WTK: Anyone getting an Ipad 4th gen for Christmas?

[rassmatic]

I wanted to know if any GATTers were looking to import or have someone bring down the new Ipad for the holidays?

[TriniXaeno]

Our Ipad2 is a little beat up (its used mainly by the kids) so yeah, may get a new one for the misses this Christmas.

[rassmatic]

Importing or having a family member bring it down?

[TriniXaeno]

Import most likely.

Like you trying to get one bring dong mix in with some of tanty dirty clothes or what? lol

[rassmatic]

lmao! kinda. i'm trying to avoid shipping it to get around the added costs. so i'm looking around for someone who has a friend/family member already bringing in one for Christmas to maybe arrange to bring a second. (i know it's an unconventional request, but i thought i'd ask around anyway). really wanted the 64gb model too, so every cent counts.

[woodyear99]

Someone told me that ipads are classed as computers so no duty, true?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note using Tapatalk

[Arcmanov]

Correct.

Tablets are classed as 'tablet computers', so you're not supposed to pay VAT/duty costs, but you know Customs. 


Someone, somewhere along the line is gonna need that lube. 

[TriniXaeno]

Yeah, customs is very unpredictable.

Our first Ipad came in with family so that wasn't an issue.

I've since brought in several for customers and no duty and vat was charged.

But ymmv.

Also recently bought a Kindle Fire HD for the kids to play with and that also was exempt from duty and vat.

I'd say odds would be stacked in favour of no charges.

As many would testify on this forum, its always a slim but real possibility a customs officer could hit you for six. lol

[rassmatic]

Oh ok. I didn't know that. Well we have some business to discuss Wyatt. lol

Still a little torn between the Nexus 10 and Ipad 4 though. On one hand you have a slightly more powerful (at least on paper), more customizable device for less money with the Nexus, but with a less than stellar lineup of tablet optimized apps. Then there's the Ipad, with a sh!tload of amazing tablet apps but with extremely limited customization options (if you don't jailbreak, which I intend to do eventually) and a higher price. Plus there's the fact that everything from software to hardware is proprietary, which I don't like.

I'm leaning more toward Apple however due to the apps available for the platform. Last thing I want is to buy a 10" tablet to run cellphone apps on Christmas morning. What would you recommend for a first time tablet owner?

[TriniXaeno]

Well I own both (android and ios tablets)

Let me confirm, apple has better apps.

Also let me confirm, apple is stable. More so than android.

If you are a techie at heart and like to tinker. Then you don't have a choice.....Android ftw.

Android is the nerds platform of choice, HANDS DOWN.

If you're just into usability and stability. Quality over flexibility. Then Apple.

[rassmatic]

Well as a techie, being able to tinker with the OS is a big plus. But at the end of the day, if the apps aren't there, then what's the point?

Have you ever played around with a jailbroken Ipad? Is the level of surface level customization on par with that of an Android device?

[TriniXaeno]

no where close.

a jailbroken ipad just means you can "steal" apps.

Which is not something we would condone here in the first place.

The eco system around IOS is a thriving one financially. Developers make good apps and get paid good money.

If you jailbreak, you are circumventing that. Its a whole ethics issue, same as piracy and gaming which hurts the industry but you already knew that.

To answer the question...no, a jailbroken ios device is still no match for an android tablet, if you are a techie.

The android platform has cheaper apps and a ton of free ones. They may not be as good as their IOS counterparts but I believe that will change in the coming months.

The android user base is going to explode this Christmas and it will be too large a market for any decent developer to ignore.

[rassmatic]

OK understood. One thing I don't full agree with though...

a jailbroken ipad just means you can "steal" apps.

I know for a fact that's not 100% true. While jailbreaking indeed allows users to install cracked apps, to say that the process is just to steal isn't true. I assume there's a reason jailbreaking remained perfectly legal up until only recently.

While admittedly the idea of getting certain apps for free is intriguing, I'm honestly more excited for the idea of installing third party software like XBMC, Barrel, vWallpaper, Dashboard X, etc.

[woodyear99]

Yeah my household has 2 android tablets and and ipad. For simplicity the ipad is a definite winner especially for older family members. I have already bought quite a few android apps over the past 2 years. These apps automatically sync to any new Android device registered to my account so an android tablet made sense. I am really happy with my Asus transformer infinity, haven't had a problem finding apps to suit my needs on android. I would say though that android apps in general don't have quite the polish ios ones get.

