Best tablet for reading (non iOS)?

ptilsen

Rogue, I was in the same position. I always felt like I'd rather copy files over SMB, USB, or removable media. I think I'll never go back at this point. The reality is that having things sync in the background through iTunes, DropBox, iCloud, etc., has really come a long way, and for the most part it is an outright superior experience. I want access to my important documents on my iPad or laptop? I throw them in DropBox and they're there when I need them. Unless I'm offline and forget to go online before an extended period of no connectivity, I have no need to bother connecting any cables or pulling up a transfer program or SMB share.

Yes, there are security and privacy concerns. At the end of the day, those concerns are there with or without the cloud. Anything truly sensitive can be encrypted. If it's not really sensitive, I don't care. Plus, it's not like we have to use the cloud for everything. For game save files, contacts, calendars, non-sensitive documents, music and video, it makes life so much easier.

Even outside of iTunes and cloud apps, you can still transfer files the old school way, via a SMB share using an app. First Google result gives me one of several available apps: App Store - FileBrowser - Access files on remote computers

Yeah, they should probably just make this possible and easy out of the box, but there are actually legitimate security reasons they don't. I can't say I've missed it much. Itunes is fine and so are the various other methods of file transfer and synchronization.

tpatt100

I only store school work/docs and non critical stuff on "the cloud". I use Google Drive (used to use Dropbox) and have a couple of folders auto sync from my desktop. I can grab it from my Android devices or iOS. I don't keep "the only copy" on the cloud services. It is sort of my off site backup.

ptilsen

That's a good point about backup, tpatt. I also backup my entire workstation, which means my iTunes and DropBox get backed up to local storage, in case "the cloud" breaks. It makes for an effective backup, IMO. I do strongly recommend it, particularly as a way to help avoid data loss from version conflicts, which does become a risk as more devices are added to any DropBox-esque sync system.

hiddenknight821

In light of what happened to Mat Honan, I effectively implemented the two-step verification on my google account. So I thought about switching to Google Drive since their authentication system is now more secure. I like Dropbox, but I don't want to end up like this guy.

spicy ahi

OP - I'm kind of with you on this. I have the original iPad and will be starting my masters program in the fall so I'm in the new market for a tablet of some sort if it will make life a little more convenient. I've had nothing but positive experiences with the iPad so that's probably what I'll be looking into, especially since I'm well vested in the Apple walled iOS garden at this point. And if they indeed come out with a 7" version, I'll definitely purchase it as I can tell you that the 10" tablet is nice, but it does get a tad heavy after some extensive reading and when placed on a stand in starbucks, it looks... kinda off. IF they don't come out with a mini, it might be a compelling argument to look at the nexus 7. A friend of mine has it and it is quite impressive. The android lag is virtually gone, which was a big turn off for me and the reason I moved from my android phones to the iphone 4, and more importantly the price point is very enticing.

The surface tablet is an alternative although I have a feeling it'll be priced like a laptop. And with ultrabook prices dropping the way they are, it might be more cost effective to buy an ultrabook in tandem with a 7" tablet of some sort to cover a lot of usability ground (laptop to do the heavy lifting, tablet for reading email and pdfs/online texts) Another intriguing option for me is the Galaxy Note. I don't use my phone as a phone; it's more of a mobile media device so with this, I can definitely use it as a tablet and mobile hotspot with the added bonus of being able to talk (on a bluetoothed tethered ear bud; don't know if I can bring myself to putting that brick to my head) and text. So many choices! Ah, it's nice to have 1st world problems like these, right?

tpatt100

hiddenknight821 wrote: »

In light of what happened to Mat Honan, I effectively implemented the two-step verification on my google account. So I thought about switching to Google Drive since their authentication system is now more secure. I like Dropbox, but I don't want to end up like this guy.

I think a very important thing I was reminded of with that incident is not to use the same password for everything you use. Keys to the Kingdom once they got access from Apple using info from Amazon.

hiddenknight821

Correct. I don't use the same password for everything at all. I have a system, and I can't say it's undefeated since nothing is absolutely secured. I think it would be wise to use two-factor authentication on my email accounts, because it's pretty much linked with most services. If my emails account are compromised, then the rest of those accounts probably would be compromised too despite using different passwords. They would be able to reset it.

riahc3

ptilsen wrote: »

OP, I am confused. The thread title is "best tablet for reading", then you state "Im not sure if Im going to use the tablet at all for reading". What do you really want? A plain old Kindle is the best choice for reading, but if your goals are getting work done, games, or web browsing, that's very different.

