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Comment on Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi – Tablet – 32 GB – 9.7″ IPS ( 1024 x 768 ) – rear camera + front camera – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth – black Hot Sale by S. West

S. West — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:08:47 +0000

205 of 210 people found the following review helpful:

Do your research first!, 24 Aug 2011

S. West -

This review is from: Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi - Tablet - 32 GB - 9.7" IPS ( 1024 x 768 ) - rear camera + front camera - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth - black (Personal Computers)

I didn't buy my iPad 2 32GB Wi-fi from Amazon (cheaper elsewhere), but having read a few reviews for the various models here before I did buy, I felt compelled to add my 2 penneth.

Most reviews are very complimentary (rightly so), but I have read a few whereby the reviewers appear to have parted with £500+ without doing any kind of product research first. They then slag off the product for things it can't do (e.g. no flash support). Anybody who does that must have more money than sense!

If you spend 5 minutes researching the iPad 2 you would KNOW it doesn't support flash (because of a dispute between Apple and Adobe, not through any technological shortcomings). I read one person saying because of this, you can forget trying to use BBC's iPlayer, when in fact there is a free iPlayer app from the BBC specifically designed for the iPad. The same goes for BBC News, Sky News/Sports and a forever increasing number of other sites that use flash on their standard websites.

Moving on to what I actually think of the iPad 2, you might have guessed by now that I love it, as does my wife and my 21 month old daughter! I won't go into all the things it can/can't do (that's your job to find out) but it provides lightweight, instant-on access to the internet, email, photos, music and video libraries, youtube, and all the other thousands of apps available to download on the App Store, all in the perfect form factor. As a cricket fan who already subscribes to Sky Sports, I can watch the Test Matches on the iPad anywhere there is a wi-fi connection for free using the SkyGo app. With the purchase of a leather case with velcro strap for another £15, we also use it as an in-car entertainment system for our daughter on long journeys, strapped to the rear headrest, playing her favourite programs and cartoons (battery life approx. 10 hours).

In short, do yourself a favour and do some research before buying a tablet computer, ANY tablet computer. The Android alternatives are great too and may be more suited to your needs, but if not, the iPad 2 still wins all the professional reviews and is still THE tablet to get, IMHO.

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Comment on Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi – Tablet – 32 GB – 9.7″ IPS ( 1024 x 768 ) – rear camera + front camera – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth – black Hot Sale by Wayne

Wayne — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:59:33 +0000

745 of 761 people found the following review helpful:

***DUMMIES GUIDE TO THE IPAD***, 30 Aug 2011

Wayne -

This review is from: Apple iPad 2 Wi-Fi - Tablet - 32 GB - 9.7" IPS ( 1024 x 768 ) - rear camera + front camera - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth - black (Personal Computers)

So, you're thinking of buying an iPad however, you're not so sure of what it can do and how it works. So, here is the "Dummies Guide to the iPad" to help you make that decision. "I promise to keep the jargon down to a bare minimum" :

To begin with the iPad must be paired to an existing Laptop or Desktop PC. These can be normal Microsoft Windows or Mac PC's. Once paired you can use the iPad by itself. It only has to be paired once. Although, there is a rumour that the next generation will work straight out of the box.

You will be able to:

-Touch and pinch the screen to type words and move things around
-Send and Receive Emails
-Browse the Internet including Online Banking, Internet Shopping and more...
-Listen to Music, including the Radio when there is a Wireless (Wi-Fi) connection
-Watch Videos and Movies
-Write and Print Letters (see the section on 'Printing' further down)
-Download and Play Games
-Become a Smarter Person (more on this later)
-Display Pictures - it is an electronic Picture Frame too!
-Take Pictures and Movies, if it has the onboard camera (iPad2 and newer)
-Have a chat with the relatives abroad using Video Conferencing technology
-Download THOUSANDS of books into a snazzy Book Reader that you can actually turn pages on the screen with
-There are loads more - I'll leave them as a surprise if you decide to buy one :)

You will NOT be able to:

-Watch a special type of animation or movie using a technology known as 'Flash' - don't worry about this though, you'll hear lots of people complaining about it. It really is no big deal and you'll learn to live without it. Over time, many of the popular web sites will move away from using Flash and use a newer technology that DOES work on iPads.
-Insert a CD (there is no slot and you don't actually need one)
-In fact, there is not much else you can't do with an iPad :

THE WIZARDS

No, not the ones' from Oz! Wizards are helpful programs that magically pop up and automatically configure things like the Internet and Email connections for you. The iPad has more Wizards than you can wave a wand at! When you first switch it on and whenever you need to set something up it will automatically present you with a Wizard. Therefore setting things up is as easy as 1-2-3.

The iPad is also an iPod!! - Loading music is done in one of two ways.

1 - install the free version of iTunes onto your normal PC and follow the Wizards instructions to download your music from the 'iTunes Store' or transfer your music from your favourite CD collection. Then, connect the iPad to your computer using the supplied cable and it will automatically 'Synchronise' your music to the iPad. Yup, you guessed it - using yet another Wizard!