I think an important question to ask is what apps you really need? Most likely there are options available on both platforms unless it is something very specific. Also piracy on android is very easy, but we don't condone that here.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note using Tapatalk

[TriniXaeno]

@ rage, If you want to install XBMC and different dashboards / launchers. Then immediately that says android.

Its exactly the kind of action you'll find on the platform.

And no need to "jailbreak" or do anything illicit. Tinkering under the hood is status quo for android (and any linux based OS in general)

@ Woody, kind of hard to ask what apps you need at this stage. Someone really has to be exposed to whats on the market before they can get a feel as to what they want to use on a daily basis.

I had ABSOLUTELY no idea what apps would make sense on a tablet until owning two. Even still, I feel like there are tons more options out there to really makes these devices worthwhile that I haven't even touched yet.

For example, there is an app that takes a picture of your meal, records it and estimate the number of calories. Excellent if you're into diet and fitness.

No way I would have known about that before wading deep into the tablet world. lol

[rassmatic]

For example, there is an app that takes a picture of your meal, records it and estimate the number of calories. Excellent if you're into diet and fitness.

No way I would have known about that before wading deep into the tablet world. lol

lmao! really? that sounds....interesting.

Anyway the Nexus 10 isn't even out yet, so making a final decision now doesn't make sense. But from the countless reviews I've read, I'm still a bit swayed in Apple's direction. If I had to choose between tinkering and the apps, I'd choose the apps. I mean Infinity Blade: Dungeons lookin to sexy to pass up. lol

Plus, I won't be the only one using it, so simplicity is something I'm looking for too. Not really looking for many "how yuh does do xyz again?" type conversations. I get enough of those as it is.

So once a decision is made, can i arrange things with u within the next week or so Wyatt?

[TriniXaeno]

sure thing bro. No problem at all.

While the Nexus 10 isn't out....you can already find intricate reviews that should answer all your questions.

Here is a brilliant one that compares it with the Ipad 4

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/11/nexus-10-tablet-is-a-solid-house-built-on-shifting-sands/

It echoes some of the same issues raised here, the main one being lack of a developed app eco system for the android tablets.

Again, that's set to change in the coming months but you'll be an early adopter with all the commensurate growing pains. lol

If you've got non techies in the house who are going to be heavy users of the device, then ipad ftw.

Summary from the article above:

The Good

Solid, injection-molded plastic makes for a tablet that is both sturdy and light
High-resolution screen is nice and crisp
Samsung's Exynos 5 delivers excellent performance
Delivers high-end hardware starting at $399, $100 less than the Retina iPads
Decent front-facing stereo speakers
Good (if not exceptional) battery life for general use
The Bad

Screen's viewing angles and color are slightly inferior to that of the iPad
We prefer the lightly textured back of the Nexus 7 to the Nexus 10's rubbery back
No cellular option at present
No storage expansion
Poor battery life while gaming
The Ugly

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Android's tablet app ecosystem is as weak as ever

[woodyear99]

Yeah from what you described an ipad would definitely be a good choice.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note using Tapatalk

[Netizen1]

Correct.

Tablets are classed as 'tablet computers', so you're not supposed to pay VAT/duty costs, but you know Customs. 

That is good news, as I also need to import an iPad for someone.

[captainchris]

sure thing bro. No problem at all.

While the Nexus 10 isn't out....you can already find intricate reviews that should answer all your questions.

Here is a brilliant one that compares it with the Ipad 4

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/11/nexus-10-tablet-is-a-solid-house-built-on-shifting-sands/

It echoes some of the same issues raised here, the main one being lack of a developed app eco system for the android tablets.

Again, that's set to change in the coming months but you'll be an early adopter with all the commensurate growing pains. lol

If you've got non techies in the house who are going to be heavy users of the device, then ipad ftw.

Summary from the article above:

The Good

Solid, injection-molded plastic makes for a tablet that is both sturdy and light
High-resolution screen is nice and crisp
Samsung's Exynos 5 delivers excellent performance
Delivers high-end hardware starting at $399, $100 less than the Retina iPads
Decent front-facing stereo speakers
Good (if not exceptional) battery life for general use
The Bad

Screen's viewing angles and color are slightly inferior to that of the iPad
We prefer the lightly textured back of the Nexus 7 to the Nexus 10's rubbery back
No cellular option at present
No storage expansion
Poor battery life while gaming
The Ugly

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Android's tablet app ecosystem is as weak as ever

Well I bought a Samsung Galaxy 7 tab for my 11yr old nephew who is now hooked on android. Used the tablet while preparing it for him, and I am VERY IMPRESSED. I would def recommend the new Samsung Tablets to ANYONE.