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

[Dannirobern]

This.

I know your Dad has soured you on the Shield, but he simply doesn't have all the information. It really is a great tablet. Go to any of the reviews...it's not just us saying this stuff. The buzz is everywhere. If you are asking what the best Android 8" tablet is, people will tell you the shield. The Nexus 8 is not necessarily going to have better hardware.

Apple does make great quality products (especially tablets), and they do have great support (technical, community, and commercial). If you do not care about the cost, or about the limitations of the OS, I would get an iPad.

I'm definitely considering the Shield. I need to find out a bit more about it and try one out if possible. It is a little worrisome though that I couldn't really be sure of the Shield support, which it sounds like likely wouldn't be terrible. But iPad is very tempting mostly because of the support. A friend of mine took her iPhone 5c into an Apple store because of a screen issue and they gave her a brand new one....Wow. The restriction of iOS probably wouldn't bother me as they don't really on my phone. I'll probably wait a little while to make a decision because it's rumored that the new iPads could be released with the iPhone 6 in September, or in October, which isn't very far away.
Maybe my dad was thinking of his uses for tablets when he said more power is better. He wants a tablet or touchscreen stylus enabled laptop to run this music program of his... apparently there aren't really any tablets that can do this. But that's another story.

 

[JeffDenver]

I'm definitely considering the Shield. I need to find out a bit more about it and try one out if possible. It is a little worrisome though that I couldn't really be sure of the Shield support, which it sounds like likely wouldn't be terrible.

It's always the risk an early adopter will take. But the people giving you advice here and the many reviewers of this product are well informed about Android and Nvidia.

But iPad is very tempting mostly because of the support. A friend of mine took her iPhone 5c into an Apple store because of a screen issue and they gave her a brand new one....Wow.

There is nothing "wow" about that...lots of places do that for lots of products. Apple streamlines it, but it's not free...you will pay a premium for it. If you pay the same premium to Best Buy or Verizon or whoever you will get similar options.

Maybe my dad was thinking of his uses for tablets when he said more power is better.

He's right...more is never a bad thing...unless it comes at the cost of something else that matters more to you. In order to get accurate advice, you have to know what things matter the most to you.

You said your needs are simple...if your needs are simple, then power should not be at the top of your list for criteria.

He wants a tablet or touchscreen stylus enabled laptop to run this music program of his... apparently there aren't really any tablets that can do this. But that's another story.

Any modern tablet (2013 or later) can do it. You just buy a stylus for it.

Tablet Stylus Pens - Best Buy

I am not a stylus expert...I assume some are better than others. But most of them should work with both Apple and Android tablets (make sure you read the box to make sure it will work with your platform). There is no reason a stylus would be platform-specific as long as the company software supports it. I am actually considering getting one myself now. They are cheaper than I thought they were.

The really good ones (like for artwork) will use bluetooth to communicate with the tablet itself as well as the display. But they are more expensive.

 

[UJ95x]

I'm definitely considering the Shield. I need to find out a bit more about it and try one out if possible. It is a little worrisome though that I couldn't really be sure of the Shield support, which it sounds like likely wouldn't be terrible. But iPad is very tempting mostly because of the support. A friend of mine took her iPhone 5c into an Apple store because of a screen issue and they gave her a brand new one....Wow. The restriction of iOS probably wouldn't bother me as they don't really on my phone. I'll probably wait a little while to make a decision because it's rumored that the new iPads could be released with the iPhone 6 in September, or in October, which isn't very far away.
Maybe my dad was thinking of his uses for tablets when he said more power is better. He wants a tablet or touchscreen stylus enabled laptop to run this music program of his... apparently there aren't really any tablets that can do this. But that's another story.

Apple does generally have better customer support than other places and they're one of the few that have a dedicated store in many places. But it's not common that they replace damaged devices if you don't have Apple Care+. There are also cases where they will deny you warranty coverage for things like cosmetic damage, but again, that's not very common either

Sent from my Galaxy S4 running SlimKat 4.4.4

 

[UJ95x]

Larger screen - it's closer to 9" than 8". iPad is closer to 10" than 9".

