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Geek Culture / Deciding Between Tablets

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 00:57 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2013 01:04
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Hey folks, pay day is coming up and I'm thinking of grabbing myself a tablet, I've never bought one and never really been on the market for one, so I am seeking advice and feedback. I have picked Android as an OS, I have a Windows Phone and an iPod Touch and thought, why not go for something Android this time? Complete the holy trinity of mobile OSs.

I like big screens, so I am comparing 10inch tablets. My current highlights:


Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 £329 on Amazon

It seems like a good price. Why I am I tempted? Well, I have been tempted by getting a Wacom tablet for a while, with its pen and tablet version of photoshop, it's a temptation to kill 2 birds with one stone. You are capable of using your fingers or pen, so I don't have to always use the stylus if I don't want to. It comes with stereo speakers, seemingly an improvement on standard tablet speakers. But doesn't look like it's up to the latest hardward specs and Android OS version (4.0). I've had Samsung products and they've never let me down.

Google Nexus 10 £334 on Amazon

Not that much more expensive, but a better specification. Higher resolution (higher than my TV) and made to Google's own specification with their own OS. Latest Android version. Also developed by Samsung, like the Galaxy, comes with stereo speakers.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 £300, on offer on Amazon (£200 off)

The £200 off is a good selling point if the tablet is supposed to be worth that £200 more. It's the latest from Samsung. Latest Android OS. Though I cannot see the advantage of this vs the Note, except that it comes with 4.2

ASUS MeMo Pad 10.1 £232 on Amazon

Budget choice. Combination of 2 manufacturers I trust. ASUS & NVidia, this comes with the NVidia Tegra 3. My desktop has an ASUS motherboard and NVidia graphics card and they're beautiful.

Comes with Jelly Bean Android and sports a similar spec to the note, but £100 cheaper, but lacking a stylus (I know you can get tablet styluses anyway) and lacks stereo sound.

Lenovo IdeaPad A2109A 9 inch £149.99 on Amazon

Alternative budget choice. Sporting the NVidia Tegra 3, like the ASUS, but cheaper and by Lenovo, I love my ThinkPad to pieces, so I would happily buy a Lenovo again.



Any advice, pointers and so on? Presently, the Note is attracting me, but the Nexus is also whispering to me...I don't know how though, they're inanimate objects.


[edit]
Looking at this review, it suggests to me, the Note is a better choice vs the Galaxy Tab 3, 1.6ghz dual core (Tab 3) vs 1.4 quad core (Note), 3 megapixel camera (tab 3) vs 5 megapixel camera (Note), 1gb ram (Tab 3) vs 2gb ram (Note), the Note also comes with a better battery and storage is the same. Seems the only real advantage is 4.0 (which can be upgrade to 4.1) vs 4.2, where tab 3 wins.

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Seditious
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 01:00
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I've not really used any tablets, but Samsung do generally make great products, and I love the Galaxy S III mini that I received a couple of weeks ago. Very responsive and lovely screen.

It's probably worth googling these different products for reviews, and see how they fare.
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 01:08
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Wow that's tiny, about the size of my old Tocco Lite, but you don't necessarily have to have a big screen (my Tocco lite suited me fine for 2 years). I'm looking at a few reviews and then seem to be helping. Unless advice suggests otherwise, I think it might be a competition between the Galaxy Note and Google Nexus.

I've never had a Samsung product go wrong and I've never heard anybody complain about them.

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Dark Java Dude 64
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 01:55
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Go with the 1st generation iPad, 'tis the coolest tab around yo.
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Nickydude
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 02:35
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I have a Nexus 7 and am more than pleased with it so I'd go with the Nexus 10.

I reject your reality and substitute my own...
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RedneckRambo
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 02:54
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I would personally go with the Google Nexus 10, although it does have a fairly poor battery life from what I've heard. I would recommend either Nexus 10 or the Galaxy Note 10.1. That's just me though.

Words cannot describe my Greatness... But I'll give it a shot.

