a couple of apps in different stores, but they are a couple of bob each, hardly a problem. An app bought on the iPhone can be put on any future iDevice I buy/upgrade to, similar to Android apps and PC apps. Music files are easily and freely shared between all.

I've never given Apple a credit card, and you can sign up without adding any credit. Sure, you need an iCloud account to do alot, but I also needed a Google account to set up the Android tablet.

Edit to add: I regret every day my decision to go Android for the tablet. It does the job, it's just more awkward, not as smooth, is ugly, requires more time to use and is fiddly. I don't have the time or inclination to fiddle with settings, download custom ROMS and whatever else you need to put on the damn thing to do what everyone in geekworld tells me it can do! YMMV.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Thanks for the update, but I have never charged anything to it there now I can't seem to remove the credit card part, one time it said credit card expired and then I couldn't work out how to make it work without adding a new expiry date.

 

[JohnK]

I can't see you being happy with an Ipad JohnK. I don't think it really correctly ticks any of your criteria, and while it may be easier to use overall than Android, I don't think the benefits are there for you.

I can change! I have used it and it is OK if you want to do simple things.

But if you are after cheap, why just look at Samsung? There are a myriad of Android tablets out there at varying price ranges... Yes, support for them is generally bad and upgradeability is also bad - but it depends what you are really wanting overall.

I think Aldi has something now for $99 with Android 4.0 but only 500MB memory and I am not sure if it has a USB port.

I was also thinking with either iPad2 or Galaxy Tab that I could get 1-2 years out of it confidently and without hassle. I may also just use it for 6-12 months and just pass it on to someone who would get some enjoyment from it. Not sure that is possible with the copies out there.

 

[JessicaTam]

I have an iPad 2 (and will bring it to BNE next week). If you need to buy an app or game, then use an iTunes gift card - and use the EDR card to buy them. Regardless of computer flavour make sure you have iTunes loaded. This will allow you to load any movies or music you have 'acquired', regardless of the source.

If you add 3G to the mix it will give you navigation ability, which is very limited/non-existant with the wi-fi only model.

FWIW my mother bought an iPad last week, and she was the last person I would have thought would have bought one. She is coming to visit next week for a 'lesson', but is already using it well. Not a very steep learning curve.

 

[TonyHancock]

FWIW my mother bought an iPad last week, and she was the last person I would have thought would have bought one. She is coming to visit next week for a 'lesson', but is already using it well. Not a very steep learning curve.

I bought my mother one for her 80th Birthday. She is having a blast with it. She is not frightened to try things so has soon learned to use it.

 

[JessicaTam]

I bought my mother one for her 80th Birthday. She is having a blast with it. She is not frightened to try things so has soon learned to use it.

We better be careful or JohnK will think that they are only for the 'oldies' :shock:

 

[oz_mark]

Should be able to get the Samsung a bit cheaper than that.

 

[JohnK]

We better be careful or JohnK will think that they are only for the 'oldies' :shock:

Now, now Jessica. Don't be nasty. I am an oldie!

Should be able to get the Samsung a bit cheaper than that.

Cheaper than what?

I have been researching and iPad2 = ~$398 and Samsung = ~$360. Either way the 10% discount for TRS will help.

If you know somewhere I can get either cheaper I would appreciate the assistance.