Looking for my first tablet

[Ripplinger]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Thanks, conan50. I read a sampling of the reviews the other day and it sounds interesting. I worry about buying an unfamiliar brand, though. Decisions, decisions!

Note also that it's an 8" screen. I worried about how comfortable the 7" screen on my Asus would be to hold for longer periods of time while reading and it's just at that comfort point... I can manage to find a comfortable position but I'm not sure I could manage it with a larger and (even slightly) heavier reader.

I also think it will be easier to find a cover you like for the Asus since it's such a mainstream item.

I looked at the Dragon Touch and I'll admit I was slightly tempted at the price and the reviews even though I don't need a new tablet, until I reconsidered the above for myself.

[conan50]

I bought this case for the Dragon Touch at the same time I bought the tablet
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o00_s00
It is a pretty good case.
That tablet is 16:9 vs 4:3 so that is worth considering. Video looks better on 16:9 but reading is probably better 4:3.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

Note also that it's an 8" screen. I worried about how comfortable the 7" screen on my Asus would be to hold for longer periods of time while reading and it's just at that comfort point... I can manage to find a comfortable position but I'm not sure I could manage it with a larger and (even slightly) heavier reader.

I also think it will be easier to find a cover you like for the Asus since it's such a mainstream item.

I looked at the Dragon Touch and I'll admit I was slightly tempted at the price and the reviews even though I don't need a new tablet, until I reconsidered the above for myself.

It looks like the larger Dragon weighs slightly less than the ASUS. I'd prefer 7-inch, but it's not a real strong preference.

Originally Posted by conan50

I bought this case for the Dragon Touch at the same time I bought the tablet
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o00_s00
It is a pretty good case.
That tablet is 16:9 vs 4:3 so that is worth considering. Video looks better on 16:9 but reading is probably better 4:3.

Oooh, they have vegan leather cases with polka dots!

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by conan50

That tablet is 16:9 vs 4:3 so that is worth considering. Video looks better on 16:9 but reading is probably better 4:3.

Actually it's 16:10... Pretty close to the aspect ratio of a mass market paperback.

[barryem]

For what it's worth I've bought 2 off-brand tablets, both about 2 years ago, and I returned one and I got stuck with the other one. Neither was worth the small amount I paid for it. I gave away the one I couldn't return and it was returned to me. They couldn't deal with all the problems either.

I realize that was 2 years ago and things might be better today. I don't know. But personally I would only buy a name brand.

By the way I also have the big brother of the Asus 176, the 181 8" version. I really was tempted to get another one of those. It's quickly become my favorite tablet. I got the 7" one though because I wanted to try it out for reading and 8" is just a bit bigger than I like for reading.

Actually I've decided 7" is a bit big for reading too but I like the tablet a lot so I'm keeping it.

Barry

[Vincom]

If I was you, I'd choose ASUS MeMo Pad 7 ME176CX-A1 with 119$. Because ASUS is offering very very good guarantee policies. They guarantee their products up to 2 years !!
What are you waiting for ?

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Vincom

If I was you, I'd choose ASUS MeMo Pad 7 ME176CX-A1 with 119$. Because ASUS is offering very very good guarantee policies. They guarantee their products up to 2 years !!
What are you waiting for ?

I don't know!

[Katsunami]

Whatever tablet you get, make 100% sure it has an IPS or PLS screen. These have very good color, and very good viewing angles. If you get a TN screen, your colors and viewing angles will be so bad that you'll want to smash the tablet into tiny pieces before you finish reading the first chapter (or website article).

Also, you might want to look into tablets that have a 4:3 form factor. Personally, I find a tablet in 16:9 or 16:10 form factors too long and narrow, but this is a personal preference.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Whatever tablet you get, make 100% sure it has an IPS or PLS screen. These have very good color, and very good viewing angles. If you get a TN screen, your colors and viewing angles will be so bad that you'll want to smash the tablet into tiny pieces before you finish reading the first chapter (or website article).

Also, you might want to look into tablets that have a 4:3 form factor. Personally, I find a tablet in 16:9 or 16:10 form factors too long and narrow, but this is a personal preference.

I'd seen that IPS abbreviation when I began seriously looking around, but had to look it up since it was new to me.

Form factor--can't say I ever considered that; it's not something I've seen mentioned as such in the listings of specifications. I though they were all pretty much the same ratio.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Form factor--can't say I ever considered that; it's not something I've seen mentioned as such in the listings of specifications. I though they were all pretty much the same ratio.

iPads all have a 4:3 aspect ratio. Most Android devices are either 16:9 or 16:10, which is better for video but (IMHO) not as good for reading. There are a few 4:3 Android devices around, but not many.

[Bilbo1967]

Nexus 9 is 4:3 aspect ratio, and better for it.

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Nexus 9 is 4:3 aspect ratio, and better for it.

Yes, but looking at the bezel shape, it still seems it is intended to be used in landscape mode, with the long side up. You can use it in portrait mode, obviously, but then you'll only have vet small bezels to grip it.

[Catlady]

My plan to purchase a tablet is now on hold--my little laptop went kerflooey today, and it looks like I'm going to have to replace that ASAP, since it's something I rely on for work.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

Yes, but looking at the bezel shape, it still seems it is intended to be used in landscape mode, with the long side up. You can use it in portrait mode, obviously, but then you'll only have vet small bezels to grip it.

Yes, that's true. I almost always use it in landscape mode though, so that's fine with me

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by Catlady

My plan to purchase a tablet is now on hold--my little laptop went kerflooey today, and it looks like I'm going to have to replace that ASAP, since it's something I rely on for work.

Isn't that something that should be taken care of by your company, or are you self-employed?