10" Tablet suggestions

[virtuo]

I'm looking to get the other half a 10" tablet for her birthday (2 weeks before xmas ) but there doesn't seem to be much to choose from.

She's played with an iPad and didn't really like it since her phones have always been Aandroid. She's also had a go on a Nexus 7, but that's "Not much bigger than her phone" and isn't as good for flicking through her photos on.

So my first thought was a Nexus 10, solid device, big screen and great resolution. Thing is they are getting quite long in the tooth now (hardware not really good enough to run Android 4.4 at full whack).

I looked at a Samsung Tab 3 10 inch at the supermarket, but the screen resolution is pants.

The only other thing I could think of was a new Galaxy Note 3 10.1, they seem impressive but a little bit pricey - was hoping to get a hit around £300.

The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 seemed alright, but maybe a bit small and I assume no access to Google Play?

Is there anything else I can look out for? Anyone here got a Nexus 10, and think it'll still be decent in 1-2 years time?


Edit: forgot to add that I hear a "New" Nexus 10 is likely to be announced, reckon this is likely in the next few weeks?

[scaryjim]

What's her likely use? Might be worth looking at the 9.7" 4:3 aspect tablets if she's likely to use it for e-reading much, it's a nicer ratio to read in portrait mode.

I know you'll go up to £300, but how little are you willing to spend? There's plenty of choice in the < £200 bracket if you shop around; for instance:

9.7" 1024x768, 1.2GHz dual core Cortex A5, £99.98 http://www.ebuyer.com/568006-hannspr...let-pc-sn97t41
10.1" 1280x800, 1.6GHz dual core Cortex A9 w. quad-core Mali 400 graphics, £119.64 http://www.ebuyer.com/432600-sumvisi...pc-cycvoy101bt
9.7" 2048x1536 ("retina"), 1.6GHz quad core A9 w. quad-core Mali 400 graphics, £179.99 http://www.ebuyer.com/524797-sumvisi...t-pc-cycvoy297

looking around you don't seem to get many 10" tablets with better than 1280x800 at less than £300, sadly. I think if I was after an Android tablet at around that size now I'd go for the retina sumvision - great value (although personally I prefer the 7" - 8" form factor).

Another option might be a Windows 8 tablet though: over the next few weeks we should get budget bay trail tablets hitting the market with full Win 8.1 at < £300. Only one I can find that available currently, however, is the £349 ASUS T100TA: http://www.ebuyer.com/579702-asus-t1...-t100ta-dk002h not bad for a full Win 8 10" tablet with detachable keyboard dock... tablet and laptop in one at only £50 over your original budget...

[virtuo]

Thanks scaryjim, very useful!

What's her likely use?

I'd say it'll be mostly playing casual games, watching streaming videos (iplayer etc and whatever's on the NAS at home), flicking through large numbers of photos and reading eBooks. She has a kindle paperwhite already, but likes the idea of taking something with her that also has access to her Kindle library.

I know you'll go up to £300, but how little are you willing to spend? There's plenty of choice in the < £200 bracket if you shop around;

I'm not aiming to spend a certain amount, I was using the price of a Current Nexus 10 (280-340) as a benchmark. Seemed like a reasonable price for what you get to me.

9.7" 2048x1536 ("retina"), 1.6GHz quad core A9 w. quad-core Mali 400 graphics, £179.99 http://www.ebuyer.com/524797-sumvisi...t-pc-cycvoy297

The high resolution was an important factor for viewing photos, the SumVision seems excellent - and has MicroSD support which'll be handy for loading it up with content to take away. Can't tell from the eBuyer page but it'd be interesting to see if it has stereo speakers (or decent mono). Quite an old version of Android on there, but I'm hoping it can be updated.

Another option might be a Windows 8 tablet though: over the next few weeks we should get budget bay trail tablets hitting the market with full Win 8.1 at < £300. Only one I can find that available currently, however, is the £349 ASUS T100TA: http://www.ebuyer.com/579702-asus-t1...-t100ta-dk002h not bad for a full Win 8 10" tablet with detachable keyboard dock... tablet and laptop in one at only £50 over your original budget...

