LG Optimus 8.3" tablet @$259

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jonathan18

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Topic # 147246 13-Jun-2014 12:03

JB Hifi have the LG Optimus 8.3" tablet on special today for $259 (http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/tablet/lg/optimus-8-3-inch-g-pad-black-sku-260831/). Certainly the cheapest price for this model, esp. from a mainstream retailer and a damn site better value than its release price at about $600.

How would this rate as a good-value tablet for everyday use? I'm thinking of one for me to use when the kids are dominating the iPad, or for them to use? While the Nexus 7 is only a few bucks more for the 16gb model there's no SD card slot (plus smaller screen), and the 32gb model is $100 more.

Has anyone got any experience with this tablet or useful comments to make on its relative merits?

Thanks.

openmedia

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Reply # 1064847 13-Jun-2014 12:52

I see they've released android 4.4 for it which is good.

Wondering how it compares with http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/tablet/hp/slate-7-inch-extreme-tablet-sku-260167/

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat New Zealand as a Solution Architect for all things Linux, Virtual and of course Cloud. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

dafman

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Reply # 1064850 13-Jun-2014 12:53

I don't own one, but have had a play at JB and was very impressed. Nice hardware design with excellent screen resolution for a lower priced tablet. Reviews on the net are generally very positive. I'd buy one ... but I'm hoping that google might announce a 8" nexus sometime soon. For me, the Nexus 7 is not an option - that one extra inch makes all the difference.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1064854 13-Jun-2014 13:01

Yeah, reviews are generally good. Biggest concern appears to be a screen that's not overly bright, but that's not a huge concern for me. Some raise concerns it's not the fastest. Agree re value of 8 versus 7 inch screen, and also like the fact it's upgradable to 4.4. The IR sensor sounds cool but I doubt we'd use it much in reality.

We were thinking of buying the kids a tablet for Xmas, but perhaps buying this one for Xmas is a little early - is it likely there will be other better propositions in the interim at the same sort of price point?

jonathan18

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Reply # 1064860 13-Jun-2014 13:04

openmedia: I see they've released android 4.4 for it which is good.

Wondering how it compares with http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/computers/tablet/hp/slate-7-inch-extreme-tablet-sku-260167/

That it has a larger screen and is considerably higher res (edit:plus 2 versus 1gb RAM) would make me elect for the LG, I must say. The reviews I've read previously of this range of HP tablets were not that flash.

KrazyKid

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Reply # 1064933 13-Jun-2014 14:25

I've just brought one a few weeks ago and very happy with it.
Very snappy and screen looks good.
Updated to 4.4 with no issues.
8" seems to be a good size to watch Media

1eStar

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Reply # 1064978 13-Jun-2014 15:09

I just picked one up. Was sorta waiting for a high res galaxy note 8 to be released, but this piqued my interest. The guy in front of me in the queue was buying 2.

pgs2050

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Reply # 1064997 13-Jun-2014 15:27

Noticed this tablet in the NZ Herald advert this morning, at $299 - thought about it, but decided to wait for rumoured Nexus 8.

However, reconsidered when I saw this post (price drop to $259) and also expecting a Nexus 8 device most likely to be double this price (although, to be fair: specifications for the Nexus device will be higher as well).

Kitkat 4.4 is downloading for install now.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1065002 13-Jun-2014 15:38

pgs2050: Noticed this tablet in the NZ Herald advert this morning, at $299 - thought about it, but decided to wait for rumoured Nexus 8.

However, reconsidered when I saw this post (price drop to $259) and also expecting a Nexus 8 device most likely to be double this price (although, to be fair: specifications for the Nexus device will be higher as well).

Kitkat 4.4 is downloading for install now.

JB's website is showing only the black at the $259 price, though the guy I spoke to at the local shop wasn't aware of this (which doesn't rule out him just not knowing the true picture!). My local store (PN) said they had a good number available, but it is for today only.

For me that inability to increase the capacity of the Nexus range will always turn me off buying one, whatever the price - I'm thinking one key use of a second tablet (if I buy one) is to store a decent amount of music for the car, as the screen size of a tablet provides a much better interace than on a phone (and our 64GB iPad seems to run out of space so easily). Stick a 32 or 64GB SD card in the LG tablet and I'm sweet for both my own ripped music as well as off-line Spotify. Whereas even on a 32GB Nexus that space will go pretty quickly given this has to compete with the OS and apps.

Basicaly, I am, and others posting here are, doing a pretty good job of convincing me to buy one for myself - bugger the kids! Now just to convince my wife of the "need"...

openmedia

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Reply # 1065861 15-Jun-2014 08:41

I picked one up on Friday for the family to use and patched it to android 4.4 straight away.

Overall very happy for the price. It would be great if I could cross flash it to the Google Play Edition firmware and remove the LG bloatware, but overall a great tablet for the price.

pgs2050

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Reply # 1065937 15-Jun-2014 12:03

I am also considering of flashing Google Play edition onto this device, have not done much more than read a review on the device with GPe. It seems that some SD card functionality will be lost if GPe is loaded - so pursuing this with some caution and perhaps not so enthusiastically.

jonathan18

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Reply # 1066030 15-Jun-2014 15:13

I ended up picking one up on Friday as well. So far really happy with (and the kids love not having to share a single iPad!) and it's definitely very good value for money - I think even for the current price of $299 at JB it's a good deal. Cheap cases and screen protectors are available on eBay, and a 64GB micro-SD card is only $43 from Amazon (including delivery).

Agree with one reviewer that said it takes a while for the screen to respond when attempting to 'wake it', and sometimes it's a bit laggy with transitions etc, but with loading apps etc it's pretty damn good.

Biggest issue I'm having is battery life - seems to deplete far faster than the iPad, and will need charging every day or two. I've tried Juice Defender on it as I feel controlling the wifi (ie switching off automatically when not in use) may be the easiest way to improve the battery life. The problem is Juice Defender seems to have a problem on this device where the wifi doesn't re-connect after a while, with the only solution being a reboot (this same problem is reported for Nexus units running Kitkat, as mine is now).

I'm yet to locate another app that will:

automatically disable wifi when the screen's off
reconnect on a regular (and set-able) basis for a short period to allow email etc to sync, and
allow the user to specify certain apps that can keep the connection open (useful for music apps such as Squeezebox).

Can anyone recommend one that has these features? Ta...

Keegzz

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Reply # 1066146 15-Jun-2014 19:14

Keep Wifi off when asleep should be in the advanced wifi settings, also the app Tasker has alot of functionality.

1eStar

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Reply # 1066239 15-Jun-2014 22:09

Have you checked what is actually using the battery? Usually it's the screen is the biggest culprit. Are you using auto brightness? I'm reasonably happy with mine so far, over four hours screen time so far today at 33% battery as I type. SwiftKey keyboard is now free, so I'm loving that... USB OTG is working for fat32 drives, knock to wake is reasonably reliable. Loving the HD screen. Qpair is an interesting app, links the phone so you don't have to hunt for the phone when you get a text and you are using your tab.