Tablet advice from luddite: Looking to get geeky DH one, which should I choose?

[JoyceDivision]

Ok, Iapologise if my post is shockingly thick, but I am rubbish at computers andstuff, while DH loves reading manuals about learning new programs or whatever they are...

so, its a big birthday for DH mid year, and I will hopefully get a bonus of about £300 from work, so I could look to buy him a tablet for his b'day.

So which one do I get?

Is there one that is well and truly better than the rest?

I don't even know what features I should be looking at, so if you think theres anything I should consider, all help would really be appreciated!

[Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire]

Thanks 1sassy, that link seems to have cracked it!

[1sassylassy]

Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire came across this today and I can verify it works on the Galaxy tab 3 7.0 so may be worth trying.

[AnotherWorld]

Yes Ohwhat - fucked is indeed a technical term. At least where I work anyway...

[1sassylassy]

It didnt refer to you at all NetworkGuy,it was explaining the reason why I snapped and came out with the comment I did,

[NetworkGuy]

1sassylassy - "whilst they may be different to yours doesnt mean they are wrong and you are right"... Not sure if that is directed at me (ie that I've implied someone else is "wrong" and I am "right") - but if it is the case, then apologies, certainly not what I would regularly do.

I took a quick look at that other thread - unfortunately, the priorities and likes/ dislikes are many and varied, so no guarantee my contribution will be helpful. I stopped offering support to my clients around the launch of Windows 7 some years ago (I still have some Win XP systems) and have limited "hands on" experience of Windows 8 (it was via LogMeIn 'remote control' of someone's system 10 miles away).

[Ohwhatfuckeryisthis]

Well it's fucked now. (Is that a technical term?) so back to the hell of PC world. Jesus there is a thread waiting to happen? Does the application form say "only arrogant patronising little gits need apply"

[Ohfuckeryitsmarzipan]

Going back to the post about galaxy, I got one for ds, he wants it as a comic reader mainly. Unfortunately, and I did post a thread about it, he can't get his laptop to recognise the tablet, so he can transfer all his preshusssss comics from his hard drive to the tab. Apparently this is a known problem. Anyway as now it is having a firmware update problem it's going back tomorrow. Might look at the nexus 7.

[flatmum]

professional - yes really!

[flatmum]

sassylassy and network guy - I am also an IT profesional and agree with you. I see this "willy-waving" as I call it at work every day (for the past 15 years, sigh .....) and it is a shame to see it on MN and coming from women.

[1sassylassy]

NetworkGuy,it,s all about showing some respect for others opinions,whilst they may be different to yours doesnt mean they are wrong and you are right ,I have found some of the comments on this thread quite offensive.
Whilst I,m here ,am I right in thinking you know a bit about thsese pc,s,a mumsnetter could do with some advice .

[NetworkGuy]

post may seem out of context, but I had not refreshed the thread for 12+ hours and it has moved on somewhat since then :)

[NetworkGuy]

It's a shame to see this has developed into a geek/ how-much-assistance argument discussion, but clear that while some things are easy and have easily found instructions, other things really aren't so easy.

I'm a programmer, with 35+ years in IT, but some aspects of linux, OSX, and even networking, aren't that "clear", and as for rooting a phone etc, will be the first to admit that hunting around for the correct version, and sometimes find files are missing, etc, can be daunting. I don't want to ruin a new phone, even if it did only cost 50 quid. It would be worse if it was for a relative, friend, or heaven help me, a client!

Let's not fall out over this - as for the "homework" - nice way to alienate others from being friendly to all. Can understand not being happy if one has felt narked by comments, but sometimes one just has to 'agree to disagree' (my stance in relation to another MNetter who seems to enjoy making sarky comments in response to some of my posts) than to take the bait and come out with one's own sarky comments too...

[Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire]

Yes, I made sure I had it set to allow installs/ downloads from other sources. The file downloads no problem; Tab 3 refuses to open it (or rather says it can't).
I do have the Flash icon on my screen; that's not an issue either. But I could not play anything that required Flash until I used Dolphin Browser, despite the Flash icon being there, and despite the downloads being completed.

[Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire]

Holeysocks, I have read all your replies and haven't yet worked out if you're being rude to me or 1sassylassy.

However, that's beside the point. I have tried 1sassylassy's link, and it doesn't work. Another user of the tab3 10.1 has also commented that the links given for download don't work, and they don't work for me either.

I have also tried your links, downloaded the apk file (or so it would appear) and the Tab 3 keeps telling me it cannot open the file. So I have now downloaded Flash several times, apk files and all (whatever they are) and the Tab 3 will not open them.

Any further ideas? You are of course under no obligation to respond - I just thought I'd ask in case you felt like being kind - but I have to say I don't understand all your computer speak and have never heard of the XDA forum you linked to.

[tribpot]

Joyce, this is akin to trying to guess a football fan's team when all you know is which town they live in. Guessing wrong 'for a surprise' is simply not worth it.

You're going to have to drop big hints if you want to avoid just asking him outright. Like "someone at work has got one of those new iPads but I can't believe they're worth the money". If he instructs you in the precise reason why the iPad is worth the cash, buy one of those. If he enthusiastically agrees and says Android roolz, then probably buy a Nexus.

[flatmum]

get him a nexus 7 if going android!!

I have flash running on mine, mainly so kids can play moshi monsters.

so can you use flash on an iPad by similar means?

[JoyceDivision]

Aaarrgggh! I'm totally lost in my own thread!!

So, whilst the above would be all sense to dh, it means nothing to me,andsince it should be a suprsie, if i get him one, I can't ask him..

so if i guess dh would use it not for design work but more for fun, eg downloadingbooks, watching films, surfing net etc... I think I'd play it safe and choose bewteen ipad or galaxy tab. B'day not til later this year so Ihave lots of time.. but between these two are there any major positives or negatives?

[flatmum]

there are other people on mumsnet who know Unix and can use CLIs you know

[Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire]

OK thanks for links, will have another go. :)