Tablet confusion

Charles-reed

Yes it is a change from my original question, but my enquiries have taken me wider than anticipated, aided by the depth of knowledge of my friendly or otherwise site-companions as you correctly call them, so I thought I would ask for any hands-on experiences from those who may have used a Chromebook.
The link you gave is very informative, very positive review, the GPS is of course very important, Navionics not much good without it, but the review says:
What it will do:

Improve
There's still room for improvement. Although many Chromebooks have GPS and Bluetooth hardware, these aren't fully utilized by the software yet. Hopefully, we'll see this in the near future. Chrome OS is still very new, and Google is hard at work improving it with regular updates.

Quite what this means in terms of the book I am looking at I am not sure, maybe if I enlarge on the possible options it gives me.
Currently my navigation software on a laptop is TIKI, which utilises Navionics via a card reader (unlike the latest Navionic chips which can be downloaded, mine requires a card reader and a USB port dedicated to it) similarly GPS, an external one also needing a dedicated UBS port, AIS also connected this way. all sensed by TIKI, works very well, just upgraded TIKI to their new software.

If it is workable, my first option is to use an external GPS with the Navionics HD on Chromebook, I have room in my center, hard covered cockpit, in front of my wheel, to make a secure but removeable position for it, removeable because its size and compactness makes it ideal to take ashore to connect to wifi. I had no notions of using an iPad/tablet as a phone as I have an i4, which in itself I understand could be used via the hotspot for internet connection.
My second option, and I am talking to TIKI about it, would be to download TIKI and use the Navionics app with it, if this is possible, GPS again provided externaly, giving me what I have on my chartable in the cockpit.

I have has a look at what linux ditro is, first I have heard of it, lots of possibilities there also.
 
With a Chromebook you're into setups, external GPS and the restrictions a Chromebook's software places on you. I think you'll get a much more intuitive solution with a HUDL2 or a used iPad3. Ask how many on here use a Chromebook for navigation.
 
Lazy Kipper said:
With a Chromebook you're into setups, external GPS and the restrictions a Chromebook's software places on you. I think you'll get a much more intuitive solution with a HUDL2 or a used iPad3. Ask how many on here use a Chromebook for navigation.
Click to expand...

It is an option I am considering only, my feelings towards the HUDL2 are as strong as ever, or a 3rd. gen iPad if can be found at a reasonable price. The benefits of buying new, as in HUDL2, is one of the big 'for' in my 'for and against' chart, which helps me keep a perspective and reminder of what I am looking for.
The purpose of bringing in the Chromebook option was exactly to invite comments from anyone who has used one, which to date has been zero.
 
I'm hankering after a Hudl but will have to wait until Christmas over. One thing about buying from Tesco is that they never quibble over returns if you don't like it.
 
Lazy Kipper said:
With a Chromebook you're into setups, external GPS and the restrictions a Chromebook's software places on you. I think you'll get a much more intuitive solution with a HUDL2 or a used iPad3. Ask how many on here use a Chromebook for navigation.
Click to expand...


I am down to 2 options, the HUDL2 @ £129.00 or the Apple iPad mini, 16GB, WiFi & 4G LTE (Cellular) - White or Black @ £299.00,
The advantage with HUDL2 is price, with iPad it is technology I am familiar with having an i4, although I am sure that the android has nothing that after few hours use I will be familiar with, and save £170.00.
 
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Sarnia said:
I like the Xperia a lot, the waterproofing is a big bonus, it is now also on my list, thank you.
Click to expand...

Don't believe it! My daughter took her Xperia on holiday because it was 'waterproof'. Anyone want to buy a drowned Xperia? Got wet next to a swimming pool and died. Apparently the small print says something to the effect of 'waterproof unless you get water on it'
 
Sarnia said:
I am down to 2 options, the HUDL2 @ £129.00 or the Apple iPad mini, 16GB, WiFi & 4G LTE (Cellular) - White or Black @ £299.00,
The advantage with iPad it is technology I am familiar with having an i4, .
Click to expand...
All the apps you have on iPhone will run on IPad along with any music etc
On Black Friday Apple will discount and John Lewis may do also and give extended warranty
 
Sarnia said:
I am down to 2 options, the HUDL2 @ £129.00 or the Apple iPad mini, 16GB, WiFi & 4G LTE (Cellular) - White or Black @ £299.00,
The advantage with HUDL2 is price, with iPad it is technology I am familiar with having an i4, although I am sure that the android has nothing that after few hours use I will be familiar with, and save £170.00.
Click to expand...

