Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

#185587 28-Nov-2015 09:22
Send private message

I'm looking for an Android tablet to replace my Asus TF101, which has been a robust tablet for a few years but has gotten intolerably slow. I would use it for:
 - Reading RSS feeds while I'm watching TV at home
 - Perhaps as a remote desktop client for my Windows PC, or as an ssh terminal with a keyboard
 - Note that I use a kindle for reading, so that's not an intended use

Here's what I'm generally looking for:
 - Reasonable quality, though it will rarely if ever leave the house, so protection and drop resistance is irrelevant. Gorilla glass isn't important for example.
 - A reasonable chance it will get Android upgrades (OEM or custom ROM), though it's not a deal breaker if it doesn't
 - Android 5+ preferred (no Apple devices please)
 - No slower than my Samsung S4 phone
 - Charge from standard USB, not like the TF101 which has a custom charger
 - 9-10" screen (9" is my minimum, 10" strongly preferred)
 - Support use of a keyboard. If it can physically connect to work like a little laptop that's a bonus
 - Budget, NZ$500 absolute max, prefer quite a bit less, even if that means using a less known brand
 - Storage space relatively irrelevant, I use them as a dumb terminal

I note that the Google Nexus 9 is currently US$300/NZ$450 from Amazon. It has a keyboard that costs US$150, or you can get a more generic bluetooth keyboard for $50. That would meet most of my requirements, but interested to see if there's something a bit cheaper available.

Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic
 1 | 2 | 3
regius
39 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 10


  #1436877 28-Nov-2015 14:10
Send private message

How about this:

Nokia N1 $199US

http://www.expansys-usa.com/nokia-n1-wifi-tablet-black-32gb-279644/




We are all one body, whoever hurts another, wounds himself




timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1436889 28-Nov-2015 14:42
Send private message

That's not a bad option, thanks :) The 8" screen is a bit small, I was hoping for 10" and would go down to 9". US$200 is a great price, though the Nexus 9 is only US$100 more - but that's around NZ$150. Definitely one to consider thanks!

timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1437488 30-Nov-2015 07:27
Send private message

I'm going to bump this for Monday morning - any thoughts anyone? The Nexus 9 for US$200 is looking like a reasonable option, not the best quality or performance but pretty good. I do note that my current TF101 gets 6000 on Antutu and the Nexus9 gets 60,000, so that's an order of magnitude better performance.

There are any number of 10" tablets on Amazon for $50 - $150... Amazon reviews are useful, but I like a technical opinion.



MikeB4
MikeB4
18775 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12765

ID Verified
Trusted
Subscriber

  #1437492 30-Nov-2015 07:52
Send private message

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2




Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.


timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1437500 30-Nov-2015 08:16
Send private message

MikeB4: Samsung Galaxy Tab S2


That's not a mid priced tablet. NZ$600 or US$400.

NorthernZone
69 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 20


  #1437901 30-Nov-2015 15:22
Send private message

Xiaomi MiPad 7.9 (16Gb @ NZ$339).

 
 
 

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).
Krishant007
1403 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80


  #1437906 30-Nov-2015 15:29
Send private message

timmmay: I'm going to bump this for Monday morning - any thoughts anyone? The Nexus 9 for US$200 is looking like a reasonable option, not the best quality or performance but pretty good. I do note that my current TF101 gets 6000 on Antutu and the Nexus9 gets 60,000, so that's an order of magnitude better performance.

There are any number of 10" tablets on Amazon for $50 - $150... Amazon reviews are useful, but I like a technical opinion.


How are you getting the nexus 9 for $200 usd?

askelon
942 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 233

ID Verified

  #1437950 30-Nov-2015 16:54
Send private message

Take a look at the Cube range.  Like an i10 Remix I have the i6 Air 3G and its a brilliant tablet.  Id look on Aliexpress for a better price than cubes website though. 

memske
84 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

ID Verified

  #1437970 30-Nov-2015 17:31
Send private message

Krishant007:
timmmay: I'm going to bump this for Monday morning - any thoughts anyone? The Nexus 9 for US$200 is looking like a reasonable option, not the best quality or performance but pretty good. I do note that my current TF101 gets 6000 on Antutu and the Nexus9 gets 60,000, so that's an order of magnitude better performance.

