Post: #1

Unfortunately it's time to retire my netbook. It was a trooper and saw me through some wild times. I thought buying a tablet would be easy but several new contenders have suddenly entered the race. My sights were set on the Galaxy Tab 10.1, but it has similar connectivity setup as the Ipad 2 (no usb or sd card). Toshiba has a model coming out that looks promising, and Asus seems to be doing well w/ the Transformer. Cost isn't and issue.

These things seem like gold for our lifestyle, b/c of size and weight. I know there's some heavy hitters around here in the computer world. I was hoping you, or anyone that has purchased a 10" model and field tested could help me make an informed decision. Thanks in advance gents.

Post: #2

I just bought a 7" HyperTab Android tablet off EBay for $50. It has N wireless and runs Jellybean. That's all I really cared about. I'll stick a memory card in it and I'm good to go. I mostly wanted it to read ebooks on my couch and a remote control for my AV equipment.

Specs:
A23 dual-core Cortex-A7 CPU (Newest Version updated on Dec. 2013)
OS Android OS4.2 (Jelly beans)
RAM 512MB DDR3
Product size
(L x W x H) 182mm×121mm×8mm
Weight 0.30KG
Memory Built-in 4GB FLASH Memory. (Shared with System, about 2GB)
External Card Support TF card up to 32GB
Screen 7" 16:9 TFT LCD capacitive multi-touch panel 800 x 480 (WVGA)
Inputs/Outputs 1 DC Jack

Post: #3

I'm also in the market for a tablet computer. $100-$200 range, less expensive if possible.

Things I would like -

10" screen
Can use Firefox for web browsing, YouTube, and Pandora
Can hook up a keyboard
Can hook up a decent pair of speakers
USB ports for my SD card reader and external hard drive

Recommendations?

Post: #4

Just check eBay. There's a lot of knock off brands from China on there for cheap. Everything is made in China anyway. There's a website I frequent called http://www.chinavasion.com They'll have things you'll never see in the US. Cheaper and better specs. Give it a look.

Post: #5

I'm doing this from a nexus 7. I really recommend a seven inch screen as opposed to a ten. It really increases portability as you can carry it in a decent sized pocket.

Post: #6

Beware in buying cheap tablets not all have the Google Apps installed which means no Market for adding programs. You'd have to sideload APKs

Post: #7

Ali I think you can still get viruses on a tablet. What ended your laptop (porn) can do the same to your tablet.

Post: #8

(01-25-2014 06:16 PM)MSW2007 Wrote:  I'm also in the market for a tablet computer. $100-$200 range, less expensive if possible.

Things I would like -

10" screen
Can use Firefox for web browsing, YouTube, and Pandora
Can hook up a keyboard
Can hook up a decent pair of speakers
USB ports for my SD card reader and external hard drive

Recommendations?

Seriously, save your money and stay away from Chinese knockoff's. You pay for what you get. Bump your budget into the $300 range and look at the Galaxy Tab or similar. The Nexas tabs get real good reviews, and I'm a fan of Asus as well. Samsung is made in S Korea btw.

Cheap tabs will have shit screens, poor relationship between processor and software, unstable, slow, garbage battery, ect.

Forgot about this thread, but I bought a Galaxy Tab 10.1 32gb the day before rolling to Afghan. I love it now use it all the time. I would like to upgrade to a Nexas 10 or Galaxy 10 Note, but it still runs fast with ios 4.0.4, and I just don't need the upgrade yet.

Post: #9

Surface Tablet 32gb 10.6'' - Refurb.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Windows-Surface-...5337259887

Some discussion on it.
http://slickdeals.net/f/6653672-microsof...rb?src=pdw

Post: #10

(01-25-2014 07:55 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

(01-25-2014 06:16 PM)MSW2007 Wrote:  I'm also in the market for a tablet computer. $100-$200 range, less expensive if possible.

Things I would like -

10" screen
Can use Firefox for web browsing, YouTube, and Pandora
Can hook up a keyboard
Can hook up a decent pair of speakers
USB ports for my SD card reader and external hard drive

Recommendations?

Seriously, save your money and stay away from Chinese knockoff's. You pay for what you get. Bump your budget into the $300 range and look at the Galaxy Tab or similar. The Nexas tabs get real good reviews, and I'm a fan of Asus as well. Samsung is made in S Korea btw.

