Purchasing a tablet...

Ok guys, looking for some advice from the forum.

I'm looking to buy a cheapish tablet but have never really played or tinkered with one before. I'm very knowledgeable on computers and cell phones but just not tablets.

From what I understand, some tablets don't act just like computers but more like large cell phones. You can surf the internet, do email etc. but lets say you want to download a program from the internet and run it, you won't be able to unless you purchased it from the native app-store that comes with the tablet.

Is this true for all of them?

The reason I'm asking is because I'd like to be able to download the software and play poker on the tablet. Not through an app but through the actual program. There's a few other scenarios also where I'll need to download a program and run it, but it won't be that often.

I've heard this can be a problem with Ipads, but if the program is compatible with mac, it will run like normal on the Ipad?

Can android tablets run normal windows programs? Or only from the android app store?

Can windows tablets basically behave like a cheap laptop?

Thanks guys.

roughdraft274 said:

Ok guys, looking for some advice from the forum.

I'm looking to buy a cheapish tablet but have never really played or tinkered with one before. I'm very knowledgeable on computers and cell phones but just not tablets.

From what I understand, some tablets don't act just like computers but more like large cell phones. You can surf the internet, do email etc. but lets say you want to download a program from the internet and run it, you won't be able to unless you purchased it from the native app-store that comes with the tablet.

Is this true for all of them?

The reason I'm asking is because I'd like to be able to download the software and play poker on the tablet. Not through an app but through the actual program. There's a few other scenarios also where I'll need to download a program and run it, but it won't be that often.

I've heard this can be a problem with Ipads, but if the program is compatible with mac, it will run like normal on the Ipad?

Can android tablets run normal windows programs? Or only from the android app store?

Can windows tablets basically behave like a cheap laptop?

Thanks guys.

Click to expand...

I certainly dislike doing large Excel spreadsheets on the tablet.

roughdraft274 said:

Ok guys, looking for some advice from the forum.

I'm looking to buy a cheapish tablet but have never really played or tinkered with one before. I'm very knowledgeable on computers and cell phones but just not tablets.

From what I understand, some tablets don't act just like computers but more like large cell phones. You can surf the internet, do email etc. but lets say you want to download a program from the internet and run it, you won't be able to unless you purchased it from the native app-store that comes with the tablet.

Is this true for all of them?

The reason I'm asking is because I'd like to be able to download the software and play poker on the tablet. Not through an app but through the actual program. There's a few other scenarios also where I'll need to download a program and run it, but it won't be that often.

I've heard this can be a problem with Ipads, but if the program is compatible with mac, it will run like normal on the Ipad?

Can android tablets run normal windows programs? Or only from the android app store?

Can windows tablets basically behave like a cheap laptop?

Thanks guys.

Click to expand...

If you want a tablet that will run windows programs, you might want to look into getting a Microsoft Surface tablet. If you just want to play games...you can get something as simple as a Kindle, which is primarily for downloading books, but you can also use it to browse the internet and download android apps. I have used one to set up industrial wifi devices.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S. There is now a S2. It is a great tablet, 32 gig on the tablet, a 64 gig card in it, and a bluetooth keyboard that snaps together with the tablet for easy transport and protection. And the video is amazing...give it a look.

roughdraft274 said:

~ but lets say you want to download a program from the internet and run it, you won't be able to unless you purchased it from the native app-store that comes with the tablet.

Click to expand...

Very true for iPads but you can install other software. Some people prefer jailbroken iPads.

roughdraft274 said:

~ I've heard this can be a problem with Ipads, but if the program is compatible with mac, it will run like normal on the Ipad?

Click to expand...

Browser based software can run on almost any machine; that gets around hardware restrictions. There was a version of Photoshop Express for example that you simply used through your browser and could run on any machine.

iPads however do tend to have a restrictive policy on the apps you can get. Some hate that, some love it. Some see it as a walled garden but it also (theoretically) keeps rogue software from your machine.

roughdraft274 said:

~ Can android tablets run normal windows programs? Or only from the android app store?

Click to expand...

Most such "Apps" software comes in versions that will run on Android machines and other versions that will run on a Windows machine. You would need an emulator to run a Windows app on an iPad or an Android machine.

roughdraft274 said:

~ Can windows tablets basically behave like a cheap laptop?

Click to expand...

Yes, some of the Windows Atom powered devices are pretty good actually.

I answered your questions but I feel you would have more - basically write down how much you're willing to spend, what you want from the machine and why. Then prioritise that list - think about usability. Will you need a keypad / keyboard too as they can add to expense. Would you buy second hand off ebay or similar and save a fistful of cash?

I don't think the traditional programs run on any of the tablets. i may be mistaken but I believe all of them are app driven. The data format is different.

But I may be wrong!

You might want to look at something like the Lenova Yoga. Gives you the best of both worlds.

Infinite Chaos said:

Very true for iPads but you can install other software. Some people prefer jailbroken iPads.



Browser based software can run on almost any machine; that gets around hardware restrictions. There was a version of Photoshop Express for example that you simply used through your browser and could run on any machine.

iPads however do tend to have a restrictive policy on the apps you can get. Some hate that, some love it. Some see it as a walled garden but it also (theoretically) keeps rogue software from your machine.



Most such "Apps" software comes in versions that will run on Android machines and other versions that will run on a Windows machine. You would need an emulator to run a Windows app on an iPad or an Android machine.



Yes, some of the Windows Atom powered devices are pretty good actually.

I answered your questions but I feel you would have more - basically write down how much you're willing to spend, what you want from the machine and why. Then prioritise that list - think about usability. Will you need a keypad / keyboard too as they can add to expense. Would you buy second hand off ebay or similar and save a fistful of cash?

Click to expand...

I don't want to spend more than 300 as it will just be a toy and I'm cheapish when it comes to electronics.

I just want something that is a tablet with a touchscreen and very portable but can do everything (minus store large amounts of data or run very intensive programs) that my old laptop can do.

I don't need a key board but if it's a tablet that has the keyboard that folds up behind the screen or attachable then I'd be ok with that. It would be useful but not often used.

roughdraft274 said:

Ok guys, looking for some advice from the forum.

I'm looking to buy a cheapish tablet but have never really played or tinkered with one before. I'm very knowledgeable on computers and cell phones but just not tablets.

From what I understand, some tablets don't act just like computers but more like large cell phones. You can surf the internet, do email etc. but lets say you want to download a program from the internet and run it, you won't be able to unless you purchased it from the native app-store that comes with the tablet.

Is this true for all of them?

The reason I'm asking is because I'd like to be able to download the software and play poker on the tablet. Not through an app but through the actual program. There's a few other scenarios also where I'll need to download a program and run it, but it won't be that often.

I've heard this can be a problem with Ipads, but if the program is compatible with mac, it will run like normal on the Ipad?

Can android tablets run normal windows programs? Or only from the android app store?

Can windows tablets basically behave like a cheap laptop?

Thanks guys.

Click to expand...

Can't go wrong with a $50 tablet. (WiFi) only)

Amazon's $50 Fire Tablet Is The Impulse Buy That Never Ends

VanceMack said:

I don't think the traditional programs run on any of the tablets. i may be mistaken but I believe all of them are app driven. The data format is different.

But I may be wrong!

You might want to look at something like the Lenova Yoga. Gives you the best of both worlds.

Click to expand...

Unless you get a windows based tablet like a "Surface".