looking to buy an android tablet...what's the best one?

[brainhulk]

nexus 7? Kindle fire?

 

[s44]

Infinity. But that may be more expensive than you want.

 

[brainhulk]

Infinity. But that may be more expensive than you want.

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-TF700T-B1...=asus+infinity

^ that one?

 

[rudeguy]

I love my galaxy tab 2

 

[Ararat]

Everyone has their favourite, but it depends where/how you're going to use it.

I picked up a Galaxy Tab 7.7 for $240 from a brick and mortar store who were having a clearout, and I honestly haven't touched my Asus Transformer Prime (TF201) since.

Not sure exactly why (probably the Mali GPU in the Exynos), but it is MUCH smoother than the Prime, and in my view the S-AMOLED+ screen on the GT7.7 blows away the excellent SIPS+ screen on the Prime.

Having always had 10" tablets, I never, ever thought I'd get anything smaller (as I thought 10" was already really small compared to my notebook), but I just found myself using it in situations I never used the Prime (eg, cramped public transport) as I can use it with one hand (this goes for all ~7" tablets, not just the GT7.7, even though it's my personal favourite).

 

[Oyeve]

I love my galaxy tab 2

Me too. Hoping JB will make it faster tho.

 

[psych2]

One vote for the Infinity, love seeing people's faces when I take the tab off the keyboard dock lol

 

[Eug]

What size?

If 7" and you don't mind the lack of a microSD slot, then Nexus 7. Superfast CPU, 1280x800 screen, and it has Jelly Bean. Plus it only weighs 340 g.

 

[tvdang7]

Im really liking the 7. xept the GF stole it......wished it had a louder speaker and hdmi out.

 

[MoInSTL]

What size?

If 7" and you don't mind the lack of a microSD slot, then Nexus 7. Superfast CPU, 1280x800 screen, and it has Jelly Bean. Plus it only weighs 340 g.

You can order an OTG cable, download Nexus Media Importer, then plug in your flash drive. I tested a regular 8GB Cruzer and a very old Iomega 1GB. Did not try on USB 3 stick or the one I use to boot my OS. I picked up a tiny San Disk Cruzer Fit from MC this afternoon. Do not have to root it to use it.

Links:
I wanted a very sturdy, quality cable and did not want to wait for it to come from China. Lifetime warranty, right angle.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GGBYJ4

Media Importer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...iY29tLmhvbWV5c29mdC5uZXh1c3VzYi5pbXBvcnRlciJd

Cruzer Fit
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruzer...ref=pd_cp_pc_0

 

[ilkhan]

N7.
Or infinity, maybe.
Probably (99%) the nexus.

 

[Eug]

You can order an OTG cable, download Nexus Media Importer, then plug in your flash drive. I tested a regular 8GB Cruzer and a very old Iomega 1GB. Did not try on USB 3 stick or the one I use to boot my OS. I picked up a tiny San Disk Cruzer Fit from MC this afternoon. Do not have to root it to use it.

Links:
I wanted a very sturdy, quality cable and did not want to wait for it to come from China. Lifetime warranty, right angle.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GGBYJ4

Media Importer
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...iY29tLmhvbWV5c29mdC5uZXh1c3VzYi5pbXBvcnRlciJd

Cruzer Fit
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Cruzer...ref=pd_cp_pc_0

That's what I do too, but with a faster 64 GB Patriot Axle. However, it's still annoying having a USB dongle hanging off the side.

I have both right and left, but prefer a left angle cable. I also have a pivoting USB adapter. All are from China and work fine.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2267731

 

[shortylickens]

The Xoom.





:sneaky:

 

[Tom]

Im really liking the 7. xept the GF stole it......wished it had a louder speaker and hdmi out.

Kindle Fire HD has a better screen, much better speakers, and hdmi out, compared to Nexus 7.

 

[Capt Caveman]

What size?

If 7" and you don't mind the lack of a microSD slot, then Nexus 7. Superfast CPU, 1280x800 screen, and it has Jelly Bean. Plus it only weighs 340 g.

I think it will come down to what size tablet you're looking for.

Personally, I was about to jump on a Nexus 7 but have spent a bit of time at the local Micro Center playing with the Nexus 7 right beside an iPad. I'm torn b/c with the size/resolution of the iPad, I don't have to scroll as much in landscape mode or zoom in portrait mode. A 10" android tablet with 1920x1200 resolution would probably cause a similar dilemma.

