Just as a reminder to anyone following these posts, I'd like to remind you I also host a second blog, required by my digital art teacher. Soooo, yeah, I have new stuff there, check it out.
http://kevanzartromero.blogspot.com/
Have fun, my lads~
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, November 12, 2012
Tablets
My teacher asked me about tablets, because he knows I have one and knows I pay attention to this sort of stuff. I spent some time putting together this list for him, and decided to share it with the whole internet. But as you'll find out, all this information can be found on the one site I link to.
---
I frequently visit a site with lots of tech news and reviews, and this is where I form and am told opinions about the cool stuff out there.
You should start with the tablet buying guide: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablet-buying-guide/
I didn't check each device to see that it outputs video, however they all can with adapters. Also they all can print wirelessly if connected to a certain type of printer. Otherwise, send the file you want to print to a computer that is already connected to a printer. Lastly, they all can use and a few can likely be bought with a dedicated keyboard. Those are the conditions I remember you gave me. If there were more, sorry, I forgot. Read the reviews to find your answer.
Microsoft Surface
This is the first piece of hardware from the company (excluding mouses/mice or whatever). It runs the new version of Windows, which is skeptical for most buyers.
This is the video review: http://cnettv.cnet.com/microsoft-surface-best-productivity-tablet-yet/9742-1_53-50133668.html
This is the written, very detailed review: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/microsoft-surface-rt/4505-3126_7-35332494.html
It is $500, a "touch" keyboard and cover is like $100 more, and a physical "type" keyboard is even more. http://surface.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/Content/pbpage.Surface_Category?ESICaching=off
On the surface, it seems to meet your needs. But like I, among others, aren't sure about the software. It is definitely something you should go into a store to play with.
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700
The second I'll list is an Android "flagship" tablet. Basically, fully loaded, all the bells and whistles, lots of features and more, and can pair with a dedicated keyboard.
http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/asus-transformer-pad-infinity/4505-3126_7-35332613.html
The dedicated but expensive keyboard runs for $150. The tablet is $500, and can be found here:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Transformer+Pad+Infinity+Tablet+with+32GB+Memory+-+Gray/5717344.p?id=1218686513247&skuId=5717344
ultimately, this would be a bold choice, but a good choice for someone who wants lots of performance, lots of pixels, and every little feature.
Google Nexus 10
This isn't a fully decked-out device, but it does run the latest software of Android, which makes it have an edge. Other little things add up too.
http://reviews.cnet.com/google-nexus-10/
However, I don't currently know of a dedicated keyboard designed to pair with it. I imagine a few may come out, or otherwise any other keyboard does technically have the capability to pair with it via Bluetooth. Any Bluetooth-enabled keyboard can pair with any tablet these days.
At $400, it is also cheaper than the others. Another good edge. https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_10_16gb&feature=microsite
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
The main feature of this versus any other on the market is the included pen. This probably appeals to writing/drawing people. Otherwise, I see it as a mostly good yet average tablet on the market, and its $500 price tag makes it a tough sell. It includes a "skin," which is the manufacturer's addition to the Android software. Some people like it, some prefer the "pure Android experience," which can be found only on the Nexus 10. The Asus tablets also have their own "skins."
http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/samsung-galaxy-note-10/4505-3126_7-35147489.html
And by the way, since you mentioned that a Samsung device was the buzz word around there, I just wanna say that compared to the other choices here, this wouldn't be my first or second choice. The pen does interest me a bit, that's way it's not my last pick.
This, like the Nexus 10, doesn't (to my knowledge) have a special keyboard made just for it. But I'm sure someone would make one.
Asus Transformer Pad TF300
Last is the baby brother. It's a stripped down version of the one above, as the video will explain. It is, however, quite a bang for its buck.
http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/asus-transformer-pad-tf300/4505-3126_7-35230241.html
And price: $350, not including the $150 keyboard http://www.amazon.com/Transformer-TF300-T-B1-BL-10-1-Inch-Tablet/dp/B007P4YAPK
My personal pick?
Errr... uhhh.... At the moment, I think I may choose the Nexus 10. The price is especially attractive, something the others don't have. Well, I'd rather pay the $50 more compared to the little Transformer Pad and get a lot more cool things out of it.
