heyitsheather Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I am looking into options to replace my aging tablet, the original Kindle Fire. While I have had issues with the interface on the original Fire, I have loved its battery life. I can go days without charging it and still get a good amount of use from it for browsing, reading and such. Its interface and Amazon's locking the OS to Android 2.3 have made it hand me down material for the kids. I have tried various Cyanogen Mod ROM's on it but they battery life has been miserable. I was given an HP Slate 7 Plus but I find it slow and that it does not have the same battery life as the Kindle. I am also thinking a 10" device is the best option as it would allow reading of digital magazines with less zooming. I have several subscriptions I would love to digitize. I don't want an iPad, and am open to Android and Windows based devices. Windows based devices would not have to be x86, the only Office app I use is OneNote on my tablet devices, along with access to OneDrive. My budget is max of $250 but the lesser, the better. Primary uses are reading, general browsing, the occasional game and note taking. Thanks for your suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted December 1, 2014 Supervisor Share Posted December 1, 2014 as per usual I have to recommend the Nexus 7 (latest 2013 model). it may have been a year since a hardware update but it's still a good little beast for its price http://www.amazon.com/Nexus-Google-7-Inch-Black-Tablet/dp/B00DVFLJDS/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1417459342&sr=1-1&keywords=nexus+7 edit: as for 10" you're not going to find anything with that budget that isn't a piece of crap the cheapest (that's worth looking at) is the new nexus 9 (which is 9") which is $399 for the smaller memory size http://www.amazon.com/Google-Nexus-Tablet-8-9-Inch-Black/dp/B00M6UC5B4/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1417462124&sr=1-1&keywords=nexus+9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason S. Global Moderator Posted December 1, 2014 Global Moderator Share Posted December 1, 2014 what approximate size do you want? 7", 10"?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyitsheather Posted December 1, 2014 Author Share Posted December 1, 2014 what approximate size do you want? 7", 10"?? I'm leaning toward a 10" as it would mean less zooming when reading a magazine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaze_Zewi Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I recommended getting a Nexus 7 2013 16GB. Its only $180. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DreadPirateRoberts Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I recommend the Asus Transformer Book T100TA (64BG) (Windows Tablet) Price: $400 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techbeck Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Nexus device or Samsung. If you are worried about timely updates, then choose either the Nexus 9, or the Nexus 7. Samsung seems to be getting quicker with updates tho. But as far as Android tablets are concerned, its either a Samsung device or a Nexus device. OneNote and Drive are both available on Android. And the way MS is updating apps for different platforms, Android will see the newest updates before a Windows tablet would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon H Supervisor Posted December 1, 2014 Supervisor Share Posted December 1, 2014 I'm leaning toward a 10" as it would mean less zooming when reading a magazine. check my edit of my prev post you're not likely going to find a decent 10" within that budget +E.Worm Jimmy 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+E.Worm Jimmy Subscriber¹ Posted December 1, 2014 Subscriber¹ Share Posted December 1, 2014 you're not likely going to find a decent 10" within that budget agreed.. $250 and 10" you are going to get a piece of crap. sorry. nexus 7 is pretty great. and you can most likely find it cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhangm Supervisor Posted December 1, 2014 Supervisor Share Posted December 1, 2014 I realize that it's larger than what you have in mind, but refurbished Surface 2's (not Pros) go for 199$ occasionally. I thought I'd throw it out there as an idea, since you mention Onenote, note-taking, reading, and battery life - the former three being better on a larger device, since it's easier on the eyes. The hardware is solid, and the battery life during continual use, based on reviews, is well in excess of 10 hours. +E.Worm Jimmy and DConnell 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+E.Worm Jimmy Subscriber¹ Posted December 1, 2014 Subscriber¹ Share Posted December 1, 2014 I realize that it's larger than what you have in mind, but refurbished Surface 2's (not Pros) go for 199$ occasionally. I thought I'd throw it out there as an idea, since you mention Onenote, note-taking, reading, and battery life - the former three being better on a larger device, since it's easier on the eyes. The hardware is solid, and the battery life during continual use, based on reviews, is well in excess of 10 hours. that is not a bad idea at all. only if OP is ok with Windows RT... personally i would look for a nice refurbished tablet to save money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddman Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 As already mentioned, you won't find a good 10" tablet at $250. I'm going to second that Asus Transformer Book T100. There are three options: http://www.amazon.com/Transformer-T100TAM-C1-GM-Detachable-Touchscreen-Laptop/dp/B00NC06K3G 32GB Tablet w/ 500GB Dock: $350 64GB Tablet w/ Dock: $307 64GB Tablet w/ 500GB Dock: $400 The second one looks quite good for the price. GotBored 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heyitsheather Posted December 4, 2014 Author Share Posted December 4, 2014 thanks for the feedback everyone. It sounds like the Nexus 7 is the best choice for my budget, or hold off on the video card upgrade for the family's desktop computer and put that cash into my tablet budget for a decent 10". Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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