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Dark Java Dude 64
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 03:44
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Ahh, yes, the Nexus 10 seems nice. I got to see a real one on display, and I recall the back having a pretty nice rubbery feel to it. It also seemed thin and light but not of low quality. And being a Nexus tablet, it (AFAIK) gets Android updates first and isn't pffftly locked down in any way by the manufacturer.
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Seditious
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 04:09
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Quote: "Wow that's tiny, about the size of my old Tocco Lite, but you don't necessarily have to have a big screen (my Tocco lite suited me fine for 2 years). I'm looking at a few reviews and then seem to be helping."


Oops, I forgot to mention that the thing I linked to was a smartphone. I was just linking that to show how awesome Samsung products are.
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NIlooc223
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 06:05
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I recommend the nexus. I own the nexus 7 and it hasn't gave me one issue since I bought it which is almost 1 year now.
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Ortu
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 06:08
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I have the ASUS MeMo Pad 7 and quite like it, I'm sure the 10 is as good/better.

It has a nice solid, sturdy feel to it, great display, strong wifi reception, battery life is decent; about what you would expect for a 7"

I'm gonna be king of the moon dots!
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 10:48
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See the Nexus 10 is the popular choice here.

I had a look at a comparison video between the two. These are the things the review rated the two best for.

Nexus 10:
Look & Feel
Gaming
Video
Battery
Value for money

Note 10.1:
Productivity
Music
Accessories
Camera

The Nexus 10 seems to be more future proof on the account of being a higher specification. But the Note 10.1 still seems to offer a better experience with the interface using a pen (seems to make a different for web browsing and productivity), which is why it's a difficult choice, at least from what I can weigh up between the two. Seems the two were considered the top 2 tablets of 2012.

Any Note 10.1 love out there?

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The Zoq2
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 14:35
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I personally have the original note phone and while it's good, I havn't realy had that much use for the pen, it's a bit to unprecise for doing artwork (it could be the small screen though). The biggest problem however is the software, my note is stuck on android 4.0.4 and to get the later versions I have been forced to flash a custom ROM. I also find samsungs android (touchwiz) pretty ugly which I also fixed by flashing a custom rom. That however has made me loose some functionalities of the hardware most notably the pen loosing the "preassure sensitivity".

Overall I would get the nexus 10 to get a vanilla android version which does not get left behind when samsung move on to other projects (which seems to have happned with the Note). You can probably replace the pen with external touch screen pens.

Say ONE stupid thing and it ends up as a forum signature forever. - Neuro Fuzzy
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 15:32 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2013 15:38
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I suppose the future proof...ness of the Nexus is appealing. I think it's looking more and more likely I'll pick it. I know Samsung will support up to 4.1 on the Note 10.1. Sadly I don't have any stores in my area stocking either tablets, so I can't get a look at them myself before purchase, Tescos has a Galaxy Tab 3 and I had a fiddle about with it and it seemed decent.

[edit]
Looks like Carphone Warehouse stock the Note, so I'll be able to evaluate it and decide if it's worth it vs going for one with a better spec.

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The Zoq2
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 15:57 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2013 15:59
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Quote: " I know Samsung will support up to 4.1"


I think thye said that back in november about my phone, yet as far as I know there was no official update when I checked last time back in may.

Edit: aparently they got around to updating it this june, almost a year after the update was released for the nexus devices.

Say ONE stupid thing and it ends up as a forum signature forever. - Neuro Fuzzy
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 16:16
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Yeah, sometimes seems these updates can take a while, I remember it taking ages for them to upgrade my phone to Windows Phone 7.8.

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bond1
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 16:28 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2013 16:29
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Quote: "I'm thinking of grabbing myself a tablet, I've never bought one and never really been on the market for one"


Are you sure you even WANT a tablet?

I made the mistake of buying one, the novelty wore off after a week or two, and now it's sitting somewhere, uncharged, collecting dust. My brother and dad did the same thing, bought one and quickly forgot about them.

SPECS: Intel Corei7 3770k, Nvidia GTX680, 16GB RAM, Win7 Pro
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Ortu
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 16:35 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2013 16:36
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i didn't think I'd want one, but then got a company issued ipad and it really won me over. later got the android for personal use and now between the two, pretty much all of my internet activity is on tablet.

imo they are great to have for browsing and games, but you shouldnt get one expecting it to replace a laptop or anything.

But does it blend?
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 17:09
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Quote: "Are you sure you even WANT a tablet?

I made the mistake of buying one, the novelty wore off after a week or two, and now it's sitting somewhere, uncharged, collecting dust. My brother and dad did the same thing, bought one and quickly forgot about them."


Yep. I didn't think I'd ever want one. To be honest, I use my smart phone a lot and at times think I could do with something with a bigger screen, I can actually see myself using one frequently. Also, I wouldn't mind attempting a little Android development, I could probably test my Unity3D game on there as well.

There are some advantages I can see to using one, it's not for everybody, naturally, but I definitely want one. I've thought about it, played around with a few, did some research. I'm not easily swayed by fads, hence it probably has taken me so long to decide to get one.

Interestingly, my family use their tablets a lot, my dad, brother & sister each have laptops, but find using their tablets more convenient for a number of tasks on the account of them being extremely light weight and suited to a number of positions.

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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 17:28
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Definitely the Nexus 10. Getting a direct Google product will ensure the cleanest, most updated stock Android experience, and as a result it will run better right off the bat.

My brother has the 7 and he carries it with him almost everywhere. The Nexus line are very impressive!

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 17:39
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I think it's decided then, the Nexus 10. When I get paid tomorrow, I'll order one from Amazon. If I order within the next 24 hours, I'll get it on Saturday. Bonus. Unless I can find a store that sells it (I'll prolly be in town anyway), I know Carphone Warehouse does the Nexus 7 but not 10.

Cheers folks. I'll let you know how it goes.

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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2013 18:34
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I'm tempted to go with the Nexus 10 myself, honestly. I kinda want a tablet that's better than my Kindle Fire (1st gen).

Though honestly, for what I want with a tablet, the soon-to-be-updated iPad Mini might be better since I want to do a lot of work with iOS and I need an iOS device to do that with.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 23rd Aug 2013 10:15 Edited at: 23rd Aug 2013 14:57
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Ordered!

Sadly only the 32gb version was legible for next day delivery and I didn't want to spend an extra £50. I'll expect it in 3-5 working days. I'm surprised by the lack of stores that stock this, plenty of Nexus 7's, but it seems only Amazon and Google Play stock the 10's.

Looked around a few more videos (with recommendations on the Nexus 10) seems there's some pretty cool stuff out there for Android, given it uses a Micro-USB I can use a converter to plug-in a controller and with its mini-HDMI port (I've got a converter as my GeForce GTX 650ti uses mini-HDMI), it can double as a console, an alternative to owning an Ouya. On top of which, I'd be able to use a controller to browse through the OS itself, I can see it being a useful media centre when plugged into my TV, considering I use Netflix a lot, this would be more convenient than using my laptop.

Also using the micro-USB, you can expand the memory using your own USB storage device, without modifications it'd be read-only, but it would be a suitable place to store movies & music and share it between devices (PC, laptop & tablet).

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 30th Aug 2013 00:05 Edited at: 30th Aug 2013 00:07
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My Google Nexus 10 came today and it seems to be very shiny, so far happy with my choice.I am blown back by the clear display, still think it's awesome that it's a higher resolution than my TV.

Anybody got any app or game recommendations?

Wouldn't mind a decent Office and art application. I see there's a Photoshop touch, so I just may grab that.

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budokaiman
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Posted: 30th Aug 2013 01:22
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Quote: "Wouldn't mind a decent Office and art application. I see there's a Photoshop touch, so I just may grab that."

The only real office app for android is the Google Drive one. As for art, I recommend the Autodesk Sketchbook for tablets.

A few other great apps are:
Tasker

Nova Launcher

swiftkey

AIDE for java

C4Droid for c++

FX file explorer

calculator++


"Giraffe is soft, Gorilla is hard." - Phaelax
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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 30th Aug 2013 01:49
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Cheers man, I'll check 'em out. Sketchbook looks pretty cool, exactly what I'm looking for.

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