I am a Linux (Ubuntu) user, whose only mobile device is a basic dumb
mobile 'phone, which has a camera. Until now, I have had no interest in anything "Smart-'phone" or similar, but now I have a need for something
like a tablet for use in the bedroom for checking e-mails etc. This is brought on by a severely sprained foot, created when I fell down some
steps and landed up with one foot twisted underneath me. Thermos flasks
went flying, a plate broke, and I chipped my wife's favourite coffee
mug. Mobility is not my strong suit for several weeks.
I have a WiFi network downstairs, which is where the main and Zoneminder computers live. At the end of each day, all updated files are backed up
to the Zoneminder PC, which is hard-wired. The main PC connects either
by cable or WiFi as appropriate. I am looking for recommendations for a tablet suitable for accessing my e-mails and backed-up files. If it
connects to the WiFi Network, it should be ok.
I know nothing of tablets, except that they seem ubiquitous now. TV presenters, the staff at Specsavers, everyone seems to have one (or
more). I don't need loads of 'apps' (horrid word), I just need basic
internet accessibility via WiFi. I don't need to spend multiple hundreds
of pounds, either. Firefox and Thunderbird are my browser and e-mail programmes of use, and LibreOffice for spreadsheets, writing, etc. Suggestions and recommendations welcome. As I say, I have no knowledge
of them at all.
I am a Linux (Ubuntu) user, whose only mobile device is a basic dumb
mobile 'phone, which has a camera. Until now, I have had no interest
in anything "Smart-'phone" or similar, but now I have a need for
something like a tablet for use in the bedroom for checking e-mails
etc. This is brought on by a severely sprained foot, created when I
fell down some steps and landed up with one foot twisted underneath
me. Thermos flasks went flying, a plate broke, and I chipped my wife's favourite coffee mug. Mobility is not my strong suit for several
weeks. I have a WiFi network downstairs, which is where the main
and Zoneminder computers live. At the end of each day, all updated
files are backed up to the Zoneminder PC, which is hard-wired. The
main PC connects either by cable or WiFi as appropriate. I am looking
for recommendations for a tablet suitable for accessing my e-mails and backed-up files. If it connects to the WiFi Network, it should be ok.
I know nothing of tablets, except that they seem ubiquitous now. TV presenters, the staff at Specsavers, everyone seems to have one (or
more). I don't need loads of 'apps' (horrid word), I just need basic internet accessibility via WiFi. I don't need to spend multiple
hundreds of pounds, either. Firefox and Thunderbird are my browser and e-mail programmes of use, and LibreOffice for spreadsheets, writing,
etc. Suggestions and recommendations welcome. As I say, I have no
knowledge of them at all.
Hello Davey!
Sunday October 03 2021 11:57, Davey wrote to All:
I am a Linux (Ubuntu) user, whose only mobile device is a basic dumb
mobile 'phone, which has a camera. Until now, I have had no interest
in anything "Smart-'phone" or similar, but now I have a need for
something like a tablet for use in the bedroom for checking e-mails
etc. This is brought on by a severely sprained foot, created when I
fell down some steps and landed up with one foot twisted underneath
me. Thermos flasks went flying, a plate broke, and I chipped my wife's favourite coffee mug. Mobility is not my strong suit for several
weeks. I have a WiFi network downstairs, which is where the main
and Zoneminder computers live. At the end of each day, all updated
files are backed up to the Zoneminder PC, which is hard-wired. The
main PC connects either by cable or WiFi as appropriate. I am looking
for recommendations for a tablet suitable for accessing my e-mails and backed-up files. If it connects to the WiFi Network, it should be ok.
I know nothing of tablets, except that they seem ubiquitous now. TV presenters, the staff at Specsavers, everyone seems to have one (or
more). I don't need loads of 'apps' (horrid word), I just need basic internet accessibility via WiFi. I don't need to spend multiple
hundreds of pounds, either. Firefox and Thunderbird are my browser and e-mail programmes of use, and LibreOffice for spreadsheets, writing,
etc. Suggestions and recommendations welcome. As I say, I have no
knowledge of them at all.
I have two devices for this purpose as well as a few server/desktop systems >that operate 24/7.
