I have had a smart phone for a year or so and enjoy using it for email, facebook, navagation, and occasional information seeking while I am out and about. The kids (3 and 5) also use it for simple games and short videos at restaurants, etc but not all the time. My husband thinks that it would be nice to have a tablet in the household but it would generally be mine. The only way it makes sense financially for a data plan would be if we eliminate my phone data plan and get a very simple pay per minute type phone for me. I still almost always have a bag with me and would keep the tablet for the uses I previously used the smart phone and for longer calls I could use it with a head set. I am wondering if any other households out there have done anything like this and what you thought of it. I think it would work for us but there may be some things we haven't known to consider. It of course would not be ideal but the compromises might be worth it for the use of the bigger tablet on occasion...recipes in the grocery store, easier internet usage, etc. Also, we are not sure if we want a 7in or bigger...I am thinking that if it replaces my phone it should be the 7in but otherwise I really like the 9in size better for usability. TIA!
Yes, we do have wifi at home and I am sure it is around quite a bit in this area but I am afraid that it will be a bother having to put in access passwords and such in different places...maybe it is not as bad as I think??
I wouldn't give up my smart phone to just have a tablet. I have no data plan on my tablet and a basic plan on my phone--- even my grocery store has free wifi without passwords.
We have a 9 inch ipad at home and I use a simple cell phone. I prefer it. Our 15 year old is the only one on our plan that has a smart phone. The cell phone company charges more per month for a smart phone and I have NO patience for the cell phone internet.
The ipad is great for doctors appointments, and the other uses you mentioned. We do not pay for a data plan on the ipad (too expensive), but you can access wifi almost anywhere where we live.
I would go to a store and play around to see what you like. I bought my son a 7 inch tablet and didnt like it. But I have a friend that has a 7 inch and loves it-carries it everywhere.
It really depends. I have an iPod touch and a prepaid phone in lieu of a smartphone. I don't need a data plan since pretty much everywhere I go I can find free wifi. And I don't talk on the phone or text a lot so I pay less than $20 a month.
There are also "Broadband to go" options instead of a data plan. These are either little UBS devices or mobile wifi hotspots and at my provider (Virgin Mobile) they start at $35 a month prepaid (no contract).
I do avoid contracts wherever I can, I think the cost is ridiculous and I dislike their marketing practices (get a "free" phone if you accept a $2000 contract).
I'd do a little more research before you decide.
Good luck!
I do not have a cell phone at all, but I do have a tablet. I do not have a data plan. I can access the internet on the tablet from just about any public place, because it seems wifi is offered everywhere these days. Even if there is no wifi the kids can still play games or watch videos. I much prefer using the tablet for the internet than the tiny little screen on my sons ipod touch, which I imagine isn't much different than using a smartphone.
I'm going to assume you don't have wifi?
I have a tablet and a smart phone, my phone does have data but I rarely use it cause just about everywhere has free wifi.
You don't need a data plan for a tablet. Many places have WiFi.
My Husband has an iPad. It is "his" BUT it is a FAMILY tablet.
We ALL use it.
So, even if the table is mainly "yours." bear in mind that the whole family will probably use it, too.
The iPad and Nook HD are GREAT tablets. These are the ones I recommend.
The Nook HD in fact, has better clarity than the iPad. And less eye strain etc. And does not have glare, as you look at it. And it is great while watching videos on it.
We have both of these.
The Nook HD is light and can fit in my purse very easily.
But the iPad apps, are cheaper than a Nook's.
A tablet has a bigger screen, and is thus much better for navigating it and looking at it and playing with it.
IF you have MAC computers at home or other Apple products... then I would highly recommend an iPad tablet. Because, THEN it can ALL BE synced, together. It is great that way. Very convenient and useful.
And, kids in schools use Apple computers too... so, the learning of it and use of it, at home also, would be convenient.
I would get wifi in the house, keep the phone and use the tablet with wifi. That's what we do.
I have iPhone and iPad. In fact, I just got a new iPad for Christmas...one of my very own.
My iPad I received 2 years ago has become the household pad and we take it almost everywhere we go. In the car, my daughter studies and I usually pick up wifi wherever we go. It is not a problem at all. We do go to a lot of the same places, so my wifi picks up automatically.
If everyone will be using it, how will also double as your phone?