2 - iTunes is a built in application (or App) on the iPad itself. Tap this App to search for and download your music directly to the iPad. You could even download a movie or your favourite episode of 24 too!

Once the music is on there just tap the iPod/Music App to listen to it. Easy-Peasy!

APPS

The iPad extensively uses Apps. Apps are downloaded, using Wi-Fi. This is why you don't need a CD drive. These are the icons that are displayed on the screen.

Apps are downloaded from the Internet using yet another App called: "The App Store". Tap this icon to search for or see a list of the most popular Apps available, some are paid for and some are free! Tap the 'Install' button next to the one you'd like, follow the Wizards instructions and the App will automatically download and appear as a new icon on the screen.

LOADING PICTURES

These can be loaded onto the iPad using iTunes, Email or the 'Camera Connection Kit' - this is a separate adaptor (£25) that plugs into the bottom of the iPad. Just insert the memory card from your camera into the adaptor and it will automatically load the pictures into the built in Photo App.

THE PICTURE FRAME

When the iPad is locked (by pressing the button on the top-right side) and then back on again, you'll see a little icon in the lower right side corner of the display. Tap this and the Photo App will automatically display your pictures in full screen mode, converting the iPad into a digital Photo frame! It is a great feature. This means that you can leave the ipad on the shelf, literally as part of your rooms decor! You may want to purchase a 'Dock (£25)' to have the iPad tilted and supported at just the right angle.

Tip: if you need a reason to justify buying an iPad to your wife - use the Picture Frame one!!

PRINTING

Printing is done wirelessly, however you MUST use one of the wireless printers detailed on the apple.com website. Typically, it will not print to anything other than one of those printers. There is one caveat to this... Read more

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Comment on Nokia N800 Internet Tablet Sale 2012 by R. J. Grimmer "patpalloon"

R. J. Grimmer "patpalloon" — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:45:50 +0000

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

good spec but some weak points, 25 Sep 2007

R. J. Grimmer "patpalloon" (UK) -

This review is from: Nokia N800 Internet Tablet (Electronics)

Plus points: this is a true pocket tablet is easy to use and has good battery life. text entry is good with a 'virtual keyboard' and it's clever it can differentiate between your finger or the stylus for inputting. The Bluetooth access is a good feature. Media player and I particularly liked the internet radio.

Minus points: most disappointing of all is the webcam. It doesn't work with Skype which is one of the main reasons I bought it. Fairly low on memory but flash is cheap.

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Comment on Nokia N800 Internet Tablet Sale 2012 by FERNANDO CASSIA "-Writer and Computer Geek-"

FERNANDO CASSIA "-Writer and Computer Geek-" — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:35:48 +0000

70 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

The perfect mobile internet browser, 2 April 2007

FERNANDO CASSIA "-Writer and Computer Geek-" (Buenos Aires, Argentina) -

This review is from: Nokia N800 Internet Tablet (Electronics)

I'm very pleased with this device. Makes a good replacement for both a PDA and a notebook, albeit the "personal information manager" features of a PalmOS PDA are still better than the basic address book in the N800.

But this is no PDA, it's a mobile internet browsing device with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (you can connect to the Net via bluetooth to your GPRS-enabled mobile phone), and it excells at that job.

The good:

Excellent screen size. Three buttons let you zoom text in/out and also go into "full screen" mode.

It comes with a stylus but besides entering URLs and login info the first time(it can save logins for future visits), you can navigate the web and read just by using the 5-way navigating pad on the left side of the device.

It includes two SD slots and can be used as a video and MP3 player.

It runs on Linux OS, with a nice graphical desktop developed by Nokia

You can install dozens of third party applications, most free, including a spreadsheet (Gnumeric), an enhanced media player dubbed "Canola" that makes the device look and act like an iPod, and it's rumoured that Nokia is having Skype port its software to the device as well.

The bad:

No "extended battery" currently available.

(Battery life is between 2.5 and 4 hours of continuous use when logged in via Wi-Fi (which can be a power hog). If you let power saving kick in, the battery can last for a couple days without recharging).

Do a Google search for "Nokia N800 theinquirer.net" and you will be able to read my full review as published on 'the INQUIRER', including pictures.

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Comment on Archos 501870 Gen9 10.1 inch Tablet (RAM 512MB, Memory 8GB, Android 3.2) Sales by Bill Hoy

Bill Hoy — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:44:14 +0000

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

Archos 8" G9, 8 Dec 2011

Bill Hoy -

This review is from: Archos 501840 Gen9 8 inch Tablet (RAM 512MB, Memory 8GB, Android 3.2) (Personal Computers)

Fantastic piece of kit but remember, this is not an iPad. It does exactly what it says it does and fast enough to really enjoy using it. Internet access is fast and page flipping really good. Applications are as good, and plenty of freebies available from games to serious apps. Create your own apps by using "Apps Inventor" available separately. The case is OK given the price and this is a gift or personal pressie to seriously consider. FAB

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Comment on Archos 501870 Gen9 10.1 inch Tablet (RAM 512MB, Memory 8GB, Android 3.2) Sales by MaurizioB "Maz"

MaurizioB "Maz" — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:36:09 +0000

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

nice tablet let down by lack of support, 29 Dec 2011

MaurizioB "Maz" (London) -

This review is from: Archos 501870 Gen9 10.1 inch Tablet (RAM 512MB, Memory 8GB, Android 3.2) (Personal Computers)

I purchased this item about 4 weeks ago, and from an hardware point of view it is rather good.
Display is nice and bright, really good battery life and doesn't feel too plasticky.