First is a Samsung tablet a Galaxy Tab A with 16Gb storage, bought to
attend council meeting and storing planning applications although the small >screen size of 11" does make it sometimes difficult to see but so far only >used a handful of times.
Second a Coda 11.7" laptop bought via one of the TV sales channels (22) for >around 230 pounds and runs Windows 10 that is kept up to date. I also use >this to back up my photos taken with a DSLR camera when going on holiday
and no not for almost two years :(
It is plenty fast enough for that and web browsing and picking up emails
etc and small enough to go into a small pouch or a protected back pack.
My main 24/7 system server runs Linux (Mageia v8) along with various
services such as BBS, web server, ftp and some others as well as an access >point into a mainframe (just to remind myself of how) since retiring.
Out of the above two options I have (in addition to the bigger kit) I
prefer the baby laptop and yes I do have a 16" one to a lot higher spec
with a price to match.
The draw back for the tablet is size but for very many people that's the >selling point along with it running under Android but every to their own
etc.
If you are interested I am willing to sell the tablet as I do not use it, >along with a protected flip case say for 180 pounds inc P&P (UK only).
This said I would still suggest a small laptop as it has a built in
keyboard but the drawback it is bigger than the tablet.
Vincent
Hatfield, UK.
Hello Davey!snip
Sunday October 03 2021 11:57, Davey wrote to All:
I am a Linux (Ubuntu) user, whose only mobile device is a basic
dumb mobile 'phone, which has a camera.
I have two devices for this purpose as well as a few server/desktop
systems that operate 24/7.
First is a Samsung tablet a Galaxy Tab A with 16Gb storage, bought to
attend council meeting and storing planning applications although the
small screen size of 11" does make it sometimes difficult to see but
so far only used a handful of times.
Second a Coda 11.7" laptop bought via one of the TV sales channels
(22) for around 230 pounds and runs Windows 10 that is kept up to
date. I also use this to back up my photos taken with a DSLR camera
when going on holiday and no not for almost two years :(
It is plenty fast enough for that and web browsing and picking up
emails etc and small enough to go into a small pouch or a protected
back pack.
My main 24/7 system server runs Linux (Mageia v8) along with various
services such as BBS, web server, ftp and some others as well as an
access point into a mainframe (just to remind myself of how) since
retiring.
Out of the above two options I have (in addition to the bigger kit) I
prefer the baby laptop and yes I do have a 16" one to a lot higher
spec with a price to match.
The draw back for the tablet is size but for very many people that's
the selling point along with it running under Android but every to
their own etc.
If you are interested I am willing to sell the tablet as I do not use
it, along with a protected flip case say for 180 pounds inc P&P (UK
only).
This said I would still suggest a small laptop as it has a built in
keyboard but the drawback it is bigger than the tablet.
Vincent
Hatfield, UK.
On Sun, 3 Oct 2021 11:57:31 +0100, Davey wrote:
I am a Linux (Ubuntu) user, whose only mobile device is a basic dumb
mobile 'phone, which has a camera.
knowledge of them at all.
Does it have to run Linux?
If not, could well be worth looking at lightweight laptops, such as
the Lenovo Yoga or those with names ending in 'book'. There are quite
a lot on eBay for reasonable prices: around GBP 150. I'm suggesting
this because you may not get on with using a keyboard thats just an
image on a touch-sensitive screen: I don't. Some of the Lenovos in
this category even have the red mouse controller 'joystick' in the
middle of the keyboard as well as a touch pad.
FWIW in 2017 I got a Lenovo T440 off eBay for GBP 300. It was and is
in good condition and has been my everyday computer since then,
running Fedora.
HTH
There is an interesting one, getting up steam. Don't know how soon it
will be shipping generally though. It's open souce hardware based
around the RasPi compute module.
https://cutiepi.io/
"Vincent Coen" <VBCoen@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Davey!snip
Sunday October 03 2021 11:57, Davey wrote to All:
I am a Linux (Ubuntu) user, whose only mobile device is a basic
dumb mobile 'phone, which has a camera.
I have two devices for this purpose as well as a few server/desktop
systems that operate 24/7.
