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

[Dannirobern]

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).


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.

I'm sure the Nexus 8 would be good but it would be nice to have a tablet that's meant for stylus use. The Shield seems like it could be the perfect option what with the stylus and all. But I need to make sure that either the company (or other companies? However that works) would update it, and that enough are going to be sold so that the company even wants to update it. My dad's Archos tablet stopped being updated pretty quickly because not enough sold and now it's very buggy and lags, wouldn't want that to happen to me.

 

[Dannirobern]

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.

I was thinking about going to try out a Shield Tablet this evening or maybe in the next week or so. I'm not certain about what apps I will use, probably Google Drive (unless I switch to another Cloud service) for essays and maybe Evernote or something similar for notes. I was looking at the Tab s 8.4 because of how powerful it is. But I don't know if there's a good handwriting recognition app that would go well with the Tab s and a stylus.

 

[Aargaash]

Nexus 8 ain't coming out soon

Tab s is definitely the way

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[Dannirobern]

Apps to Make iPad or Tab S Note-Taking Tablets?

I thought I wanted a Galaxy Note Tab, but since the 8" version is a year old and there's no promised release date and 10" is just a bit big for my liking I'm wondering if the more powerful, newer, and less expensive (than 10" galaxy note) Tab S 8.4 could work. Or the iPad Mini, which I am considering because Apple supports its devices well and I'd like this tablet to last a while (but I like the Tab s better).
I really would like to be able to bring my future tablet to class and take notes with a stylus which would then be translated into text via a handwriting recognition app. Are there any apps in the google play store or itunes that are good enough for that?

 

[A895]

Re: Apps to Make iPad or Tab S Note-Taking Tablets?

I thought I wanted a Galaxy Note Tab, but since the 8" version is a year old and there's no promised release date and 10" is just a bit big for my liking I'm wondering if the more powerful, newer, and less expensive (than 10" galaxy note) Tab S 8.4 could work. Or the iPad Mini, which I am considering because Apple supports its devices well and I'd like this tablet to last a while (but I like the Tab s better).
I really would like to be able to bring my future tablet to class and take notes with a stylus which would then be translated into text via a handwriting recognition app. Are there any apps in the google play store or itunes that are good enough for that?

Evernote, OneNote, S Note.

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[JeffDenver]

I'm sure the Nexus 8 would be good but it would be nice to have a tablet that's meant for stylus use.

Any tablet is. There are no tablets anymore that are intended for a stylus for primary use. All the current tablets have it as an add on. Some just implement it better than others, but none of them are actually designed around a stylus. How well the stylus works depends on the stylus hardware itself and how good the software is that is using it. All tablets will interface with it the same way though.

You can buy some extremely good 3rd party styluses, but they are not cheap.

The Shield seems like it could be the perfect option what with the stylus and all. But I need to make sure that either the company (or other companies? However that works) would update it, and that enough are going to be sold so that the company even wants to update it. My dad's Archos tablet stopped being updated pretty quickly because not enough sold and now it's very buggy and lags, wouldn't want that to happen to me.

Yeah, Nvidia is not analogous to Archos at all. Archos is not in the same league. Nvidia will be analogous to LG or HTC probably, as far as support. This is their first product and they are selling it at cost, so they have a vested interest in making a good impression. Their goal right now is to build a reputation.

 

[sting7k]

Re: Apps to Make iPad or Tab S Note-Taking Tablets?

I really would like to be able to bring my future tablet to class and take notes with a stylus which would then be translated into text via a handwriting recognition app. Are there any apps in the google play store or itunes that are good enough for that?

I'm going throw a huge monkey wrench in your whole plan here. Save your money and don't buy a tablet. You said you have a 13" laptop already. That is all you need. Tablets are toys. Type your notes on your laptop. You can probably type faster than you write anyway. The full power of a laptop is far more flexible and useful.

That said, if you absolutely have to have a tablet don't buy Samsung. Their software sucks and their support sucks. I had a 2013 Nexus 7; looking at the screen is the only good thing about it. Other than that the touch screen is inaccurate, typing is a nightmare, and really it's just a big phone without a cellular radio. The only tablet worth buying IMHO is the iPad Mini with Retina display.

 

[JeffDenver]

Re: Apps to Make iPad or Tab S Note-Taking Tablets?

I'm going throw a huge monkey wrench in your whole plan here. Save your money and don't buy a tablet. You said you have a 13" laptop already. That is all you need. Tablets are toys. Type your notes on your laptop. You can probably type faster than you write anyway. The full power of a laptop is far more flexible and useful.

Here's the thing...Laptops are awesome, but a pain to carry around (especially cheap ones...the cheaper they are, the bulkier and heavier they are). A 7 inch tablet can actually fit in your pocket most of the time (my cargo shorts for example). If you're a woman, it easily fits in purses too. Tablets really are ideal for note taking. Either with a stylus, or even by simply recording directly (audio or video, taking pictures of diagrams & presentations, ect). Laptops are just not as flexible in this area.

In general, I agree that laptops are more useful overall. But for what the OP is asking, I think they would do better with a tablet.