There are any number of 10" tablets on Amazon for $50 - $150... Amazon reviews are useful, but I like a technical opinion.


How are you getting the nexus 9 for $200 usd?


I assume he means 299/300 like he stated in his original post.




Use this link to sign up to BigPipe and get $20 credit!


timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1438018 30-Nov-2015 17:56
Send private message

There was a black Friday special on the Nexus 9 for US$200 I'm told, but I didn't get it. I've decided I need a minimum of 9", preferably 10", after looking at tablets in a store today.

askelon: Take a look at the Cube range.  Like an i10 Remix I have the i6 Air 3G and its a brilliant tablet.  Id look on Aliexpress for a better price than cubes website though. 


That is pretty interesting. I don't think it's quite what I want, because it's really a Windows tablet with a blurry Android 4.4.4 as an afterthought, with not much storage space free. That's exactly the kind of thing I'm after though, a midrange brand that's really pushing the value :) I wonder if there's anything similar that really focuses on Android?

memske
84 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

ID Verified

  #1438027 30-Nov-2015 18:27
Send private message

timmmay: There was a black Friday special on the Nexus 9 for US$200 I'm told, but I didn't get it. I've decided I need a minimum of 9", preferably 10", after looking at tablets in a store today.

askelon: Take a look at the Cube range.  Like an i10 Remix I have the i6 Air 3G and its a brilliant tablet.  Id look on Aliexpress for a better price than cubes website though. 


That is pretty interesting. I don't think it's quite what I want, because it's really a Windows tablet with a blurry Android 4.4.4 as an afterthought, with not much storage space free. That's exactly the kind of thing I'm after though, a midrange brand that's really pushing the value :) I wonder if there's anything similar that really focuses on Android?


So it was, on US playstore, supposedly sold out really fast tho.




Use this link to sign up to BigPipe and get $20 credit!


HP

 
 
 
 

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).
NZtechfreak
4649 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 461

Trusted

  #1438064 30-Nov-2015 18:57
Send private message

Xiaomi Mi Pad pretty good buying on sale prices places like AliExpress, Shield Tablet also a very decent option. Nexus 9 too, if found at a good enough price.




Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org


timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1438105 30-Nov-2015 20:09
Send private message

Xiaomi Mi Pad would be great if I wanted an 8" tablet, ditto the shield, but I really want min 9" and preferably ten. Thanks for the suggestions though, still interested in 10" Chinese suggestions! Also looking at the Samsung tab A 9.7 but only just started researching.

timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted
Lifetime subscriber

  #1438125 30-Nov-2015 20:48
Send private message

Any thoughts on the Lenovo Tab 2 A10 - 10", US$180, 1080p screen, looks to be around 30% faster than my S4 i9505 phone? It has Android 5 and it's possible to root it, no sign of Android 6. Apparently people do have a bit of trouble with upgrades.

The Asus TF103 (my old tablet is TF101) looks like a decent option. US$239 with a removable keyboard dock, making it into a mini laptop. There are other Asus Transformer options too. It's within what I wanted to spend, but not quite awesome enough to hit buy immediately...

NZtechfreak
4649 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 461

Trusted

  #1438151 30-Nov-2015 21:12
Send private message

Checking Pricespy with some filters I note that it is very hard indeed to get a decent spec tablet with a 10 inch screen within this budget. A number of good ~8 inch options, but specs on the 10 inch models nowhere near approaching the internals you can get in several 8/9 inch models.




Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org


 1 | 2 | 3
Filter this topic showing only the reply marked as answer View this topic in a long page with up to 500 replies per page Create new topic








Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.