Recommend a Tablet €500ish

KOR101

Was hoping to pick up a Samsung Tab S4 in the holiday sales but prices just seem to rise since early November.


Is there anything equivalent that would run to about €500?

opus

Huawei MediaPad M5 maybe? I've the older M3 version & it's still working fine, mainly used for reading the newspapers, youtube, music & the odd bit of browsing.

since you mention the tab s4 I presume that you're looking for a 10 inch tablet (unlike the mediapad m5 linked which is 8 inch although there is also a 10 inch version available for more money - avoid the "lite" versions as they are underpowered)

mi pad 4 plus 328 usd with delivery from here so 290 euro about. that's about half the price of an s4 but it's a really good tablet.

i have the 8 inch version (cheaper and without gps and lte) and it's excellent.

https://www.honorbuy.com/1521-xiaomi-mi-pad-4-plus-4gb-ram-64gb-rom-lte-tablet-pc-black.html?search_query=mi+pad+4+plus&results=770

no customs, delivery in a few days by dhl from Europe. can also get 128gb version but it has sd card expansion
(I ordered from there - it's the best ordering option after my research)

4gb ram, 64gb storage (128gb available for 50 dollars more)
decent chip - 145,000 on antutu benchmark. enough to run anything even 3d games at high settings. (similar to the kirin 960 in the full version mediapad m5 but higher antutu benchmark on 660 in the mediapad m5 but the 660 has better graphics capability)
very long battery life - 16 to 17 hours real-world use on this plus version
LTE sim capability if you need it
nice screen - 1080p but it's excellent
nice build
bootloader can be unlocked unlike the Huawei, if you want to add custom roms. it will get an update to android pie

best value good android tablet.

does not have the spen like Samsung but that is very samsung specific. you could get a pen but it wont have all the samsung capabilities

comprehensive review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvnhl_7y1LY

Bluefoam

Problem with tablets is that with use they degrade... power of battery drops and they get slow... I've had both Asus Transformer & Nexus 9, both had to be dumped. They were fine physically, but were excrutiatinly slow after a year + of use.

I'd recommend a Microsoft Surface Go, if the software suits you... If you need Android apps, I've no idea.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/p/surface-go/8v9dp4lnknsz?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab

mickoneill31

Bluefoam wrote: »

Problem with tablets is that with use they degrade... power of battery drops and they get slow... I've had both Asus Transformer & Nexus 9, both had to be dumped. They were fine physically, but were excrutiatinly slow after a year + of use.

I'd recommend a Microsoft Surface Go, if the software suits you... If you need Android apps, I've no idea.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/p/surface-go/8v9dp4lnknsz?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab

Not necessarily true. I bought a Samsung Note 10.1 in December 2013. Only retired it at Christmas as I replaced it. It was well battered and had been used a lot. Maybe its true of the cheaper models (this one wasn't cheap).

The major negative (and my reason for replacing) is that they stop getting updates after one or two years.

My missus has the Mediapad M5 (the cheaper model, think it has 2 or 3gb) . That's 10 inches alright. I found the resolution on the screen is a bit low but that's because I'm more used to the high resolutions. She uses it for movies and surfing and is happy with it.

Edit: this is the one my missus got.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07GNDVCFM?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

Bluefoam

Bluefoam wrote: »

Problem with tablets is that with use they degrade... power of battery drops and they get slow... I've had both Asus Transformer & Nexus 9, both had to be dumped. They were fine physically, but were excrutiatinly slow after a year + of use.

I'd recommend a Microsoft Surface Go, if the software suits you... If you need Android apps, I've no idea.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ie/p/surface-go/8v9dp4lnknsz?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab

that's a generalisation.

there was a lot of chip advancement in the android arena particularly in the early years like on the models you mentioned.

so the early chips were quickly out of date as by now the power in them is very low e.g. antutu score of 20,000 to 30,000 or so versus say 145,000 in the mi pad 4.

also they had low levels of ram - 1gb or 2gb.

if you buy a modern tablet with decent power (something like mi pad 4) it will be good for 5 years min of general use at least. the only issue could be with very intensive 3d games where after a couple of years you will have to lower the settings.

the chip speeds won't rise as much comparatively in the coming years and 4gb ram will be good for years to come.

with the mi pad you will also have the option to update the rom when updates cease for the device as it will be supported by developers and the bootloader can be unlocked. so using a rom like lineage os it will be on the latest version of android.

on the battery life - that will degrade over time depending on how many times it's charged but battery tech has improved. with something like the mi pad 4 plus where you're starting with a real-world usage of 16 to 17 hours even after 5 years you will still get 10 to 11 hours easy.

re the other poster - think that you're talking about the mediapad m5 lite version; the screen, ram and cpu are not as good as the full version.

