Nexus 8 or iPad Mini, what's the best tablet for college?

[Dannirobern]

Re: What Company Updates Their Devices Longest?/Best Cust. Service

10 inches is probably a bit big for my needs....I have a 13" laptop so I would feel might as well just use that. I'd really like the tablet I buy to be easy to fit into a bag. Maybe 10" isn't so big though idk.
Hmm september is a bit late as school for me starts around the 26th.... ugh. I just want a good note taking tablet
Asus vivotab looks good but that's windows

 

[anon8380037]

Re: What Company Updates Their Devices Longest?/Best Cust. Service

I agree 10.1" is not ideal but that size Note has better screen and specs than the Note 8.
The Tab Pro 8.4 was available on Jan 28th, the Tab S 8.4 May 27th.
The Tab S 8.4 is only £40 more on Amazon in the UK at £290, I was surprised. It's about $375 on Amazon US, but you may get much better deals. It's all about stock and timing with Amazon, they are not necessarily cheaper
The Tab S has the Amoled screen, and the same new Touchwiz and icons.
At least one or two of our Ambassadors have the LG tablet so why not say hi to them in Introductions, under Android Central Community and ask their opinion, as some will miss your query here.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Dannirobern]

Re: What Company Updates Their Devices Longest?/Best Cust. Service

I agree 10.1" is not ideal but that size Note has better screen and specs than the Note 8.
The Tab Pro 8.4 was available on Jan 28th, the Tab S 8.4 May 27th.
The Tab S 8.4 is only £40 more on Amazon in the UK at £290, I was surprised. It's about $375 on Amazon US, but you may get much better deals. It's all about stock and timing with Amazon, they are not necessarily cheaper
The Tab S has the Amoled screen, and the same new Touchwiz and icons.
At least one or two of our Ambassadors have the LG tablet so why not say hi to them in Introductions, under Android Central Community and ask their opinion, as some will miss your query here.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk Pro

Well It sounds like I need to do a bit more research then, maybe 10" wouldn't be so bad. I'll go to my local BestBuy, perhaps they have one on display.
I'm actually unfamiliar with this Touchwiz.....haha.. But I have more research to do.
Thank you!

 

[anon8380037]

Re: What Company Updates Their Devices Longest?/Best Cust. Service

TouchWiz is Samsung's overlay on basic Android of extra software, homescreen layouts, menu pages, buttons and icons. Compare the new Touchwiz screen and icons (and cool floating Toolbox) on the S5 phone to any other Samsung phone, I like it better. It is also on the new Tab4, S, Pro and Note Pro, maybe the Note 10.1 2014 as well. The Tab 3's have the 2011 - 2013 version. Nothing to do with the Android Operating System version, most will have KitKat 4.4 now, except maybe Tab 3's which were on 4.3. No big difference anyway between 4.4 and 4.3.

 

[Dannirobern]

Re: What Company Updates Their Devices Longest?/Best Cust. Service

Oh okay I understand now. Thanks!

 

[Dannirobern]

Nexus 8, Tab S, or iPad Mini?

I'm trying to decide between a Galaxy Tab S, the future Nexus 8, and the iPad mini (w/ Retina? Not sure). I saw a comparison of the iPad mini and Tab S and they both seem very good. I like the Tab S better though because of the 3gb of RAM and that it's stylus compatible. I want this tablet for note taking mainly, and being able to use a stylus would be great. But the Nexus 8 is predicted to be great. I already am reluctant to pay $400 though and I heard the Nexus 8 could cost $499. My dad thinks the Nexus would be better because google makes google play of course, so it would run google play perfectly.... Or something?

 

[Aquila]

Well we don't know much about the Nexus 8, although most rumors by now agree on the spec sheet for the most part. IMO that's by far going to be the superior device of the three you listed, but I haven't played with it and just being the best device doesn't necessarily mean it equates to the best value. The point that it is likely more expensive than the others is valid. Is it enough better that it justifies the extra expense? For me? Yep, every day.

Here's what I'd recommend though: Check out the Nvidia Shield Tablet NVIDIA Shield Tablet | Android Central. $299, 8" tablet on a Nvidia K1 processor (32 bit), rumored to be set up nicely for fast updates to Android L and by far the best performing tablet that I know of in the market today... better yet, we know everything about it and it's for sale. It has a stylus included, front facing speakers and is IMO the best bang for your buck - and by a long, long, long long way.

 

[steelrain82]

IPad mini. I didn't like the nexus tablets. The bezels were too big for me. The tab s is really nice but I am just really drawn to the iPad mini. It just seemed snappier and more responsive for what I needed

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[RumoredNow]

LOL... Your father is probably saying the Nexus has all the Google Services and Apps, which the Samsung would do also.... Other than that, only cheap knockoff Android tablets suffer from not having Google Play access. The kind you get for $79.00 with a fill up at the gas station.

