Wi Fi tablet in France/Germany

I travel throughout Europe with my iPad and love it! I only use wi fi - I do not have a phone contract with it. Wi fi is becoming more and more available in public places. It is also one of the criteria I use when selecting a hotel - free wi fi. I used to bring my netbook but I got my iPad and never looked back. I rent movies on it before I leave so we have movies to watch on some of the longer train journeys. I can skype with my family and friends, I can check my emails, etc. I don't travel without it.

The manufacturer of the tablet is pretty much irrelevant, they will all work. I don't think any mainstream Tablet is nod quad-band these days (in case you are going to use some data plan while in Europe).

Moreover, public wi-fi is becoming more and more common throughout Europe, and any tablet has Wi-Fi capabilities.

I go lighter with an Ipod touch but I've found wifi is widely available in virtually all hotels, most restaurants, bars, cafes and a lot of other places.

i was in Munich for 3 days and used my samsung tablet at my hotel. Worked fine and no troubles at all.

Dennismurr,

i was looking to buy a Samsung tablet/notebook for my travels next year to replace my 3 ring binder. But it appears that the new Notebook/tablets have regional locks that wont go away on some.

i guess i will have to re-evaluate my selection.

happy trails.

I took my iPad 2 on my last International trip (Spain & France) and won't travel without a tablet again. It was so much easier than using an iPod touch (for me) and a net book, all of which I have traveled with. I used it to Skype. You can also use FaceTime to communicate with other Apple users. When my iPad has to be replaced I will probably get an iPad mini. My husband has an 8" Galaxy 3 Tab that he really likes. He has not traveled internationally with it.

The increasing availability of free wifi in Europe over the past few years makes having a tablet or similar extremely practical. On our last trip, we used Skype phone for voice calls back to the States (which runs less than 3 cents a minute), rather than relying on a phone card or buying a sim card for a cell phone.

I am now retiring my heavy 17" laptop when traveling.
I finally got a SmartPhone that'll do all I need it to do.
Virtually every hotel and B&B in Europe has WiFi by now. If not, I will find other accommodations.

I have been using my smartphone and taking advantage of the many free WiFi spots. I am considering an Ipad mini as I’d like a larger screen for my room in the evenings to do photos and other things. Also, the battery life on the phone doesn’t last long enough when I use it throughout the day as a phone/camera/internet. On the RS tours the past several years, around 65-70% of the group has a tablet or an Ipad in use on the bus.

Thanks to all. Based on the pro-tablet answers I received, I plan to purchase a Nexus 7 for this trip unless anyone out there knows a reason not to do so. Again, thanks

Dennismurr,

As with any toy, do your homework.

The NExus 7 is rated good for tablets, but i would examine what your needs are and go from there.

Happy trails.

I travel light. Even my 10 inch tablet is bigger than I want to pack. I bring an Ipod touch (wifi only) for Skype, email, itineraries, contact/emergency numbers, alarm clock, music, translation apps, etc.

I used to travel with a lightweight netbook, but since I got my iPad Mini it's the only thing I use now when traveling. I find it less convenient for backing up photos (in fact, I don't even know how to do it, so I just lived without that feature - maybe someone else can comment helpfully here). But for absolutely every other kind of use, the iPad Mini cannot be beat, in my opinion. I used wifi exclusively and never ever ran into a situation when I wished I had cellular access. Wifi is virtually everywhere in Europe, I think even moreso than in the US.