Android Tablet Purchase. Looking For Owner Opinions.


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I am up to get a new smartphone soon. I am either going to go back to the iPhone or actually pick up a Windows based phone. That is obviously a whole other topic and not why I am posting here. So no need to discuss which smartphone I should get next. I am no doubt waiting to get a new smartphone until after Apple releases info about the iPhone 6 in June.

 

So the purpose of picking up an Android tablet is I have been an Android smartphone owner for the past 2 years. As such I have invested quite a bit of money into the ecosystem. I actually do like Android a whole lot as well. I own a Chromecast, and the integration with it is fantastic. I also use Google products for pretty much all my personal organization, so Android obviously really excels there. I have come to rely on quite a few Android based apps for my home network and media.

 

This is why I am looking to pick up a Android Tablet. To have something that keeps me in the Android ecosystem. The main purpose of this tablet will be Android Games and Reading; Books, Comic Books, and Digital Magazines (I have made a few magazine subscription purchase in Google Play Newsstand).

 

I have somewhat narrowed it down to one the following tablets:

 

Strongly Considering

  • Google Nexus 7
  • Google Nexus 10
  • EVGA Tegra Note 7
  • Sony Xperia Z2
  • LG GPad 8.3 Google Play Edition

 

Honorable Mention

  • Asus MeMo Pad HD 7

 

Now the Xperia Z2 is the most expensive of the bunch but it also seems to have some of the best specs overall, and I do like the fact one can use a Dualshock 3 with it. Being a heavy gamer and also having many Sony devices in my home makes me no doubt consider it. I just feel like it would fit good with the rest of my Sony components.

 

A nice resolution is important, which is why as much as I love the rest of the specs on the EVGA Tegra 7, and the price is really damn nice, I just wish it had a higher resolution. I also do not think I need a Stylus really, which seems to be a major aspect of it.

 

So just curious if anyone has owned any of the above tablets, or even better has been able to compare any of the above tablets, and has an opinion either way?

 

I got my parents a Nexus 7 for Christmas this past year, so I am very familiar with it, and am really considering it, but I do like the idea of having a larger screen with one of the 10" models.

 

The one criteria I would love is if somehow any of these tablets will no doubt be upgradeable to the next Android OS, but I do not think they do things like that.

 

So again, any feedback is no doubt appreciated.

 

TIA,

DL

 

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I would take out the Nexus 10 from your list, it is outdated (don't mean this in a bad way), and it is rumored to be replaced soon. Same with Nexus 7 - there are rumors that HTC is building a 8" Nexus tablet.

 

I only have experiences with the Nexus 7 2012 & 2013, and have played with my friend's Nexus 10 multiple times. I prefer the 7" form factor, but both devices are overall excellent. I think on the lower end price spectrum, the N7 2013 is the best Android tablet you can buy hands down - it has plenty of power, great battery life, good build quality, wireless charging, and since it's a Nexus, you get quick Android updates.

 

If you need something now, I would get the Z2 tablet. It is not only new, but like you said, the spec winner. If you can wait, I'd see what Google is releasing. I know the N7 2013 came out around end of July - got one on launch day, and made a thread with initial impressions.

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I can't vouch for any of those tablets because my kids have the last gen Nexus 7, and other than that the only tablet I own is a Nook HD+.  I will say, however, that if you plan on using it for reading comic books and magazines you will greatly appreciate a 9, 10 or even 11" screen over a 7" screen.  I went from the Nook Color (7") to the HD+ (9") and I could never go back, but I still consider getting an 11" some day so that I might read my comics at the same size as they would be in print.

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Pretty good deal on a new Nexus 10 right now if you can order in the next 6 hours. Just $269.99.

DAMN!!!! I missed this, or else I would have for sure done that at that price. Thanks for sharing though.

And hmmm, I did not realize there were rumors a new Nexus may be released. I have no true sense of urgency. Good to know. Thanks for the feedback so far and if anyone else has any other impressions chime in. 

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Just FYI, but Apple won't release info on the next iPhone in June, only the next iOS details. The phone details aren't announced until September/October (unless they break continuity), along with iPad and iPod updates. Just in case you want to buy before June and saves you waiting around.

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Nexus 7, it has a great price and excellent performance. I prefer this form factor also, fits easily in one hand :)

 

Pretty sure that with a custom kernel, you'd be able to get 3rd party game controllers to work too, not certain of that but I know there are some for several tablets that add this.

 

edit - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dancingpixelstudios.sixaxiscontroller

 

Am I right in thinking that the cpu/gpu of the Nexus 10 are somewhat dated now?

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I would hold off until July, there's another Nexus 10 coming out then apparently.

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I have the Xperia Tablet Z and it is fantastic (and the Z2 is better in every way). Lightning fast, excellent display and it's so thin and light it actually is comfortable to use in many positions where other tablets get hard to hold. Hardware-wise you're not going to find better any time soon. It is probably the most expensive option though, so that's something to consider too.

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I've personally used Asus Tablets, HTC, and Google(Asus made)

 

Nexus 7's have chronic touch issues.  Coworkers and I bought new the 2013 Nexus 7's and all of us have issues (even more after upgrading to the firmware that is supposed to fix it).  It was so bad i recently sold it. 

 

A coworker has a Kobo Arc and is very pleased with it.  Id stay away from Asus in general because they always have some sort of defect going on with their devices as well. 