First is a Samsung tablet a Galaxy Tab A with 16Gb storage, bought
to attend council meeting and storing planning applications although
the small screen size of 11" does make it sometimes difficult to see
but so far only used a handful of times. Second a Coda 11.7" laptop
bought via one of the TV sales channels (22) for around 230 pounds
and runs Windows 10 that is kept up to date. I also use this to back
up my photos taken with a DSLR camera when going on holiday and no
not for almost two years :( It is plenty fast enough for that and
web browsing and picking up emails etc and small enough to go into a
small pouch or a protected back pack. My main 24/7 system server
runs Linux (Mageia v8) along with various services such as BBS, web
server, ftp and some others as well as an access point into a
mainframe (just to remind myself of how) since retiring. Out of the
above two options I have (in addition to the bigger kit) I prefer
the baby laptop and yes I do have a 16" one to a lot higher spec
with a price to match. The draw back for the tablet is size but for
very many people that's the selling point along with it running
under Android but every to their own etc. If you are interested I
am willing to sell the tablet as I do not use it, along with a
protected flip case say for 180 pounds inc P&P (UK only). This
said I would still suggest a small laptop as it has a built in
keyboard but the drawback it is bigger than the tablet. Vincent
Hatfield, UK.
Excellent advice, much appreciated. Due to the space consideration, I
would prefer a tablet for this purpose, but I appreciate your
thinking. It will mostly just sit in the bedside cabinet drawer, to be
used on those fairly rare occasions when I need e-mail access before I
get up and go downstairs, such as when expecting deliveries from
Hermes, Yell, etc. .. I have been looking at available tablets, and
the Samsung Galaxy does seem to be a good and popular choice. I am
looking at the moment at: https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/nav/pt/tablet-pcs/stsc/32gb/tbltscrn/1 01-to-11/popops/sale/tabos/android/mc/849689?sortOrder=1
specifically:
SAVE £25
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 32GB SSD 10.4'' Tablet - Gold - SM-T500NZDAEUA
or variants thereof. New, for only £20 more than your used one! Rhank
you for the offer, by the way.
Many thanks for the response.
--
Davey.
Hello Davey!
Sunday October 03 2021 17:46, Davey wrote to All:
"Vincent Coen" <VBCoen@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Davey!snip
Sunday October 03 2021 11:57, Davey wrote to All:
I am a Linux (Ubuntu) user, whose only mobile device is a basic
dumb mobile 'phone, which has a camera.
I have two devices for this purpose as well as a few
server/desktop systems that operate 24/7.
First is a Samsung tablet a Galaxy Tab A with 16Gb storage, bought
to attend council meeting and storing planning applications
although the small screen size of 11" does make it sometimes
difficult to see but so far only used a handful of times. Second
a Coda 11.7" laptop bought via one of the TV sales channels (22)
for around 230 pounds and runs Windows 10 that is kept up to
date. I also use this to back up my photos taken with a DSLR
camera when going on holiday and no not for almost two
years :( It is plenty fast enough for that and web browsing and
picking up emails etc and small enough to go into a small pouch
or a protected back pack. My main 24/7 system server runs Linux
(Mageia v8) along with various services such as BBS, web server,
ftp and some others as well as an access point into a mainframe
(just to remind myself of how) since retiring. Out of the above
two options I have (in addition to the bigger kit) I prefer the
baby laptop and yes I do have a 16" one to a lot higher spec with
a price to match. The draw back for the tablet is size but for
very many people that's the selling point along with it running
under Android but every to their own etc. If you are interested
I am willing to sell the tablet as I do not use it, along with a
protected flip case say for 180 pounds inc P&P (UK only). This
said I would still suggest a small laptop as it has a built in
keyboard but the drawback it is bigger than the tablet. Vincent
Hatfield, UK.
