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After seeing a few local players/DMs use tablets during their games, and how easy it is to access pdf's and your character sheet, and how convenient they are compared to laptops for bringing material to a gaming table, I've decided that I want to buy a tablet. Obviously I'll be using it for a lot more than just gaming, but I'd like some input on what tablets other players/DMs use and what they'd recommend. Are certain tablets more compatible with Paizo products than others?
I'm curious to see if others have any input on this as well. I have considered getting one but would like to know if an iPad2 is better than a Samsung Galaxy Tab? Or are there others that are better still?
I've used both iPad2 and the Samsung. For PDF browsing there is virtually no difference in them.
I'm not sure if thus is the same thing you're talking about, but I've been in a game with one player tracking everything on an app on his phone. I found it caused him to spend too much time not paying attention to the combat at hand.
I'm looking forward/ holding out for a tablet that just has a view screen equivalent to a piece of paper. I don't understand why they all have to be letterbox (samsung slate 7) or smaller (ipod x and competitors). I hate having to scroll and pinch my way around pdf's, but I love the idea of minimizing my carry load down to one or two tablets to reference all my material. I already work from a laptop, which is the same issue (scroll down for one column, then scramble to get to the top of the page again for 2nd.)
Yes, I am getting old, and my sight doesn't focus well on anything smaller than 9 point.
I'm all for tech at the table, but it's a crapshoot right now as to how people use it.
I'm not sure if thus is the same thing you're talking about, but I've been in a game with one player tracking everything on an app on his phone. I found it caused him to spend too much time not paying attention to the combat at hand.
A lot of my players went through this phase. Same with laptops and Wifi. Have one player that posts to his blog during the game, and I don't know if it's about the game. Also, laptops take up a lot of space and can't be moved as easily.
The tablets I've seen, though, have eliminated that problem.
Moved to Technology forum.
Thanks. My bad. Didn't know there was a section for this.
I'm looking forward/ holding out for a tablet that just has a view screen equivalent to a piece of paper. I don't understand why they all have to be letterbox (samsung slate 7) or smaller (ipod x and competitors). I hate having to scroll and pinch my way around pdf's, but I love the idea of minimizing my carry load down to one or two tablets to reference all my material. I already work from a laptop, which is the same issue (scroll down for one column, then scramble to get to the top of the page again for 2nd.)
Didn't realize this was an issue. Certainly something to consider.
The 10" tablets work very well for PDF viewing. There's another thread here (Advice for a Tablet Virgin? that covers a lot of discussion on tablets. My vote goes to the ASUS Transformer, with the Samsung close behind.
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Considering Tablets there is alot of things you want to make sure you have. Is it good for internet? Does it have a long battery life in case it is needed at conventions. Is it easy to type on for taking notes? Is there apps for what you are wanting to use it for (in this case specifically, Gaming.
I can think of one that answers all the above questions nicely!!
The Asus Transformer TF300 or the Asus Transformer T700 coming out soon. They each have a docking keyboard that is not that much more then the actual tablet. What makes this docking keybaord both nice and convenient is it has USB ports, an extra Micro SD card slot (above and beyond what is on the tablet itself already.), an extra battery IN the docking keyboard inside providing an extra n6 hours of battery life. Not to mention you do not have to hook it up with a blue tooth connection which makes keyboard iffy at best if you use them via bluetooth.
The tactile keyboard makes it easy to take notes. The apps are pletiful with Android ICS and cheap. The quad core processor (only tablets with them at the moment was the Transformer and now a couple more coming out with them.) makes them speedy and able to handle most applications without concern for bogging it down.
It blows away the iPad 1, 2, and 3 completely and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 1,2 :)
So.. you have my choice.
And note that Google chose ASUS to make their new Google Nexus 7. While it's a 7" tablet and thus not to my liking for game use, it does speak (at least for me) to Google's confidence in ASUS utilizing Android well.
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I have been using a Samsung Galaxy for a while now. It's OK. But can be slow pulling up and navigating larger PDFs. I would guess the more powerful iPad2 would be better and faster. The ability to zoom in on a map in a PDF to show a player is handy. I would like see better gaming apps.
But I also surf Paizo's site or go to EnWorld for rules question using the pad during sessions. That has been the best use so far.
Later,
Mazra
A friend uses the transformer and I use the galaxy tab. For pdf viewing they are about equal. Just make sure whatever you get has the biggest screen possible.