What are kids usin' these days for class laptops?

[G.Irish]

Remember there are two Galaxy Tabs. One is the 7 in version that is still running Android 2.2, the other is a ten inch that comes out in a few weeks with Honeycomb 3.1. The 7 inch Galaxy Tab isn't worth it, the 10 inch is a legit iPad competitor. Keep in mind though that Honeycomb is a little rougher around the edges than iPad. A few small issues here and there. Hopefully they'll get fixed with 3.1 gets pushed to the Eee Pads.

I'm just going to be surfing the web and want Flash capability, will be listening to music, etc. It will replace my laptop for around-the-house internet browsing, especially during fantasy football season.

If you hated iTunes you might like Google Music. You just upload all your music to the cloud, then you don't have to fuck with authorizing/de-authorizing machines, transferring stuff from your mobile device to your library, etc. So far I've been happy with it, although I've only streamed with it, haven't used the download locally option. Could be a separate pain in the ass.

[HAULN-SS]

My buddy is a huge apple fanboi and couldnt justify an iPad2 over his current iPad..this makes me think that the best apple has to offer is 2-3 year old tech. I have played around on a xoom and thought it felt good, looked good, and never had any performance issues. I also picked up that asus..might be the best deal of the bunch

[G.Irish]

My buddy is a huge apple fanboi and couldnt justify an iPad2 over his current iPad..this makes me think that the best apple has to offer is 2-3 year old tech.

I don't know how you could come to the conclusion that because your friend decided not to upgrade that, "the best apple has to offer is 2-3 year old tech." Ipad 2 has a dual core 1 ghz processor, flash memory, dual cameras, etc., like all of the other tablets. Someone choosing not to upgrade simply means that the new device doesn't present enough of a value proposition for that user's needs that they think it's worth upgrading. It could be better in every way and cheaper, yet some consumers may decide they don't want to drop the $$$ to upgrade. Doesn't really say anything about the product. I don't know many people who upgrade their computing devices (phone, tablet, laptop, desktop) every year anyway.

[Kaan]

I'm looking to get a ipad/tablet for the garage... i'm tried of looking up wiring diagrams and crap on my phone.

[G.Irish]

I'm looking to get a ipad/tablet for the garage... i'm tried of looking up wiring diagrams and crap on my phone.

I dunno, on one hand it would work for that, but on the other hand you don't wanna get grease and grime all over it. Maybe get a used 1st gen iPad.

[Kaan]

well i was going to get a first gen refurb. even see if there were protective films for it that you can put on.

its either grease up my phone (or clean my hands and look it up on a tiny screen) or get a old beater lap top... i can also clean my hands to use the ipad. For me it has to do with screen size, plus they are pretty cheap. and i'm too lazy to run back and forth to the computer.

[Mike]

kaan, i may be selling my ipad1 soon. i don't need three pads (2 for work... a 1 and a 2, and a personal 1, which i no longer use). will let you know.

i don't like the lack of quality apps on the android devices. the whole android os feels very half-baked for tablet use. i can count the number of times i've said "damn, i wish i had flash" on one hand. i don't like the history of the android os and hardware manufacturers leaving customers behind because they're not going to support the latest os on their one year old device after the customer was hooked with "oh, the os will be great soon enough!". overall, there's a great lack of accountability on the android side that i don't care for. physically, the devices are nice.

[Evan]

android is kludgy, bloated and has a terribly unintuitive and poorly designed user experience.
iOS is underpowered even for a smartphone, for a tablet its barely a kids toy.

In swoops Palm Touchpad to conquer all!!! Power AND usability! all hail!

(and hey, dr dre uses one!)

[Kaan]

kaan, i may be selling my ipad1 soon. i don't need three pads (2 for work... a 1 and a 2, and a personal 1, which i no longer use). will let you know.

i don't like the lack of quality apps on the android devices. the whole android os feels very half-baked for tablet use. i can count the number of times i've said "damn, i wish i had flash" on one hand. i don't like the history of the android os and hardware manufacturers leaving customers behind because they're not going to support the latest os on their one year old device after the customer was hooked with "oh, the os will be great soon enough!". overall, there's a great lack of accountability on the android side that i don't care for. physically, the devices are nice.

let me know

[JustinG]

dunno if anyone has seen this or not, casey starts grad school in the fall and she needs a laptop....i think ive narrowed it down to one that qualifies for this deal Although you do have to spend $699 to qualify. How much would one need to spend on a good laptop, around 15in, Windows based.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.facebook.com/windows?sk=app_208071072548335">http://www.facebook.com/windows?sk=app_208071072548335</a><!-- m -->

Buy a PC get a 4gb Xbox Free with a .edu email address.

[WRXtranceformed]

Probably going to pull the trigger on the Asus this weekend. If I sell my current laptop I will probably come out a few hundred dollars ahead.

[Apoc]

@Justin - For grad school, I wouldn't spend more than $500.

[JustinG]

@Justin - For grad school, I wouldn't spend more then $500.

But then I cant has free XBOX but if I only spend $500 bucks instead of $699 then I can still get a 4gb xbox. Just hard to convince her to let me do that if it isn't "In the deal"

Not to mention this would replace our desktop and become the primary computer....our primary computer at the moment is a Compaq Mini Netbook. Too lazy to walk up stairs to the office. So should we still only pay around $500, since this isn't just going to be her "School" computer?

[Apoc]

I mean you *could* spend more, but all she really needs is netbook specs with a decent size screen. If she doesn't have a laptop, you can justify it...but I wouldn't be under the illusion that itks necessary.

If it's your primary, maybe I could see it although it really depends on what you use it for. FWIW, I replaced both my parents desktops with laptops <$500.

Were it me, I'd put the $200 toward the 100 gb Xbox. 4 gb sucks.

[JustinG]

yea, my biggest want is for the 360 with the HDMI output. Mine is old school and is hooked up through RGB to the TV, so id sell the existing 360 for like $100.

But its either 4gb for $199 or 250gb for $399.

[Apoc]

250gb, IMO. I'm pretty sure Lee and Mike would agree. 4 gb is so measely.

[Mike]

you would shoot yourself in the face w/ 4gb. you couldn't download anything.

[JustinG]

Can you just hook up an external hd instead of buying their proprietary hd? Cause ive got a 500 gb hd

[CaptainHenreh]

Can you just hook up an external hd instead of buying their proprietary hd? Cause ive got a 500 gb hd

no.

[WRXtranceformed]

My xbox hard drive is pretty tiny, I want to say it's only 8gb?? I'll double check the next time I play