My personal pick differs than yours, mainly because you asked for a keyboard. Well after some time, I'm sure there will be one just for it. I'd certainly look for one.
The reason I have an iPad 2 is because it was/is $400, versus all the full-loaded $500 ones on the market. Unfortunately, the fancy-ass keyboard I have is a whopping $100. It doubles as a screen cover, and it's thin and was made to look nice, so that's their justification. I bought another keyboard before what I have now, and I like the keyboard itself better, the layout was better and just had better function keys, but the design of the product as a whole made it a hassle to have to always fold together when not in use, and having to carry the keyboard and ipad as two separate things was a nuisance.
That's why the keyboard for the Surface looks good versus the others. It's a cover, but can also be folded completely back. I don't think the Asus tablets fold all the way back, I think it acts just like a laptop and folds halfway. And having to click and unclick the Asus tablets from their dock would take a fraction of a second longer than I want. But the benefit of those is that their keyboards house extra batteries for extended battery life when connected.
To be honest, based on my positive experience with my current iPad, if I had the money I would upgrade to a newer iPad. I certainly don't need to, there's nothing wrong with mine, but I have been conditioned to think that mine is outdated and inferior to everything else.
I do keep this in mind, though: the iPad was made for consumers, not producers. It's basically a toy, not so much a tool for productivity. But that's not true for a lot of people... many do use it for their business and education.
The other reason I have an iPad is because laptops are too expensive. I wanted a portable typing tool for school. A $400 entertainment device was more appealing that a $300 slow-ass Windows computer and an expensive $800 mid-range Windows computer. But I have nothing against Windows, that's what I'm running on now and prefer this to a Mac. And for the sake of telling you, I have a beefy Windows 7 desktop, iPad 2, and an Android smartphone. It's old so I'll refrain from telling which one.
Hope you enjoy the work I put into this. Feel free to ask a bunch of questions.
~Kevan
---
I frequently visit a site with lots of tech news and reviews, and this is where I form and am told opinions about the cool stuff out there.
You should start with the tablet buying guide: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablet-buying-guide/
I didn't check each device to see that it outputs video, however they all can with adapters. Also they all can print wirelessly if connected to a certain type of printer. Otherwise, send the file you want to print to a computer that is already connected to a printer. Lastly, they all can use and a few can likely be bought with a dedicated keyboard. Those are the conditions I remember you gave me. If there were more, sorry, I forgot. Read the reviews to find your answer.
Microsoft Surface
This is the first piece of hardware from the company (excluding mouses/mice or whatever). It runs the new version of Windows, which is skeptical for most buyers.
This is the video review: http://cnettv.cnet.com/microsoft-surface-best-productivity-tablet-yet/9742-1_53-50133668.html
This is the written, very detailed review: http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/microsoft-surface-rt/4505-3126_7-35332494.html
It is $500, a "touch" keyboard and cover is like $100 more, and a physical "type" keyboard is even more. http://surface.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/Content/pbpage.Surface_Category?ESICaching=off
On the surface, it seems to meet your needs. But like I, among others, aren't sure about the software. It is definitely something you should go into a store to play with.
Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700
The second I'll list is an Android "flagship" tablet. Basically, fully loaded, all the bells and whistles, lots of features and more, and can pair with a dedicated keyboard.
http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/asus-transformer-pad-infinity/4505-3126_7-35332613.html
The dedicated but expensive keyboard runs for $150. The tablet is $500, and can be found here:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Transformer+Pad+Infinity+Tablet+with+32GB+Memory+-+Gray/5717344.p?id=1218686513247&skuId=5717344
ultimately, this would be a bold choice, but a good choice for someone who wants lots of performance, lots of pixels, and every little feature.
Google Nexus 10
This isn't a fully decked-out device, but it does run the latest software of Android, which makes it have an edge. Other little things add up too.
http://reviews.cnet.com/google-nexus-10/
However, I don't currently know of a dedicated keyboard designed to pair with it. I imagine a few may come out, or otherwise any other keyboard does technically have the capability to pair with it via Bluetooth. Any Bluetooth-enabled keyboard can pair with any tablet these days.