Excellent advice, much appreciated. Due to the space
consideration, I would prefer a tablet for this purpose, but I
appreciate your thinking. It will mostly just sit in the bedside
cabinet drawer, to be used on those fairly rare occasions when I
need e-mail access before I get up and go downstairs, such as when expecting deliveries from Hermes, Yell, etc. .. I have been
looking at available tablets, and the Samsung Galaxy does seem to
be a good and popular choice. I am looking at the moment at: https://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/nav/pt/tablet-pcs/stsc/32gb/tbltscrn/1 01-to-11/popops/sale/tabos/android/mc/849689?sortOrder=1
specifically:
SAVE £25
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 32GB SSD 10.4'' Tablet - Gold -
SM-T500NZDAEUA
or variants thereof. New, for only £20 more than your used one!
Rhank you for the offer, by the way.
Many thanks for the response.
--
Davey.
Don't forget the case (20 ish) and P&P 5 or more.
Oh, my one will turn off the tablet when closing it over the display.
I allowed 10 for P&P including insurance via the courier.
Vincent
If Android is a variant of Linux, why do the websites keep pushing
Norton? I got rid of him years ago, when Norton 360 slowed my PC down
to a crawl.
Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:
If Android is a variant of Linux, why do the websites keep pushing
Norton? I got rid of him years ago, when Norton 360 slowed my PC
down to a crawl.
Android is not a version of Linux, as most people experience it. It
happens to use its own fork of the Linux kernel, but everything above
that level is completely different. The apps you run are totally
different, and you should be prepared to learn new apps for
everything (while you can get Firefox on Android, it's different to
Firefox on desktop, for example).
As to the ads: advertisers lie, especially on the internet.
An error some 'technical' people make when moving to a new platform
like Android is to expect it to work the same as the Windows they're
used to, which means they expect to install antivirus, 'cleaners', 'optimisers' etc. It isn't Windows. Antivirus generally isn't very
effective on Windows and third-party AV is looking more and more like
malware these days - likewise the 'cleaners' are of dubious
provenance and solving a problem that doesn't exist.
It isn't Windows, and it isn't Linux either. It's different.
Theo
Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:
If Android is a variant of Linux, why do the websites keep pushing
Norton? I got rid of him years ago, when Norton 360 slowed my PC down
to a crawl.
Android is not a version of Linux, as most people experience it. It
happens to use its own fork of the Linux kernel, but everything above
that level is completely different. The apps you run are totally
different, and you should be prepared to learn new apps for everything
(while you can get Firefox on Android, it's different to Firefox on
desktop, for example).
As to the ads: advertisers lie, especially on the internet.
An error some 'technical' people make when moving to a new platform like Android is to expect it to work the same as the Windows they're used to, which means they expect to install antivirus, 'cleaners', 'optimisers' etc. It isn't Windows. Antivirus generally isn't very effective on Windows and third-party AV is looking more and more like malware these days - likewise the 'cleaners' are of dubious provenance and solving a problem that doesn't exist.
If Android is a variant of Linux, why do the websites keep pushing
Norton? I got rid of him years ago, when Norton 360 slowed my PC down
to a crawl.
--
Davey.
It isn't Windows, and it isn't Linux either. It's different.
Theo
Ok. I don't care if it resembles Windows or not, I don't do Windows,
but I will expect a different experience to Ubuntu when/if I take the plunge.
...also Windows has had antivirus built in since (IIRC) Vista. The
entire 3rd party AV industry should have found something better to do
with their time at that point.
Hello Davey!
Monday October 04 2021 13:55, Davey wrote to All:
It isn't Windows, and it isn't Linux either. It's different.
Theo
Ok. I don't care if it resembles Windows or not, I don't do
Windows, but I will expect a different experience to Ubuntu
when/if I take the plunge.
You will !
Vincent
More thoughts. I had not thought about it before, but it would be very
useful if the tablet I finally get could also talk to the internet of
its own accord, ie with a mobile connection. So it would need a SIM
slot, and the Galaxy A 7 Tab I am looking at does not.
More thoughts. I had not thought about it before, but it would be very useful if the tablet I finally get could also talk to the internet of
its own accord, ie with a mobile connection. So it would need a SIM
slot, and the Galaxy A 7 Tab I am looking at does not.
