Advice needed - looking for a tablet... actually two

So the wife and I still read newspapers; actual newspapers. However, it appears that the dinosaurs used to deliver them are getting too old and unreliable to deliver the paper more than a few times a week. So we are thinking of getting tablets so we can each read one in the morning while sitting in the breakfast nook. We both have laptops, but they are too big and bulky to hold while eating breakfast and a cat or two wants on your lap.

So we are looking at getting tablets so we can read the paper. We got new laptops for Christmas and we both moved our old laptops to our hobby areas so no need for a tablet that does a lot of other stuff as we both have two computers. We basically want to use these to read stuff online like a newspaper, so I don't think we need high end tablets. We have never had any Apple products, but I wouldn't say no to those. Any recommendations?

Assuming your other devices are running Windows, I’d suggest a Microsoft Surface Go. They start at $399. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/surface-go/8v9dp4lnknsz?rtc=1&activetab=pivot:overviewtab

Zeus,
My future ex has worked for a newspaper conglomerate for years. At one time, she was in charge of all the carriers. You are correct in saying delivery aint what it used to be. None wants to work those kind of jobs anymore. I have watched the slow death of print media for years now, and customer service is already post mortem

I was looking for a tablet to replace my five year old Acer after the camera started acting flakey. What I bought was a Nook 10.1. It was $130 at the local B&N. If all you're wanting to do is read newspapers (or books) and do some light web surfing, this is a great solution.

Personally I would recommend a Dell of some sort. I have nothing but good things to say about them, and have had them for many years. OTOH, don't buy a HP. My company is associated with HP and we have had so many troubles with that brand, although we do get the high-end engineering laptops. Maybe the consumer tablets are better.

Another alternative might be a cheap Chinese tablet. Would probably do the job of a reader/basic web interface quite well, and at a good price. Brand/Quality could be a bit random.

What if I just wanted to read .pdf .doc files and the like? Any suggestions?

I bought a Samsung Galaxy-something-or-another 12.2 for each of my girls on graduation from uni/grad school. They both liked the 12" screen better than the smaller ones. Does anyone make a tablet with a 12" screen any more?

BigRiJoe said:

What if I just wanted to read .pdf .doc files and the like? Any suggestions?

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Still have to recommend the Nook. It's great for reading. You can read stuff outside the corporate booklist by using an ebook reader. You can transfer files by a microSD card or wifi. This applies to the Amazon stuff, too.

I love my Apple iPad. I can read any kind of document. It works well for me because I have an iPhone. I recommend at least considering a tablet that is compatible with your phone.

prfesser said:

I bought a Samsung Galaxy-something-or-another 12.2 for each of my girls on graduation from uni/grad school. They both liked the 12" screen better than the smaller ones. Does anyone make a tablet with a 12" screen any more?

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The iPad Pro is 12.9 inches.

I love my first-generation iPad Pro (12.9 inch) tablet, but it's a bit much for "just reading the paper" though I have read the print facsimile version of the Seattle Times on mine on more than one occasion when the delivery of the physical paper (which is usually pretty good, really) goes awry.

The screen is the size of an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper and that actually is the reason I have it in the first place - it's my sheet music books for playing at church.

I got the keyboard for it and find I use it probably more than the MacBook Pro this is being typed on right now.....

But as I say the iPad, especially the big Pro is probably overkill for what you need. The advice to get one that uses the same OS as your phone is a good one - fewer subtle and maddening differences to learn (though there will be some anyway).

Have a PC for serious stuff but bought two iPads for Mrs.OD and I.

Great for sitting at the table or on the sofa.

Costco prices are reasonable and wifi is part of my Xfinity package.

Invest in a protective case (thin and lightweight) if you go the iPad route. I popped for the case and integrated keypad. Love it.

(disclaimer - my house is mostly but not exclusively a Mac shop) The advice to first match your phone type is spot on. The ability to sync bookmarks, contacts and such is a big deal for me. We also have (had?) a Nook that got a lot of use for a long time - it's great for reading and is surprisingly versatile. Had a poor experience with an early Android tablet in the era before Google started forcing vendors to pass thru core SW updates - buggy and physically fragile. Apple equipment is definitely premium but the hardware has outlasted all of the non-Apple gear I've had. iPad Pro is king of the hill for tablets.