What is the battery life on an iPad air or android style tablet?.....Im in testing mode to see if I want to switch from my note pad laptop to some kind of tablet... I just dont trust using a device on stage on a 4 hr gigs just using battery power versus AC? I make lightning fast selections on mp3's, word files when needed, etc, etc, changes with my laptop now.. .....dont know using a tablet would be any better on just a flat screen propped up on a stand? vs keys..and how strong are connections audio etc,.. 1/8" I assume?

btw can you hook a tablet to a S950 for a lyrics display etc also some how?..

My ipad air has 10 to 14 hour, depending on use and settings. Most android tablets have considerably less, battery life is one of the very strong points of the Ipad.

I would need the tablet ON continuously for at least 4 hrs on a gig?.....also there is an AC option too I assume if needed?

Donny,
Not a problem. I have a FIRST GENERATION Ipad and it still gives me 8-9 hours of CONSTANT usage. I make sure it is fully charged each day for my gigs but have often forgot to do that and have played a 2 hour gig with it only 50% charged. Still had 30% left after the gig. Yes, they do come with a portable charger which you can keep plugged in during your gig if you want.

Deane

Dean thank you what do you use for a tablet stand?

You just have to keep in mind that you can't connect the iPAD to a keyboard AND charge it at the same time, because it's the same plug/socket. If you use an additional midi interface between the keyboard and the iPAD (e.g. iConnect Midi), there are some interfaces which charge the iPAD and some which don't!

No hookup to a keyboard at all

Donny,
I own two different holders for my Ipads.
Google both to see which you prefer. My favorite is the Hercules.
Both fit on a music stand rod - not the stand itself.

Google these:
GigEasy
Hercules

Deane

My Xoom Android will run all day on a charge. Also you CAN hook up the charger and USB at the same time. You can't charge it via USB.
It has usb and card slot for file storage also.

Don Dean thanks will check it out soon

Hi ... I have an original iPad1, and an iPad3. Battery life on both is excellent - I think my iPad1 gets nearly 10 hours still; my newer iPad3 seems to get ~10 hours. And for most ways I use it, they really do go down at about 10% per hour of "ON" use.

If you play outdoor gigs and need to turn the brightness way up (which I've done), expect the battery life to be somewhat less ... but I've never had a problem getting through even the longest gig with either iPad.

Jim

Thanks Jim

Don't forget... dial down the brightness a hair on these things, you can squeeze a chunk more up-time from them. Along with defeating wireless, bluetooth and the like ('Airplane Mode').

I know you did not ask Donny but I have the Surface Pro. I adore it for a multitude of reasons but battery life is not one of them! Honestly .... four hours if I am lucky. I believe the Surface 2 is better but I can't imagine it would be on a par with an ipad.

I did have an ipad 2 and an ipad 3 ... the 3 was the one that introduced the retina display and it still gave a good 10 hours. Also that retina display is so glorious. If you don't want to splurge on a new one ( the ipad air) I would recommend the third generation just so that you get that wonderful retina display. You won't be disappointed on the little extra you would have to pay over an ipad 2.

Thank you all

Android ASUS Tablet + Keyboard. Both contain a battery.
ASUS are stating up to 16 hours which after having it for 3 years appears about right.
Using the Tablet alone, when plugging back into the keyboard the Tablet auto tops up from the keyboards battery...very satisfied owner.

It still boils down to the apps...

Pick which ones you want to work with, and the decision about which tablet to get is usually made for you...

There is still a plethora of professional tablet apps thats ipad only
Also the upcomming tyors yamaha apps will be ipad only
Thats because of the ipad closed system works much better against piracy

But if you only want to use the ipad for reading music, the android is just as good.

The thing is, if you use an iPad, and get the apps from the iPad store, the writers of the software get a guaranteed income (if the app is successful) and therefore, you are FAR more likely to get timely bugfixes and even new and better versions.

Tablets where the content is less well protected will tend to have apps that don't get as much support. That's a big factor, IMHO...