I am now looking at Connectivity via WiFi, Bluetooth and Cellular,
which I think is the correct terminology. Sounds like the USA term for 'mobile.' The Galaxy is around £200, just fine, with extra for the
case no problem, that will be similar whatever unit I get. Any
thoughts on this extra spec. are welcome. Some of the
website comparison charts are vague or even empty when defining
Connectivity for the tablets they sell. Finally, how do you select the
right SIM? I once bought one at Tesco for a dongle I have, and it
turned out to not be suitable for some reason, but I could not tell
that from reading the blurb on the packet.
Thanks for discussions and help.
On Mon, 04 Oct 2021 22:11:18 +0100
"Vincent Coen" <VBCoen@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Davey!
Monday October 04 2021 13:55, Davey wrote to All:
It isn't Windows, and it isn't Linux either. It's different.
Theo
Ok. I don't care if it resembles Windows or not, I don't do
Windows, but I will expect a different experience to Ubuntu
when/if I take the plunge.
You will !
Vincent
More thoughts. I had not thought about it before, but it would be very
useful if the tablet I finally get could also talk to the internet of
its own accord, ie with a mobile connection. So it would need a SIM
slot, and the Galaxy A 7 Tab I am looking at does not.
I am now looking at Connectivity via WiFi, Bluetooth and Cellular,
which I think is the correct terminology. Sounds like the USA term for 'mobile.' The Galaxy is around £200, just fine, with extra for the case
no problem, that will be similar whatever unit I get.
Any thoughts on this extra spec. are welcome. Some of the website
comparison charts are vague or even empty when defining Connectivity
for the tablets they sell.
Finally, how do you select the right SIM? I once bought one at Tesco
for a dongle I have, and it turned out to not be suitable for some
reason, but I could not tell that from reading the blurb on the
packet.
Thanks for discussions and help.
More thoughts. I had not thought about it before, but it would be
very useful if the tablet I finally get could also talk to the
internet of
I believe all tablets can talk to the internet via wifi.
To connect to a mobile network.its own accord, ie with a mobile connection. So it would need a
SIM
Why would it need a sim slot?
I am confused, but that is the problem. I need un-confusing byslot, and the Galaxy A 7 Tab I am looking at does not.
I am now looking at Connectivity via WiFi, Bluetooth and Cellular,
which I think is the correct terminology. Sounds like the USA term
for 'mobile.' The Galaxy is around £200, just fine, with extra for
the case no problem, that will be similar whatever unit I get.
Any thoughts on this extra spec. are welcome. Some of the website comparison charts are vague or even empty when defining Connectivity
for the tablets they sell.
Finally, how do you select the right SIM? I once bought one at
Tesco
I think you are confused, but am not sure exactly how.
Some people call these phablets, though despite having one it's not
an expression I would normally use. Mine's a Samsung SM-T719,
several years old now. As it happens there's a 'seller refurbished'
one on eBay ATM (no connection with me at all):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334159181305
When reading reviews of the model, some people complained that they
would plug it in and it wouldn't charge. Mine has never had this
problem, though an experience with my then mobile, another Samsung
with the same connector, suggested to me how the above fault might
come about. I had it charging perched on the arm of a sofa, but
caught the lead accidentally as I got up, knocking it off onto the
floor. Subsequently the connector from that particular charger was
very unreliable in that particular phone, a problem which I solved by
using a different charger for it, until eventually it died anyway,
see below. The moral seems to be not to have any sort of accident
while the phone is plugged into a charger. Leave it alone on a flat
surface like a desk or table, do not try to use it while charging,
and keep the lead out of the way of getting accidentally caught.
Like you, I thought it would be wise to have a tablet with mobile connectivity, as a backup in case my mobile packed up, which two
years later it did! As you suggest, most tablets do not have mobile connectivity, only WiFi, Bluetooth, etc, and I could only find the equivalent model *WITHOUT* mobile connectivity in the UK Samsung
website store, so instead I got mine through Amazon from, IMS,
Germany, which was fine, particularly, as I tried to check before,
the charger had the correct UK plug. The model with mobile
connectivity cost about £60 more than the model without, as events
proved, well worth it.
