Tablet recommendation

[diego]

so the fine print on my local deal here was that the tablet got delivered weeks later. Now that i've had it a couple days, Im pretty satisfied. xbmc and netflix work great, the screen is pretty and very bright, and its light and thin and generally very easy to handle. The ir blaster works as advertised, as does the water proofing. The only bummers are the battery life is weaker than my friends ipad, and I havent been able to get miracast screen mirroring to work yet (though it might be the tv box i got, my nexus 4 wont cast onto it either). Also, the water proofing works but the water reacts with the screen so unless there is an app out there that takes timed snapshots without responding to the touch screen, all the water proofing is really good for is easy cleaning and extra durability. It is nice to watch movies in the middle of the pool though

[cantthinkofanything]

so the fine print on my local deal here was that the tablet got delivered weeks later. Now that i've had it a couple days, Im pretty satisfied. xbmc and netflix work great, the screen is pretty and very bright, and its light and thin and generally very easy to handle. The ir blaster works as advertised, as does the water proofing. The only bummers are the battery life is weaker than my friends ipad, and I havent been able to get miracast screen mirroring to work yet (though it might be the tv box i got, my nexus 4 wont cast onto it either). Also, the water proofing works but the water reacts with the screen so unless there is an app out there that takes timed snapshots without responding to the touch screen, all the water proofing is really good for is easy cleaning and extra durability. It is nice to watch movies in the middle of the pool though

lmao. you're watching movies on a tablet in your "pool".

[leemajors]

Got my retina mini yesterday - 64Gb for $449, perfect size. Went with the Dodocase cause I get 50% off of them, love it - looks just like a moleskine. Would highly recommend the dodocase for the Nexus 7 too. Gonna sell my third gen iPad for like $350 I think.

[TDMVPDPOY]

my bro just bought a sg note 3...looks okay...need to observe the screen more whats the hype with oled screen cause of the black on black it gives is better then anything on the market...

[CuckingFunt]

I tend to be the go-to person for my friends' tech questions, but I've been asked one about tablets and don't know anywhere near enough about them to answer.

Specifically, I know someone who is strongly considering a tablet and has almost certainly narrowed it down to a Galaxy Note 10.1, but can't decide between the now cheap first version and the much more expensive 2014 edition. Only differences I can find between the two, other than design, have to do with processor and screen resolution. What I'm wondering, from those who have and use tablets regularly, do either of those things really matter that much for fairly casual tablet use? My advice in all things tech is typically to go with the best specs you can afford, but considering the built-in limitations of tablets' functionality I don't honestly know if that would apply in this case.

[resistanze]

I tend to be the go-to person for my friends' tech questions, but I've been asked one about tablets and don't know anywhere near enough about them to answer.

Specifically, I know someone who is strongly considering a tablet and has almost certainly narrowed it down to a Galaxy Note 10.1, but can't decide between the now cheap first version and the much more expensive 2014 edition. Only differences I can find between the two, other than design, have to do with processor and screen resolution. What I'm wondering, from those who have and use tablets regularly, do either of those things really matter that much for fairly casual tablet use? My advice in all things tech is typically to go with the best specs you can afford, but considering the built-in limitations of tablets' functionality I don't honestly know if that would apply in this case.

For fairly causal tablet use, I wouldn't even go with the Note 10.1. Any reason you friend is set on that one? Is it the stylus? I've used the Note 10.1 and it needs work IMO.

That being said, the Note 10.1 goes for like $550. At that price point there's really no reason not to go with a iPad Air for $500, which probably superior in most areas.

If it's Android your friend wants:
Nexus 7" (one of best tablets in its class but obviously smaller: $230-$270)
Nexus 10" ($399, still powerful but getting older)
Xperia Z ($550, more storage but stil expensive; better than Note imo)
ASUS MeMo Smart Pad 10 (Can be had for under $300, and better than Note)

[CuckingFunt]

For fairly causal tablet use, I wouldn't even go with the Note 10.1. Any reason you friend is set on that one? Is it the stylus? I've used the Note 10.1 and it needs work IMO.

Android and size are must haves. The S-Pen functionality and the fact it's part of the Galaxy family (her last two phones have been the SIII and SIV, both of which she's loved) are strong pluses, but not deal breakers.

That being said, the Note 10.1 goes for like $550. At that price point there's really no reason not to go with a iPad Air for $500, which probably superior in most areas.

If it's Android your friend wants:
Nexus 7" (one of best tablets in its class but obviously smaller: $230-$270)
Nexus 10" ($399, still powerful but getting older)
Xperia Z ($550, more storage but stil expensive; better than Note imo)
ASUS MeMo Smart Pad 10 (Can be had for under $300, and better than Note)

Thanks. I'll pass that along.

[DJ Mbenga]

i own the venue 8 pro. its pretty damn awesome powerful small device. the biggest problem is its micro usb connector. sure you can buy an otg cable but it wont allow you to charge the device while connecting anything else to it. it doesnt have a hdmi port so you cant connect to a tv easily. you can do miracast but the tech is unrealiable with the device and it has a bit of a lag, 720p can sometimes get choppy.
you can also do this, but as long as they cant fix the charging thing i wont buy one but its pretty cool:

[lefty]

Dude you're old

[mavsfan1000]

iPad Air 2

[anakha]

After the massive disappointment that was the Nexus 9, I'm pretty reluctant to recommend anything other than iPads.

[lefty]

^

Nexus 7 and 10 2nd gen
NIVIDIA Shield
Latest Samsung

[anakha]

I try to avoid recommending previous releases unless budget constraints are an issue or the person has minor tablet uses.

Shield isn't available in my neck of the woods, and I avoid recommending stuff I haven't tried for myself.

The Tab S series might come the closest, but being priced like an iPad with an ecosystem that isn't as good makes things dicey. Besides, lol Samsung.

[leemajors]

^

Nexus 7 and 10 2nd gen
NIVIDIA Shield
Latest Samsung

not over ipad air 2

[Venti Quattro]

You can't make me use another tablet aside from the iPad

[lefty]

not over ipad air 2

Latest Samsung yes tbh

[leemajors]

Latest Samsung yes tbh

you can't be serious

[lefty]

you can't be serious

I am
iOS

[leemajors]

I am
iOS

Do you still hate tablets? Basics for comics tbh

[lefty]

Excellent for comics

[mavsfan1000]

lol Samsung. Definitely not over the iPad Air 2.

[lefty]

lol Samsung. Definitely not over the iPad Air 2.

Have you tried the latest Samsung tablets?

SRS question

[leemajors]

Have you tried the latest Samsung tablets?

SRS question

anand says the Exynos 5420 can barely keep up with teh display on the Galaxy Tab S, why would you want that?

[lefty]

anand says the Exynos 5420 can barely keep up with teh display on the Galaxy Tab S, why would you want that?

Non issue

[resistanze]

Non issue

Samsung charging $600 for their tablets. You don't price yourself against the iPad, that's just dumb.

Besides the Nexus 7, I wouldn't recommend anyone an Android tablet unless it comes at a great price.