I dont like to read but in order to pass the CCNA Ive been told I have to read so.....Maybe I just cant stand reading and stop reading. Thats why I want the tablet to be used as other things. I dont want to not want to read and have a paperweight.

ptilsen wrote: »

For a versatile, multi-purpose tablet I am very excited for Surface and Surface Pro. MS has to deliver on both versions of Windows 8, but if they do it will be great. If not, it will be a BlackBerry Playbook or HP Touchpad: Undesirable OS on good hardware.

Yeah, since Im just reading Nexus 7, Ill have to wait for Surface Pro to see how it is and if anything else in the e-ink cat comes out.

ptilsen wrote: »

Otherwise, why are we saying non-iOS? Prejudice, or does the iPad truly fail at meeting your needs? I was prejudiced, too: so much so that I used a BlackBerry into 2011 and only switched when it broke and I was given a free iPhone 4; so much so that I still wouldn't buy a Mac months ago when MBP Retina was technically the exact specs I was looking for and could still run Windows. From someone who's entire career has been largely centered around Microsoft products, my recommendation is to forego all prejudices of iOS or Apple. The overall experience on iOS is amazing, and there is relatively little it can't do that it should.

Well Ive tried Apple devices, both iPhone and iPad and I just didnt like the overall experence. The only thing I havent tried is a jailbroken iProduct. Maybe thats what I need.

ptilsen wrote: »

If you want to use a physical keyboard and be productive, you have several choices, but IMO none of them involve any tablets that are on the market. In no particular order:
1. Get a netbook or ultraportable or ultrabook. They're pretty much just as portable as tablets (well, Netbooks are), and the right one with an SSD is almost as good of an experience overall. Obviously they can do a lot more since they can run a full-blown desktop OS. Most importantly, they have keyboards. A decent Netbook with aftermarket SSD is cheaper than a good tablet. A well-equipped Ultraportable or Ultrabook will of course run a lot, but then again the capabilities are there.
2. Get a Surface or similar keyboard-equipped Win8 tablet or touchscreen-equipped laptop, when they come out. Again, if Windows 8 delivers a good experience, this will be the marriage of laptop productivity and tablet mobility.
3. Get an Android keyboard-equipped tablet or touchscreen-equipped laptop. Even if Surface ends up sucking, the concept is good. A physical, non-bluetooth keyboard that is built-in and attaches to the device is what's needed. I suspect there will be plenty of Surface-like Android tablets before the holidays.
4. Get an Ultrabook and an iPad. Don't try to fit a square peg in a round hole. Use the iPad for reading, content consumption, and quick communications. Use the Ultrabook for serious productivity. Even Surface and the eventual clones are not going to replace a high-res, full-powered laptop when it comes to work. Combined, an Ultrabook and an iPad and their accessories still fit well in a laptop bag and make for light carrying. I'm happier carrying around both in airports than I was back in the days I used more mainstream laptops and DTRs, and I get more done and more enjoyment out of the pair of them.

No offense but your points litterally state the obvious. There isnt really a recommendation in there.

ptilsen wrote: »

If you are not looking to do work/use a keyboard, and all that was a waste of a post, I return to my original advice: Get an iPad. There is very little it doesn't do well that you really want to do on a keyboardless tablet. Almost everything it does well, it does the best.

Like I mentioned the iPad and more important its OS doesnt please me. Ive tried it out for a entire day but its just not Android (or Linux)/Windows. Not for me

Im thinking Kindle as it seems that it looks like a good choice.

riahc3

Sad I cant find information about the WISEreader C920

tpatt100

iOS "experience" is this:

1. Click icon
2. Use the app

Android:

1. Click the icon
2. Use the app

It's a tablet, the whole experience should be just that. All the other stuff is fluff to help sell the devices.

I rooted and flashed different ROMs to my Samsung Galaxy Tab, tried AOKP, Cyano, and one other. Not sure what all the hype was from the Android community. They were all just slightly different but you still ended up using Google Play for apps.