Cheap tabs will have shit screens, poor relationship between processor and software, unstable, slow, garbage battery, ect.

Forgot about this thread, but I bought a Galaxy Tab 10.1 32gb the day before rolling to Afghan. I love it now use it all the time. I would like to upgrade to a Nexas 10 or Galaxy 10 Note, but it still runs fast with ios 4.0.4, and I just don't need the upgrade yet.

Oh, and tablets from known manufacturers are more popular, which means you can fix any software problems at home, easier rooting and custom roms because more people are making customizations to their tabs and giving them away for free - there are roms from 4.1.2 up to 4.4 just for the Tab 10.1, and they are faster than stock roms, give more battery life, don't have any lags...
So, not only do you pay for superior hardware and build quality, you also pay for support - I can modify my Galaxy S3 to my heart's content, and you can also customize the Tab 10.1, Nexus 10 and Galaxy 10; you can never get bored with it.

Post: #11

Pioneer has their R1 tablet on sale at walmart for $59, I didn't buy though because it lacks bluetooth (how could PIONEER miss that feature????!!!!)

Post: #12

That Pioneer has pretty much the same specs as the hypertab I just bought for $50. I'd like to compare the two. I may swing by Walmart and check it out.

Post: #13

(01-26-2014 08:12 PM)Parlay44 Wrote:  That Pioneer has pretty much the same specs as the hypertab I just bought for $50. I'd like to compare the two. I may swing by Walmart and check it out.

Parlay, how well do you like the hypertab? I've got fifty bucks to fuck around with.

Post: #14

(01-26-2014 08:24 PM)Cincinnatus Wrote:  

(01-26-2014 08:12 PM)Parlay44 Wrote:  That Pioneer has pretty much the same specs as the hypertab I just bought for $50. I'd like to compare the two. I may swing by Walmart and check it out.

Parlay, how well do you like the hypertab? I've got fifty bucks to fuck around with.

I haven't gotten it yet. Been tracking it.
Should have it by tomorrow. I'll let you know.

I had the same thought. $50 is chump change.
Let me check it out. If it sucks I'll sell it or trade
it with someone. I'm sure it'll be good enough for
my basic needs. I have a laptop and desktop for
any serious computer needs.

I may give it to my kid to fuck around with if I don't
like it.

Post: #15

You guys should know that a lot of these knock off brands are made by big name manufacturers. They just put another name on it. It's especially common with TVs and DVD and BLU-Ray players. Samsung makes the guts for Pavv TVs and LG makes the guts for Westinghouse I believe. The menus are the same. Even the TV remotes are interchangeable. Don't be so quick to judge knock off electronics until you've tried them.

With the case of the Pioneer tablet ...I'll bet it's a generic chinese made tablet and Pioneer just stuck their name on it.

Sometimes companies enter markets that they have no interest or expertise in. They'll sell products at a loss in order to take some market share from other companies. It's big business.

Post: #16

iPad, bought a Nexus 7 to try an android device and I am wishing I would have just spent the extra $100 on an iPad.

Post: #17

Don't buy an iPad if you plan on using it after 2 years (and that's if you buy one brand new when they first come out) because that's the cutoff date for updates. It's not being stuck on an old iOS that'll get you, it's Apple forcing devs to make their apps compatible with only the newest OS version, hence screwing you unless you pony up more $$$ for the already overpriced devices. That's what sent me back to Android.

Post: #18

Nexus 7 isn't even comparable to iPad.

They're on completely different price levels.

Get a higher-end Android tablet instead.

You'll get free updates for life and you have a great community.

You'll have a more powerful device that will last for years to come.

Post: #19

I have a lot of experiences with various tablets, and right now I would recommend Nexus 7 (2013 model) for 7 inch or iPad Air for full sized.
There simply isn't any competitive full sized Android tablet IMHO. iPad is still the king here. The disadvantage is that it's pricey and cannot expand memory, but it's lightweight, very fast and the tablet ecosystem on iOS is still a lot better. Also the new iPad mini retina is good, basically a shrunk iPad Air. However, in smaller tablet sizes you may as well pick up the Nexus 7 for half the price.