Is this for College? I have a feeling it is.

You could get a Dell Venue 8 Pro and run full Windows Desktop 8.1. Pair it with the Dell Bluetooth Keyboard folio case and the Dell Active Stylus and still come in under budget. An 8" screen with multitouch and stylus support. The Active stylus has a fine point and is great for note taking... Spend about $5 on an app and get some killer note, annotate, journal software. Also includes a license to activate Office Home and Student 2013 for read and edit of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. OneNote is included and OneDrive cloud storage makes it a snap to share and update documents between your tablet and your PC. The Bluetooth keyboard makes it easy to be productive. Your Office license is not Office 365 that needs to be renewed yearly - it is good for the life of the device.

IMHO this is a more work and productivity oriented device than any on your list so far...

 

[JeffDenver]

I'm trying to decide between a Galaxy Tab S, the future Nexus 8, and the iPad mini (w/ Retina? Not sure).

The 2013 Nexus 7 is already better than the iPad Mini in most ways. Especially the display.

Mini Tablet Display Technology Shoot-Out - " the Nexus 7 the brightest Tablet that we have measured so far in this Shoot-Out series, with an impressive Maximum Brightness of 572 cd/m2" ... "The Kindle Fire HDX 7 and Nexus 7 both have Color Gamuts close to the sRGB/Rec.709 Standard, in the range of 97 to 103 percent, which is very good. However, the iPad mini Retina Display has a much smaller 63 percent Color Gamut, which is incredibly disappointing because it produces noticeably subdued image colors." ... "The new Google Nexus 7 has a very impressive display that uses the highest performance LCDs with Low Temperature Poly Silicon LTPS. The very high efficiency LTPS technology allows the new Nexus 7 display to provide a full 100 percent Color Gamut and at the same time produce the brightest Tablet display that we have measured so far in this Shoot-Out series."

We don't know the specs of the Nexus 8 yet...but it is likely they will be at least as good as the 7, and probably better. The Galaxy Tab tablets always have awesome hardware IMO, but you will be burdened with the Touchwiz pollution...so whether or not to buy it depends on how much that matters to you. My sister loves the Galaxy Tabs.

I saw a comparison of the iPad mini and Tab S and they both seem very good. I like the Tab S better though because of the 3gb of RAM and that it's stylus compatible. I want this tablet for note taking mainly, and being able to use a stylus would be great. But the Nexus 8 is predicted to be great. I already am reluctant to pay $400 though and I heard the Nexus 8 could cost $499. My dad thinks the Nexus would be better because google makes google play of course, so it would run google play perfectly.... Or something?

You should consider the Nvidia Shield tablet, especially if stylus stuff is important to you...it will likely blow away these other tablets in most ways. It's specs are comparable to the Nexus 7, and better in many ways (has SD support, Front-facing stereo speakers, comes with an awesome stylus, and has the best GPU of any tablet ever released so far). And it is cheap at $300. - NVIDIA Shield tablet review: a solid slate with a gaming addiction - If this had been out when I bought my Nexus 7, I probably would have bought this instead. Even if you do not care about games at all, this is an awesome tablet.

The Shield Tablet has a display that is "only" 283ppi...this is well below the 320-something ppi of the other tablets listed. But keep in mind that "retina" quality on tablets is 264ppi...so this tablet has a better ppi than the iPad Air.

 

[JeffDenver]

IPad mini. I didn't like the nexus tablets. The bezels were too big for me. The tab s is really nice but I am just really drawn to the iPad mini. It just seemed snappier and more responsive for what I needed

I used to think that too, but having used it, I think I'd actually prefer larger bezels even on the Nexus 7. Large bezels don't look good in photos, but they definitely are useful when using the tablet. It's hard to pick up these small-bezel tablets without activating the touchscreen.

 

[Dannirobern]

The NVIDIA shield tablet seems to be for gaming though.... I'm not sure I should go for such a tablet. Not to mention I've never heard of t he brand (this isn't saying much though) I always hesitate in buying off brand things. It seems you generally get what you pay for.
I shied away from the Dell Venue Pro because when I tried it out in a store it became clear it's meant to replace a laptop, which isn't really what I want it for... because windows 8 on a tablet is not really optimized for tablet use (i.e., internet window buttons are very small) I would always have to use it with a stylus. Which would be inconvenient.