I can see the attraction if some people like adding widgets, changing the themes but I did that for a little bit on my Nexus and ended up removing the junk. I have heard numerous times that iOS is "child like" but its a tablet it has a touch interface I don't need a Star Trek UI to make myself feel good, just give me some tablet optimized apps.....

demonfurbie

riahc3 wrote: »

Sad I cant find information about the WISEreader C920

its windows ce based ... now if it had android on it were you could add a kindle/nook app that would be the best

Lampton

Here's my 2 cents.

I have a sony pocket reader 5inch screen. It uses an e-ink display and has very few other uses besides reading(no connectivity). It's great for reading books without many pictures.

However if I want to read a media rich PDF, I'd have to opt for a tablet mostly for the responsiveness. I have the Nexus 7 and it's a pretty solid device with an excellent price point too.

RouteThisWay

I used to think the idea of reading tech books on a tablet was ridiculous. So- I decided to buy a book and return it within 7 days on my Kindle (you know you can do that right? Amazon has a 7 day return policy on e-books.. so if you can read it in 7 days, you can return it for free. Kinda sleezy but I really was demoing something to see if I liked it).

I actually enjoyed it better than the book. I think my problem is if I am on page 42 of 892 of a tech manual, I almost feel a bit crushed inside. On the Kindle though, it really feels manageable. It is just a mental thing for me. Table of contents was a little clunky to get to the chapter I wanted, but it could have just been the book.

For me, if I want to read cover to cover- I'll go Kindle all the way.

tpatt100

I actually enjoyed it better than the book. I think my problem is if I am on page 42 of 892 of a tech manual, I almost feel a bit crushed inside. On the Kindle though, it really feels manageable.

I have felt this since I got my very first Kindle lol. A 7 or 10 inch device makes the material easier to digest compared to reading page to page with smaller text. I think this is why I preferred Sybex editions over the Cisco Press back in the day because Sybex had a slightly larger font and a little bit extra text between each line.

On the Kindle App I can adjust text, background color, brightness, margins, etc.

varelg

riahc3 wrote: »

Hello

Im going to go for the CCNA exam and Ill to read some ebooks so im looking for a tablet. Im not intrested in a iPad.

Im looking at either a Android device or Microsoft's Surface Pro. Some will say the Nexus 7 but no SD card and no pen (to hightlight stuff easier for example) is a bit of a turn off.........The HTC Flyer looked pretty ok but has no support. The Galaxy Note is weird in the sense it that it doesnt have the size of a phone or a tablet and would be pretty hard to read.

Right now the Surface Pro is my perfered choice even if it is not on the market.


Suggestions? Thank you.

I think even for only reading, tablet is more suitable than eInk readers in your case. Since you will be reading a lot of tech- related literature that has formated text, charts, graphs, tables etc., eInk readers do a horendous job on rendering such elements. I own Barnes and Noble's Nook Classic that I bought just for such purpose and times and again, it totally misses on any text that has just a bit of formatting. Users of other eInk e-readers complain that their devices aren't any better in that retrospect.
For some reason, you decided not to go with iPad, tablet that has sharpest and largest screen on the market. If you don't mind waiting, you might try out some other upcoming tablets (like other TE members suggested). Though a new iteration of the current iPad might be just around the corner...

petedude

Understandable how folks would like iPads or 10" tablets, but I think they'd be a nuisance to carry around. I personally like the 7"-8" Android tablets.

I recently picked up a Velocity Micro Cruz Reader to fill in for my sadly departed Sylvania tablet. While there were some flaws in the Cruz internal design, I was wowed by the build quality (and they threw in a nice tablet sleeve! way cool!). Memory allocation was the design flaw on the early Cruz Readers, but it looks like they fixed that finally a few models later. I'm impressed enough by the build quality that I'm wanting this for my next tablet: Velocity Micro | T408 Looks to me like that T408 could run my ebook apps and maybe let me watch Hulu as well. . .

I was a severe Mac fan for about a decade, and I admittedly slobbered over iPads when they first came out. Now, after getting deep into Linux and Android at home, I'm just not inclined to pay the Apple Tax.

riahc3

Well, Ill make a list of all the non iOS tablets you guys have listed, compare some prices/reviews, and try to decide.

Thank to all.

jgill

I have used my Sony S for a couple months now and what makes it terrific for reading is the unbalanced design. Held in one hand it begins to feel as if it part of you. Check one out.