Ok I want/ need a tablet. Our home computer is a desktop which is great for a lot of things but mobility isn't one. I would like a tablet to be able access internet on something bigger then a phone elsewhere in the house.
I would like what ever I get to be able to run Dropbox, Excel and be able to take notes on it as well as internet. For what it is worth I own an iPhone but I am not tied to Apple products as long as whatever I get works.
So what are the brain trust thoughts on where to start? Also budget is under $500 prefer under $400.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7". I gave them to my eldest children and they love them. They have also held up well.
I use a Asus Transformer 10". Nicer tablet, beautiful graphics pretty fast processor, but I've broken two screens and the GPS receiver leaves a lot to be desired. I still love it, but you have to be more careful with them than you do with the 7" tablets.
I bought an iPad two years ago. I try to like it, I really do. I don't. Every time I pick up and play with a samsung, I realize my mistake.
We have:
- a Retina iPad
- a Galaxy tab 8"
- a Windows Surface RT
- oh, and Kindle Keyboard, but that's not really a tablet. Great reading device, though
I kinda like all of them - for reading magazines and the like, I prefer the iPad, the Galaxy tab is kinda nice for single hand held reading, basic facebooking/google+ing, feed reading and all that and the Surface RT is better as a "serious" tablet (read Word, Excel and stuff like that). I bought the Galaxy because I wanted to try a newer Android device and it's nice enough (and was fairly cheap at Costco).
My pick would either be an iPad or a Galaxy Tab. Either one would work for me, however if you do want to use it to read magazines (I get most of my UK magazine subs on the tablet), you really want a 10" tablet and not a smaller one if you value your eyesight.
At the end of the day I sit down at my desktop computer again, though. Dinosaur, that's me.
I'll second the Galaxy Tab 7. I'm posting from it right now. It's easy to find for $160 or so and has been great for interneting anf occasionally letting the kids watch netflix or play angry birds and such.
Aside from the cost, I prefer the 7" tablets ability to be held with one hand.
The kindle line of tablets are amazing for the price but run a goofy amazon fiddled with version of android.
I love my Nexus 7, Woot has them on sale occasionally.
Shawn
With the Galaxy, can you get Excel? I know for the iPad you can get the Office 365.
There seem to be a couple of programs that can grok Excel, but I don't thing there is any official Excel available for Android.
I just happen to have a Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 for sale neatly between your two prices.
It's the most powerful tablet on the market, closest to a desktop replacement i've used. 
Swank Force One wrote:
I just happen to have a Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 for sale neatly between your two prices.
It's the most powerful tablet on the market, closest to a desktop replacement i've used.
Thanks for the offer but after stopping at the stores and playing with some, I have decided I want something more in the 7-8" range. Also I found out my new company will offer a laptop so the Excel requirement has become less important. I am really leaning towards a Samsung Tab 4 either 7 or 8".
