Recommend a tablet

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Kingy

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Topic # 135125 15-Nov-2013 10:10

Hey all

I'm look at purchasing a new tablet this weekend (my first) and was looking to get some recommendations. Basically it's going to be used to entertain me while I'm on the train every day. So basically watching movies/tv, playing the odd game, and browsing the web.

So the requirements are that is should have sufficient battery time (1.5 hours each way, so around 3/4 hours a day), have enough power to play decent quality video/games. I don't mind if it doesn't have 3G or 4G as I can just tether it to my phone.

So what would you all recommend? My budget isn't huge (<$500) so I'm obviously limited in what I can get. I've been reading good things about the Nexus 7 (JB Hifi has the 32GB for $420) however I don't know if a 7" screen is going to do the trick in terms of watching video etc

Thoughts and ideas?

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myopinion

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Reply # 934240 15-Nov-2013 10:15

Nexus 7 will be really good for watching movies. However the 16:9 format is not as good for other things, email, web etc. That's where an iPad Mini (with retina) for example with 4:3 is better. Personal preference really. Try them both out in store.

reven

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Reply # 934242 15-Nov-2013 10:15

Personally I would buy a TF300T off trademe on that budget. You can pick them up for about $400, quad core tablet. Not a retina display, but other than that I think theyre a great buy.

I have 2 of them, and my parents have 1.

If you increased your budget I would buy a samsung one.

NikT

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Reply # 934252 15-Nov-2013 10:24

Kingy: Hey all

I'm look at purchasing a new tablet this weekend (my first) and was looking to get some recommendations. Basically it's going to be used to entertain me while I'm on the train every day. So basically watching movies/tv, playing the odd game, and browsing the web.

So the requirements are that is should have sufficient battery time (1.5 hours each way, so around 3/4 hours a day), have enough power to play decent quality video/games. I don't mind if it doesn't have 3G or 4G as I can just tether it to my phone.

So what would you all recommend? My budget isn't huge (<$500) so I'm obviously limited in what I can get. I've been reading good things about the Nexus 7 (JB Hifi has the 32GB for $420) however I don't know if a 7" screen is going to do the trick in terms of watching video etc

Thoughts and ideas?

As someone who catches the train every day, I'd personally recommend a larger phone instead of a tablet as they're fundamentally more useful devices as long as you can get past the size. I find video great on a >5" 1080p screen.

If you're set on a tablet, a ~7" screen would really be best for commuting, as anything larger gets a bit cumbersome & heavy to lug around & whip in & out of bags - and if it's a 7" you're after, either generation Nexus 7 is great bang for buck.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

https://pbtech.co.nz/smartphones

Kingy

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Reply # 934254 15-Nov-2013 10:27

NikT:
Kingy: Hey all

I'm look at purchasing a new tablet this weekend (my first) and was looking to get some recommendations. Basically it's going to be used to entertain me while I'm on the train every day. So basically watching movies/tv, playing the odd game, and browsing the web.

So the requirements are that is should have sufficient battery time (1.5 hours each way, so around 3/4 hours a day), have enough power to play decent quality video/games. I don't mind if it doesn't have 3G or 4G as I can just tether it to my phone.

So what would you all recommend? My budget isn't huge (<$500) so I'm obviously limited in what I can get. I've been reading good things about the Nexus 7 (JB Hifi has the 32GB for $420) however I don't know if a 7" screen is going to do the trick in terms of watching video etc

Thoughts and ideas?

As someone who catches the train every day, I'd personally recommend a larger phone instead of a tablet as they're fundamentally more useful devices as long as you can get past the size. I find video great on a >5" 1080p screen.

If you're set on a tablet, a ~7" screen would really be best for commuting, as anything larger gets a bit cumbersome & heavy to lug around & whip in & out of bags - and if it's a 7" you're after, either generation Nexus 7 is great bang for buck.

I'm currently lugging around my 10" eeePC (including power cable) and it's a lot heavier than you would think!

I'm hoping it's going to be enough. I'll have a good play on it this weekend and check it out.

Web development blog: http://www.devhour.net
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NikT

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Reply # 934259 15-Nov-2013 10:30

Kingy:

I'm currently lugging around my 10" eeePC (including power cable) and it's a lot heavier than you would think!

I'm hoping it's going to be enough. I'll have a good play on it this weekend and check it out.

Impressive! Hope you don't have much of a hike to/from the train station. Sounds like it wouldn't be an issue having a larger tablet, then, but if you're reducing the amount of kit you carry with you, why not give the minimalistic approach a crack?

Product Manager @ PB Tech

https://pbtech.co.nz/smartphones

jonovw

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Reply # 934289 15-Nov-2013 10:54

I always use my 2013 Nexus 7 to watch movies and play games on the bus and it's perfect for that.

michaelmurfy

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Reply # 934293 15-Nov-2013 10:57

jonovw: I always use my 2013 Nexus 7 to watch movies and play games on the bus and it's perfect for that.

Agreed, I love my 2013 Nexus 7! For video watching it's totally fine and it's display is very nice especially for the price you pay. I'd personally have this over the iPad Mini.

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MikeB4

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Reply # 934307 15-Nov-2013 11:06

Nexus 7

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Kingy

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Reply # 934335 15-Nov-2013 12:07

thanks everyone. Seems as though the nexus should do the trick. I'll try out the ipad mini while i'm there just to cover all the bases but i'm thinking i'll stick to the nexus.

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blackjack17

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Reply # 934372 15-Nov-2013 12:53

What about the surface rt? less than $500 (less than $300 if you can buy through a school).

Have the advantage of a usb port

http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/tablet/microsoft/surface-with-windows-rt-32gb-sku-76070/

Kingy

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Reply # 934380 15-Nov-2013 12:59

I was always interested in the Surface, but if I were to get one I'd want Gen 2 and I'd also want the keyboard. Which takes it well outside the price range.

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Kingy

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Reply # 936643 18-Nov-2013 14:25

One person supports this post

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up getting the Nexus 7 32GB for $400. I am extremely happy with it so far. It's very speedy and responsive and I haven't noticed it lag/slow down at all (even playing games like Fifa 14).

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jonovw

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Reply # 936647 18-Nov-2013 14:29

If you want to you can root your Nexus 7 and install stickmount. Then you can plug in USB devices

lchiu7

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Reply # 936775 18-Nov-2013 16:47

jonovw: If you want to you can root your Nexus 7 and install stickmount. Then you can plug in USB devices

You don't have to root the tablet to do that. You can use Nexus Media Importer

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.homeysoft.nexususb.importer&hl=en

and it only costs about $5 plus the costs of a cable.

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timmmay

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Reply # 936797 18-Nov-2013 17:38

I'd probably get a Nexus, but my Asus Transformer TF101 has lasted quite well. It's Tegra2, feeling quite slow these days compared with my S4, but it still works as well as they day I bought it and has very few dings. On stock firmware the sound worked a bit funny, but seems better on a different ROM.