Highly ambivalent thread. Highly.

[Craig234]

So, maybe I should get a gadget, but I don't know what.

The first thing I'd like is portable web browser (wi-fi, I guess is how that works), so readable screen and not too small.

Undecided whether it should be for gaming, too, or how much (from pong to current PC games at high settings).

Undecided whether it should be a phone. Do not have a cell right now, undecided if I want to get one, nice to have sometimes, adds a good monthly bill though.

Undecided how much music/movie functionality I want. Another 'nice to have', but I don't know I want to use that much.

Camera functionality 'nice to have'.

eBook 'nice to have'.

So, it's a big pile of unclear functions.

Laptop: nice for web/gaming; inconvenient size and batteries.

Netbook: see laptop, but less gaming.

iPod: looks nice, small screen

iPad: looks nice - I think

iPhone: small screen, expensive monthly

Sometimes you don't quite know what you want until you are using it.

Rather spend less, but rather spend more for justified quality.

About the only thing not ambivalent in this thread is 'should be good for web browsing'.

One option: wait for the new laptops AT said are coming in a month or so with high praise for them...

So, I don't get anything. And that's not so terrible, I guess. The last thing I need to do mobile probably is have AT politics available to waste more time on.

 

[Raduque]

It sounds to me like what you want is an iPad or Galaxy Tab (or other Android-based 3G tablet).

 

[Pliablemoose]

I recommend an iPad, skip the Galaxy Tab in it's current generation at least or altogether... I'll go so far as to suggest you skip Android tablets for at least the next 6 months till they have a decent OS out and proven. Don't get me wrong, I love my Android phone, but there just aren't any decent Android tablets out yet. I used a Galaxy Tab, and it pretty well sucks compared to the iPad.

The iPad is the only thing IMHO that meets your criteria right now.

In a year, it'll be a whole different ball game, but the Android gaming scene will still be pretty far behind the iOS games, and you'll have gen II of the iPad out as well.

I can see myself owning an Android OS'd tablet and it'll likely be this time next year... This year, IMHO, the only game in town is the iPad.

 

[Craig234]

Thanks for trying to suggest something out of that list.

I see the common response to the black friday ipad at $458 is 'still not worth it'. Is it?

Is there an issue of waiting for something for bit?

Seems like it's narrowing down to 3 choices:

- iPad
- wait for the new laptops/netbooks
- current phone if I want a phone (iphone, droid)

Would any of these web browsing devices work with an 'internet phone' e.g. magic jack?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Thanks for trying to suggest something out of that list.

I see the common response to the black friday ipad at $458 is 'still not worth it'. Is it?

Is there an issue of waiting for something for bit?

Seems like it's narrowing down to 3 choices:

- iPad
- wait for the new laptops/netbooks
- current phone if I want a phone (iphone, droid)

Would any of these web browsing devices work with an 'internet phone' e.g. magic jack?

You can always wait for the next great thing, if you want something now, I'd get a refurb iPad, Apple refurbs are perfect, they fix them and typically install a new case and glass, they also have a full warranty. Apple completely hosed the tablet market with their pricing, they could have made a $1K tablet and sold the hell out of it, but chose to price them relatively agressively, screwing the netbook and lower end laptop market.

You can install Skype on the iPad and there are free texting apps to use as well. Add something like a Virgin Mobile hotspot for $150 and unlimited data for $40/month, don't know how you connect to the web @ home, but you may be able to replace your home internet connection with the hotspot. (I use way too much data to go this route, I could tether with my EVO, but sooner or later Sprint would freak out on my data use).

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

i might suggest getting the samsung intercept from virgin mobile. it won't add a big monthly bill ($25/month for a handful of minutes, unlimited data + messaging). You'll have wifi browsing and android apps. It's small and easy to carry.

Cons: poor battery life, small screen. Not going to be as productive as a laptop/netbook or even a tablet.
Pros: Cheap device, cheap monthly plan, no contract, unlimited 3g data

 

[Pliablemoose]

i might suggest getting the samsung intercept from virgin mobile. it won't add a big monthly bill ($25/month for a handful of minutes, unlimited data + messaging). You'll have wifi browsing and android apps. It's small and easy to carry.

Cons: poor battery life, small screen. Not going to be as productive as a laptop/netbook or even a tablet.
Pros: Cheap device, cheap monthly plan, no contract, unlimited 3g data

That's a great idea, $25/month, Android OS, no contract, hackable.