Nexus vs Kindle Fire HD vs iPad vs Lenovo Yoga vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 4?

PGL

Hi Folks

I know there have been a lot of post along the lines of "can you please recommend a tablet". However I have gone to the trouble of looking into various tablet options, and have narrowed my search down, and would like people's view on which one is best.

The tablet would mainly be used by my kids (5 and 2 years old) to watch videos, and use Apps. I would need to be able to upload videos from my laptop to the tablet. I am open to either Android or iOS operating systems, but have no experience whatsoever with Android to date. My price limit is approx €250.

My shortlist is as follows:

• Google Nexus 7 2013
• Kindle Fire HD
• Apple iPad Mini
• Lenovo Yoga
• Apple iPad 2
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 4

Can anyone recommend which one of these is best, or am I missing a better option from the list?

Thanks a mill!

Bravobabe

Hi,
Are you looking for 7 or 10 inch?
I know you included the Nexus 7 (which is 7 inch)

If the tablet is for your kids (for watching videos playing games etc.) Why spend so much? You could get two for your Budget.

You can get a good Tablet from €120 to €170 and no matter what you buy - a better one is going to be on the shelf the following week. (be wary of Geeks who are going to recommend the Ferrari when the Toyota will do the job and compare a €500 machine v €150 item)

If it's for the Kids - I would suggest Android (lots of choice of Apps & Games to download for free)
Last week - I got a Lenovo A10 (10 inch, Quadcore processor, 1G Ram & 16GP of internal storage with SD card slot & micro SD card slot, wifi & Bluetooth) Cost €169 in Argos. It was a present for Father's day and it does the job - very happy with it (We also have a Samsung Tab 7 inch, several smart phones and 3 x laptops in the house, smart tv, android media player & a Roku 3 and find the Lenovo excellent quality)
The 8 inch Yugo is €179 (think it has 2GB of ram and I was tempted but opted for the 10 inch)
There are loads of choices available from DID, Harvey Norman, Power City & PC World.
Micro USB will allow you to connect to your Laptop or you can use an SD card or USB to transfer files. Also there are may android apps that will allow you to watch TV, Video & Film (RTE Player, UTV Player etc etc etc)

Pick your budget and get the best machine for that budget (see offer from DID)
http://www.did.ie/hannspree-black-10-1-tablet-free-bluetooth-headphones-free-anti-virus-free-2-year-warranty-hannspackdec1-prd

Whatever you choose - get a case for it (help protect it when the kids let it fall). Happy hunting

Bravobabe

Hi,

Apple: Should have mentioned I'm not a fan of Apple - Great product, but I think they are too restrictive (its like buying a cow and having to pay the seller each time you milk the cow) - Don't think I would purchase one, but would be delighted to win one.

Windows - good, but not as many options as Android

Android - great choice and flexibility.

All you choices are great pieces of kit, Samsung, Lenovo Yugo & Nexus would probably be my order of choice, but I think if its for kids between 2 - 5, save yourself some money and get a cheaper Android (buy another one in 2 years if you wish)

PGL

Bravobabe wrote: »

Pick your budget and get the best machine for that budget (see offer from DID)
http://www.did.ie/hannspree-black-10-1-tablet-free-bluetooth-headphones-free-anti-virus-free-2-year-warranty-hannspackdec1-prd

Bravo Bravobabe!

Many thanks for your reply. Just looking at the Hannspree model. Seeing as I have no experience of Android, I have a "noddy" question: It says on the DID website that Android 4.1 Jellybean is loaded on the machine. Is is possible to update this tablet (and all tablets) to the latest software update, which is Android 5.0 Lollipop I think?

cheers

Bravobabe

Hi PGL,
There are no "noddy" questions - just ones that that can or can't be answered.
I'm NOT an expert or a "techy", but a bit like yourself I like to get the most up-to-date technology when I am buying and sometimes will spend more to get it.

Have a look at http://www.hannspree.co.uk/en/faq-tablet (it might be of some help about upgrading).

No matter what you buy - there is going to be a newer version on the shelf in the short-term, so you can't fully future proof any purchase.

If the Tablet is just for the Kids, then this looks like a good deal (if/when it falls from the table and hits the floor, well you still have the headphones and your only down €120 compared to €400 to €500 on the Samsung or Ipad)

The Samsung, Ipad & Nexus are likely better specified pieces of kit and if "price" is not a constraint they are the better machines , but as budget Tablets the Hannspree, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, GoTab etc are all reasonably good for their price range.

They are all excellent for watching downloaded videos & kids programmes, streaming live TV, music, reading newspaper, facebook and playing games etc etc.
There are countless Apps on the Google Play Store & Amazon app store (500000+), and obviously lots of Apps for the Ipad.