If you are considering spending as much as an ipad mini then maybe also consider the new Nexus 9. Made by HTC and with vanilla Android, it and the Hudl2 are the only tablets in town (imo).
 
Lazy Kipper said:
Then suddenly the Android couple are locked in their room, the code to exit is clearly displayed but in a filing cabinet in the basement which requires special permission to enter - which you don't have. Then the water starts to come out of the sockets and the electricity out of the taps because this very particular make of hotel room isn't 100% compatible with the hotel systems delivery network. Then their flight home is cancelled but nobody knows why, at least until the airline reboot takes place, but no one knows which switch does that. They are fairly sure a switch does actually reboot the system but no one can find it. Fortunately there is a bang on the door from the tour rep who has come to offer them 27 choices for their lion safari; after that they have 19 different choices to make about what colour tour bus to go on and 15 choices about which type of lion to see. All of which is irrelevant because they are still locked in their room.

Meanwhile Mr & Mrs Apple remain content with their three choices for dinner and their room that just works. Plus they won't have to walk home, their flight wasn't cancelled.
Click to expand...

Oh, I love it!
 
Storyline said:
If you are considering spending as much as an ipad mini then maybe also consider the new Nexus 9. Made by HTC and with vanilla Android, it and the Hudl2 are the only tablets in town (imo).
Click to expand...


They do look very nice indeed, some reasonable on ebay around £275.00 some are higher, just what an I getting for the extra, must say yhe HUDL2 is very attractive, as ghostlymoron says I can purchase a lot of apps with the difference,
 
Melody said:
Oh, I love it!
Click to expand...

Yes, it was funny.
But shows a lack of understanding of the technologies.
Apple has a proprietary OS and so is the one that isn't 100% compatible with 90+% of the non apple (mostly android) devices in the world.
And Apple is the technology that ties users hands behind their backs and doesn't let them out of the room when it crashed. In fact, this is a very good example of how Apple plays big brother. If your Android phone freezes, pop the battery out and back in and hey presto! Rebooted.
Apple devices don't let you open the back, let alone pop the battery out, because only an Apple engineer can do that without invalidating your warranted. Honest!!
So, when your Apple device freezes, you need to wait till the day that the battery completely drains before you can reboot. At least that was the case on the device that made me give up on Apple phones.
I am not anti-all things Apple. I think that there kit is high quality. Their marketing is remarkable. In fact, there have even been a few occasions when I have recommended Apple systems for specialist (graphics and multimedia) applications. In the wider perspective, Apple are in an interesting position. Their (shrinking) global market share is almost entirely in the West. They have minimal sales in the emerging, bigger, growing markets, allowing their competitors an advantage of economies of scale. They will not disappear but, like IBM, they will devolve from a colossus to a significant but niche supplier to the high end of the market.
So, buy an Apple phone and you will have a quality (one of the best) products that will be supported for quite a few years. I wouldn't invest, long term, in them, though!
 