At $400, it is also cheaper than the others. Another good edge. https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_10_16gb&feature=microsite
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
The main feature of this versus any other on the market is the included pen. This probably appeals to writing/drawing people. Otherwise, I see it as a mostly good yet average tablet on the market, and its $500 price tag makes it a tough sell. It includes a "skin," which is the manufacturer's addition to the Android software. Some people like it, some prefer the "pure Android experience," which can be found only on the Nexus 10. The Asus tablets also have their own "skins."
http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/samsung-galaxy-note-10/4505-3126_7-35147489.html
And by the way, since you mentioned that a Samsung device was the buzz word around there, I just wanna say that compared to the other choices here, this wouldn't be my first or second choice. The pen does interest me a bit, that's way it's not my last pick.
This, like the Nexus 10, doesn't (to my knowledge) have a special keyboard made just for it. But I'm sure someone would make one.
Asus Transformer Pad TF300
Last is the baby brother. It's a stripped down version of the one above, as the video will explain. It is, however, quite a bang for its buck.
http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/asus-transformer-pad-tf300/4505-3126_7-35230241.html
And price: $350, not including the $150 keyboard http://www.amazon.com/Transformer-TF300-T-B1-BL-10-1-Inch-Tablet/dp/B007P4YAPK
My personal pick?
Errr... uhhh.... At the moment, I think I may choose the Nexus 10. The price is especially attractive, something the others don't have. Well, I'd rather pay the $50 more compared to the little Transformer Pad and get a lot more cool things out of it.
My personal pick differs than yours, mainly because you asked for a keyboard. Well after some time, I'm sure there will be one just for it. I'd certainly look for one.
The reason I have an iPad 2 is because it was/is $400, versus all the full-loaded $500 ones on the market. Unfortunately, the fancy-ass keyboard I have is a whopping $100. It doubles as a screen cover, and it's thin and was made to look nice, so that's their justification. I bought another keyboard before what I have now, and I like the keyboard itself better, the layout was better and just had better function keys, but the design of the product as a whole made it a hassle to have to always fold together when not in use, and having to carry the keyboard and ipad as two separate things was a nuisance.
That's why the keyboard for the Surface looks good versus the others. It's a cover, but can also be folded completely back. I don't think the Asus tablets fold all the way back, I think it acts just like a laptop and folds halfway. And having to click and unclick the Asus tablets from their dock would take a fraction of a second longer than I want. But the benefit of those is that their keyboards house extra batteries for extended battery life when connected.
To be honest, based on my positive experience with my current iPad, if I had the money I would upgrade to a newer iPad. I certainly don't need to, there's nothing wrong with mine, but I have been conditioned to think that mine is outdated and inferior to everything else.
I do keep this in mind, though: the iPad was made for consumers, not producers. It's basically a toy, not so much a tool for productivity. But that's not true for a lot of people... many do use it for their business and education.
The other reason I have an iPad is because laptops are too expensive. I wanted a portable typing tool for school. A $400 entertainment device was more appealing that a $300 slow-ass Windows computer and an expensive $800 mid-range Windows computer. But I have nothing against Windows, that's what I'm running on now and prefer this to a Mac. And for the sake of telling you, I have a beefy Windows 7 desktop, iPad 2, and an Android smartphone. It's old so I'll refrain from telling which one.
Hope you enjoy the work I put into this. Feel free to ask a bunch of questions.
~Kevan
Sunday, November 11, 2012
This Thing
I made it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chilezen/sets/72157631980384229/
It's my collection of picture of my haunted house. Y'know, that thing I spent all month working on while also going to school and looking for a job and having a girlfriend? Yeah, remind me next year that I can't do all those things at once. So here you go, I won't be doing it again next year.
Now go do that thing you should probably be doing now. :)
It's my collection of picture of my haunted house. Y'know, that thing I spent all month working on while also going to school and looking for a job and having a girlfriend? Yeah, remind me next year that I can't do all those things at once. So here you go, I won't be doing it again next year.
Now go do that thing you should probably be doing now. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)