Recommend me a device - IPad alternative

[Ecko_1]

I attend quite a few meetings, as well as travel frequently. My manager has asked me to order an IPad or alternative device as he is not happy with me using my Samsung note for taking notes in meetings.

My needs are as follows:
- must be light and easy to carry
- be able to competently work with outlook
- ability to open and view attachments like excel, word etc
- i won't be running big excel models on the device. Just viewing basic documents. I'll have my laptop with me if I need to work on big models.
- need a pen/stylus
- built in sim slot
- keyboard

IT started with an Ipad Air, but with adding the keyboard and stylus i am already around R13k. They suggested I see if there are any alternatives that I may want to consider. Something like a Windows surface Pro would be awesome (my manager has one that he got in Singapore), however the purchase will have to go through supply chain processes which limits the vendors i can procure from somewhat.

Any suggestions for my consideration.

PS. I have no Apple products except for a Ipod mini I bought in 2009 and havent switched on for years.

 

[Jacada]

So you don't want the iPad because it's already around R13K but wont a Surface Pro be way more expensive than that anyway? Or am I missing something?

 

[Ecko_1]

So you don't want the iPad because it's already around R13K but wont a Surface Pro be way more expensive than that anyway? Or am I missing something?

Let me clarify. The default choice in the business has been an iPad with keyboard and stylus. IT has suggested that I consider other options in that price bracket that meet my needs. Doesn't have to be an iPad.

I would love to get a Surface Pro but they aren't available in South Africa (not officially), and would work out more than the iPad. So I essentially can get whatever I fancy, as long as I am not spending much more than the iPad.

 

[P924]

- need a pen/stylus

I think that pretty much leaves the iPad or a Samsung with an s-pen.

 

[Jacada]

Let me clarify. The default choice in the business has been an iPad with keyboard and stylus. IT has suggested that I consider other options in that price bracket that meet my needs. Doesn't have to be an iPad.

I would love to get a Surface Pro but they aren't available in South Africa (not officially), and would work out more than the iPad. So I essentially can get whatever I fancy, as long as I am not spending much more than the iPad.

Ah OK, I understand. So you would prefer not to get the iPad? Since you're not really familiar with it? I guess you could go for something from Samsung but keep in mind that even hardened Android fans (not all but some) prefer the iPad when it comes to a tablet.

 

[Ecko_1]

I think that pretty much leaves the iPad or a Samsung with an s-pen.

I think that pretty much leaves the iPad or a Samsung with an s-pen.

Are the no other devices similar to the Surface Pro that have a pen? I've seen some at Makro but can't recall if they have pens.

 

[wizardofid]

Let me clarify. The default choice in the business has been an iPad with keyboard and stylus. IT has suggested that I consider other options in that price bracket that meet my needs. Doesn't have to be an iPad.

I would love to get a Surface Pro but they aren't available in South Africa (not officially), and would work out more than the iPad. So I essentially can get whatever I fancy, as long as I am not spending much more than the iPad.

And it has to go via the supply chain? That kinda limits your options ?. if you could import I have a few recomendations that will kick the ipad in the teeth come out cheaper and run circles performance wise around the ipad.

 

[Ecko_1]

Ah OK, I understand. So you would prefer not to get the iPad? Since you're not really familiar with it? I guess you could go for something from Samsung but keep in mind that even hardened Android fans (not all but some) prefer the iPad when it comes to a tablet.

Not really that I would prefer. More a case of checking if there is a device that is better. First prize for me would be Surface Pro.

I have an older Samsung tablet (Galaxy Tab A 9.7) from about 4 years ago. I agree that the iPad seems better.

 

[Ecko_1]

And it has to go via the supply chain? That kinda limits your options ?. if you could import I have a few recomendations that will kick the ipad in the teeth come out cheaper and run circles performance wise around the ipad.

At this point it looks so. I am going to be in London for 2 weeks in December. I will see if I can perhaps buy something on my corporate card and just claim back.

 

[wizardofid]

Ah OK, I understand. So you would prefer not to get the iPad? Since you're not really familiar with it? I guess you could go for something from Samsung but keep in mind that even hardened Android fans (not all but some) prefer the iPad when it comes to a tablet.

