Google announced some more devices today. The Nexus 7 16gb model is now $199 and a new 32gb model at $249. They also have a 32gb Nexus 7 with a GSM cell antenna for $299. The Nexus 10 (10" tablet) was announced too.
-G
Ignore Apple and look for choices... I like my nook color and wold seriously consider the nook tablet.. remember once apple always apple...
I agree......once apple-always apple
> You will not be unhappy with an iPad!
More to the point - you will not be unhappy when the wife is happy.
I have an ASUS Transformer (not the Prime, the model just prior to Prime). One thing I like about it is it's memory expandability. In addition to the built in 32 Gb, it has a slot to plug in a camera memory card, up to another 32 Gb.
The ASUS also has a separate keyboard that the tablet can attach to so that the two together are vary much like a mini laptop in the ergonomics. The keyboard, unlike those of other brands has a battery that the tablet can draw from, adding up to another 16 hours of life to the 8 hours the tablet battery gives you. The keyboard also has a couple of regular USB ports, a mini USB port, a HDMI port, and another memory card slot. The combination adds a lot of expandability.
First thing that I had to get used to is that a tablet is not nearly the production machine that a Windows based laptop is. There are decent Android apps for working with various MS Office files, but they are somewhat limited. It's kind of like using MS Office applications from about 10 years ago as far as functionality, but able to read and save the current file types (docx, xlsx, etc).
The portability for internet access is great with a tablet, but on my ASUS, pages load much slower than on my laptop which is 5 years older. I view tablets as something about halfway between an electronic game gizmo that my kids have (Nintendo DS & similar) and a real computer. I take it on trips when I want to get some work done, but don't need to do anything beyond typing and very basic formatting in a document or spreadsheet. If I want to feel like I'm really getting some work done, I lug around the laptop.
Negatives to the ASUS: It comes with a 30" power cord and longer ones are not readily available in the stores that sell the tablet. I'm told I can find one online. They keyboard seems to sometimes not get the message that I'm turning the unit off and continues to burn battery while sitting in the case.
Very recently, I've had battery issues with both units. The tablet is not consistently taking a charge in a reasonable amount of time. Both parts (tablet & keyboard) were dead after not being used for a few days. Normally, with tablet and keyboard attached laptop fashion, both charge by plugging in the keyboard. The keyboard charged just fine, but the tablet did not. After unplugging, the tablet drew power from the keyboard but used it up very quickly. Tried to charge the tablet by itself, and it wouldn't take a charge for a couple of days. I left it plugged in for 4 days and it finally got a full battery. Turned it on and let it set for a couple of hours just to see what it would do, leaving it plugged in. After about 2 hours, it was down to 50%. Haven't had such problems before about a week ago, so hopefully I will find an easy fix like replacing the charge cord.
Natasha has an IPad and really likes it. The Android seems to have better flexibility for apps that work with other programs (ACAD, MS Office, and a couple others) and for some basic utilities (printing, calendars, etc), but the Apple seems to be more trouble free.
If you had asked me a few weeks ago, I would have considered either to be a good choice, but giving the edge to the ASUS. As of the last few days, I'd recommend the IPad over other brands simply for the reliability.