I use it for browsing, watching movies, reading books and video calling abroad.

Skype works OK, but Google talk video calls have in my opinion the best quality on this device.

8 gig internal memory is adequate for my purposeand it can be extended using the mini SD card on the side, but it really sticks out too much and it can be easily knocked out by mistake...I would reccomend using it only then needed and then remove it and keep in a safe place!

I also purchased a little cable adaptor from the micro USB to female USB and it is something I would really reccomend, so far I connected sucesssfully USB memory sticks, keyboards and mice with no problems.

I had a few quirks so far, derived by software glitches....
As soon as I bought it I could hear but not see any flash streaming video, I emailed technical support at archeos and desire an email saying we will reply in 2 business days, I still have heard nothing in a month.
Maybe by chance but since then a new firmware update fixed that.
Shortly after that there has been a new version .78 I believe that introduced a nasty bug: when screen goes in stand by it can't be resumed.. only way is just to reset the tablet!
I re-initialized the tablet twice to ensure that was not caused by some rogue app, but the issue is still there so far...
I sent another email to customer support and to be honest I'm not holding my breath..I looked into calling them but interesting enough they only have a 25 pence per minute number.. I'm not sure this is a normal custom in the tablet world but it seems rather cheeky.

QUICK UPDATE:
the bug has a really trivial workaround: the lock only occurs if you have the screen at the lowest possible brightness level (that is how I like to read my books), it's just a matter to put it slightly brighter.

I would point out that this information has been gathered by the excellent ArchosFans.com forum, to date I received no communication from Archos tech support.

The tablet is still brilliant hardware IMHO, shame for the support.

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Comment on Archos 501870 Gen9 10.1 inch Tablet (RAM 512MB, Memory 8GB, Android 3.2) Sales by D. G. Thomas

D. G. Thomas — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:41:26 +0000

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

The Best Value Tablet on the market, 11 Nov 2011

D. G. Thomas (Laugharne, Wales) -

This review is from: Archos 501840 Gen9 8 inch Tablet (RAM 512MB, Memory 8GB, Android 3.2) (Personal Computers)

I have an iPad, an Asus Transformer, a Hannspad, an Advent Vega, a 7inch witstech and a archos.

I have to say that by far the Archos is the best value for money

The iPad may be slicker, but mainly that is due to the software

The transformer more polished

but the Archos is still better value

There is a slight rippling on the screen, when you push hard from behind, although I have heard that this has been fixed.

I have ordered but not yet tried the 3G integral stick, which is genius!

I love that you can charge it via USB

It also has a great screen and good battery life, not as much as the 10 inchers, but close enough, a good 7 hours.

my only gripe to not give it 5 stars is that one of the few areas where it is let down is the lack of encryption - it is an omission from the standard honeycomb....possibly as the unit does get a little hot with continuos use, not too hot to handle, but you notice. I guess that the lack of a decent heat sink, might cause it issues with the hour that it takes to encrypt a tablet....

I now also (because of work) have an Ainol novo 7 elf - they are now the best value tablet on the web, but I have not got a 3g dongle to work yet....

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Comment on NATPC M009S Pink – 7″ Google Android Tablet PC – Android Market, Facebook, Amazon Kindle, Youtube In Stock by Demi-lee

Demi-lee — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:50:57 +0000

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

Pink Eken Tablet, 30 Dec 2011

Demi-lee -

This review is from: NATPC M009S Pink - 7" Google Android Tablet PC - Android Market, Facebook, Amazon Kindle, Youtube

Love the tablet i got it works great and it has cool features and i would buy again in furture and it turned up on time or early

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Comment on ODYS Multi Graphic Tablet (Wireless Pen, USB 2.0) – Grey Lowest Price by Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 04:02:25 +0000

Nice tablet, 3 Feb 2012

J. Westwood (Newport S. Wales UK) -

This review is from: ODYS Multi Graphic Tablet (Wireless Pen, USB 2.0) - Grey (Accessory)

This was bought as a gift for a friend, who seems very pleased with it. He has not thrown it at me or moaned that it won't do anything that he has asked of it. Not bad in my opinion.

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Comment on ODYS Multi Graphic Tablet (Wireless Pen, USB 2.0) – Grey Lowest Price by P. N. Lynch "pete"

P. N. Lynch "pete" — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:40:56 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

bang on for the money, 12 Jan 2012

P. N. Lynch "pete" (nantwich) -

This review is from: ODYS Multi Graphic Tablet (Wireless Pen, USB 2.0) - Grey (Accessory)

Bought for kids at christmas. Gone down really well easy to install and operate,kids enjoying them and finding it much easier drawing on computer. Well recommended

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