 

[Aquila]

The NVIDIA shield tablet seems to be for gaming though.... I'm not sure I should go for such a tablet. Not to mention I've never heard of t he brand (this isn't saying much though) I always hesitate in buying off brand things. It seems you generally get what you pay for.
I shied away from the Dell Venue Pro because when I tried it out in a store it became clear it's meant to replace a laptop, which isn't really what I want it for... because windows 8 on a tablet is not really optimized for tablet use (i.e., internet window buttons are very small) I would always have to use it with a stylus. Which would be inconvenient.

Nvidia is the company that makes some of the best graphics cards for computers that consumers can get. They also make mobile device processors such as the one rumored to be in the nexus 8. Having the ability to excel at games just means fast and efficient processing, you don't have to play the games. However if the shield is off the table, the nexus is still the only thing in that list worth consideration IMO.

XTNiT-1060 through spacetime. Android Central Moderator.

 

[ljxdaly]

nvidia is anything but off-brand. the k 1 processor in the shield....it is sweet. i'm not in the market for a tablet at this point, but my next tab will be the next iteration of the shield. will be 64 bit. i don't game at all, and have no interest in gaming.

 

[JeffDenver]

The NVIDIA shield tablet seems to be for gaming though....

That is how it is marketed.

But the specs are top tier, even if you completely ignore the gaming aspect. It checks all the boxes. Awesome CPU, awesome display, front facing stereo speakers, Front/rear Camera, Included Stylus, Vanilla Android, GPS/Bluetooth, SD expansion. Just think of the gaming thing as a bonus. Even without the gaming stuff, it would be well worth the $300 price tag. It does everything the Nexus does and more.

Not to mention I've never heard of t he brand (this isn't saying much though) I always hesitate in buying off brand things.

This is not off brand. Nvidia has produced tablet chips before (my ASUS Transformer has an Nvidia chip). They are not newcomers to the scene...they have been a leading producer of Video Cards and Motherboards for well over a decade now. This is not a no-name company.

Don't take my word for it...read the reviews. Go play with a demo unit. I am a phone/tablet nerd, very well versed in whats available, and if I had to buy a tablet right now, this one would be it.

It seems you generally get what you pay for.

Totally wrong. So so wrong. In many other industries, you'd be right. but not when it comes to phones and tablets.

The iPad was far more expensive than the nexus 7...yet the Nexus 7 outperforms it in many ways. Especially the display. Do not believe the hype. Many tablets are overpriced in this industry. Sometimes you are paying more for the name than for the product.

Prior to the Shield, the Nexus 7 was the best 7 inch tablet on the market (and arguably the best tablet period), and it was only $250 or $300. I have seen them under $200 before. It was released a year ago, and the nexus 7 still matches the best tablets on the market today in 2014. Do not assume more-expensive = more better.

I shied away from the Dell Venue Pro because when I tried it out in a store it became clear it's meant to replace a laptop, which isn't really what I want it for... because windows 8 on a tablet is not really optimized for tablet use (i.e., internet window buttons are very small) I would always have to use it with a stylus. Which would be inconvenient.

As far as I know, there are no stylus-based tablets for Android. The stylus is always an add on. This has been the case ever since the industry dumped resistive screen tech in favor of the capacitive tech we use today. On any Android tablet, the stylus would be considered an add-on, not a primary means of using the tablet.

The Shield tablet has some nifty stylus tricks too. It can simulate pressure and some other stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h8k5LLK0jI

 

[Dannirobern]

That is how it is marketed.

But the specs are top tier, even if you completely ignore the gaming aspect. It checks all the boxes. Awesome CPU, awesome display, front facing stereo speakers, Front/rear Camera, Included Stylus, Vanilla Android, GPS/Bluetooth, SD expansion. Just think of the gaming thing as a bonus. Even without the gaming stuff, it would be well worth the $300 price tag. It does everything the Nexus does and more.


This is not off brand. Nvidia has produced tablet chips before (my ASUS Transformer has an Nvidia chip). They are not newcomers to the scene...they have been a leading producer of Video Cards and Motherboards for well over a decade now. This is not a no-name company.

Don't take my word for it...read the reviews. Go play with a demo unit. I am a phone/tablet nerd, very well versed in whats available, and if I had to buy a tablet right now, this one would be it.


Totally wrong. So so wrong. In many other industries, you'd be right. but not when it comes to phones and tablets.

The iPad was far more expensive than the nexus 7...yet the Nexus 7 outperforms it in many ways. Especially the display. Do not believe the hype. Many tablets are overpriced in this industry. Sometimes you are paying more for the name than for the product.

