I'm curious. What do you guys think are the best full size Android tablets out there? My reflex answers are:

• Nexus 10--it's the gold standard, right? That's where you start?
• Asus Transformer TF300T--this is based on my experience with the earlier model--it seems to be the best integrated keyboard, and I don't have anything bad to say about my 100 that doesn't seem to be addressed here (the screen doesn't feel like a tablet when it's disconnected, because of the curved back--this is much flatter, and all round thinner)
• Galaxy Tab 2--this might be the Galaxy Tab "1" owner talking, but as far as I'm concerned, the only issues with my first purchase are the lack of expansion options--no USB, no SD cards. The Tab 2 fixes this, and if it's still as thin as before (thinner than the iPad 2, with a larger screen) it's a pleasure in my hand.

Honourable guess:

• Galaxy Note 10.1--I've never used any iteration of the Note, but I can't lie--the ads make me wonder about Note-only functionality. Can I get another tablet to run two apps on the screen the same way? A bit part of the appeal of Android to me is the ability to run the same things on different tablets, but clearly the vendors want differentiation. The Note seems to be the highest profile example of this. I WANT TO KNOW. Also, I hear it's the least laggy tablet when it comes to stylus use, and that's an improvement I'd enjoy. I can't wait until the next version, so I can get the first try cheaper.

Asus Transformer TF300T

Tim got a refurbished Transformer through a Groupon deal towards the end of last year, and he loves it. I can't remember the exact model number, though. I'm unimpressed with the camera, but then if someone wants to take killer photos, they probably aren't using a tablet. (Except, ita, didn't you take some really great photos with your tablet during your sister's birthday weekend? Was it the Transformer?)

No--I was using the Galaxy Tab. It's weird to handle, but 3 megapixels isn't that bad, and I find the tablet way better to review and manipulate pictures on, clearly.

I think Tim bought a Transformer in the same sale I did, so it's the 100. It's on the heavy side, and the tablet only is clunky, but it's connected up the wazoo, and with the keyboard attached has nutso battery life. It's not the tablet I carry around most of the time, but it comes on long trips (ER and upwards). I mean, it still fits in my normal "handbag".

Has the Toshiba Thrive been notably upgraded in the last year or so?

It's on the heavy side,

See, I only have laptops to compare it to, rather than tablets, so I'm always impressed with its weight. But I know that's not apples to apples.

and the tablet only is clunky, but it's connected up the wazoo, and with the keyboard attached has nutso battery life.

Seriously, the keyboard taps into some dark magic to provide that much battery life. It's amazing.

I've never had a smartphone and am considering it! On a cheap-o plan. But I have no idea how to decide anything. I don't want to spend a lot of money on the phone, because I don't think I care that much about bells and whistles.

I'm currently with T-Mobile, and have fine service from them, so am inclined to go on one of their no-contract plans. But Virgin Mobile gives significantly more minutes for $5 more. But I don't know that there is a Virgin Mobile store for me to go see the possible phones in person. I've looked at some CNet reviews, but they review almost too much on the curve for me -- they give a good grade for "not as bad as you'd think, given how cheap it is," and I can't tell if that will be a problem for me or not.

In short, does anyone have any advice for picking an entry-level smartphone and plan?

I bet Megan Walker does!

Jesse,

I think the main thing to ask yourself is: what do you imagine doing with a smartphone? For example (and I don't know if there is an equivalent in Android), but before I bought an iphone, I bought an ipod and kept my other phone (which was a Nokia and I loved Nokias).

I wasn't sure I'd like the iphone and found that having an ipod was a much cheaper way to have access to the app environment and see if this was an ecosystem in which I wanted to spend more cold hard cash. After using an ipod for about 6-8 months, I got an iphone. I also knew some key things I wanted from a smartphone, but very much enjoyed the possibilities of iphone.

You have a lot more options now than I did back then - but I would say this to you:

while it is possible to move from iphone to android (and vice versa), the app ecosystems in both cost $$ and it might be difficult committing resources to one and then switching to another unless you have easy access to used devices, etc. So now is the time to ask and see which models you might want to try.

I know most about iphones, so if you end up getting one and have questions, I'm happy to help and provide recommendations for apps, etc. I have bought a lot, so I can give reviews, etc. If you get an older iphone (like before iphone 5), you probably can get a really good deal on the price of the phone. I got Beau a 4S 16 GB for a really good price on Verizon.

Others can chime in on Android.

I think the main thing to ask yourself is: what do you imagine doing with a smartphone?

Yeah, I have no idea! Which is why I don't have one yet. I have a "texting phone" and an old iPod mini, which I mostly use for podcasts.

I will do some more self-examination before committing to anything.

How much money have people spent on their apps, and would you rate yourself on a scale of low, medium, or high usage?

I think I might have spent $20 apart from work requirements (two big apps for $20 each), but I don't think of power user as an expensive place to hang out.

How different are other people's experiences?

do you facebook, tweet, take photos, play games, need gps, need to email, travel a lot (car, bus, or plane), read, watch video, listen to music, skype?

those are a sample of things a lot of people do with a smartphone. There are more of course, but I was trying to keep your personality in mind. the biggest recurring expense of a smartphone is the data plan per month.

I don't talk on the phone a whole lot, and I don't text much except with Beau, but I use data and even with our shared data plan it is not cheap.