Need Tablet/ipad thingy!

[Just_a_bloke]

I’m going to end up in hospital for several weeks and do not wish to take with me a 17” laptop! So looking for a tablet/iPad thingy. Its all a bit alien to me, so need some help please. Yes there will be dumb questions, so be kind and bare with me please.

• My priority is sending/receiving emails
• Access to websites
• This may be the big issue/problem, I’d like a standard USB port to plug in a memory stick
• Need to access Wi-Fi/networks (like I do with my laptop)
• On my laptop, I use a USB dongle to access the net via the mobile phone network, could I use this in the required USB port mentioned above? Or is there usually somewhere to put the sim card out of the dongle?
• Screen size about 8”
• I don’t wish to spend silly money, nor play games

A friend showed me her iPad™ and it gave access too somewhere to obtain ‘apps’ like word processors etc. Is this standard for all tablets/iPad’s?

Thanks in advance for any useful answers

 

[Bart Simpson]

Get an android tablet possibly Samsung tab or Nexus if you want an affordable one.

Most of these have WiFi and you can simple plug your sim to access internet. No need of a dongle.

For the memory stick you don't need a standard usb. Just get a converter from ebay. (Small & doesn't cost much)

 

[Faevilangel]

Look for a 3G enabled tablet and you won't need the dongle, just plug the sim card into the device.

I highly recommend the Samsung Tab range of tablets, they range from 7 to 12 inches, I would get a keyboard for it though as using the touch screen for long periods of typing can be a pain.

The Nexus tablets by Google are also great, developed by Google but highly rated and sold at a reasonable cost.

I would get something in the 10 inch range as it's not too small but not too big and lightweight.

Android or IOS both have thousands of apps to do almost any task, very rarely you will find an app that won't do what you need, there is a combination of paid and free apps on both stores.

 

[Karimbo]

if you dont use a tablet probably best to just take a laptop. a laptop can be placed on our lap and is better to use while lying down.

an ipad is good for reading and consuming information. No good for doing any amount of work.

 

[senses]

I would recommend an iPad.
For connectivity, use a 3G hotspot dongle (the usb ones break too easily and are cumbersome) or just make sure your mobile phone tariff supports hotspoting or networking (will save you money this way)

I would also recommend a case and bluetooth keyboard in that case until you are used to screen tap keyboards.

Do not by a Surface.

Android, go for a good one (e.g. not bottom end of the market) as the build quality can lack.



I used to have a nexus, and compared to iPad the battery was terrible

Word of warning, most hospitals, you will struggle to get signal - as they dont penitrate the walls walls very well. If your lucky you will be on an outside wall faceing the mobile cell.

Also, to give you options ,head over to three )mobiles) website and order a PAYG sincard (its free). At 1p per MB is a decent short term option.

 

[Just_a_bloke]

A lot of helpful info has come forward, thank you everyone.

I like the adaptor lead for the memory stick as that will help prevent leverage on the socket.

Talking of hospital walls, I was stuck in a hospital about 5 years a go, hence the purchase of the dongle and had to make sure I was near a window as there was places where there was no signal. I now understand the same hospital provides WiFi for patients. Not sure about the next hospital though. I've already experienced the laptop on a hospital bed, its not easy, more so with my laptop as its heavy (not heavy for a laptop of its size), however as I'll be having my rib cage cut open, I certainly won't be able to lift much (based on my last operation) as it was painful enough lifting my arms!

Off to look at recommendations

 

[Just_a_bloke]

Just been looking at an iPad mini. (got to start somewhere) In the description it says no USB, does that mean any type of USB, or just the more commonly sized one, as I'm sure the one I looked at the other day had a mini USB that was used for the charging lead?

 

[Just_a_bloke]

Now I am confused!

I've been looking at this - Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet, Samsung Exynos, Android, 10.1", Wi-Fi, 16GB and in the specification it says - Touch Screen NO. Surely that's a mistake?