Prior to the Shield, the Nexus 7 was the best 7 inch tablet on the market (and arguably the best tablet period), and it was only $250 or $300. I have seen them under $200 before. It was released a year ago, and the nexus 7 still matches the best tablets on the market today in 2014. Do not assume more-expensive = more better.


As far as I know, there are no stylus-based tablets for Android. The stylus is always an add on. This has been the case ever since the industry dumped resistive screen tech in favor of the capacitive tech we use today. On any Android tablet, the stylus would be considered an add-on, not a primary means of using the tablet.

The Shield tablet has some nifty stylus tricks too. It can simulate pressure and some other stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h8k5LLK0jI

Wow that video really makes the shield tablet look good. I'll have to look into it more.
But aren't the Galaxy Note Tablets made for stylus use?

 

[Dannirobern]

That is how it is marketed.

But the specs are top tier, even if you completely ignore the gaming aspect. It checks all the boxes. Awesome CPU, awesome display, front facing stereo speakers, Front/rear Camera, Included Stylus, Vanilla Android, GPS/Bluetooth, SD expansion. Just think of the gaming thing as a bonus. Even without the gaming stuff, it would be well worth the $300 price tag. It does everything the Nexus does and more.

Does NVIDIA support its devices well though? I would any tablet I purchase to continue to be updated as long as possible. This is why I hesitate a bit and lean towards a Samsung, though even just after 10 minutes of looking through reviews on the NVIDIA Shield tells me 90%+ of customers love the tablet.

 

[JeffDenver]

Wow that video really makes the shield tablet look good. I'll have to look into it more. But aren't the Galaxy Note Tablets made for stylus use?

Kinda, but not really. Even Samsung people complain about that. It's very gimmicky. Not useless, but not "wow" either. The stylus is basically an add-on. My sister loves Samsung tablets...but whenever I use them, I never use the stylus. I use them like a normal tablet.

Really, the only reason I would use a stylus is for signing documents or for artwork. If I was a real estate agent or someone who relies a lot on signed documents, a stylus would matter more to me.

The reason the Shield is cooler for stylus-artwork is because the GPU allows realistic paint effects (like dripping and smearing via gravity depending on how you hold the tablet while painting). That is a cool feature I have not seen on tablets before. It is something that can really be exploited via a powerful GPU.

 

[JeffDenver]

Does NVIDIA support its devices well though?

I'll be honest, this is kind of an unknown IMO. However, the Shield uses something very close to vanilla android, so it should be easy for them to update. Given this and Nvidia's reputation, I would say I would expect good support. But they don't have a track record yet like other tablet companies because they are still new as a vendor. In the past they have been a parts maker.

I can guarantee you, this tablet will have broad support from the Android community. ROM-Makers will love it because of the hardware. So it will probably be well-supported even if Nvidia doesn't. My HTC Rezound was far less high-profile, and it eventually got a KitKat ROM anway (several actually).

I would any tablet I purchase to continue to be updated as long as possible. This is why I hesitate a bit and lean towards a Samsung, though even just after 10 minutes of looking through reviews on the NVIDIA Shield tells me 90%+ of customers love the tablet.

If you are going to lean toward anything, it should be a Nexus. Samsung is not going to offer you better support than a Nexus product. IMO, it should not even be in the list. You will pay twice as much for the same hardware and slower updates (Bonus: you will have to deal with the Touchwiz skin as well, and you can't uninstall it). The only two real choices now for small-size tablets, IMO, are the 2013 Nexus 7 and the Shield.

 

[Rich215]

I'm trying to decide between a Galaxy Tab S, the future Nexus 8, and the iPad mini (w/ Retina? Not sure). I saw a comparison of the iPad mini and Tab S and they both seem very good. I like the Tab S better though because of the 3gb of RAM and that it's stylus compatible. I want this tablet for note taking mainly, and being able to use a stylus would be great. But the Nexus 8 is predicted to be great. I already am reluctant to pay $400 though and I heard the Nexus 8 could cost $499. My dad thinks the Nexus would be better because google makes google play of course, so it would run google play perfectly.... Or something?

The OP has indicated the use of the tablet is mainly for taking notes. Seems like one of the Tab 8.4's or the NVIDIA tablet would fit the bill here. Price is on the NVIDIA side, but also size/weight, battery life, and screen size should be the next thing to look at.

What apps will you use? Id see if you can find a NVIDIA to try out in the next few weeks if they make it to the retailers. You should also look at the Samsung Tab 8.4 Pro. There is a newer version that is almost identical except for its display mainly. That is the Tab 8.4 Pro S. It is thinner, has an Amoled display (better color saturation). But runs hotter and battery life may not be as good as the regular tab 8.4 pro. Do a google search for Tab 8.4 pro vs Tab 8.4 pro S.