I really like the size of them, but I have no home WiFi access. Cable is not out here so any real internet speed would be via Satellite, which I doubt I will be getting anytime soon.

I was just wondering if these tablets are good for doing much without an internet connection? Would they run my Windows programs that I now use in my notebook?

Something like this for example. It looks like it uses a  proprietary operating system...so I'm doubtful it can do too much without an internet connection. Though I suppose I could connect at free WiFi spots, just not at home.This is just an example its $179.

Thanks.

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I bought a cheap tablet that actually came with an adapter so I can plug an ethernet cable into it and use it on my wired home network.  I can websurf on it.  Very slowly.  Mainly, I play Angry Birds.

I only paid $60 for it so I wasn't expecting much.

Something like this for example. It looks like it uses a  proprietary operating system...so I'm doubtful it can do too much without an internet connection.

I think  they're all proprietary operating systems.  They aren't really 'computers', and have to have programs written specifically for their own systems. You won't be able to load any Windows programs into it.

With no Wifi and no real interent access, I think it depends on what you can get on it before you lose access to the net and what you can load on it through some sort of USB connection from your computer.

You won't be able to browse or check email without wifi or 3g of some sort. Even if you can browse by connecting it to your main computer, I don't see the point in that. It's be a lot smaller screen and slow.

What exactly are you wanting one for? What are you wanting to do on it?

I want it to do everything my notebook does. (Seems they won't.)

I really like the size. (I still do.)

It's as I expected. Pretty much useless without a constant WiFi connection.

If you're not able to connect to the Internet at least at some point, you won't get much use out of your tablet. To get some use out of it, you need to download apps, and to do that, you need an internet connection.

I have an iPad and I haven't purchased a data plan. However, I live in NYC and I can connect to a free Wi-Fi at work, in every Starbucks, every public library, most parks and in a lot of cafes and restaurants.

I suppose it comes down to are any of the available apps usable (or useful) without being connected to the internet.

I want it to do everything my notebook does. (Seems they won't.)

I really like the size. (I still do.)

It's as I expected. Pretty much useless without a constant WiFi connection.

Unfortunatly, that sounds about right.