I also brought a jacket for it, which I recommend, to help protect
the camera lens, the one on the mobile having got scratched resulting
in slightly blurred pictures. The jacket engages with two connectors
on the back of the tablet, and the front has a magnetic latch, such
that when you open it, the screen turns on automatically. The front
can also fold into a triangular tube behind the tablet, like a
Toblerone tube, and act a stand.
The only aspects of it that I'm disappointed with are the lack of a
flash unit for the camera, which was unexpected as I hadn't noticed
that from the specs, and that, predictably, there is no way that the
tablet will fit into a trouser pocket, it will fit into the map
pocket of an outdoor jacket, but virtually nothing else. For that
reason I still miss my phone.
Apart from the above, I'm pleased and very satisfied with it.
--
On Thu, 7 Oct 2021 13:28:52 -0000 (UTC)
William Unruh <unruh@invalid.ca> wrote:
If there is a hotspot close by, but not if not, I believe.More thoughts. I had not thought about it before, but it would be
very useful if the tablet I finally get could also talk to the
internet of
I believe all tablets can talk to the internet via wifi.
To connect to a mobile network.its own accord, ie with a mobile connection. So it would need a
SIM
Why would it need a sim slot?
slot, and the Galaxy A 7 Tab I am looking at does not.
I am now looking at Connectivity via WiFi, Bluetooth and Cellular,
which I think is the correct terminology. Sounds like the USA term
for 'mobile.' The Galaxy is around £200, just fine, with extra for
the case no problem, that will be similar whatever unit I get.
It was probably a voice connection without data.I am confused, but that is the problem. I need un-confusing byAny thoughts on this extra spec. are welcome. Some of the website
comparison charts are vague or even empty when defining Connectivity
for the tablets they sell.
Finally, how do you select the right SIM? I once bought one at
Tesco
I think you are confused, but am not sure exactly how.
learning how to tell from the packet description if a SIM is useable for
a certain device and the required connections. The one I described from
Tesco was a 'Three' SIM (some 3 years ago now), and when I put it into
my Huawei PC dongle, it would not connect to the internet.
yes, but no further. 'Three' said when I asked that it was not a
suitable SIM for what I needed, and offered to sell me a suitable
one, but did not elaborate on how to select the correct one the next
time.
On Thu, 7 Oct 2021 13:44:02 +0100
Java Jive <java@evij.com.invalid> wrote:
Some people call these phablets, though despite having one it's not
an expression I would normally use. Mine's a Samsung SM-T719,
several years old now. As it happens there's a 'seller refurbished'
one on eBay ATM (no connection with me at all):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334159181305
When reading reviews of the model, some people complained that they
would plug it in and it wouldn't charge. Mine has never had this
problem, though an experience with my then mobile, another Samsung
with the same connector, suggested to me how the above fault might
come about. I had it charging perched on the arm of a sofa, but
caught the lead accidentally as I got up, knocking it off onto the
floor. Subsequently the connector from that particular charger was
very unreliable in that particular phone, a problem which I solved by
using a different charger for it, until eventually it died anyway,
see below. The moral seems to be not to have any sort of accident
while the phone is plugged into a charger. Leave it alone on a flat
surface like a desk or table, do not try to use it while charging,
and keep the lead out of the way of getting accidentally caught.
Like you, I thought it would be wise to have a tablet with mobile
connectivity, as a backup in case my mobile packed up, which two
years later it did! As you suggest, most tablets do not have mobile
connectivity, only WiFi, Bluetooth, etc, and I could only find the
equivalent model *WITHOUT* mobile connectivity in the UK Samsung
website store, so instead I got mine through Amazon from, IMS,
Germany, which was fine, particularly, as I tried to check before,
the charger had the correct UK plug. The model with mobile
connectivity cost about £60 more than the model without, as events
proved, well worth it.
I also brought a jacket for it, which I recommend, to help protect
the camera lens, the one on the mobile having got scratched resulting
in slightly blurred pictures. The jacket engages with two connectors
on the back of the tablet, and the front has a magnetic latch, such
that when you open it, the screen turns on automatically. The front
can also fold into a triangular tube behind the tablet, like a
Toblerone tube, and act a stand.