 

On this note, I'm a die hard Android fan.  Recently, i began to realize that Android tablets are built very poorly.  Touch response and performance seems to be an issue for Android tablets...while on phones with the same screen resolution there doesnt seem to be an issue.  I actually ended up going iPad to get away from devices where id always be finding flaws.  App quality on the apple store for tablets is vastly superior as well.  Just my 2 cents.

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I've personally used Asus Tablets, HTC, and Google(Asus made)

 

Nexus 7's have chronic touch issues.  Coworkers and I bought new the 2013 Nexus 7's and all of us have issues (even more after upgrading to the firmware that is supposed to fix it).  It was so bad i recently sold it. 

 

A coworker has a Kobo Arc and is very pleased with it.  Id stay away from Asus in general because they always have some sort of defect going on with their devices as well. 

 

On this note, I'm a die hard Android fan.  Recently, i began to realize that Android tablets are built very poorly.  Touch response and performance seems to be an issue for Android tablets...while on phones with the same screen resolution there doesnt seem to be an issue.  I actually ended up going iPad to get away from devices where id always be finding flaws.  App quality on the apple store for tablets is vastly superior as well.  Just my 2 cents.

 

I have noticed a touch issue with my nexus 7 actually, it almost strikes me as a feature to avoid accidental taps when you're not holding it. The screen actually doesn't seem to respond unless you're holding the tablet!

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As you know the Nexus 7 is a great little tablet. Very responsive, great for Android games. I've had very little qualms with it other than a design that's so symmetrical that I often pick it up upside down and hunt for the power button. Super light, great LCD screen (probably not flagship-smartphone nice, but close -- better than the Nexus 5 by a mile). I've had touch issues with it when I first got it (it would randomly stop responding without a reboot), but haven't since the latest update, so it seems fixed for good.

 

If you want to go 10" (and don't mind the extra weight -- one-hand reading is out), then obviously get the Sony Xperia Z2. It's excellent, it's luxurious, and other than simply being overpriced for a tablet, it has few flaws. I prefer the Nexus 7's rubber-y substance, though; the Sony one seems... stickier, for a lack of a better word.

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I prefer the nexus tablets, have original Nexus 7, and love it.

 

I also like the fact that even if you mange to brick the software (not hardware issues) you can also re-load it with the factory image from here

https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images

 

This allows you to easily experiment with alternate roms (if your interested) such as Cyanogenmod http://www.cyanogenmod.org/

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 just came out, you might be able to find the Galaxy Tab 3 8" at a good price. It's an excellent tablet.

 

I have the LTE edition of that tablet. Not the most powerful thing on the market but a nice screen and 4G connectivity is always nice of course. I rooted mine and de-bloated it though as out of the box it wasn't the most slick thing ever.

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From personal usage, I find 7" to be small for tablet use.  It's okay for gaming, but for Web and text reading, it's small...

 

Quite happy with my new BIG NotePro 12.2 !!!

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Nexus 7's have chronic touch issues.  Coworkers and I bought new the 2013 Nexus 7's and all of us have issues (even more after upgrading to the firmware that is supposed to fix it).  It was so bad i recently sold it. 

Good to know. I was playing Quizup and I noticed it was having touch screen issues. Frustrating because that's a touch responsive game.

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Nexus 7 2013. Great build quality, it just feels well-built. Has stock Android and you'll be the first to get new OS updates. It has great developer support, tons of custom ROMs if you want to go that route. No touch issues on my Nexus 7.

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i own nexus 10 and have owed a 7 they are both good but for my eyes the 10 res is so much better

Timely updates are a plus for anything nexus

horsepower wise it is all good

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One thing I did not anticipate is that it appears that the Xperia Z2 is damn hard to find??? At least at what should be the retail price. Unless I am looking in the wrong places I cannot find it for the retail price. I was possibly going to treat myself to it.

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One thing I did not anticipate is that it appears that the Xperia Z2 is damn hard to find??? At least at what should be the retail price. Unless I am looking in the wrong places I cannot find it for the retail price. I was possibly going to treat myself to it.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Xperia-10-1-Tablet-Black/dp/B00ITTWQK6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399299421&sr=8-1&keywords=xperia+Z2+tablet maybe?

 

I have the Xperia Z2 smartphone since Friday and must say I'm quite impressed by the hardware. Software-wise it doesn't stray too far away from stock Android, which for me automatically makes it a better choice than anything Samsung has to offer.

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http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Xperia-10-1-Tablet-Black/dp/B00ITTWQK6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1399299421&sr=8-1&keywords=xperia+Z2+tablet maybe?

 

I have the Xperia Z2 smartphone since Friday and must say I'm quite impressed by the hardware. Software-wise it doesn't stray too far away from stock Android, which for me automatically makes it a better choice than anything Samsung has to offer.

That's it yep. Slightly over retail though.

 

So here is my dilemma, if you can call it that.

I like this Z2's specs a whole lot. I can also order it directly from Sony, where I also have Sony Reward Points, which will save me $100 of the price actually, so I get it for the price of a (new) Nexus 10.

The one and only thing I am hesitant about is OS updates. I want to always be able to update whatever device I get to the latest Android OS, and while picking something like the Nexus gives me that feature I believe, it is not terribly clear I will be able to do so with the Sony Xperia.

Especially if a 5.x version of Android is expected to be released at some point, will I be able to update to that eventually with an XPeria device?

If so I will purchase it now. I literally have it in my shopping cart.

If the answer is no or just not known, I think I am going to hold off.

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