Android-Apple-Microsoft

[tmmar]

Looking to get a tablet for the wife and am not sure which way to go. I see many Android tablets that look fairly decent but haven't tried any. I used an Apple for a while but found the operating system not that intuitive. Tried the Microsoft Surface 2 and liked the Windows 8 operating system and the fact that it had a version of Office with Word/Excel but can't find anyone who discounts it from the $449 price. She likes to down load books from the local library and will also use it to access the internet.
Any help and guidance is appreciated.

[paulcardoza]

Back to the original question from the OP. For what the tablet will be used for as stated by you, ANY Tablet will do nicely. Make sure the display quality measures up to your expectations, is large enough to book-read easily and then price shop. For these tasks, OS is really irrelevant!

tmmar wrote:
She likes to down load books from the local library and will also use it to access the internet.
Any help and guidance is appreciated.

[wa_desert_rat]

Caddywhompus wrote:
Or grossly uninformed and ignorant. As a user stuck working with Windows daily, I prefer Apple at home. 4 months ago I tried a Windows 8 smartphone. It has been more stable, efficient and secure than ANY Android device. It's faster than IOS on Apple devices, and completely surprised me when it proved to be more stable than Windows PC operating systems. Windows Mobile is way better than people assume.

You can't blame him for assuming that the smartphone operating system would be subject to the same exploits as the laptop/desktop OS. But it looks like MS took the opportunity to do a change-up. Without the gamers market, MS could take the video off ring zero and vastly increase the security of the operating system. After all, there is no huge installed-base of applications; they're starting off with a clean slate.

If so, then this is what I've been wanting MS to do for years; give up on backwards compatibility and get the OS to a point where security is not based on add-ons and outside vendors.

Craig

[RFCN2]

"I would not say Windows systems are mor vulnerable to, I would say they are more Popular with.
" I like that comment wy8xym. Very accurate. In my own personal use of computers over the last 20 years I am much of the reason Windows has it's problems. Windows does more and so I add more programs. It is the interaction of those programs (my guess) that causes Windows to slow down to a crawl.

For about 6-8 months I installed very few programs on my latest Windows W7 laptop. Started up quick, ran fast, and worked much like my 7 month old Mac Book Pro does today. But then I added more programs and it started to slow down. I still keep my Macromedia web site and Quick books on an older laptop just to avoid slowing down the newer windows laptop.

[mileshuff]

wa8yxm wrote:
But that's me.. I go back to DOS and CP/M and Commodore Basic and 6502 Maching Language and Fortran IV and IBM 1400 Machine Language.

Programmed quite bit for the 6502 on the Apple II+. Had a Z80 card in the II+ running CP/M. Also 6502 on early PC's such as OSI CIP's. Heck, I program under DOS (PDS 7.1) to this very day! Oh the memories of the good days!

[wa8yxm]

n7bsn wrote:
I would avoid the Windoz based strictly on that all Windoz systems are more vulnerable to viri/hacks/etc.

I would not say Windows systems are mor vulnerable to, I would say they are more Popular with.

Works out the same though.

Seriously... I use both a Windows netbook (not tablet though Im considring one as my next computer) and android devices.. (two different)

I have more problems going from Droid 1 to Droid 2 than from windows to droid and back.

But that's me.. I go back to DOS and CP/M and Commodore Basic and 6502 Maching Language and Fortran IV and IBM 1400 Machine Language.

And that folks, is a long way back as computers go.

[Caddywhompus]

n7bsn wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
The Kindle Fire HD might be a good choice if you are doing a lot of book reading. My wife loves hers and she does her Facebook stuff and surfing as well.
If you see posts from someone using any kind of a take-off of the Windows names (Windoz, etc.) they are just likely Apple fanatics.

Or spent 30+ years working in the industry

Or grossly uninformed and ignorant. As a user stuck working with Windows daily, I prefer Apple at home. 4 months ago I tried a Windows 8 smartphone. It has been more stable, efficient and secure than ANY Android device. It's faster than IOS on Apple devices, and completely surprised me when it proved to be more stable than Windows PC operating systems. Windows Mobile is way better than people assume.

[FlatBroke]

1492 wrote:

RFCN2 wrote:
The original poster asked about tablets.

Yes, thanks. So please keep comments on tablets. Not re-directed to essentially desktop OS.

OP title is "Android-Apple-Microsoft" I sorta thought the topic was operating system preference.
If I got of topic I apologize.

[wa_desert_rat]

tmmar wrote:
Thanks to all who replied. I didn't know I was going to need a referee when I started this thread, but to say that I am still not sure which way to go is an understatement. Many like each of the platforms (Android, Apple, Microsoft) so I will need to see if there is way to try each of them out before making purchase.

Thanks again.

Trying them out in stores can be a problem. Lots of the displa models have dead batteries even though they appear to be connected to power. Others may be crippled. The ones that work are full of selfies (self pictures taken by shoppers passing by).

Although I've only been inside one - in Spokane, WA - that Apple store seemed to have a lot of working display models. Costco has Samsung tabs with a working display; at least the one in Kennewick, WA did last time I was in there.

Are you going to take her with you when you try them?

Craig

[1492]

RFCN2 wrote:
The original poster asked about tablets.

Yes, thanks. So please keep comments on tablets. Not re-directed to essentially desktop OS.

[MaverickBBD]

She should be her choice. You can provide guidance as to what parameters should be researched. In the long run it will not only add to her satisfaction but help with the learning curve with the new device.

[FlatBroke]

I bought my iPad 4 w/OS6 and two weeks later Apple came with OS7. I said oh******every time I buy something new it out dated a few days after I buy it. A few days later I open the iPad and bingo I have a notice that OS7 is available for FREE to down load. WOW! Every time I wanted the latest and greatest Windows version I had to buy a new computer our some high dollar software. Seems kinda strange how the two company's differ in their new releases.

[tmmar]

Thanks to all who replied. I didn't know I was going to need a referee when I started this thread, but to say that I am still not sure which way to go is an understatement. Many like each of the platforms (Android, Apple, Microsoft) so I will need to see if there is way to try each of them out before making purchase.

Thanks again.

[dks]

I bought the Microsoft RT to replace my desktop and have been very pleased with its performance. Black Friday sales had it going for $249 Can. Including the keyboard. For browsing and versatility I'm pleased with it.

[wa_desert_rat]

1775 wrote:
Before buying a Microsoft Tablet right now - read this article (posted on another thread on this forum) -

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/26/microsoft-kill-windows-rt-larson-green

This link didn't work for me but this one did: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/26/microsoft-kill-windows-rt-larson-green

This could mean some killer deals for the "surface" products. There is every reason to believe that MS did not make the same mistakes with the RT operating system they did with the "full" versions (video and other I/O on ring zero_ that led to the security issues that have plagued the system and spurred an entire industry.

Time will tell.

Craig