Should i get a Pixel C or Other Android Tablet?

[Matthew_Dodwell]

Hi All,

I would like to ask for your assistance and advice.

I am in the process of moving from iOS to Android (Nexus 6S) and I am trying to decide on a new tablet too.

I am now looking for a new tablet. I have an iPad 3rd Generation and it's getting very laggy because the iOS is killing it. I have no infinity to get a new iPad and decided to look at the Android options before getting a new tablet. I love the stock Android on the 6S and have been totally impressed with it since getting it on Thursday, so i have been looking at the Nexus Tablets. I hate the Samsung phones (the crap they put on Android) and assume the Galaxy Tabs are similar.

I do a lot with my iPad. I use it a lot as a pure tablet for browsing, the RSS readers. Email, photo viewer and music streaming when cooking etc. I have a Logitech keyboard and use that a lot to. I use OneNote and Evernote as I do a lot of writing and love using the iPad as my main writing device because it removes a lot of distractions I get with laptops, and also I like to take it and write whenever. My macbook is now permanently connected to a 24" monitor and power plug as the battery is shot and i only use it for photo editting. I do not need a new laptop/desktop as having it plugged in works fine and it has i7 so all I need.

So my iPad has become the everyday workhorse for me. I love the size of the 6P as I can now use it in sync with my iPad and be really comfortable with it too. The OS is really really good, I can't believe it's taken me this long to move from iOS.

So, Android Tablets. Are they any good?

Would the Pixel C suit my needs? Would any other Android Tablet work or be better value? I definitely need a keyboard. Is it nice to type on. The weight of the Pixel C, is it an issue, is it OK to hand hold as a tablet without keyboard?

Is the OS OK, has it been updated is it smooth like the stock Android on the 6P. What is it like to write on in OneNote or Evernote or other apps like the native Google Apps?

Any comments or feedback would be gratefully appreciated.

Matt

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[Aquila]

The Pixel C is the best tablet available anywhere and if you're going to use the keyboard, it's the only good keyboard for a tablet out there. I would also put good recommendation out there for the Nexus 9, but the Pixel C is better in every category except for weight (it's heavy). And again, if the keyboard is going to be used, getting a tablet designed for that use case is clearly better. (I have the Pixel C, Nexus 9, Nvidia Shield Tablet, Nexus 7 2013 and Nexus 7 2012). So, Pixel C - best in class screen, fantastic battery life, great build materials/quality, the Tegra X1 is amazing, comprable security to Nexus (very frequent updates directly from Google) - and with Android N's multi-window, it's getting even better.

 

[Matthew_Dodwell]

How do you find the OS I hear it's just Android mobile stretched, is there any formatting issues with the OS. I hear some apps only work in portrait orientation.

Do you think the C has been released but it's a device for the future and later developments in Android will improve it as a tablet?

The reason I ask is because the iPad Air 2 has dropped in price so I am unsure if to switch to an Android Tablet or go safe with the iPad.

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[Matthew_Dodwell]

I would love to get one but I'm hesitating as there isn't a chance to try one in person where I live. I've used an iPad and let's be frank, when you've tried one you've tried them all, and I've also been able to try a Surface 3, but nowhere stocks the Pixel C.

My only concern that is stopping me hitting the purchase button is the reviews that talk about the Hardware being awesome but the Software being lacking as it's not optimised for a tablet.

Do you think Android N will move Android in to having an OS that is optimised for both phone and tablet? From what I understand the Developer Version of N has been released early so could this be significant?

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[Aquila]

I have the N preview on my Pixel, it adds multi-window - which helps a lot on the optimization thing that people are talking about. So the optimization complaint is a little misleading, because in 2011 Android took it's phone OS and tablet OS and combined them into one. From that point on, almost everything about Android works great on a phone or tablet, dependent on hardware features, etc. So there's no such thing as "tablet optimized" unless a developer goes out of their way to code features, layouts, etc. in order to add on to the default that Android supports. Tapatalk, for example, detects a tablet in landscape and adds a second panel of data to make browsing more efficient. Long story short, the "optimization" argument is either from a lack of understanding of how Android has worked since Ice Cream Sandwich, or it is making commentary on another thing: the Pixel C should have been released with support for multi-window. And with N it'll have that, but without it, the Pixel feels like great hardware that was designed for a version of Android that wasn't yet released. That said, you can install the beta and it works very well (though it is a beta, so know what you're getting into before doing it) - and that gives you the multi-window support.

