Tablet suggestions

This is it · 25-12-2019 8:27pm #1

I'm looking to get a tablet in the new year. It'll be used for browsing, emails, etc. but nothing too intensive.

I've been looking at the Samsung 5e and 6, the surface, etc. Would like the option of a keyboard and the surface seems to get decent reviews but seem a little pricey.

Almost anything I watch would be streamed from Plex or Netflix so 64GB would probably do but 128GB would obviously be better. I'm not sure if all are compatible with SD cards but that'd be handy too.

Hoping to grab something in the January sales. Budget would be around 5-600 but I can up that if needs be.

Any recommendations?

Charlie-Bravo · 25-12-2019 8:41pm

Keep a watch on Lenovo.ie for sales promos. They have both Android and Windows based tablets. If you're interested in decent spec with Android, then I'd suggest seeing if there are any Tab 4 Pro 64gb tablets on special (last year spec but still decent), or the newer P10 which is €240 at the moment.

https://www.lenovo.com/ie/en/tablets/android-tablets/lenovo-tab-series/Tab-P10/p/ZA440131GB

Although it doesn't have a keyboard, a case and keyboard can always be purchased. I just don't think smaller tablets need them unless you really have to do some long emails (or boards posts

).

26-12-2019 3:26am

look for widevine level 1 to be able to stream netflix hd

samsung s5e might do if you want a great screen but cheaper than the s6 (same screen)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Galaxy-SM-T720-Black-Version/dp/B07PJZSDB6/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1H565B3A3DJ1A&keywords=samsung+s5e&qid=1577327262&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&sprefix=samsung+s5%2Caps%2C172&sr=8-3

on sale now it seems

Hoboo · 26-12-2019 3:30am

glasso wrote: »

look for widevine level 1 to be able to stream netflix hd

samsung s5e might do if you want a great screen but cheaper than the s6 (same screen)

Glasso what's your thoughts on the new iPad, standard model. Seems to be getting the best reviews of everything for around 350. Or 450/500 for the 128gb. Just reading reviews and they all seem to point towards apple.....I'm in the market for something that'll last, have updates, and do the basics. Or is it all bollo@$

26-12-2019 11:48am

Hoboo wrote: »

Glasso what's your thoughts on the new iPad, standard model. Seems to be getting the best reviews of everything for around 350. Or 450/500 for the 128gb. Just reading reviews and they all seem to point towards apple.....I'm in the market for something that'll last, have updates, and do the basics. Or is it all bollo@$

Yes it's good value once you don't mind Apple stuff. Going for a great price over in the us also on deals if you can get it sent over

26-12-2019 11:50am

In all honesty, forget Android tablets and get the standard iPad. I got a Pro last year and never looked back from it. You don’t need to get fully into Apple stuff to use one (though I did in the end because most of it is excellent) - all the google stuff works perfectly.

26-12-2019 2:47pm

They do compare very well on the tablet side in terms of value, whereas not on the phone side. I just personally don't like apple's locked down way of doing things.

26-12-2019 2:52pm

glasso wrote: »

They do compare very well on the tablet side in terms of value, whereas not on the phone side. I just personally don't like apple's locked down way of doing things.

There’s very little locked down using an iPad. Sign in with your google account and sync your contacts and they’ve almost the full array of apps.
It did convince me to buy an iPhone, but even when I had the iPad and an android phone there was nothing restrictive about it.

This is it · 26-12-2019 3:18pm

I'm not too keen on an iPad. I had an iPhone a few years ago and it was heavily locked down. I'm not sure what iOS is like now?

I've been looking at the surface go and pro with the keyboard. €700 odd for the 128/8GB Go with keyboard in Harvey Norman, seems to be the cheapest around, which was surprising.

26-12-2019 3:23pm

This is it wrote: »

I'm not too keen on an iPad. I had an iPhone a few years ago and it was heavily locked down. I'm not sure what iOS is like now?

I've been looking at the surface go and pro with the keyboard. €700 odd for the 128/8GB Go with keyboard in Harvey Norman, seems to be the cheapest around, which was surprising.

What do you mean by locked down? They’re barely restricted to you using any apple service. Or do you mean for dodgy streaming apps?

That said, the surface would be a much better choice than an Android tablet too.

This is it · 26-12-2019 3:28pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

What do you mean by locked down? They’re barely restricted to you using any apple service.
Do you mean for dodgy streaming apps?

Do I need to go creating an iTunes account or whatever? No so much dodgy apps but I would use IPTV. I presume Plex is available?

I suppose what I'm looking for is something between my phone and my desktop, so the surface with the keyboard seemed ideal but I'm sure there are loads of others.