The only aspects of it that I'm disappointed with are the lack of a
flash unit for the camera, which was unexpected as I hadn't noticed
that from the specs, and that, predictably, there is no way that the
tablet will fit into a trouser pocket, it will fit into the map
pocket of an outdoor jacket, but virtually nothing else. For that
reason I still miss my phone.
Apart from the above, I'm pleased and very satisfied with it.
--
Thanks for that review. The reason I am looking for mobile connection
is that we occasionally visit a place near London, a flat in a private
house, with no public WiFi, and taking a tablet instead of lugging a
laptop around to there would be much easier. My mobile is a dumb
'phone, but it does what I need, to make emergency calls when on the
road, and to take photos if required. I checked yesterday, despite
having an icons for e-mail on the screen, it can't do anything
internet, so tethering is put of the question!
It is a large old house that is divided into five totally separateThanks for that review. The reason I am looking for mobile
connection is that we occasionally visit a place near London, a
flat in a private house, with no public WiFi, and taking a tablet
instead of lugging a
but the house probably has private wifi, so you need the wifi
password, and then use the tablet to connect to the wifi. Ask the
people in the house what the password is and if you can use their
wifi. Do you really want to pay 20 pounds a month to get the data so
that you can use that on the occasions you visit that house?
laptop around to there would be much easier. My mobile is a dumb
IF you can use your laptop there, which will use the wifi connection,
then you can use almost any tablet to connect to that same wifi.
The 'phone online manual says it can't do e-mail, as in: 'Not'phone, but it does what I need, to make emergency calls when on the
road, and to take photos if required. I checked yesterday, despite
having an icons for e-mail on the screen, it can't do anything
internet, so tethering is put of the question!
Your phone plan probably does not include data.
On 2021-10-07, Davey <davey@example.invalid> wrote:
On Thu, 7 Oct 2021 13:28:52 -0000 (UTC)
William Unruh <unruh@invalid.ca> wrote:
If there is a hotspot close by, but not if not, I believe.More thoughts. I had not thought about it before, but it would be
very useful if the tablet I finally get could also talk to the
internet of
I believe all tablets can talk to the internet via wifi.
If there is a wireless network that you can connect to, yes. Youhave not
told us what you want. If it is to use at home, use your home wireless network. If you want to go to ulan bator, and still connect, they you
will need sim which can connect to a DATA network, not a phone network.
And the chances of your say british sim being able to connect to a
network in Ulan Bator is low.
So, your tablet needs to operate as a phone, as well as a tablet, and
you need to pay some phone provider to supply you with a data
connection.
slot, and the Galaxy A 7 Tab I am looking at does not.
I am now looking at Connectivity via WiFi, Bluetooth and Cellular,
What you were describing seemes to me to be cellular.
which I think is the correct terminology. Sounds like the USA term
for 'mobile.' The Galaxy is around £200, just fine, with extra for
the case no problem, that will be similar whatever unit I get.
Plus 20 pounds a month for the cellular/mobile phone service.
I am confused, but that is the problem. I need un-confusing by
learning how to tell from the packet description if a SIM is useable for
a certain device and the required connections. The one I described from Tesco was a 'Three' SIM (some 3 years ago now), and when I put it into
my Huawei PC dongle, it would not connect to the internet.
It is hard to figure out what the problem was with the info you have
given.
And the chances of your say british sim being able to connect to a
network in Ulan Bator is low.
I think you're confusing things further. There's no difference
between 'phone' and 'data' networks - they're all 'mobile' aka
'cellular' aka 'LTE' networks.
Nobody mentioned going to Ulan Bator. The only mention was London,
and the options are:
a) find out the password for the wifi in whatever place he's
staying. That assumes that find-out-able, and not (for example) in a
hotel where they charge £10 a day for internet. It isn't automatic
that the OP would be allowed on whatever wifi network exists in the
place they're staying, so we can't presume this is definitely
possible.
b) use the cellular/LTE functionality in the OP's tablet to connect.
This also works anywhere, eg in the middle of a park, where there is
no wifi network. But it is an extra cost (see below).
So, your tablet needs to operate as a phone, as well as a tablet,
and you need to pay some phone provider to supply you with a data connection.
It is not necessary to use it as a phone, merely to access mobile
data. The OP doesn't say they want to make phone calls with it.