Rumored size, yes. Seems that odd to me that they'd label an 8.9" device a Nexus 8 and not 9.

Sent from my Galaxy S4 running SlimKat 4.4.4

 

[Dannirobern]

It's always the risk an early adopter will take. But the people giving you advice here and the many reviewers of this product are well informed about Android and Nvidia.


There is nothing "wow" about that...lots of places do that for lots of products. Apple streamlines it, but it's not free...you will pay a premium for it. If you pay the same premium to Best Buy or Verizon or whoever you will get similar options.


He's right...more is never a bad thing...unless it comes at the cost of something else that matters more to you. In order to get accurate advice, you have to know what things matter the most to you.

You said your needs are simple...if your needs are simple, then power should not be at the top of your list for criteria.


Any modern tablet (2013 or later) can do it. You just buy a stylus for it.

Tablet Stylus Pens - Best Buy

I am not a stylus expert...I assume some are better than others. But most of them should work with both Apple and Android tablets (make sure you read the box to make sure it will work with your platform). There is no reason a stylus would be platform-specific as long as the company software supports it. I am actually considering getting one myself now. They are cheaper than I thought they were.

The really good ones (like for artwork) will use bluetooth to communicate with the tablet itself as well as the display. But they are more expensive.

I guess it's true that the good support comes for a price. But Apple does continue to update its devices for years, which is great.
Oh, I was saying that the music program doesn't run on many tablets. And only certain touch screen laptops (it seems) can work with a stylus. Mine for example, can't.

 

[JeffDenver]

I guess it's true that the good support comes for a price. But Apple does continue to update its devices for years, which is great.

So does Android. My HTC Rezound never recieved an update past ICS...but it can run the latest GMail and Google maps. And with all the same features my Nexus 7 has with them.

A lot of things that are embedded into the OS on Apple are Apps on Android.

 

[Dannirobern]

So does Android. My HTC Rezound never recieved an update past ICS...but it can run the latest GMail and Google maps. And with all the same features my Nexus 7 has with them.

A lot of things that are embedded into the OS on Apple are Apps on Android.

But isn't that different from getting the entire OS updated? So the look of the interface changes, new features are added and such.

 

[JeffDenver]

But isn't that different from getting the entire OS updated? So the look of the interface changes, new features are added and such.

What new features? Like a new Email UI? New Maps features? Updated Browser? You do not need an OS update to get those on Android.

Further more, Android has 3rd party app integration...so if I don't like Google's email app, I can use any email app I want, and Android will treat it as the default. iOS will not let you do that. No matter how much you might like Chrome or Firefox, you will be using Safari on iOS as your default. The only 3rd party app integration Apple has is for Keyboards, and that is only with the newest version of the OS.

As far as Android is concerned, Firefox is a part of the OS. When I click on a link, it will launch Firefox...not the native browser. And I do not need an OS update to get a new version of Firefox. And this goes for almost anything. Maps, Email Browser, keyboards, Launchers, Cameras, Lock Screens, whatever.

Apple makes all these OS-level features. In Android they are just apps. It is way easier to update an app than it is to update a whole OS.

 

[Dannirobern]

What new features? Like a new Email UI? New Maps features? Updated Browser? You do not need an OS update to get those on Android.

Further more, Android has 3rd party app integration...so if I don't like Google's email app, I can use any email app I want, and Android will treat it as the default. iOS will not let you do that. No matter how much you might like Chrome or Firefox, you will be using Safari on iOS as your default. The only 3rd party app integration Apple has is for Keyboards, and that is only with the newest version of the OS.

As far as Android is concerned, Firefox is a part of the OS. When I click on a link, it will launch Firefox...not the native browser. And I do not need an OS update to get a new version of Firefox. And this goes for almost anything. Maps, Email Browser, keyboards, Launchers, Cameras, Lock Screens, whatever.