The new Nexus 7 (2013) is an amazing and cheap tablet. I bought the 16GB version as a Christmas present ($199 on sale) and had a chance to play with it. Very good performance, beautiful 1080p screen, lightweight, good battery, stock Android, etc. Best Android tablet by far, especially for the price.

I strongly dislike non-stock Android so I cannot recommend anything outside of the Nexus line or Google Play edition. I own Nexus 10 for over a year now, and it's a good tablet, but feels a little underperformed these days (new Nexus 7 feels way smoother). But could be a good buy if you can get it really cheap and want a 10 incher. If new Nexus 10 comes out that could be a great tablet.
There is also LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play edition, but that seems quite overpriced - $350 for what is basically a little bit bigger Nexus 7.

Post: #20

If you guys need to run windows software, on your tablets, you should check into Amazon's virtual desktop. You can run everything you need using your tablet (need internet connection).

I haven't used them yet but will probably set one up in the near future.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/11/13/amazon-...ce-on-aws/

Post: #21

Cnet is a great starting point for reviews and comparisons. To get a more accurate though you need to check their opinions with other professional sites like PC World, and against intelligently written buyer reviews. Here's their list of Android tabs to date:


Top 5 Best Android Tablets:

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-tablets/bes...d-tablets/


Best Tablets:

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-tablets/


Cnet also has good buying guides to put things in perspective. My Tab 10.1 is still running fine, and I don't see a reason to upgrade, even though new gen's are running with 2gb of RAM. I'll keep current for another year probably, unless something epic hits the market. I have Xbox Smart Glass, and tied it into Youtube, so I can seamlessly run my Xbox off the tab. Very convenient and speeds searches/typing up. Once you incorporate a tablet into your life, its hard to put it down.

I had high hopes early on with the Asus Transformer and Toshiba Thrive, but they seem to have been outclassed. Oh well.

Post: #22

Having had a Nexus 7 for 9 months I realize it's strengths are in its portability. At home it can feel small but on the road it's great.

Post: #23

Alright I wanted to give you guys a short review of the $50 Hypertab I bought off Ebay.

I've had it for an hour now and have been dicking around with it. Charges with a small round barrel connector on a charger and via micro USB cable connection.

The screen is a TFT screen which means it's not nearly as nice an an iPad. When you look at it straight on it looks ok. -1

If you rotate the screen 45 degrees to the left or right the screen looks all whited out. That's the limitation of TFT. -1

It's capacitive touch so you can swipe your finger across it lightly just like an iPad or smartphone. +1

It has the Google Play store so I was able to download my common apps like Facebook, ebay etc. +1

It's pretty snappy at web browsing. Can't complain there. +1

Has 802.11N 2.4 GHz wireless built in. Big selling point for me +1

Readability of the screen text is average to shitty. I like my iPhone 4s better. 0 points

Two finger zoom in and out works well. +1

Front only camera. Don't really care honestly. 0 points.

Has a micro SD card slot. Inserted a 16GB card I had laying around worked ok. Documentation says 32GB card max supported. Read a review online that 64GB cards actually work. Haven't tried though. If it's true then a definite plus. +1

No home button like iPad. When the screen times out you have to hit the power button to wake it up. Don't really care. 0 points.

3G connectivity through a short USB dongle. Don't really care. 0 points.

No Bluetooth. Don't care. 0 points.

It's made of plastic and feels very light. I'd be scared to drop it. It if breaks it's no big loss. 0 points.

Summary: Not a bad tablet for $50. Is it worth $50? Sure. Would I buy it again after having played with it? Yes. I'll probably set it up and give it to my kid or my mother to play with it. My mother is old and not too tech savvy so it's a good entry point into the internet world. I'll set up skype and e-mail so she can talk to relatives online. I'll probably throw XBMC on it so she can watch TV and movies for free.

Post: #24

There's a sale on the Nexus 10 32GB, it's going for 350 bucks on slickdeals

Post: #25

I'm curious about that 3G dongle now... T-Mobile USA gives all tablets 200 MB of data a month for free. I set up my ancient iPad 3G 1st gen (that was $629 well spent in 2010) with it just to see if they really will take anything...

I assume the 3G it supports is GSM since that would be the most universal.