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Question

Tablet for Round the World Trip - advice needed

Mar 4, 2013 4:07PM PST

Hi there,

Beginning of next year we will be on the road again for 12 months. This time we are considering to bring a tablet instead of our small notebook.

We are a bit overwhelmed with all this different tablet models which are currently on the market. Maybe someone could give us advice for what kind of functions etc. we should look in a tablet.

We would like to use the tablet for the following:

In the offline modus (if we don't have Wi-Fi or not strong enough connection):
- Transferring pictures from our camera's to external hard drive/USB stick (Camera's have SD card, might change if I buy a new camera)
- Connecting external hard drive to tablet to watch movie's etc.
- using a bit word/xls, for budget, lists and so on

In the online modus:
- Skype
- Internet
- Upload pictures to blog

Tablet size: 7'' or preferable larger
Weight: max 17.5 ounces/500g
Camera: for Skype
good Battery life
Price: up to $500


Thanks
Tinka

Discussion is locked

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Answer
About that offline modus.
Mar 4, 2013 11:37PM PST

So few tablets support hard disks that it's not funny. My guess is your tablet list will shrink so fast that this alone may make the choice for you. And if we entertain a wireless hard drive, you might launch into a dozen other questions.

The online modus is something most if not all tablets that you read about (Kindle, Nexus, Samsung) do fine.

What is "good battery life"? The life span of most batteries is set by the cycles. Most are 300 so if you charged daily I expect 2 to 3 years before replacement. If you are talking how long the tablet runs on a charge that gets you into the no one knows area since you can double the run time by turning off wifi, bluetooth and dimming the screen on most models. Turn everything on, GPS and push up the brightness and the time plummets.
Bob

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which tablets support hard drive?
Mar 5, 2013 12:14AM PST

Thanks Bob! Your reply is very appreciated.

Sorry maybe stupid question; but how can we find out which tablets support hard drives? Is this related to the USB Port connection or to other functions?

#good battery life: wasn't clear, yes I've meant once the battery is fully charged, for how long it will last (incl Wifi on)?

Tinka

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Battery times.
Mar 5, 2013 12:35AM PST

Are best found in the reviews. And expect wide numbers such as 2 to 14 hours. My office has a few tablets and on the Transformer with the dock it gets over 10 hours of use. But that's with items turned off when not in use. I could easily get half that with everything on and the brightness turned up.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=which+tablets+support+external+hard+drives finds prior discussions and models so I defer to those answers.
Bob

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Merci
Mar 5, 2013 1:24AM PST

Thanks for your answer. will check google.
Tinka

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iUSBport HD
Mar 5, 2013 10:09PM PST

Hi Bob,

During my google search I came across the iUSBport HD. Is this device (or a similar product from another company) maybe the solution for our problem?

Tinka

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Reviews seem kind and highlight the issues with it.
Mar 5, 2013 11:52PM PST