On the Pixel, since it is meant to be used in Landscape, there is a problem with certain apps that forgot to code for anything other than portrait. This typically only impacts the splash and/or sign on screens of an app and then they function correctly after that, though there are a few apps that are still the wrong direction after that. There are apps you can get to force landscape, but you shouldn't have to do that. The multi-window basically gives you two portrait apps side by side, negating that problem. The one app I have that has an issue is Slack, and it impacts only the sign on screen the first time you open the app.

If you like iOS, the new iPad Pro that was just announced is another good option. I cannot in good conscience recommend the Surface Pro 3 or 4 as a tablet, although as a laptop I believe that they are pretty decent. Windows does an absolutely horrible job at functioning as a tablet (so far) and there's a big problem when you're missing most of the apps that exist for tablets. But as a laptop, the Surface line is pretty neat.

 

[Matthew_Dodwell]

Wow, thanks for your feedback. I guess a lot of YouTube reviews don't go in depth enough. It looks a great machine.

I guess then iOS apps are coded for portrait and landscape. Well when I think about it Instagram does rotate on a phone and i'm not sure it does on my iPad either.

Do you think we'll see more updates for the apps in the future? I am only asking as I am very nieave to Android as I've been an iOS user from the first iPod Touch, original iPhone and iPad 2nd Gen.

I did briefly touch on Android with a Sony Z3 Compact and I hated it, but this Nexus 6P is awesome.

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[Carl_L]

How do you find the OS I hear it's just Android mobile stretched, is there any formatting issues with the OS. I hear some apps only work in portrait orientation.

Do you think the C has been released but it's a device for the future and later developments in Android will improve it as a tablet?

The reason I ask is because the iPad Air 2 has dropped in price so I am unsure if to switch to an Android Tablet or go safe with the iPad.

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Only had mine for a short while but would definitely say nothing appears 'stretched'.

Sure there are some apps (Instagram, for example) that only work in portrait but I don't find that a great deal as, out of all the apps that work in either orientation, some are better in landscape & some are better in portrait. As a tablet, everything is great & doesn't need improving - as long as you're happy flipping it around according to what you're doing.

I don't own a keyboard so, as a tablet, everything is hunky-dory for me. If you want to keep a keyboard almost permanently attached, you maybe frustrated.

Maybe it would be worthwhile listing all the apps you feel you would need a keyboard for & ask this fine forum if any of those apps don't like landscape. Word of warning though - this is not a very active forum.

 

[Oubadah]

Don't buy the Pixel C until they address the Wi-Fi issue.

https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/nexus/CM9tv3pjTfQ

Wi-Fi Performance: iPad Pro and Pixel C - More Than Throughput: Next Generation Wi-Fi Testing with Ixia's WaveDevice

No, the latest update did not fix it. It's almost certainly a universal issue affecting all units, with the people who "don't have it" just being fortunate in having strong enough Wi-Fi to compensate.

It would be wise to wait for Google to release a fix. Bear in mind that the "developer" discount it good until July 15th, so don't let that influence you into making a snap decision you might later regret.

 

[Matthew_Dodwell]

Cheers for your comments on the WiFi, I hope they are able to fix that. Do you think it's purely software and can be fixed with an update.

I might limp along with the iPad 3rd Gen a few more weeks then to see what happens.

The only reason I'm considering the Pixel C over a new iPad is because of how blown away I am with this Nexus 6P and stock Android.

The iPad works, it does what I need, but it's expensive and I as I have an Android phone I want to explore Android Tablet options before making any decision.

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[Matthew_Dodwell]

Only had mine for a short while but would definitely say nothing appears 'stretched'.

Sure there are some apps (Instagram, for example) that only work in portrait but I don't find that a great deal as, out of all the apps that work in either orientation, some are better in landscape & some are better in portrait. As a tablet, everything is great & doesn't need improving - as long as you're happy flipping it around according to what you're doing.

I don't own a keyboard so, as a tablet, everything is hunky-dory for me. If you want to keep a keyboard almost permanently attached, you maybe frustrated.

Maybe it would be worthwhile listing all the apps you feel you would need a keyboard for & ask this fine forum if any of those apps don't like landscape. Word of warning though - this is not a very active forum.

Hiya,

Cheers for the user feedback.