KOR101

Can anyone tell me whether I would run into problems if I bought the 'Italian Version' on Amazon Italy.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Tablet, 10.5, 64 GB Espandibili, WIFI, Nero [Versione Italiana] (B07GH47BBF

Bluefoam

KOR101 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me whether I would run into problems if I bought the 'Italian Version' on Amazon Italy.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Tablet, 10.5, 64 GB Espandibili, WIFI, Nero [Versione Italiana] (B07GH47BBF

It'll come with a euro plug...

KOR101

Bluefoam wrote: »

It'll come with a euro plug...

but, won't my Galaxy S7 charger cable work fine?

Bluefoam

KOR101 wrote: »

but, won't my Galaxy S7 charger cable work fine?

Dunno... What connection is on your Galaxy S7 & what connection is on the tablet? USB C, Micro USB, Mini USB... is one fast charge, Qualcomm Quickcharge 1, 2 or 3?

You'll be able to plug the cable into an old USB 3 pin socket anyway.

Cameraman

glasso wrote: »

https://www.honorbuy.com/1521-xiaomi-mi-pad-4-plus-4gb-ram-64gb-rom-lte-tablet-pc-black.html?search_query=mi+pad+4+plus&results=770

no customs, delivery in a few days by dhl from Europe. can also get 128gb version but it has sd card expansion
(I ordered from there - it's the best ordering option after my research)

Looks pretty good.
Any other recommended suppliers - as it's been out of stock in honorbuy since this was posted ?

Thanks, F.

Cameraman

Cameraman wrote: »

Looks pretty good.
Any other recommended suppliers - as it's been out of stock in honorbuy since this was posted ?

Thanks, F.

the 128gb version is in stock for 50$ more. more money but more storage for media etc and internal storage is a lot better and faster than an sd card

https://www.honorbuy.com/1525-xiaomi-mi-pad-4-plus-4gb-ram-128gb-rom-lte-tablet-pc-gold.html

about 335 euro delivered for 128gb version

not sure about other suppliers - you could check aliexpress to see if there are

1. any sellers offering it through Europe

2. sellers offering dhl with no customs stoppage

Goldway is used a fair bit here and is probably one of the best Ali sellers. no customs with dhl

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-Xiaomi-Mi-Pad-4-Plus-64GB-128GB-Tablets-Mipad-4-Plus-Snapdragon-660-Octa-Core/32933182561.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.18.124a17e4YOby72&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_10890_319_10546_317_10548_10696_10084_453_454_10083_10618_10304_10307_10820_537_536_10902_10059_10884_10887_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=de36ac57-045c-4b86-aaa3-47bb03a26290-2&algo_pvid=de36ac57-045c-4b86-aaa3-47bb03a26290

about 295 delivered for 64gb version. (slower delivery prob than honorbuy which is very quick)

Cameraman

Great - thanks for the extra info glasso - will probably go for one of the European options.

F.

Cameraman

Cameraman wrote: »

Great - thanks for the extra info glasso - will probably go for one of the European options.

F.

you mean european options from Ali?

couldn't really find any there - could you?

Goldway prob best option for the 64gb version at the mo.

Cameraman

glasso wrote: »

you mean european options from Ali?

couldn't really find any there - could you?

Goldway prob best option for the 64gb version at the mo.

I meant honorbuy or possibly ebay - there's a UK-based supplier there - but a bit more expensive.

goldway do seem to be pretty decent from what I've seen on this forum for buying stuff.

obviously could be trickier than say amazon for returns but probably more protection that ebay (e.g. paypal protection runs out after a few months)

Xaniaj

How would the Huawei M5 compare? Ideally I'd like the 8" Mi Pad but seems impossible to get from an EU store!

Xaniaj

Xaniaj wrote: »

How would the Huawei M5 compare? Ideally I'd like the 8" Mi Pad but seems impossible to get from an EU store!

very similar but battery life not as good - 6/7hrs real-world vs 12 real-world (as opposed to claimed) on mi pad 4

screen is higher res on M5 but mi pad screen is excellent as it is and for 8 inch very detailed.

mi pad 4 will have a longer update cycle as newer

cpu similar in power.

m5 more expensive

Goldway probably the way to get it at the mo as I said

210 euro delivered with DHL (no customs issues) for 8 inch 64gb wifi

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-Xiaomi-Mi-Pad-4-MiPad-4-8-Tablets-PC-Snapdragon-660-Octa-Core-1920x1200-FHD/32905755991.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.42.4bda77dczK36AF&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_319_317_10696_10084_453_10083_454_10618_10304_10307_10820_10821_537_10302_536_10902_10059_10884_10887_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=120951cd-2405-417c-9a09-fcbb0e8d1caa-5&algo_pvid=120951cd-2405-417c-9a09-fcbb0e8d1caa

