do you need a data plan with a tablet?

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uglijimus

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My wife and I are thinking about getting an e-reader or tablet for an upcoming trip to Japan with our 4-year old daughter. If we get a tablet, do we need a data plan in order to access the internet while in mid-flight? or is Wi-fi enough?

how about with an e-reader? you can access the internet right? do you need a data plan with this or will wi-fi work? I heard that accessing the internet on an e-reader is clunky. Sorry for the newbie questions, but I have no experience with any of these devices including smart phones and am just trying to figure out what direction we want to go. I would love to take my laptop but it is too heavy unfortunately.



 
Solution
jaguarskx
All major airlines are in the process of installing WiFi in their planes, but you need to verify if your specific flight will have WiFi access. Keep in mind it will not be a free service.

Here's JAL as an example:
https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/sky_wifi/

JAL also offers free Wifi access in Japan:
http://www.ar.jal.com/world/en/freewifi/


As for the tablet itself... I can't really give a recommendation. I've only had a Nexus 7 (Android) which died last year. 🙁 My next tablet will be one that uses Windows.
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If you want to access Internet during the flight, WiFi would be enough (providing that the aircraft is so equipped, and you are willing to spend couple of bucks).

If you get a tablet, look for a device with SD or MicroSD card option - this will allow you to load it with movies. This excludes iPad, though - Apple think you have to spend $100 more for 16gb more than $20 for 32gb card.
 
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The brand of tablet really depends on what you're using now with regards to your computer. If your family all use Macs and iPhones... then it wouldn't make any sense to buy an Android tablet... You would have a much better experience getting an iPad. If you do use android phones then you should go ahead and get an Android tablet. However, if your wife and yourself are NEW to smartphones or want a quick an easy experience with your tablet, then I would recommend an Amazon Tablet like the Kindle Fire HDX..
 
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All major airlines are in the process of installing WiFi in their planes, but you need to verify if your specific flight will have WiFi access. Keep in mind it will not be a free service.

Here's JAL as an example:
https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/sky_wifi/

JAL also offers free Wifi access in Japan:
http://www.ar.jal.com/world/en/freewifi/


As for the tablet itself... I can't really give a recommendation. I've only had a Nexus 7 (Android) which died last year. 🙁 My next tablet will be one that uses Windows.
 
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Solution
My family and I are PC users, but I have no reservations about getting a mac if necessary. I did not know that a tablet could have SD or microSD option. this is a game changer. We do not intend to use it in Japan, but if we could it would be a great bonus. Now armed with this information that you guys have supplied, I think our needs are morphing a little.

So if we got something like the Kindle Fire HDX, we could satisfy our web browsing (dependent upon airlines and territorial accessibility), but would we be able to load up movies, music through an external port like a USB port?
also, would we be able to purchase on-line books and download them to the tablet as well?
 
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Yes, virtually all tablets will allow to insert a micro-SD (not sure about full size SD), the exception could be very inexpensive tablets.

Yes, you can load and watch movies as long as it is a format the built-in player or a player you download can play that format.

Yes, you can download ebooks and read them. Just use the Kindle app which is likely pre-installed.

A Full Tutorial of the Droid OS for Beginners (tablet)

If you are familiar with Windows 8.1, then a Windows 8.1 tablet should be easy enough to learn since it operates the same way as a desktop or laptop with Windows 8.1 install. Naturally, a Windows 8.1 tablet will have a touchscreen which is not ubiquitous on full size monitors and all laptops.
 
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Apple iPad don't have SD slots
Amazon Kindle Fire HD and HDX don't have SD slots, but media files could be loaded on it e.g. thru WiFi.
In fact, "cheap" tablets are much more likely to have SD/microSD slots (not that I would recommend any).
 
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thanks guys, I think I'm headed for the Kindle Fire HDX. It's nice to know that I would be able to download e-books. Does anyone know if I would be able to download Japanese e-books with it??
 
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When you register your Fire with Amazon, you will have an option to assign a @kindle.com email address to it, where you can email books. Since Fire is almost an Android tablet, you can also use it to browse e.g. DropBox / OneDrive and download your books from there.
 
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