My main apps I use are these:

- Cloud Magic Email
- OneNote
- Evernote
- Google Music / Deezer or Spotify
- Feedly (Newsify on iPad)
- Instagram (but that works portrait better anyway)
- Fenix or Tweetings
- Google Photos
- Flickr
- Lightroom Mobile
- Pocket
- YouTune
- Medium
- Pinterest

To be honest some of these I would work in tablet mode anyway I.e without the keyboard in portrait orientation for example, Medium, Feedly, Pinterest, Pocket.

But then I would attach the keyboard for Cloud Magic, OneNote, Evernote, Google Photos, etc.

I am not against taking the keyboard off, in fact that is why I want to use a tablet, to have a tablet to use and then attach the keyboard when I want to type. It would not be attached permanently.

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[Matthew_Dodwell]

The Tablet/Keyboard setup is to replace a laptop, but not in the conventual sense.

I use my phone a lot, but it's not up for heavy typing. It's a note taker, browser, photo viewer etc.

My laptop (macbook pro) is to heavy to be really portable and now the battery only lasts an hour it is permanently fixed to the mains and a 24" monitor. It runs Lightroom and Photoshop and that is about it. I do use it for some web browsing for certain purposes, but it is very much just a photo editor now with the i7 8gb ram and 2TB HD etc. I don't really need another laptop.

I have found my iPad extremely useful and when I attached a cheap Logitech keyboard it expanded its use to more than just a browser or book reader etc. I am very comfortably typing in it and I do like the fact I can only really have one tab open at a time, I'm not that interested in split windows. I like to restrict myself to concentrate on just one app at a time.

I also use it as my primary media consumption tool now, but do use Chromecast for family movies too.

So a tablet and tablet/keyboard is very important to me to supplement a great phone, which I now have in the 6P

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[WClark57]

Remember Apple and Google think differently and that can have some impact on your expectations. For example, some of the apps you use on the iPad may exist on Google Play, but they might not work the same. I had this problem trying out an iPad--the EyeFi app made me return the tablet. To this end, peruse https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...s://play.google.com/store/apps&token=k7b2W-c7 to find your apps and read about them and look for other apps that do the same thing. For example, I use gReader for my feedly feeds.

Its good to have a little pro and con, and the WiFi issue is a good example of that. But just as reviews on the intertubes can mislead, so can forum posts so you might want to dig around for yourself on some issues. In particular, if you normally use the tablet close to your WiFi router, you may not ever experience the WiFi issue. Though it isn't clear yet if it is a hardware or software issue. Another thing I consider a con is the lack of SD Card capability coupled with the limited memory options. If you are okay with cloud storage then it may not be something you care about.

Finally, it would be helpful if you were to discuss how you use your tablet and what role it plays in your life. People with similar interests can then engage. For example, some don't like the keyboard, but if you've never used one, it may not matter to you.

 

[polar135]

No issues with wifi here and If you do have issues return it. I've had the pixel c since it came out and beyond the wacky landscape/portrait app thing, I love the tablet.

 

[jamesrick80]

I would recommend the iPad pro 9.7 with keyboard case for your use purposes, the pixel c wifi issues really are concerning. ...

 

[Matthew_Dodwell]

Cheers for your feedback.

Is the portrait/landscape thing only if apps are not coded to reorientation for example Instagram.

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[Matthew_Dodwell]

I would recommend the iPad pro 9.7 with keyboard case for your use purposes, the pixel c wifi issues really are concerning. ...

As a iPad user I have no issues with iPads I'm not a fanboy of either iOS or Android, I like what works for me and it just so happens this Nexus 6P is fantastic.

I didn't buy the 6s+ because I don't think it's worth what they are charging at all £699, but that is just personal opinion.

What puts me off the iPad Pro 9.7 (32gb £499) is that price again vs the iPad Air 2 (64gb £429). That is just the ipad itself. I understand the specs have been improved but I'm not sure that it really makes that much difference for my purpose. It maybe perfect and the price is fine, it just makes me question iPads and look elsewhere before deciding.

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[Matthew_Dodwell]

The 3 Tablets I'm looking at currently are all fit for purpose for me, as long as you iPad Air 2 doesn't get killed with updates too quickly. So it comes down to use ability and value.