Xaniaj

glasso wrote: »

very similar but battery life not as good - 6/7hrs real-world vs 12 real-world (as opposed to claimed) on mi pad 4

screen is higher res on M5 but mi pad screen is excellent as it is and for 8 inch very detailed.

mi pad 4 will have a longer update cycle as newer

cpu similar in power.

m5 more expensive

Goldway probably the way to get it at the mo as I said

210 euro delivered with DHL (no customs issues) for 8 inch 64gb wifi

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-Xiaomi-Mi-Pad-4-MiPad-4-8-Tablets-PC-Snapdragon-660-Octa-Core-1920x1200-FHD/32905755991.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.42.4bda77dczK36AF&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_319_317_10696_10084_453_10083_454_10618_10304_10307_10820_10821_537_10302_536_10902_10059_10884_10887_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=120951cd-2405-417c-9a09-fcbb0e8d1caa-5&algo_pvid=120951cd-2405-417c-9a09-fcbb0e8d1caa

Perfect, thanks for that. Last question if you don't mind? Will the DHL defin avoid customs? They also have a disclaimer down along that customs may catch you!

Xaniaj

Xaniaj wrote: »

Perfect, thanks for that. Last question if you don't mind? Will the DHL defin avoid customs? They also have a disclaimer down along that customs may catch you!

well I'm not to guarantee it personally but here's a search for Goldway DHL on this forum

https://www.boards.ie/search/submit/?query=goldway%20dhl&forum=1343

Xaniaj

glasso wrote: »

well I'm not to guarantee it personally but here's a search for Goldway DHL on this forum

https://www.boards.ie/search/submit/?query=goldway%20dhl&forum=1343

Fair enough! Thanks again!

Xaniaj

Xaniaj wrote: »

Fair enough! Thanks again!

by the way honorbuy has eu stock in 8 inch 64gb gold wifi

https://www.honorbuy.com/1471-xiaomi-mi-pad-4-64gb-tablet-chinese-and-english-versiongold.html

white front so in a case doesn't matter if it's gold if you don't like that colour

Xaniaj

glasso wrote: »

by the way honorbuy has eu stock in 8 inch 64gb gold wifi

https://www.honorbuy.com/1471-xiaomi-mi-pad-4-64gb-tablet-chinese-and-english-versiongold.html

white front so in a case doesn't matter if it's gold if you don't like that colour

Thanks for that, ordered today!

you'll need to do this by the way to put on play store. only takes a few minutes

may need to register / create mi account. better to create account using a phone number by the way.

http://en.miui.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=233426&highlight=google%2Binstaller

video on it and how to clear some initial apps not needed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owPRgzEGnv4

Xaniaj

And mi pad 4 arrived today, first impressions are very positive and play store was already on it! Thanks again glasso, appreciate the help.

Cameraman

glasso wrote: »

by the way honorbuy has eu stock in 8 inch 64gb gold wifi

https://www.honorbuy.com/1471-xiaomi-mi-pad-4-64gb-tablet-chinese-and-english-versiongold.html

white front so in a case doesn't matter if it's gold if you don't like that colour

The 10"/64GB also appears to be (almost) back in stock.

FYI if you ever want to unlock the bootloader (which would be needed for a custom rom or to root) you need to go through a process of waiting 20 to 30 days (forgot which)

can be worth doing this now if you ever would consider it


this is done to prevent 3rd party sellers from putting on dodge apps.

you have to register a mi account (use phone not email as will want to contact phone with a text for unlock)

google then - you have to install an app on pc

Xaniaj

Just an update on the Mi Pad 3 8", have had it a few days now. Battery life looks good, used maybe 2-3 hours a day and battery is still at 50%. Nice and smooth, esp coming from an old Nexus tablet! Worked out about 230eur delivered so very pleased overall.

KOR101

Any thoughts on this as a solution.

https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-tab-s5e

KOR101

KOR101 wrote: »

Any thoughts on this as a solution.

https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-tab-s5e

looks decent but at $400 in the US which will be an ex-VAT price it's going to be relatively expensive over in Europe - 500 euro min if not more I'd say.

this samsung won't have spen functionality.

the mi pad 4 plus (10 inch) at about 290 delivered from honor buy is a much better deal imo. so that Samsung is going to be over 70% more expensive.

https://www.honorbuy.com/1521-xiaomi-mi-pad-4-plus-4gb-ram-64gb-rom-lte-tablet-pc-black.html?search_query=mi+pad+4+plus&results=778

similar specs cpu and ram + storage wise except the samsung has a better screen and is really thin. but the screen on the mi pad 4 is very good in itself.

n1ck

+1 for Xiaomi tablets, I've the Mi Pad 3 for nearly 2 years now and it's still lightning fast. Built quality is also really nice.