Another concern is printing. My printers are on our network, no Bluetooth or wireless systems. It seems that some tablets will only print to Airprint enabled or similar technology printers. What's the way forward here apart from transferring files to a laptop or desktop computer?

I'm assuming tablets which have built in 3G or similar via a SIM card can still log on to WiFi systems

 

[james_firmsites]

Have a nexus 10 and it is fantastic...BUT....must note that you can not plug in a usb stick without rooting it. Which unless you know what you are doing can be a pain. After rooting it all you need is an OTG cable which costs like £5 and expands the mini-usb into a standard one.

All tablets (that I know of) can also go into WiFi so don't worry about the 3g thing. Note 10 is definitely a touch screen... that's a mistake.

 

[cjd]

Take you laptop ;-)

 

[Steve_FusedCube]

Have you considered a Chromebook? Similar to a laptop, but lighter, quicker, more secure and with better battery life. The Chromebook OS is basically a web browser (Chrome), but it's so much more than that these days and allows apps and offline work to be done when there's no network.

More useful if you're already set up in Google's world, but worth a look. Email would be via the GMail app or any web based mail, so that's obviously something for you to consider.

I was bought one as a birthday present recently (Acer c720p with touch screen, cost from £199) and it's a great device. Boots in a few seconds and gives access to most of what you need. I use mine for web based email, web sites, and the google store has loads of apps.

Steve

 

[Bob]

.. and don't assume that you will be able to get a 3g signal. We do a lot of hospital volunteering and frankly there is no 3g signal in most of it. Certainly no public wi-fi in the one we visit

 

[senses]

Second the conservation for chrome book

I have iPad mini retina - get one.

Finally. You do not need usb. You might think you do. But you don't. End of. !!!!'


Bluetooth and wireless will resolve all your requirements for the missing port.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Just_a_bloke]

Take you laptop ;-)

As pointed out, I will not be able to lift it due to major surgery!

 

[Just_a_bloke]

.. and don't assume that you will be able to get a 3g signal. We do a lot of hospital volunteering and frankly there is no 3g signal in most of it. Certainly no public wi-fi in the one we visit

Its a very new hospital I'll be going to When I was using my dongle in the previous hospital, it was slow, but I was able to do what I wanted.

 

[Just_a_bloke]

I have iPad mini retina - get one.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do you encounter any issues connecting to a windows pc?

I've never used any syncing systems, which is why I ask. Not sure if I'll need to.

 

[Steve_FusedCube]

You use iTunes to sync with the PC / Mac, but you can also sync with using icloud. It's a very good system to be honest and better than anything else I've used.

When you first set up any Apple device it always prompts you to create or login to your icloud account. Ideal to backup the device anyway!

Steve

 

[senses]

Do you encounter any issues connecting to a windows pc?

I've never used any syncing systems, which is why I ask. Not sure if I'll need to.

I never connect it to anything, why would I.
Everything is via the web.

Put music on one, watch it arrive on another.

Also I run plex, so movies, music etc as always with me (when connected)

 

[MatthewRJones]

I can highly recommend the Kindle Fire, only £89.00 and it great!

 

[RedfoxBusinessSolutions]

Depending on the phone you use, this would influence my choice on a tablet. As some are better connected when working together, for example iPad with and iPhone etc.. It also depends on what kind of money you are looking to spend and the exact usage your looking from it really. Regarding screen size if your looking to watch on there or a smaller tablet just for browsing the web.

 

[drdialeruk]

I can highly recommend the chrome book, its just great.

 

[javismiles]

ipads are awesome, but nexus tablets are way cheaper and still good enough i feel

 

[StaffingAgency]

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3. Great tablet and partners my Samsung Galaxy phone well.

I use it for various things, both personal and business/work related.

However given that it is a 7in tablet, if I was using it more for business/work I would get a bigger screen size.

That said its great for short tasks, i.e e-mails, typing short documents etc, watching tv/films/videos, and etc.