Apple makes all these OS-level features. In Android they are just apps. It is way easier to update an app than it is to update a whole OS.

Oh okay I understand the difference

 

[Thrutian]

I'd say get the Nvidia Shield Tablet. The Nexus 8 (If there even is one coming out) will have practically the same specs, the shield on the other hand comes with a stylus (that doesn't have a stupidly large nib), the device also has palm rejection which is very useful when writing.
If you're worried about updates, don't be. I have a Tegra Note 7 and Nvidia have done well at keeping the device up to date.

 

[Lambertoid]

I would get tge NVIDIA shield if i was purchasing a tablet its made for gaming but when using it as a normal tablet that thing flys i have an ipad mini retina and its fine but i hat that it doesn't have flash i love the build and spped but id get the shield.

 

[Dannirobern]

I'd say get the Nvidia Shield Tablet. The Nexus 8 (If there even is one coming out) will have practically the same specs, the shield on the other hand comes with a stylus (that doesn't have a stupidly large nib), the device also has palm rejection which is very useful when writing.
If you're worried about updates, don't be. I have a Tegra Note 7 and Nvidia have done well at keeping the device up to date.

That's great to hear! I really appreciate you posting that.

 

[Rich215]

I would hold off on the NVIDIA Shield tablet for a bit. They seem to be having some problems with terrible WiFi performance and now many reports of the side frame cracking from heat expansion.

Check out the NVIDIA forum on them.

 

[Aquila]

I would hold off on the NVIDIA Shield tablet for a bit. They seem to be having some problems with terrible WiFi performance and now many reports of the side frame cracking from heat expansion.

Check out the NVIDIA forum on them.

NVIDIA Shield Tablet's first firmware update brings big improvements | Android Central

WiFi is fixed, so far haven't heard of any hardware issues from the folks that own them - will give that forum a read.

Edit: Nvidia responded. It's a small batch that suffered from a material control issue that made it more brittle than it normally is. This happens with just about everything, phones, laptops, tablets etc - and Nvidia is replacing any impacted tablets directly.

 

[Rich215]

Good to hear, the Shield tablet is one possibility for an upgrade to me. I love my N7 2013....just wish I had the same thing with a 8.4' screen size.

 

[Aquila]

Good to hear, the Shield tablet is one possibility for an upgrade to me. I love my N7 2013....just wish I had the same thing with a 8.4' screen size.

I'm upgrading from the N7 '13 too & spent a lot of time contemplating waiting for the new Nexus - but this has advantages that the Nexus won't have and I think I will like 8" more than 8.9".

 

[JeffDenver]

Thought this was relevant...Engadget just did a "5 cheap tablets worth buying" article.

Cheap tablet roundup

I would avoid all Kindle devices. The memo Pad I suggested earlier is on this list though.

 

[Dannirobern]

Thought this was relevant...Engadget just did a "5 cheap tablets worth buying" article.

Cheap tablet roundup

I would avoid all Kindle devices. The memo Pad I suggested earlier is on this list though.

I worry about tablets wiih 1GB of RAM, as I heard updates eventually slow the whole tablet down because of not enough memory.

 

[3Dee]

Unpopular opinion, but go for the iPad. It will be the easiest to pick up and use each time, the app selection for media consumption when you aren't using it for class will be unparalleled, it will be supported for a long time, and if the mini bluetooth keyboard you get is anything like the 10" Logitech I have you be amazed at how productive you'll be.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[JeffDenver]

I worry about tablets wiih 1GB of RAM, as I heard updates eventually slow the whole tablet down because of not enough memory.

1 gig is perfectly usable. Kitkat is designed to work on devices with as little as 512k. Kitkat runs awesome on my Galaxy Nexus and HTC Rezound.

On a $100 tablet you are not likely to get more than 1 gig on any platform.