01-09-2013, 08:30 AM | #1 |
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iPad Mini or Nexus 7
I'm looking to buy a tablet but I'm still not quite sure which one I want. I'm familiar with the iOS and have used it for three years on my iPod Touch 32GB. I have lots of my music stored on it. A lot of it does not have DRM but unfortunately, a good chunk of it is DRM music from the Apple store. I've also brought quite a few apps from the app store as well. Some are only for the iPod but some are made for both the iPad and the iPod. Basically, what I'm saying is that over the years, I've invested a lot of media into this iPod Touch. So my first choice seems to be an iPad mini. The only thing holding me back is the price. I've got about 6GB left on the iTouch. So I don't want to get a 32GB iPad mini only to fill it up quickly. This means the most sensible choice is the 64GB iPad mini which is $529.00 not including taxes.
The Nexus 7 looks like a really great device especially for the price. Plus, it's great that it gets direct updates from Google. However, my main concern is that I'll have buy a lot of the apps that I purchased through Apple all over again in the Play Store. I'm also worried that a lot of my music won't transfer over and I'll have to repurchase it as well. Also, the Nexus 7 only goes up to 32 GB. So, have any of you had experience with switching from iOS to Android? If so, how smooth was it? Should I just bite the bullet and buy the iPad mini? BTW, I'll primarily be using the tablet to read, listen to music, check e-mail, use the internet, play games, and use other miscellaneous apps (like religious apps). I don't really watch videos on my iTouch although I have few videos it. |
01-09-2013, 09:55 AM | #2 | |
monkey on the fringe
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Quote:
I have a 32GB Nexus 7 and I keep storage freed up by streaming content whenever possible and keeping my music on an 8GB Sansa Clip Zip with a 32GB mSD card. The second question has to do with the content you've purchased. Since you own the audio and video content, you can convert it to a format supported by Android; so you're not out any money there. What you won't be able to port over are the iOS apps. So, how many of those apps are essential to have as specific paid apps as opposed to free comparable apps? App use is very user specific and what one person is satisfied with would be totally unsatisfactory for another. In all the years I've owned iOS/Android devices, I've never paid for a single app. I either get the free version of a paid app or I get the paid one free through a promo. Also, if a paid app doesn't have a free version, then I'll find a comparable version from someone else that is free. This works for me, but might not work for you. Since I'm not locked into anyone's ecosystem, I can easily pop in and out at will. The big question you have to answer in relation to the paid apps you deem essential to you is this - is the long term cost/benefit ratio cheaper to stay with Apple and its more expensive devices or to go with cheaper Android devices and having to do a one time re-purchase of essential apps? Last edited by tubemonkey; 01-09-2013 at 12:24 PM. Reason: added "do a one time - of" |
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01-09-2013, 10:06 AM | #3 |
monkey on the fringe
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A 32GB Nexus 7 ($249) is $180 cheaper than a 32GB iPad mini ($429).
$180 can go a long way to re-purchase your essential apps. |
01-09-2013, 10:11 AM | #4 |
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Ah! Very good analysis, tubemonkey!
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01-09-2013, 10:40 AM | #5 |
cool a zombie!
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01-09-2013, 10:50 AM | #6 |
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Neither is the Nexus 7 really.
The monkey gives good advice. The only thing I'd add is to go and try out a Nexus if you can or another Android device. I've had iOS only friends buy Android tablets and end up hating them, so make sure you're Ok with the other OS. Last edited by AnemicOak; 01-09-2013 at 10:53 AM. |
01-09-2013, 11:45 AM | #7 |
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Do you really need all your music on your tablet, or will a few playlists suffice? You can still use your iPod Touch after all. If you are willing to move content on and off your tablet you can certainly manage with 32 or even 16 GB, since the tasks you describe using your tablet for are not data intensive.
You are really choosing between operating systems, so you should check whether or not the apps you have/want are available for tablets on the Android platform. Are you going to have to jump through hoops to use your calendar or other apps that would easily sync if you stayed with Apple? What's your comfort level with learning a new platform? I went with the iPad mini in the same situation (already had an iPod Touch). Since I also had a Macbook Air, it was a simple choice to stay with the Apple, so that all my existing stuff would sync between my devices and because there were a few apps I use that are Apple only. |
01-09-2013, 12:22 PM | #8 |
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01-09-2013, 12:23 PM | #9 |
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01-09-2013, 12:43 PM | #10 |
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01-09-2013, 01:59 PM | #11 |
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Granted, not as convenient as an SD expansion slot, but the option is there should you need it. I see this more of a thing you might consider if you go on a trip and want to carry a bunch of movies with you rather than a daily thing.
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01-09-2013, 02:04 PM | #12 | |
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Or one can get stuff like the AirStash, GoFlex Satellite or Wi-Drive and be set for either an iOS or Android device. |
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01-09-2013, 02:13 PM | #13 | |
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If you want it un-DRM'ed, you can by iTunes Match for a single year (One time fee of 25$), and it should "upgrade" all your music to DRM free (And higher quality in some cases). Otherwise I'll just mirror the rest of the nerd choir in here - Go for the OS you like and the apps you need. You know iOS, so the question is what you think of Android? At least the Nexus 7 is a cheaper "oops", if don't like it. (Resale value is better for the iPad though) Last edited by David Munch; 01-09-2013 at 02:16 PM. |
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01-09-2013, 03:10 PM | #14 | |
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If the option for expandable memory is a requirement (the OP has not stated that it is) then it would be helpful to point out the fact that there ARE 7" tablets that provide for microSD card slots such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7. Having said that, if it comes strictly down to a choice between the Nexus 7 and iPad Mini, I would recommend the Nexus 7. (BTW, I'm not a fan of the N7) The openness of Android is a tremendous advantage (over iOS) for a device that is both mobile and personal. The ability to customize and configure a 7" tablet with widgets, icon placement, etc. can really enhance the usability of the device. And without the ability to expand memory (* - traditional definition) try to get a model with as much memory as you can afford. |
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01-09-2013, 03:41 PM | #15 | |
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