26-12-2019 3:30pm

This is it wrote: »

Do I need to go creating an iTunes account or whatever? No so much dodgy apps but I would use IPTV. I presume Plex is available?

I suppose what I'm looking for is something between my phone and my desktop, so the surface with the keyboard seemed ideal but I'm sure there are loads of others.

No I’ve never done a thing with iTunes between the phone or tablet. You just select ‘gmail’ in contacts settings to sync all them etc.

Not sure about plex as I just watch Netflix, amazon prime, etc on the device or via chromecast but when I check the App Store there Plex is there and says it offers iPad and AppleTV apps.

Riesen_Meal · 26-12-2019 3:35pm

This is it wrote: »

Do I need to go creating an iTunes account or whatever? No so much dodgy apps but I would use IPTV. I presume Plex is available?

I suppose what I'm looking for is something between my phone and my desktop, so the surface with the keyboard seemed ideal but I'm sure there are loads of others.

Yeah I think there are ways around IPTV stuff on Apple but probably depends if your IPTV provider supports such things...

If that is partly why you are buying (for IPTV) Android will always trump iOS in that end of things for flexibility with formats and streaming "other" sources....

This is it · 26-12-2019 3:48pm

I'd definitely need IPTV, I'll look into support on iOS.

I know the keyboard on the surface will bulk it up a bit but what are the Lenovo, etc. 2 in 1s like? They seem much thicker and then the keyboard isn't detachable but the prices are a good bit lower

https://www.currys.ie/ieen/computing/laptops/laptops/lenovo-ideapad-c340-14-intel-pentium-2-in-1-laptop-128-gb-ssd-blue-10193437-pdt.html

funkey_monkey · 26-12-2019 3:50pm

I've just bought a xiaomi mi pad 4 and am impressed with it for the price I paid.
The delivery time was a bit long, but very happy with the purchase. I got the 8" version.

26-12-2019 6:59pm

funkey_monkey wrote: »

I've just bought a xiaomi mi pad 4 and am impressed with it for the price I paid.
The delivery time was a bit long, but very happy with the purchase. I got the 8" version.

great tablet. I have one.

one downer for some people may be no widevine level 1 for streaming hd (netflix, amazon) but tbh on a small screen I don't notice that much

_Kaiser_ · 27-12-2019 2:08am

funkey_monkey wrote: »

I've just bought a xiaomi mi pad 4 and am impressed with it for the price I paid.
The delivery time was a bit long, but very happy with the purchase. I got the 8" version.

Have one of these too and find it great for the purposes I wanted - ereader, web browsing, occasional plex streaming.

I'm not sure I'd trust the native Chinese rom with banking etc (no official global rom unfortunately) but maybe that's me being paranoid. I also have a Note 9 and an Dell XPS 13 though so each of them have different uses really.

For the 150 I paid for the tablet though it's great!

27-12-2019 7:53am

https://www.androidcentral.com/android-fans-can-swallow-their-pride-and-buy-249-ipad-when-its-best-tablet-available

27-12-2019 7:05pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

https://www.androidcentral.com/android-fans-can-swallow-their-pride-and-buy-249-ipad-when-its-best-tablet-available

More powerful than equivalent android tablets for the price.

If I hadn't bought all my premium apps on Android and was buying a new tablet I would consider it.

27-12-2019 7:16pm

glasso wrote: »

More powerful than equivalent android tablets for the price.

If I hadn't bought all my premium apps on Android and was buying a new tablet I would consider it.

Yeah that’s a good point in fairness. Over the years someone could have invested a lot in the Play Store and it makes sense to stick with it. I’d say I’ve shelled out a fair bit since switching over to Apple.

This is it · 27-12-2019 11:04pm

Went with the Surface Go. Love the magnetic keyboard and kickstand, and have set up my IPTV, etc. already with no issues. Pricey enough but loving it so far. Lovely screen with great colour. Have opened a few apps like Spotify, Plex, YouTube, and browsed all at the same time to see how it would handle and there was little to no lag that I noticed anyway.

Will update in a few weeks if I think of it.

29-12-2019 1:28pm

This is it wrote: »

Went with the Surface Go. Love the magnetic keyboard and kickstand, and have set up my IPTV, etc. already with no issues. Pricey enough but loving it so far. Lovely screen with great colour. Have opened a few apps like Spotify, Plex, YouTube, and browsed all at the same time to see how it would handle and there was little to no lag that I noticed anyway.

Will update in a few weeks if I think of it.

well the surface go is very different to an Android or Applet tablet.

It's a full windows pc with all the capabilities that that brings.

did you go for the 8gb ram version? where did you pick it up?

This is it · 29-12-2019 4:44pm

Yeah went for the 8/128Gb.

Yep, obviously different but does exactly what I want.

Tablet suggestions

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