The DID offer comes with a 2 year warranty, if you have it for 2 years it would have cost you around €1 per week.
Now, I didn't end up with the Hannspree, but got the Lenovo (Argos) instead (probably just down to the fact that my wife was p*ssed off looking at tablets and it was getting close to closing time).
Best of luck with whatever choice you make (Tablets are great pieces of kit)

PGL

Hi

I went with the Hannspree 10 inch tablet from the DID offer, and picked it up today. It seems that I could have a problem finding a cover suitable for protecting it from the kids dropping it on the ground. I think it would need to be a shockproof rubber type cover. There were no covers in DID. I also visited a couple of stands in the local shopping centre but they had none suitable either. A quick google search is not throwing up any suitable ones either.
Can anyone recommend a cover for this tablet? Note that I have not opened the packaging yet, so worst case scenario, I can return the tablet.

Cheers!

Bravobabe

Hi PGL

Best of luck with the purchase -don't forget you have a 2 year warranty (I had to bring my Samsung back twice as it kept on losing wifi connection, DID replaced the unit and no problems since).
So when you do set it, leave it on a full charge and then check out the wifi connections etc, amazon appstore offer a free app every day and some can be useful, you can look at Youtube, to see how you download that as an alternative to Google play)

I'm a bit surprised that DID had not offer you a "Universal" 10.1 case - see below

You can go with
- a Silicon/Rubber case which protects the back and the edges and you would probably have to add a screen protector or
- a folding case (protects all around and can act as a stand) or
- zipped case/bag

I note you checked the stands in the shopping centre (which makes sense, but I think they tend to target Ipad and Galaxy customers)

see links below
DID
http://www.did.ie/techair-flip-reverse-10-1-tablet-case-black-taxut019-prd

amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DURAGADGET-Resistant-Including-Hannspree-SN97T41W/dp/B00FBFNQSC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436952242&sr=8-2&keywords=shock+proof+10.1+hannspree+tablet+case

DID
http://www.did.ie/port-phoenix-iv-universal-10-1-portfolio-case-201240-prd

Argos
http://www.did.ie/port-phoenix-iv-universal-10-1-portfolio-case-201240-prd

Ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-PU-Leather-Case-Stand-for-HANNSPREE-HANNSPAD-10-1-inch-Tablet-PC-/271691787560?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f4217ad28

Bravobabe

Hi,

The Argos link is
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/catalogId/14551/partNumber/2796154.htm

I got this with my Lenovo 10.1 and it works a treat.
(Get the model number off your tablet and include that in any searches - the majority of the Universal cases work really well)

PGL

Bravobabe wrote: »

Hi PGL

Best of luck with the purchase -don't forget you have a 2 year warranty (I had to bring my Samsung back twice as it kept on losing wifi connection, DID replaced the unit and no problems since).
So when you do set it, leave it on a full charge and then check out the wifi connections etc, amazon appstore offer a free app every day and some can be useful, you can look at Youtube, to see how you download that as an alternative to Google play)

I'm a bit surprised that DID had not offer you a "Universal" 10.1 case - see below

You can go with
- a Silicon/Rubber case which protects the back and the edges and you would probably have to add a screen protector or
- a folding case (protects all around and can act as a stand) or
- zipped case/bag

I note you checked the stands in the shopping centre (which makes sense, but I think they tend to target Ipad and Galaxy customers)

see links below
DID
http://www.did.ie/techair-flip-reverse-10-1-tablet-case-black-taxut019-prd

amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DURAGADGET-Resistant-Including-Hannspree-SN97T41W/dp/B00FBFNQSC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1436952242&sr=8-2&keywords=shock+proof+10.1+hannspree+tablet+case

DID
http://www.did.ie/port-phoenix-iv-universal-10-1-portfolio-case-201240-prd

Argos
http://www.did.ie/port-phoenix-iv-universal-10-1-portfolio-case-201240-prd

Ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-PU-Leather-Case-Stand-for-HANNSPREE-HANNSPAD-10-1-inch-Tablet-PC-/271691787560?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f4217ad28

Hi Bravobabe

Many thanks for going to the trouble of your detailed response!

Seeing as I'm dealing with young kids, the ideal solution would be the Silicon/Rubber case with screen protector as you mentioned.

However the links you provided are all related to the leather book style case. I have not been able to locate the silicon/rubber case anywhere - would you happen to know where I could find one?

Many thanks!

Bravobabe

I suggest you bring one of the tablets to a large shopping centre and try and fit it with the Kids Rubber (eg Samsung) cases they have in stock (They may not be an exact fix, charging point/camera may not line up) but if the tablet fits in snugly it will protect it)
If these outlets are too expensive - buy the same via internet.

Otherwise - These "NEW" Universal case from DID look ok
http://www.did.ie/cases

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geargrip-Friendly-Silicone-compatible-Description/dp/B00ZTFNRRY/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1437486933&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=kids+table+rubber+case+10+inch

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/TOUGH-BUILDERS-HEAVY-DUTY-SHOCK-PROOF-HARD-CASE-COVER-FOR-MOBILE-PHONE-TABLETS-/131122912255?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item1e8788dbff