Front running 10" Tab

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crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

#142800 25-Mar-2014 09:21

Hey all,

Is there a front runner for the title of Top Ten Inch Android Tablet at the moment?

I'm, as per usual, re-assessing my tech needs and the best way to meet them. Part of that mix might well be an Android tablet.

I've seriously considered a Surface 2 in the past but I'm getting sick of waiting for the RT eco-system to actually get off the ground. Not such a big deal with a phone where calls, text and contacts are the most important, more so in a tablet where I want apps to actually do stuff. An iPad would be cool but I'm not going to buy an iPhone any time soon, can't justify spending that much on a non-leading edge phone, and no option to add storage gets on my nerves.

Personally, with a phone screen over 4" I struggle to see the point of a 7" tab but 10" might suit my needs.

I've been reading good things about the recent Sony Z 10" tablet and I think the new one about here. I'm not the biggest Samsung fan that's ever been but I'm willing to be convinced. At this stage I don't need 3/4G, wifi will be fine.

Anyway, thoughts and opinions welcome.

J

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

billgates

4705 posts

Uber Geek

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#1012238 25-Mar-2014 09:26

What are you wanting in Windows RT?

Do whatever you want to do man.

hairy1

3332 posts

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#1012270 25-Mar-2014 10:02

I need a 10" tablet for reading work manuals. My list in no particular order:

1. Amazon 8.9" HDX - No Play Store
2. Asus TF701T. Build quality question marks.
3. Sony Z2 10". Not in market yet but very close.

Cheers, Matt.

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crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

#1012322 25-Mar-2014 11:01

billgates: What are you wanting in Windows RT?

First and foremost, a price cut. The special sauce is the keyboard but at about $150 for the Touch and about $200 for the Type the whole package is around $850 which is high for the spec, take $100 a Surface 2 and we'll talk. Surface RT? Not interested in something nobody wanted two years ago. Android tablets don't market themselves with the key board so it isn't something I see as a bundle. The thing isn't an iPad, MS should stop pretending it is and drop the price.

Second, a better browser. No Chrome is a pain. I've been using Bing on my Nokia 720 and it just isn't as good. Favourites is not graphical, the predictive search is not great. It just isn't as good.

Third, video playing that 'just works'. I've had trouble trying to play video files on both my 720 and on a Windows 8 PC. This doesn't inspire me with confidence that RT will play 'almost anything'. With Android that isn't such a problem you can download a video player from the Google Play, not so much with RT.

Fourth, an integrated UI. Everything is Modern (is that what we are calling it this week?) except Word, Excel, Outlook. Yeah, MS sort out the UI I'll think again.

Fifth, somebody to take RT seriously ... anybody. I'm tired of hearing how 'the eco-system will improve' sounds like 'you buy now, we provide later'. A year ago this was something I was willing to accept, now I'm getting sick of hearing the same song. In some ways it isn't what's there now. Who knows what the next great app will be? Could be Uber, is there a Windows RT/Windows Phone version? Doubt it. What ever that next great app is it will come to iOS and Android, the Windows eco-system? Not at this stage.

Sixth, MS to be a bit clearer with where RT is going. Originally Win Phone, Win 8 and Win RT were supposed to be completely compatible, anybody heard from Mr Sinofsky lately?. The latest I heard was that Win Phone and Win RT would 'converge' but that was before Nadella was appointed and not a peep I have heard since.

We are talking about a purchase of close to $1000 (including extra storage and case) and a life cycle of probably over 3 years. That Microsoft doesn't appear to know what they are doing with the platform does not inspire confidence. With Apple you know they have a plan, with Android you know there will be an App somewhere.

Anyway, that's why I'm considering Android.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1012358 25-Mar-2014 11:55

I recently went around doing a comparison and the responsiveness and premium feel of the 2014 Note 10.1 was a clear winner for me.

Unfortunately though, needs (productiveness) outweighed sexiness so I ended up with the ASUS T100 (Win8).

crackrdbycracku

1168 posts

Uber Geek

#1012362 25-Mar-2014 12:00

tigercorp: I recently went around doing a comparison and the responsiveness and premium feel of the 2014 Note 10.1 was a clear winner for me.

Unfortunately though, needs (productiveness) outweighed sexiness so I ended up with the ASUS T100 (Win8).

Yeah, the T100 is under consideration. How does Win 8 behave with an Bay Trail Atom processor and 2G of RAM?

I've said before I'd pay $1000 for a T100 that was made of metal and had an additional battery in the keyboard like the Transformer Prime or a Surface running a Bay Trail Atom.

Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

billgates

4705 posts

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#1012364 25-Mar-2014 12:08

@crackrdbycracku

1. I walked into Noel Leeming a week after Surface 2 & Pro 2 launch in NZ and bought the 32GB Surface 2 + Purple Type Cove 2 for $739 all up (got a cash discount of $109). I asked for a cash discount and was given one without any arguments or repetitive requests. The sales rep was happy to do it because the margin on the Type Cover 2 is healthy including the Surface 2. I got 15% off the RRP. You can do the same.

I agree with you that the Type/Touch covers need a price cut. They should be priced below $150 to begin with. $120 or even lower. Surface 2 pricing is very competitive though when you look at it's specs and the nearest competitor offering something similar with great build quality. iPad Air costs $719 IIRC for 16GB model. This is 32GB with 19GB free storage out of the box including a slot for Micro SD, USB 3.0 port and Kickstand.

2. Chrome. Blame Google for that. Just look at Windows Phone 8. How many apps has Google released on that platform? Besides Google search for both Windows RT and Windows Phone 8. This is well documented everywhere on the web that Microsoft and Google are involved in a very ugly spat. Microsoft is regularly releasing their online services applications across all mobile platforms.

I use IE in metro. Works fine for me. Even support flash! I prefer it over the desktop version of any other browser now including IE on desktop since it's plugin free and loads web pages quicker.

3. Video playing. I am not too sure about this as all I do on my WP8, Surface 2, Xbox one and Roku is watch Netflix. The only .mkv or xvid/divx streaming that I rarely every do is on the Roku which is connected to a big screen TV. I know the devices can play xvid/divx fine but .mkv does not works. VLC will be releasing their app for Windows RT to sort out that implementation. There are other 3rd party application in the store that can play .mkv files right now.

4. MS Office Gemini. Watch this space on 28th March when Satya Nadella will announce and showcase the touch version of MS Office for Windows RT and iPad. Current Windows RT devices will get the upgrade along with 10" or smaller x86 machines that come preloaded with MS Office 2013 Student version.

5. Uber. Do you really want apps like Instagram and Uber on an tablet? They belong on a phone due to 3G connectivity and better cameras. The whole apps thing is a personal preference. Windows RT has an official Facebook app for tablets. Android does not. You have to use to the phone version which gets upsized to fit a tablet screen. It all comes down to which app is more important to you in on a tablet form factor.

6. It's been made clear my Microsoft that by 2015, the store will be unified into one. One app store for both Windows RT and Windows Phone. With the release of WP8.1, the API similarity between WP8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 stands at 70%.

It's more than just apps though on any mobile platform. Ecosystem, quality of apps, features and functionality. Do you do a lot of email? Do you like the built in mail app on your tablet? Multitasking implementation? Both of these are important for me on a tablet or desktop. Will it print to your work/home printer? Multiple user accounts support? File Explorer on a tablet? Child accounts? Backup and restore of personal information including passwords, web browsing history, favourites etc?

Do whatever you want to do man.

tigercorp

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1012387 25-Mar-2014 12:39

Yeah, the T100 is under consideration. How does Win 8 behave with an Bay Trail Atom processor and 2G of RAM?

The performance is great, much better than I had expected. All the basic functions like browsing, document editing, and media consumption are a breeze. Heavier work applications run absolutely fine and I've normally got an XP vm running at the same time with no problems.

The biggest downside is the charger it comes with as it takes a very long time to fully recharge.

I've said before I'd pay $1000 for a T100 that was made of metal and had an additional battery in the keyboard like the Transformer Prime or a Surface running a Bay Trail Atom.

I like the idea of a better build and longer battery life but for $1000 with productivity as a prime concern I'd personally be looking at a larger screen. The 10" is fine for occasional use but could never replace my laptops.

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Shindig

1585 posts

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#1012408 25-Mar-2014 13:05

Nexus 10?

The little things make the biggest difference.

jonathan18

7413 posts

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#1012417 25-Mar-2014 13:24

tigercorp: I recently went around doing a comparison and the responsiveness and premium feel of the 2014 Note 10.1 was a clear winner for me.

I remember late last year when we were deciding what 10" tablet to buy, there were quite a few reviews and user comments regarding jerky performance on the wifi-only version of the 10.1 Note (I don't know if this is an issue on the 4G version, given it has a different processor). It was the main reason we didn't go with the Note (instead getting an iPad - primarily to keep the kids happy!). Is this still regarded as a problem?