Huh ? Hardened android fans and apple don't below in the same sentence lol

 

[P924]

Are the no other devices similar to the Surface Pro that have a pen? I've seen some at Makro but can't recall if they have pens.

I don't think there is really anything that is in the same class. The samsung uses wacom technology, which is really good. The Apple pencil is also a great implementation, but technically the wacom(s-pen) is in a different class. As for the surface, it is a great device, but not a very good tablet.

 

[P924]

I have a few recomendations that will kick the ipad in the teeth come out cheaper and run circles performance wise around the ipad.

Please do share these gems. I am not an Apple or Android fan, but have plenty of devices in both flavors, and sure there are a lot of devices with much better price/performance ratio, but I think you will have a hard time beating Apple's arm implementation at a much lower price point. (That is if we ignore the stylus requirement)

 

[wizardofid]

At this point it looks so. I am going to be in London for 2 weeks in December. I will see if I can perhaps buy something on my corporate card and just claim back.

Well Dell has some awesome 2 in 1 13 inch tablets Not sure you can get them under budget.

Alternative would go with the Lenovo yoga 530, 900 or 700 series. 360 degree hinge as well pen usable which you will have to get seperate.

 

[wizardofid]

Lenovo Active pen is R1500

Lenovo yoga 530 can be had from R10500 for an I3 shopping around you could get the i5 version for for a bit more.

Same story with the active bluetooth pens which is listed for $40 on lenovo.com

You will have to shop around to get the best deal, Lenovo yoga pawns the ipad period.

 

[hjst45]

Well generally speaking, tablets are dead so its hard to give recommendations...

Technically I would've recommended something such as the Note

 

[wizardofid]

Well generally speaking, tablets are dead so its hard to give recommendations...

Technically I would've recommended something such as the Note

136m tablets have shipped in 2019 so far, with an average of 34m tablets per quarter, sure it is marginally slower then previous years, that is because people are using and keeping their devices for longer for one, and devices have become a lot better hardware and software wise.

Dead ? Far far far far far far far far far far from it.

 

[P924]

Lenovo yoga pawns the ipad period.

In what way? The biggest issue to me with the Yoga is the weight.

 

[Crowley]

Apple has the best tablets, it's just a pity about the walled garden of delights that you get for free with anything Apple.

I'm just waiting for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 to come into stock with my suppliers.

 

[hjst45]

136m tablets have shipped in 2019 so far, with an average of 34m tablets per quarter, sure it is marginally slower then previous years, that is because people are using and keeping their devices for longer for one, and devices have become a lot better hardware and software wise.

Dead ? Far far far far far far far far far far from it.

I haven't seen an iPad or a tablet in years, whereas everyone had one during the peak...

Biggest reason being smartphones becoming bigger (physically) and surpass hardware capabilities of tablets.

First Samsung tablet was a 7inch when phones were still 4inch...

Now, the average size of a phone is around 6inch...

 

[wizardofid]

In what way? The biggest issue to me with the Yoga is the weight.

Performance wise the yoga wins on the ipad, that is if you compare to the standard ipad which is what the OP did. I pad pro on the other is a difference story each one have their merits. With the yoga and active pen will be ALOT better then the standard ipad, ipad pro about even.

Price/value/hardware/functionality beats the pants off the standard ipad, ipad pro does offer some stiffer competition but it has a few more cons then the yoga.Yoga vs surface/ ipad pro each have their pros and cons and each offer value over the other in certain aspects.

You simple can't compare the standard ipad with the yoga, you need to compare to the ipad pro and then things actually get more interesting and not exactly as clear cut.

Considering the budget, cheapest ipad pro is around R17 000 and still excludes the pen and keyboard, the surface having similar pricing it would be the yoga especially with the active pen, which about as close as you going to get to a surface tablet, and it has a fully fledged windows 10, which means it can pretty much handle any thing the OP can throw at it workwise.

With pricing in mind, weight is really a none issue, sure it's double the weight of the ipad pro, but hardly a uncomfortable weight at around 1.4Kg is hardly problematic.

Considering the price comparison you have to start looking at what the two device can and can not do.Having apple this dongle and apple this dongle especially with the ipad pro, already pisses me off and send apple a f you and move along.