Ravi said:
Yes, it was funny.
But shows a lack of understanding of the technologies.
Apple has a proprietary OS and so is the one that isn't 100% compatible with 90+% of the non apple (mostly android) devices in the world.
And Apple is the technology that ties users hands behind their backs and doesn't let them out of the room when it crashed. In fact, this is a very good example of how Apple plays big brother. If your Android phone freezes, pop the battery out and back in and hey presto! Rebooted.
Apple devices don't let you open the back, let alone pop the battery out, because only an Apple engineer can do that without invalidating your warranted. Honest!!
So, when your Apple device freezes, you need to wait till the day that the battery completely drains before you can reboot. At least that was the case on the device that made me give up on Apple phones.
I am not anti-all things Apple. I think that there kit is high quality. Their marketing is remarkable. In fact, there have even been a few occasions when I have recommended Apple systems for specialist (graphics and multimedia) applications. In the wider perspective, Apple are in an interesting position. Their (shrinking) global market share is almost entirely in the West. They have minimal sales in the emerging, bigger, growing markets, allowing their competitors an advantage of economies of scale. They will not disappear but, like IBM, they will devolve from a colossus to a significant but niche supplier to the high end of the market.
So, buy an Apple phone and you will have a quality (one of the best) products that will be supported for quite a few years. I wouldn't invest, long term, in them, though!
Click to expand...

Be honest, it did remind you a bit of Android though didn't it :)
 
Ravi said:
Yes, it was funny.
But shows a lack of understanding of the technologies.
Apple has a proprietary OS and so is the one that isn't 100% compatible with 90+% of the non apple (mostly android) devices in the world.
And Apple is the technology that ties users hands behind their backs and doesn't let them out of the room when it crashed. In fact, this is a very good example of how Apple plays big brother. If your Android phone freezes, pop the battery out and back in and hey presto! Rebooted.
Apple devices don't let you open the back, let alone pop the battery out, because only an Apple engineer can do that without invalidating your warranted. Honest!!
So, when your Apple device freezes, you need to wait till the day that the battery completely drains before you can reboot. At least that was the case on the device that made me give up on Apple phones.
I am not anti-all things Apple. I think that there kit is high quality. Their marketing is remarkable. In fact, there have even been a few occasions when I have recommended Apple systems for specialist (graphics and multimedia) applications. In the wider perspective, Apple are in an interesting position. Their (shrinking) global market share is almost entirely in the West. They have minimal sales in the emerging, bigger, growing markets, allowing their competitors an advantage of economies of scale. They will not disappear but, like IBM, they will devolve from a colossus to a significant but niche supplier to the high end of the market.
So, buy an Apple phone and you will have a quality (one of the best) products that will be supported for quite a few years. I wouldn't invest, long term, in them, though!
Click to expand...

The holiday comparisons are funny, if not a little exaggerated, but then the best humour usually is, but for a reasoned arguement this post is a much better explanation IMO, of the comparisons and relationships between the rival systems. I must say, I like my i4, and the way it works, but the in-site gained here pushes me towards Android, will see what black friday brings.
 
Sarnia said:
They do look very nice indeed, some reasonable on ebay around £275.00 some are higher, just what an I getting for the extra, must say yhe HUDL2 is very attractive, as ghostlymoron says I can purchase a lot of apps with the difference,
Click to expand...
Just speed and a better screen. I have not seen one but I know it will ooze quality. Also you know you will always get the latest version of Android with the Nexus. If it was me I would probably get the Hudl but am planning to get swmbo a tablet for chrimbo and will get her the Nexus.
 
Lazy Kipper said:
Be honest, it did remind you a bit of Android though didn't it :)
Click to expand...

Decision made and implemented today, keeping firmly in mind the main purpose of purchasing an iPad/Tablet, that is to have easy to handle, under 10" in size, with the Navionics app using intergral non reliant on networks GPS, in the cockpit, which pretty much all of those considered would fulfill.
The next consideration was cost, and as iPad's mini wifi+cellular gen. 3 + models were more than I could justify, even second hand, particularly when excellent brand new altenatives were available. So many here had recommended a particular Android, which could fulfill all my requirements, and after a couple of hours in different stores, looking at those on my shortlist I bought a HUDL2, and have now set it up and learning how to use it as it is obviously a different OS from my i4, but so far I am delighted with it, and would once again say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread in such an unselfish manner, which for me has been a fascinating and educational insite to an whole new area of technology.
 
Cracking outcome, you'll be really pleased with it. The HUDL2 is so much more than plotter, now set up your iPhone 4 as a hotspot and watch TV on it, surf the forum and download Kindle books....

...I feel another thread coming on
 
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