Pixel C or wait for a new Google Tablet?

[flipbeats]

Hey all,
I've been looking to get a android tablet again. I currently have the Ipad but doing cross platform is kind a pain. I was wondering if getting the Pixel C is still a go or is there some rumor of a new android tablet coming out that I don't know about?

 

[pjwk81]

Been very little word, but then again the Pixel C landed out of nowhere at the time. When you have the iPad already then I'd hold off for the upcoming event when the Pixel phones will be announced.

High end Chromebooks are worth a look also.

 

[hallux]

As it relates to OS and security patches, wait. The Pixel-C is due to get O and that will likely be the end of major OS updates, with monthly security patches ending next year.

I'm in the same boat - my Samsung tablet is limping along and I'd LOVE to replace it but nothing is meeting my resolution/storage/update reliability needs like a Pixel-C would.

 

[tgp]

I have a Nexus 7 (2013) that still runs like a champ, but it is dated. I've been waiting for a new 8 - 10" tablet from Google with LTE. I didn't get a Pixel C, mostly because there is no LTE version. I'm really hoping something new comes out.

 

[anon(661246)]

no way Google is still trying to sell this for 599 here in the US.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

I've had the Pixel C since launch and while I've enjoyed it quite a bit, I think there are better options out there. I'm actually hoping that Google makes a premium Chromebook this year as I'd be willing to upgrade to that.

If you have to get a device now, I'd say the iPad is the better overall product. The Android on tablet I don't think is the best. Also I think the new Surface tablets owuld be better, even though both those options would be more expensive than the Pixel C.

Thing so don't like about it:

- Not entirely Google's fault, but a lot of android apps I've run into aren't optimised for tablets with some apps not even auto-rotsting to landscape and stay in portrait, or apps with lots of empty space, or stretched bars for buttons etc. It looks awkward and you can tell the developer hasn't bothered to design the app for a tablet experience. I also have an iPad Pro and the tablet apps on that are excellent. Even on a 12.9" screen, apps look great.

- Also now the Pixel C is nearing two years old, I'm noticing that it's starting to have performance issues. I'll be in an app, press the home button and it'll take a second or two to go to the home screen, typing on the keyboard may be delayed a bit with no text showing then all of a sudden it catches up. Sometimes it just feels so laggy I have to restart it, which improves it a bit, but give it a couple of days without a restart and it'll slow down again.

- The wifi issues have been killing me since I got it. It seems to have a really weak wifi signal and I'm constantly getting 0.5mbit down when my phone gets 15-20mbit down. Trying the Android O beta doesn't seem to improve it and this is my second Pixel C. I just think that's how the device is designed. Very annoying.

- The Bluetooth is flakey with the keyboard. Sometimes it doesn't register that I have the keyboard attached and I have to turn Bluetooth on and off to get it to pick up the keyboard again, or sometimes it screws up and when I'm typing it'll start doing multiple letters. So something simple like 'hey how are you' will turn out like 'heeey howw arrre youu'.

So I've definitely had issues with the tablet, but despite those things, I have enjoyed it. The screen is excellent, the battery life is still exceptional (9-10 hours screen time per charge) and I do like the size, fit and finish of the tablet. Just those issues prevent it from being a stellar product.

I would like to see another Pixel tablet, but don't know how they entice developers to improve their apps. They haven't done it now, I don't see them doing it in the future.

 

[jamesrick80]

Get you a samsung chromebook pro or plus...they both run android apps almost flawlessly.

 

[Richard Servello]

As awesome as Pixel C is. It is obvious that it holds NO priority to google. Allo, Duo, Youtube Music and Youtube TV are all incompatible on it. I' guessing a new tablet or laptop is on the way. It's been the best tablet I've owned, but Googles lack of support has been sickening.

 

[Richard Servello]

But do they suffer from Samsung lag? I've not used a product from them that was actually smooth.

 

[nielsniels]

- The wifi issues have been killing me since I got it. It seems to have a really weak wifi signal and I'm constantly getting 0.5mbit down when my phone gets 15-20mbit down. Trying the Android O beta doesn't seem to improve it and this is my second Pixel C. I just think that's how the device is designed. Very annoying.

I had the same issue; turns out that having "20/40 mhz coexistence" disabled in router settings cripples the Pixel C's wifi. Enabled 20/40 mhz coexistence and now wifi speeds are fine!

 

[Graham Thomas]

If that turns out to be the solution to the wifi problems reported by many people it deserves to have a thread of its own.

It may explain why I haven't had these wifi problems: this setting was on by default in my router.

 

[RickInHouston]

My Pixel C has been wonky the past few weeks. I've been thinking about my next purchase regarding a tablet. I use it enough to warrant getting another one when this one bites the dust.

I'm leaning towards a Surface Pro. Therefore, everything I would want or need in one device. Higher upfront cost, but more that can be cone with it. I just wonder if in tablet mode it will give me about the same experience as my Pixel C. I miss the news feed portion - whatever Google calls it.

 

[steveinvictoria]

I've read the notes here, and can confirm that my Pixel C is becoming so 'flaky' that it'll soon be unusable. Have spent time on the phone with their support folks, but the tech suggested, it sounds like has been dropped or gotten wet. Neither of those things has happened.
My first tablet was the original IPAD 1 -- which was still working just fine, approx. 5 years later, when I bought the Pixel C. I have not gotten 2 years out of the Pixel C.
So I'm afraid that's it -- no more Google hardware of any kind in the future for me.

 

[RickInHouston]

I ordered a Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8 inch last week from Amazon.

If this thing didn't have the buttons - it would be perfect for me. I know Samsung will forgo the buttons on their tablets one day, just don't know when.

It's awful snappy! Especially web pages. Like the size, like the 4:3 screen.