 

[A895]

Here's the thing...Laptops are awesome, but a pain to carry around (especially cheap ones...the cheaper they are, the bulkier and heavier they are). A 7 inch tablet can actually fit in your pocket most of the time (my cargo shorts for example). If you're a woman, it easily fits in purses too. Tablets really are ideal for note taking. Either with a stylus, or even by simply recording directly (audio or video, taking pictures of diagrams & presentations, ect). Laptops are just not as flexible in this area.

In general, I agree that laptops are more useful overall. But for what the OP is asking, I think they would do better with a tablet.

Tablets suck for school, case in point, I am a college student and everyone I have seen so far types or writes notes. Tablets are highly inefficient, and if all you have for an argument is portability, then you don't care for actual practicality.

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[JeffDenver]

Tablets suck for school, case in point, I am a college student and everyone I have seen so far types or writes notes. Tablets are highly inefficient, and if all you have for an argument is portability, then you don't care for actual practicality.

I can write on a tablet+stylus way faster than typing on a keyboard. Maybe you just havn't found the right tablet yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjJQecbr9Jg

He's doing this only with his finger...but a stylus would be faster and more precise.

Keep in mind, he's doing this on an ancient tablet. This video is from 2011. There have been 3 or 4 generations since then. This is a TF300. I actually have one of these. My Nexus 7 is light years faster than this.

 

[A895]

I can write on a tablet+stylus way faster than typing on a keyboard. Maybe you just havn't found the right tablet yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjJQecbr9Jg

He's doing this only with his finger...but a stylus would be faster and more precise.

Keep in mind, he's doing this on an ancient tablet. This video is from 2011. There have been 3 or 4 generations since then. This is a TF300. I actually have one of these. My Nexus 7 is light years faster than this.

I think I can type faster than I write. That is why I choose and continue to do type notes when in class. Spending hundreds on a tablet to write notes when a piece of paper can have the same affect is nonsense to me. Tablet is a nonessential in school but they can be had if you want one. But I see no reason to use one if your main goal is productivity.

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[JeffDenver]

If I was a student and had to pick between a Laptop or a tablet, I would definitely choose the laptop.

But a tablet is still useful, and I would still want both.

 

[JeffDenver]

I think I can type faster than I write.

A lot of people can't. Especially people after my generation who hunt-and-peck instead of Home Row.

That is why I choose and continue to do type notes when in class. Spending hundreds on a tablet to write notes when a piece of paper can have the same affect is nonsense to me.

I would agree if note taking was the only thing you could use a tablet for. But it's not a single purpose device.

Tablet is a nonessential in school but they can be had if you want one. But I see no reason to use one if your main goal is productivity.

It depends on what you are producing. Voice input and photos/videos are native to tablets. To Laptops, not so much. There are things you can do easier on a tablet than a laptop.

 

[A895]

If I was a student and had to pick between a Laptop or a tablet, I would definitely choose the laptop.

But a tablet is still useful, and I would still want both.

I have no qualms about having both, but I mean the tablet can't supersede the laptop for productivity just yet.

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[A895]

A lot of people can't. Especially people after my generation who hunt-and-peck instead of Home Row.


I would agree if note taking was the only thing you could use a tablet for. But it's not a single purpose device.


It depends on what you are producing. Voice input and photos/videos are native to tablets. To Laptops, not so much. There are things you can do easier on a tablet than a laptop.

Like what?

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[cbobb123]

Here's a review on the shield tablet if you're still interested.

NVIDIA Shield Tablet Review!: http://youtu.be/PNp2IjVv3HI

 

[Dannirobern]

I can write on a tablet+stylus way faster than typing on a keyboard. Maybe you just havn't found the right tablet yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjJQecbr9Jg

He's doing this only with his finger...but a stylus would be faster and more precise.

Keep in mind, he's doing this on an ancient tablet. This video is from 2011. There have been 3 or 4 generations since then. This is a TF300. I actually have one of these. My Nexus 7 is light years faster than this.

Wow, so maybe note taking on a non-"note" tablet wouldn't be so bad after all? And he's only using his finger. This makes the Tab S seem like a better option.

Does everyone else seem to think that Samsung has bad support or is it just sting7k? It seems like everyone I know is very happy with their galaxy phones. I know people who still have the s3.

 

[JeffDenver]

Like what?

Taking pictures and video.

 

[Dannirobern]

A lot of people can't. Especially people after my generation who hunt-and-peck instead of Home Row.


I would agree if note taking was the only thing you could use a tablet for. But it's not a single purpose device.


It depends on what you are producing. Voice input and photos/videos are native to tablets. To Laptops, not so much. There are things you can do easier on a tablet than a laptop.

Me personally, I would prefer to write my notes over type. I honestly don't go over my notes all that much for a test (I prefer to study the book, maybe occasionally refer back to notes) but I believe just the act of writing those notes gives you some sort of muscle memory-actual memory thing that makes it easier to remember than if you just typed and weren't shaping the letters with your hand.

 

[A895]

Taking pictures and video.

Not that essential during class time.

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