Tablet & Keyboard

Pixel C - £519 (32gb)
iPad Pro 9.7 - £628 (32gb)
iPad Air 2 - £490 (64gb)

An iPad is and iPad is an iPad. So this lingering desire is for the Pixel C, but I can't touch one and this holds me from pressing buy at the moment.

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[WClark57]

Revisiting your original posting, I would say that the answer is yes the Pixel C would work and so would the Nexus 9 and other offerings from other companies. I don't do heavy photo editing on my Samsung Note 2014, but I do many of the things you do and it performs well enough--it certainly isn't lagging.

But the reality is that I am ready to replace that Samsung for several reasons, not the least of which is how often it gets updated. And this is the thing that I think should recommend the Nexus tablets, phones, and the Pixel C to all users. A tablet that takes nearly two years to update to an old version of Android is one that cannot hope to keep-up with emerging threats and vulnerabilities. And of course we could spend all day commiserating about the crap that they load these devices with these days. So I would recommend staying within the Nexus and the Pixel C line-up for both phones and tablets, despite what some say about them being "developer devices".

The Pixel C is a compelling product, but like a car in its first model year, it has its issues. I'd look seriously at the Nexus 9, and not be too afraid of the Pixel C if you are normally close to your router. After living a few years in Suffolk, I'd guess you are likely to be close enough to your router most of the time--unless you live in a manor house. The other side of the coin, and the one that has me holding off for a bit is the lack of an SDCard port. I put lots of images through my tablet and I an concerned that the largest offering may not be enough. Cloud storage just doesn't seem a good fix for the problem either, but I'll have to experiment a bit and may need to retool my workflow a bit anyway.

So in closing, I'd give a resounding YES to either the Pixel C or the Nexus 9, and I lean toward the Pixel C myself. There is every reason to make your phone and your tablet run the same operating system and there are really good options out there to achieve that.

 

[anon(782252)]

Not as convenient as a built in micro SD slot but you could always get a USB-C to micro SD adapter for expanded storage needs.

 

[Matthew_Dodwell]

Revisiting your original posting, I would say that the answer is yes the Pixel C would work and so would the Nexus 9 and other offerings from other companies. I don't do heavy photo editing on my Samsung Note 2014, but I do many of the things you do and it performs well enough--it certainly isn't lagging.

But the reality is that I am ready to replace that Samsung for several reasons, not the least of which is how often it gets updated. And this is the thing that I think should recommend the Nexus tablets, phones, and the Pixel C to all users. A tablet that takes nearly two years to update to an old version of Android is one that cannot hope to keep-up with emerging threats and vulnerabilities. And of course we could spend all day commiserating about the crap that they load these devices with these days. So I would recommend staying within the Nexus and the Pixel C line-up for both phones and tablets, despite what some say about them being "developer devices".

The Pixel C is a compelling product, but like a car in its first model year, it has its issues. I'd look seriously at the Nexus 9, and not be too afraid of the Pixel C if you are normally close to your router. After living a few years in Suffolk, I'd guess you are likely to be close enough to your router most of the time--unless you live in a manor house. The other side of the coin, and the one that has me holding off for a bit is the lack of an SDCard port. I put lots of images through my tablet and I an concerned that the largest offering may not be enough. Cloud storage just doesn't seem a good fix for the problem either, but I'll have to experiment a bit and may need to retool my workflow a bit anyway.

So in closing, I'd give a resounding YES to either the Pixel C or the Nexus 9, and I lean toward the Pixel C myself. There is every reason to make your phone and your tablet run the same operating system and there are really good options out there to achieve that.

Ever since buying this Nexus 6P last week I am a convert to Android. I tried a Sony Xperia Z3 a few years ago and although I liked the Hardware and the Software looked nice, I just couldn't get on with it. I also hate Samsung's hardware and software. My wife has a S6, yuck, it looks like Tomy's my first laptop. I think it is the clean stock Android I like as well as the 6P Hardware.

I'll take a look at the Nexus 9, hopefully I can find one in a local store. I think thought that I will look at it just to get some experience with Android in Tablet rather than to but it. The 8.9" screen is what puts me off, and that the 32gb version is still £300 for a 2 yr old ish tablet.

I much prefer larger screens and the 9.7" iPads are the minimum I like so the Pixel C would be the perfect size. I don't want anything to big either like the 12" Pro as I would like it portable in a messenger bag too. At 12" I might as well get a laptop (in my opinion).

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