Recommend a 10" Android tablet

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timmmay

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#265810 12-Feb-2020 17:13

I'm looking for an Android tablet for my Mum. She wants something bigger than her Moto G8 Plus to play scrabble at home, and might do web browsing. She originally said she wanted something faster than the G8 Plus, but I pointed out that phone was fairly fast and a faster tablet could be quite expensive - so looking for something at least not too slow.

Loose set of requirements:

Prefer Android 9 or 10 I guess, though my Lenovo Tab2 on Android 6 still works well. I really like the Lenovo, but when I looked for benchmarks for the ones on Amazon they came back reporting as really slow - not sure I checked the right model though.
Probably 1080p screen, I think 720p is not quite enough on a 10" screen
Decent speed, but not looking for a super fast super expensive one
Maximum price NZ$400, prefer less
Open to cheaper brands that aren't well known if they review well, not really needing a Samsung

Suggestions appreciated :)

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#2424721 20-Feb-2020 22:51

Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (10.1" 1920x1200, Android 9) $389 at warehouse

Lenovo Tab M10 (10.1" 1920x1200, Android 9) $378 at harvey norman

just be aware both have weaker processors than G8 Plus.

qwertee

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#2424724 20-Feb-2020 23:03

I would recommend the Samsung Tab A 2019 T510

I bought a new one from Trade Me and quite pleased with it. Used mainly for browsing, and reading magazines using Press Reader

Dick Smith is selling for $329 WIFI only

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/shop/tablets-laptops/android-tablet/

timmmay

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#2424736 21-Feb-2020 06:07

Thanks guys, that's useful, and local sourcing is easier than USA. Seems like a good trade-off of price vs performance, with performance about the same for both. If there's any a bit faster that aren't too much more expensive interested in that too :)

Dratsab

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#2424738 21-Feb-2020 06:13

I'll add a +1 for Samsung Tab A T510. We have two of them in our household, plus the charging cradles. Very nice tablets. Mine quite often gets used as an outdoor TV (Kodi + connected to a bluetooth speaker) for things like The Chase and the news while I'm BBQ'ing.

qwertee

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#2424888 21-Feb-2020 10:52

If you do get the Tab A , I suggest that you buy a case and also a glass screen protector. So many cheaper ones on TM than the Samsung originals.

When I got the case it came with a plastic screen protector and it was hard to put on without minute bubbles.

Its better to put on the screen protector before you start using it as its hard to get it really clean to put the cover on

https://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/tablets-ebook-readers/tablet-accessories/cases-covers/listing-2538625710.htm?rsqid=dcab47baef3c4997b3fdadb25c94af79-001

timmmay

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#2424908 21-Feb-2020 11:14

Ah I never bother with them any more, modern screens are plenty tough enough, and they reduce sensitivity. Plus it's for my Mum, who won't bother either.

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#2424967 21-Feb-2020 12:05

I hate to say this (i really do) but my recommendation would be to find a refurbished ipad. You get so much more for the money.

timmmay

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#2424978 21-Feb-2020 12:42

Mum uses Android and specific apps, so iPad probably not a starter. Thanks for the suggestion though.

timmmay

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#2425011 21-Feb-2020 14:06

Is 2GB RAM ok in the Samsung A10 tablet? Reviews all seem to say it's a good midrange tablet, whereas the Lenovo with 3GB RAM gets mixed reviews.

Handle9

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#2425098 21-Feb-2020 17:31

timmmay:
Mum uses Android and specific apps, so iPad probably not a starter. Thanks for the suggestion though.

The difference between the iPad and Android experiences on tablet is huge. I use an android phone, iPad and windows PC so I don't really care what platform I use. I've also got a galaxy tab S2.

Android on a tablet really sucks - bad app support, often bad hardware and weird UX choices. You wouldn't be doing her a favour by immediately discounting iPad. I'd take a serious look at the apps she uses and whether they are available on iPad.

rhy7s

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#2425108 21-Feb-2020 17:58

In a pretty mixed environment of devices myself and I find the iPads get in the way of what you want to do so often it's frustrating. And even though the OS gets supported for a fair while per device, once it drops out of support, app support drops off precipitously whereas ancient Android devices can still run current apps. The one thing I like about them is backup and restore is pretty reliable and comprehensive (though I often run into people who've maxed out their storage and stop backing up, then run into trouble).

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jonathan18

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#2425164 21-Feb-2020 20:09

My combination of devices is the same as Handle9. I don't plan to ever buy an iPhone, and equally I'd never buy an Android tablet.

Tablets, for me, are all about consuming media, whether it be written news, magazines, videos or general web browsing. iPads, I think, just work better for this. (Anytime more intensive Id5 elect to use our Windows laptop or Chromebook.) I don't want the device to get in the way of this, whereas I love being able to do exactly what I want with my phone, hence why I stick with Android.

I have never particularly enjoyed the experience of Android tablets, and agree looking at a reconditioned iPad could be worth it.

NorthernZone

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#2425172 21-Feb-2020 20:34

Ummm...I was an early buyer of an iPad and absolutely loved it. When it was on its last legs I replaced it with an 8" Samsung S2 - and I still love that even more! It's now almost 4 years old so I'm thinking ahead to a replacement and, while I'm looking at 8" and not 10", I'm sure I won't feel a need to go back to Apple. The Samsung Tab A is the benchmark for me but I might be persuaded by a Huawei or Xiaomi.

When I first bought my iPad2 I owned an iPhone and thought the iPad was going to be a "boy's toy". The timing coincided with a trip to the States and so I paid extra for 3G as well as wifi so the chip enabled a-GPS for road navigation and I bought Co-Pilot app which we found absolutely brilliant back then! Over the next several years we explored all the many other things we all learned to do on a tablet and I was sad when it really needed to be replaced.

One of the key things I did - and still do - on my tablet is to consult it in bed: as an e-reader and in the morning to check news & emails etc before getting up. That means that for me an 8" is more convenient than a 10", but of course everybody's needs are different.

I'm well aware that phone screens are getting bigger, and that tech rumours are that tablets are on the way out, but perhaps like OP's Mum (possibly of my age!) I'm sure I'll buy another tablet and it won't be a more expensive iPad.

timmmay

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#2425178 21-Feb-2020 20:54

Thanks for the thoughts all. Mum wants and Android tablet, I can't support Apple, so she gets Android :) Android on a tablet is fine, not perfect, but fine.

But screens are good for older people. Mum has a Moto G8 plus which is good but screen too small for some things, Kindle Paperwhite for books, so this is just for games and maybe email.

Samsung Tab A was my recommendation, she'll buy it or not. I quite like my old Lenovo Tab2, but they went downhill after that.

steve2222

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#2425259 22-Feb-2020 08:53

timmmay:

Is 2GB RAM ok in the Samsung A10 tablet? Reviews all seem to say it's a good midrange tablet, whereas the Lenovo with 3GB RAM gets mixed reviews.

Are you using a specific site for your reviews/comparisons analysis you can link?

Cheers

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