IGX

I'm looking for a tablet to use as a reader for journal articles and working papers. That means it needs to be bigger than 7", and it must support software that allows PDF files to be read and annotated easily.

An iPad with the retina display seems like the obvious answer, but I don't like the use of proprietary connectors and I don't use any other Apple products. Anything I use to make notes on a PDF would also have to be available on my Windows computers. Are there any Android (or Windows?) tablets I should look at, or is an iPad still the best choice?

Other preferences:
An expansion slot for memory would be nice, but not necessary given the availability of Dropbox, etc.
WiFi is necessary, but a cellular data plan is not. (The money that will buy the tablet would not pay for a data plan.)
I don't know that the wider aspect ratio of some Android tablets would be a plus for my purposes. It might be a negative.
I prefer the third-party keyboard I use on my Android phone to any Apple keyboard I've tried.
At least one of the apps I use for free on Android would require an annual subscription on iPad.

iPad + Dropbox would seem to resolve the cross platform issue. I wouldn't pay extra for the retina.

I personally haven't used the Samsung tablets, but I would look at those. Samsung's killing it lately.

I use a Lenovo. Works great and was @220 dollars

I'm beginning to think that Samsung is going to unseat Apple as the "go to" for innovative and user friendly personal gadgets. The rumors circulating around the Samsung Galaxy S4 are incredible, and I've heard great things about their tablets as well.

I'd keep an eye on those since you're already hooked into Android on your mobile. Maybe see if there's a source for refurbs if the prices are more than you're looking to spend.

I'd be surprised if they were though, since the iPad will run $300+, and the Galaxy tab is $179 for the 7" screen on Amazon

I'd also keep an eye on the Google products, which means... The Nexus: https://play.google.com/store/devices/d ... &gclsrc=ds

I've got no idea if you can read and edit PDFs on these, but I'd be surprised if you can't. Of course, if you can't, then the iPad mini is probably the best option given your needs, screen size and *okay* price point.

I'm a total Mactard these days, but I am seriously thinking of moving over to Android operated devices this summer when I have expiring cell contracts and hopefully a better budget to move to a more productive tablet than my iPad (less porn if we're being honest. And we're all friends here, right?)

Grandpa's Spells wrote:iPad + Dropbox would seem to resolve the cross platform issue. I wouldn't pay extra for the retina.

I don't have experience that can verify this, but people claim that the higher resolution makes reading for long periods easier on the eyes. I won't have to pay for the tablet, so higher resolution shouldn't cost me anything.

Pinky wrote:

Grandpa's Spells wrote:iPad + Dropbox would seem to resolve the cross platform issue. I wouldn't pay extra for the retina.

I don't have experience that can verify this, but people claim that the higher resolution makes reading for long periods easier on the eyes. I won't have to pay for the tablet, so higher resolution shouldn't cost me anything.

I haven't noticed this with the retina display. What I have noticed is that "read later" type apps that automatically switch to a dark background are easier on the eyes, but that doesn't really apply here, unless there's a PDF app that does this.

Pinky wrote:

Grandpa's Spells wrote:iPad + Dropbox would seem to resolve the cross platform issue. I wouldn't pay extra for the retina.

I don't have experience that can verify this, but people claim that the higher resolution makes reading for long periods easier on the eyes. I won't have to pay for the tablet, so higher resolution shouldn't cost me anything.

If your employer is picking up the tab, iPad all day long. The Android market < Apple's App Store.

Try iAnnotate PDF for android. If you have an android phone, you can probably try it there before deciding which tablet to go with.

Lots of android tablets have expandable memory. Look at the Asus Transformer Infinity, HD display, expandable memory and you can dock a keyboard to it.

Grandpa's Spells wrote:

Pinky wrote:

Grandpa's Spells wrote:iPad + Dropbox would seem to resolve the cross platform issue. I wouldn't pay extra for the retina.

I don't have experience that can verify this, but people claim that the higher resolution makes reading for long periods easier on the eyes. I won't have to pay for the tablet, so higher resolution shouldn't cost me anything.

If your employer is picking up the tab, iPad all day long. The Android market < Apple's App Store.

My employer will pay for the hardware, but I'm likely on my own as far as apps go.

Ipad with GoodReader app gets for me

nafod wrote:Ipad with GoodReader app gets for me

Are you easily able to make comments on the PDF and view them on a desktop?

A Big Chief Tablet was fine for me back in the day. Five bucks for 48 sheets on Amazon. And you can make all the comments you want.

The Blackberry thread reminded me of this.

I ended up getting a Galaxy Nexus 10, and it's fantastic. I haven't printed a PDF since it arrived. The free Acrobat app works well for reading and commenting.

My only minor complaint is that the default Nexus launcher is stripped down to the point that something as simple as changing the number of homescreens requires a third-party launcher.