I don't really know anything about tablets. I have a laptop at home that's a few years old and a laptop for work. I would like more information, and I'm asking you all, because it's more personal feedback than a sales website or a random online review.

What do tablets do? What are their limitations? Are they popular because they're new, or because they're useful?

Is the IPad worth the money? IS the KindleFire a tablet? (I have the first version of Kindle, so I'm especially interested in how it's evolved).

What are some of the best tablets out there, how much should I expect to spend, what addons can I get?

Are tablets like smart phones where I have to pay monthly, or are they like laptops where all I need is a local wifi connection and I'm good to go?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I'll take this one step at a time and answer each of your questions in turn.

What do tablets do?

Well... They make for very good web browsers, or e-readers, and they play games. You can watch movies on them, listen to music, or post on the facebook. In short, they're a consumer device.

What are their limitations?

There are a lot, but in general there's a lot of stuff you can do. This sort of depends on what you're asking. A lot of tablets won't play HD video properly, but some will. Tablets can't run programs like Photoshop, but there are photo retouching and painting apps available for iOS and Android. They won't play PC games, but you can play Angry Birds and a lot of flash games on Android tablets. Also the RGR plugin won't work on any tablet (Until Windows 8 comes out--But even then maybe not)

Are they popular because they're new, or because they're useful?

This depends on who you ask. Most of their popularity in the media is because they're the newest thing in new, and they're sort of an elite fashion item. They do have their uses to some people, but not for all. If all you do on your computer is check your email, then yeah, they're useful.

Is the IPad worth the money?

No.

IS the KindleFire a tablet? (I have the first version of Kindle, so I'm especially interested in how it's evolved).

Sort of. It is a tablet, but it's not as open as other tablets. You can only buy from the Amazon Store, and it has some restrictions. I don't know what they are off the top of my head, and I'm pretty sure that you can get around most of them, but just know that they're there.

What are some of the best tablets out there, how much should I expect to spend, what addons can I get?

Again, this depends on what you want to do with the tablet. For me, if I were going to get one, I'd just go with a Kindle Fire, because it's by far the cheapest thing out there, but that said, I would never buy a tablet for myself. I think $399-$600 is the usual price, but I'm not sure.

Are tablets like smart phones where I have to pay monthly, or are they like laptops where all I need is a local wifi connection and I'm good to go?

Yes.


That is, they're both. Some tablets come from phone companies, and you get a cheaper price on them, but you have to agree to a two year service contract, just like buying a phone. And there are some that don't work on phone lines and only go with WiFi, and these you pay once and you need a wifi connection to use the online stuff (Read as: To use the darn thing).

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask them.

Nice answers! Thanks!

I'm not sure what I want to do with it. I have a Kindle 1.0, and I can't figure out if I really NEED a new e-reader or not (truth be told, I still prefer books). The fact that I can't run emulations on a Tablet really reduces it's value. Perhaps what I really want is just a small laptop. Considering they sell those at Costco for the prices you mentioned for tablets, that may be my best bet. Or I could just learn to be happy with what I have, haha -- but don't tell marketing I said that.

Astynax27 : Well, there are emulators available for tablets to play all sorts of games, it's just the Retro Game Room that doesn't work.

This may seem stupid to say this after Lazlo but I'd really like the to further push the fact iPads are indeed not worth the royalties spent on them.

If you're looking for a tablet that has multitasking in mind and a surprisingly good e-reader but with the limitations of using apple exclusive software, then it may be the right tablet for you.

Otherwise do not succumb to crApple syndrome.

The best thing about iPad is that some apps simply aren't on the Android store. Beyond that the functionality can be found elsewhere.

I have a Kindle Fire, stock you are limited to the Amazon app store, but rooting the thing and getting Google play is easy. You still are able to use your Amazon stuff as well.  It doesn't have a camera or microphone and it looks like Bluetooth may not function. But depending on what you want it may be a good choice for you. Having access to all your amazon content (especially if you pull up more than just books) is nice. Amazon prime members can instant stream the videos from their prime accounts on the Fire. If you have muisc or videos from amazon digital then you can access them as well.

I'm hoping that soon enough I'll have the option to use my Kindle as a remote for my TV over wi-fi.

The thing with tablets and smartphones is you never know what apps people will come up with.