Some tablets can use mobile data but not make phone calls.
slot, and the Galaxy A 7 Tab I am looking at does not.
I am now looking at Connectivity via WiFi, Bluetooth and
Cellular,
What you were describing seemes to me to be cellular.
Yes. Also 'LTE', '4G' or '5G' depending on what level of cellular
support it has. Every tablet has wifi and Bluetooth so that
typically isn't listed in the headline description.
which I think is the correct terminology. Sounds like the USA
term for 'mobile.' The Galaxy is around £200, just fine, with
extra for the case no problem, that will be similar whatever
unit I get.
Plus 20 pounds a month for the cellular/mobile phone service.
You can get service for 1p/MB on PAYG, or about £5 in one-off bundles
for some volume of data. There's no need to take out a monthly
contract if you don't want to, and it may not make sense for the OP's
use case. (you can also get contracts you can 'pause' and then
unpause when you want to use them, starting at £6/month - from Smarty)
It isn't free like wifi usually is, but the cost does scale with use.
I am confused, but that is the problem. I need un-confusing by
learning how to tell from the packet description if a SIM is
useable for a certain device and the required connections. The
one I described from Tesco was a 'Three' SIM (some 3 years ago
now), and when I put it into my Huawei PC dongle, it would not
connect to the internet.
In general, any SIM will work in a tablet. The main thing is getting
one to physically fit (nowadays all new SIMs are multi-size, so you
just push out the size you want from the carrier). There is a bit of
setup that most tablets should handle automatically. And then it's
just down to tariff.
(There is also a compatibility complication with different 4G/5G
networks if you travel abroad. That's not a problem for the OP's
situation)
It is hard to figure out what the problem was with the info you have
given.
Seems straightforward to me.
To the OP, it seems the Android tablet market has been neglected of
late. There's:
Samsung
Xiaomi
Lenovo
Amazon Fire (which don't allow access to apps on the Play Store and so
aren't 'full' Android, although there are workarounds)
Various budget no-brands bought on ebay/Amazon/Aliexpress/etc, often
of junk quality although maybe fine for light use
There are some new releases coming out - this links to some articles: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/10/nokia-t20-is-a-250-10-4-inch-android-tablet-with-a-big-battery/
You would need to look for the LTE/4G/5G versions, if available.
I'm assuming the 'large phone' form factor (roughly 150 x 75mm) is too
small?
My other suggestion would be to look at the iPad. The iPad ecosystem
is much better developed in terms of tablet apps, where Android has
been neglected. If you're going to relearn all your apps anyway it
doesn't seem a huge difference to learn i(Pad)OS ones rather than
Android. Android doesn't integrate a whole lot better with Linux
than iOS does, so they're about even on that score.
The one thing you might not like about iPadOS is the filesystem is
largely hidden from apps, so you don't 'open' files saved by a
different app, you 'share' from one app to another. I think that
means for accessing your NAS you run an SMB client app and then share
into an editor, and then the file can be saved back to the NAS (I
think, I haven't actually tried this). There's a 'Files' app to
manage this, but it still has holes if you live in a file-based
workflow.
Apple hardware is more expensive, especially if you want LTE, but it's supported with OS updates for much longer (5+ years, compared to
often rapid abandonment with Android). What I'd suggest is looking
at refurb models which are often a lot cheaper when a year or so old,
and in generally good condition with warranty. For example: https://www.musicmagpie.co.uk/store/apple-ipad-store
Hello Folderol!
Sunday October 03 2021 16:55, Folderol wrote to All:
> There is an interesting one, getting up steam. Don't know how soon it
> will be shipping generally though. It's open souce hardware based
> around the RasPi compute module.
> https://cutiepi.io/
Looks like it 'might' only use a SD card for storage so I will wait for a
SSD device but as it is a US made product warranty could be a problem :(
I am a Linux (Ubuntu) user, whose only mobile device is a basic dumbsnip
mobile 'phone, which has a camera. Until now, I have had no interest
in anything "Smart-'phone" or similar, but now I have a need for
something like a tablet for use in the bedroom for checking e-mails
etc.
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