 

[Eug]

I have an iPad 2. I don't use it much. I much prefer the size of the Nexus 7.

Believe or not, using the iPad 2 is much more tiring, although it depends on how you hold it. Also, I carry around the Nexus 7 sometimes. My iPad 2 never leaves the house.

However, if it's on a stand on the table, I sometimes prefer using the iPad 2, because it's bigger.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I have an iPad 2. I don't use it much. I much prefer the size of the Nexus 7.

Believe or not, using the iPad 2 is much more tiring, although it depends on how you hold it. Also, I carry around the Nexus 7 sometimes. My iPad 2 never leaves the house.

However, if it's on a stand on the table, I sometimes prefer using the iPad 2, because it's bigger.

Do you think if you had the higher resolution of the new iPad or a Transformer Infinity you might think differently?

I found when I had both the iPad and Nexus 7 in landscape mode, you had to scroll to see anything with the N7 but didn't have to with the iPad. I would love the portability of the N7 but at home, I see myself always using the iPad. Also, with a larger tablet, like the Transformer or iPad, you can dock it and use a keyboard, if you so choose to desire. Does the N7 have bluetooth?

Maybe, I should just bite the bullet and buy both.

 

[Eug]

The retina iPad is certainly much nicer than my iPad 2, but it still is as big and heavy as the iPad 2, which my main reason I use the Nexus 7.

However, I prefer smaller portable devices in general. For example, I'm not a big fan of 4.7" cell phones, and my biggest laptop is 13", after having previously owned a couple of 15" laptops.

 

[MoInSTL]

That's what I do too, but with a faster 64 GB Patriot Axle. However, it's still annoying having a USB dongle hanging off the side.

Do you have a case? If you do, you should be able to tuck it in there somewhere.

Do you have those Patriot speeds handy?

 

[shortylickens]

The retina iPad is certainly much nicer than my iPad 2, but it still is as big and heavy as the iPad 2, which my main reason I use the Nexus 7.

However, I prefer smaller portable devices in general. For example, I'm not a big fan of 4.7" cell phones, and my biggest laptop is 13", after having previously owned a couple of 15" laptops.

The retina iPad? You mean the iPad 3?
Or are we not calling it that?

 

[MoInSTL]

Do you think if you had the higher resolution of the new iPad or a Transformer Infinity you might think differently?

I found when I had both the iPad and Nexus 7 in landscape mode, you had to scroll to see anything with the N7 but didn't have to with the iPad. I would love the portability of the N7 but at home, I see myself always using the iPad. Also, with a larger tablet, like the Transformer or iPad, you can dock it and use a keyboard, if you so choose to desire. Does the N7 have bluetooth?

Maybe, I should just bite the bullet and buy both.

I have a desktop, a notebook and used to have a 9" netbook. Even the netbook meant setting it on the coffee table to use it. If I am lounging on the couch and watching TV or just hanging out I wanted something I could use with one hand like a paperback. A friend of mine has the new iPad and it looks great. But holding it requires both hands...more like a text book.

It depends on how you plan to use it.

Can use a bluetooth KB with the N7 and even a game controller.
http://www.slashgear.com/asus-nexus-7-bluetooth-keyboard-case-and-rotating-folio-revealed-01241213/
http://blog.wirelessground.com/nexus-7-accessories/

 

[Eug]

The retina iPad? You mean the iPad 3?
Or are we not calling it that?

Well, the machine is technically just called the new iPad, not iPad 3, and they call it Retina. They also use the non-word "Resolutionary" in the marketing.

Do you have those Patriot speeds handy?

Benched here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=33921987#post33921987

 

[Eug]

The retina iPad? You mean the iPad 3?
Or are we not calling it that?

Apple just calls it "iPad", but does use the term Retina to describe it. Technically there is no "iPad 3".

Do you have those Patriot speeds handy?

Benched here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=33921987#post33921987

P.S. Here are my various dongles on the Nexus 7:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=33984550#post33984550

 

[shortylickens]

OK, so what happens when they have the next iPad with Retina?

 

[Eug]

OK, so what happens when they have the next iPad with Retina?

It will be called "The new iPad" just like it is now.

They already do that with the iPod touch, and iMac, and MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro.