Best tablet to use?

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Jan 17, 2013

I'm thinking of buying a tablet to use for lecture days. My instructor uses power point slides and I'm looking for a tablet that I can view edit and save PowerPoint and word. I have done some research and I know for sure I'm not spending ipad money. I'm leaning toward a google nexus 7 with a Bluetooth keyboard over the kindle fire. If anyone uses a tablet or is knowledgeable about this topic please offer some input.

I played around with Nexus 7 and iPad mini before deciding to go for the iPad mini. Nexus 7 is a great tablet, but the screen is just too small for me. iPad mini has a bigger screen and it feels thinner and lighter. The resolution is not as great as N7 but it's fine.

Also, I am not even sure if there is an app for microsoft words/powerpoint on Android. You might end up using another app, and android apps tend to have lower quality. I only use my iPad mini to read powerpoint and words (don't need app); and I often convert them to PDF so I can save them in my iBook. I haven't been to a point where I need to edit documents. if you want to edit powerpoint/words, you can use iPad's great apps like Keynote and Pages.

The iPad mini keyboard is by far the best virtual keyboard I have used. I thought about getting bluetooth keyboard at first but I feel that I don't need it now.

zoe92 · Jan 17, 2013

Personally, I adore my iPad. It is easy to carry around, has a lot of memory/storage and a good investment overall.

mclennan, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2013

iPad mini. I love mine. Just do it.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 17, 2013

Hmm - if your primary intention is to have a small, easy to carry device that is compatible with MS Office, I would recommend getting a netbook with Windows OS. At this point, MS Office apps to work with either Android or IOS are iffy. MS says they will be in place 'early in 2013', but at this point it's just vaporware.

Netbooks are much less expensive than tablets, rugged, have long batter life and are small enough to fit anywhere. Tablets are pretty useless for serious typing unless you buy an add-in keyboard. iPads are notoriously delicate - if you do buy one, be sure to get the insurance so you can replace it when you bang it and break the screen. ASUS makes a great hybrid - Android tablet & click-on keyboard that end up functioning as a rugged netbook, but with advantages of tablet... but you'd still be gambling on the availability of MS Office for this platform.

Stephalump · Jan 17, 2013

I love, love, love my iPad for school. I have my biggest books in e-format on it (I have hard cover copies as well), I store and annotate my powerpoints on it, I record lectures, I type up my clinical paperwork on it (while I'm at the hospital so I'm not doing it twice), I have my drug guide on it...love it. The only thing that would make it better would be an Office app. Sometimes things get a little wonky coming from Word to Pages, and I can't print multiple powerpoint slides to one page using Keynote.

PedsHopeful · Feb 25, 2013

Im getting a nexus 7 tomorrow. First of all I dont have Ipad money to spend. Second of all they have tons have great apps for nursing professionals thats reasonably priced. Third, they have a Microsoft office suite you can install to use Word, Ect. It fits easier in your hand, better screen resolution, has a camera and video records, your Amazon library can go on there, its got everything I need, and Im not paying a arm and a leg. Cant wait to get it.

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Feb 25, 2013

My daughter has a Nexus 7. She's in high school and she does all her assignments with it (and e-mails them to her teachers), and she takes notes in class with it. When I originally talked to her about getting one, she was hesitant. Now I never see her without it. I was going to get one for myself but my husband beat me to it by getting me a Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Enjoy your Nexus! I'm sure you will.

springchick1, ADN, RN · Feb 25, 2013

I have an iPad Mini....bought it this weekend. It's fantastic!!!!

Trauma Columnist · Feb 25, 2013

I can speak to the durability of the ipad. I have an original iPad that I have encased in an Otterbox - indestructible - all grandchildren use it and it rocks.

I had an iPad 2 also that I used for work, co-worker drove off with hers on top of her car! Again encased in an Otterbox - just a small ding in the IPad, case cracked.

I now have an iPad Mini and love love love it. It goes everywhere, very very portable, I have it in a case that has a keyboard.

Works fantastic and I use it everyday all day for charting.

MadeNew · Feb 25, 2013

I have a Samsung Galaxy tab 2. The 7.0 it fits in my scrub pocket and is great for use during lecture. It comes with a standard app named polaris office. It has word office, adobe pdf, power point and some type of spreadsheet I don't use. I use it during class and it lets you open your power point from class, edit them, and add notes at the bottom of the slides. It also lets you save stuff to the cloud or dropbox. I can log into my school website and see my classes, do quiz and check email. Ive taken it to clinicals and used it for notes. Its a really affordable tablet. I paid 179.00 at Best buy. I use it for everything. Im in my last term of nursing school and It is truly student friendly. Not to mention we don't have much money but the price is great for the product. Its awesome.