My only concern with Windows tablets is the desperate lack of apps (and pretty low resolution screens). I've got a cheap laptop knocking about that can be used for typing out the odd document, so the physical keyboard isn't really a requirement. I'm also under the impression they are a bit more "businessy" than an Android tab, and a whole new OS to learn for a slight technophobe that's taken quite a while to get used to Android.



Thanks for the effort, going to research the SumVision tonight as it's now a strong contender

[MrRockliffe]

New nexus 10 would be my first option. I've tried cheaper companies but if anything goes wrong they're a nightmare to deal with. I've found Google to be good with replacements.

[scaryjim]

The high resolution was an important factor for viewing photos, the SumVision seems excellent - and has MicroSD support which'll be handy for loading it up with content to take away. Can't tell from the eBuyer page but it'd be interesting to see if it has stereo speakers (or decent mono).

...

Thanks for the effort, going to research the SumVision tonight as it's now a strong contender

No problem The sumvision is the best spec I can find and one of the few 10"ish tablets with decent resolution at all, tbh (although I've not done an exhaustive search). There's a similar Archos one for ~ £210. I suspect 1080p 10" widescreen tablets are out there waiting to be found (by someone with better google-fu than me )...

[Kaelan]

Be warned, the build on the Nexus 10 is a little crappy.
Apart from the usual Android offerings, there are some pretty good deals on some of the older windows 8 (not RT) slates, may be worth a look?

[Cheapy]

I think the Archos one Scaryjim is referring to is the 97 Platinum (Currently eyeing one up) but struggling to find any real reviews on it. Good thing about the Archos is that it is running stock android so the software side should be good. Alternatively there are a load of Chinese tablets with similar spec for slightly cheaper if your willing to mess (unlockng app store etc) about with them like the Onda 972/973.

Tesco have a pretty good deal on the Windows Surface RT (Original) and touch cover for £250.

Also the Nook HD+ now it has full access to the Google store is worth a look.

[Traldera]

The new Nexus 10 announcement is expected by the end of the month to give the Nexus 5 some breathing room.

I personally would wait, either for the new N10 or if you get close to your deadline go ahead and grab something.

Kaelan's comment on 2012 N10's build quality isnt true at all. Those things last a long time. The only complaint is the detachable plastic cover on the back that was for an intended attachment that was never released. I doubt your other half will notice it.

The Kindles are ok, but are obviously limited by the closed off android store.

[martin37]

Nexus 10 or Samsung Galaxy Tab 3.

[virtuo]

Just to update, I ended up getting a Nexus 10 after seeing a tempting offer at Expansys. I've also just ordered a Sumvision for myself to have a play around with

The Nexus has been great so far. No build quality issues at all, it's a solid piece of kit. Only thing that annoyed me was that most "generic" cases don't really work with it due to the curved edges and power button location.

[spiritdreams]

I've got quite a lot of tablets, as a developer.

Ipad 2 - Good value, basic iOS, got tons of games on it, my first tablet, very easy to use.
Ipad 3 Retina - Pretty much same as iPad 2, the higher resolution did not make too much of a difference to me, similar battery life as well, I would say its not worth while upgrade.
Ipad Mini - Same as iPad 2, but a bit too small for me personally.
Galaxy Note 10.1 - Pen is useful, also the sound quality really well, however really poor build quality, feels a bit cheap, also the interface is a bit laggy.
Nexus 7 2013 - A bit too small for my liking, I hardly use it after the initial hype.
Surface 2 - Close to useless, pretty awful controls, however free Office Pro
Surface Pro - What I use most as developer, this replaces a laptop with very good performance, I also use it for some indie games. Runs Visual Studio, Eclipse etc without any problem.

Just my 2 cents.

For a programmer, my main tablet is definitely now surface pro, it just does pretty much everything I need.