Should I get this tablet? Hoping for some help from the community

[ultravisitor]

I almost got it because my toshiba last about 1.5 hours on "energy saving mode" before it dies. I upgraded to the Note2 so I dont have the money now, but hoping to get on before the next semester starts. Btw, which one do you have?

I have last year's Samsung model in white. It's a great device, so long as you remember its limitations. The battery really does last all day long, but it's not something on which you can expect to keep 15 tabs open without issue. I love it bringing it in my bag when I travel because it's so light and with a slim profile, especially compared to my laptop.

 

[BcSirstaroth]

Well thanks to the community, I'm gonna get the Nexus 10.... 32 gig. Just in case.

Now I need to watch the Play Store. I really feel like Google dropped the ball on this. How did they not know that this was likely gonna happen? Hell even Samsung let you pre-order the GS3 and that was still a huge mess. Google needs to learn from Samsung and dare I say it, Apple. This whole situation could have been avoided.

 

[badbrad17]

Well thanks to the community, I'm gonna get the Nexus 10.... 32 gig. Just in case.

Now I need to watch the Play Store. I really feel like Google dropped the ball on this. How did they not know that this was likely gonna happen? Hell even Samsung let you pre-order the GS3 and that was still a huge mess. Google needs to learn from Samsung and dare I say it, Apple. This whole situation could have been avoided.

I think you are making a good decision. This tablet certainly looks like a contender.

Just a side note observation I have noticed and wanted to see how everyone else feels.

I was in Staples yesterday and played with a bunch of Tablets. The big thing I have always disliked about most Android is the laggy touchscreen compared to iOS. I'm not sure why this is such a problem but even my Transformer Prime just hesitates way more than it should IMO.

I did a simple pinch to zoom test which I think really shows how a device performs in every day use. I loaded a website on the iPad 3, the new Asus windows 8 tablet, the Nexus 7, Acer Iconia, Asus TF300 and Transformer Prime. The differences in this experience were very obvious and noticeably glaring when switching back and forth. I felt that the winner was the Windows 8 tablet followed by the iPad then the Nexus 7. The other Android tablets lagged and stuttered significantly compared which surprised me considering that Asus also makes the N7 and they put very little bloatware on their OS skins. But I even felt that the Nexus 7 still fell behind the Win8 tab and iPad. It wasn't bad to any degree but just felt like you had to push the screen more compared to the ultra sensitivity of its competitors.

Regardless of my findings, I am still happy with my Transformer Prime but wonder why Windows was able to make such a responsive touch screen experience on their OS right out of the gate, while Android seems to lag behind in this department. Even with Project Butter Android still couldn't compete with the others. I am waiting to play with the Nexus 10 to see how it performs and I think it will be a winner, but I feel that Android is trying to fix this more with hardware rather than with Software. More work needs to be done with project butter IMO.

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[bplewis24]

I think you are making a good decision. This tablet certainly looks like a contender.

Just a side note observation I have noticed and wanted to see how everyone else feels.

I was in Staples yesterday and played with a bunch of Tablets. The big thing I have always disliked about most Android is the laggy touchscreen compared to iOS. I'm not sure why this is such a problem but even my Transformer Prime just hesitates way more than it should IMO.

I did a simple pinch to zoom test which I think really shows how a device performs in every day use. I loaded a website on the iPad 3, the new Asus windows 8 tablet, the Nexus 7, Acer Iconia, Asus TF300 and Transformer Prime. The differences in this experience were very obvious and noticeably glaring when switching back and forth. I felt that the winner was the Windows 8 tablet followed by the iPad then the Nexus 7. The other Android tablets lagged and stuttered significantly compared which surprised me considering that Asus also makes the N7 and they put very little bloatware on their OS skins. But I even felt that the Nexus 7 still fell behind the Win8 tab and iPad. It wasn't bad to any degree but just felt like you had to push the screen more compared to the ultra sensitivity of its competitors.

Regardless of my findings, I am still happy with my Transformer Prime but wonder why Windows was able to make such a responsive touch screen experience on their OS right out of the gate, while Android seems to lag behind in this department. Even with Project Butter Android still couldn't compete with the others. I am waiting to play with the Nexus 10 to see how it performs and I think it will be a winner, but I feel that Android is trying to fix this more with hardware rather than with Software. More work needs to be done with project butter IMO.

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Are you positive it's lag? The reality is that Android animations are still intentionally more deliberate compared to iOS (haven't used Windows Phone/8). What you are attributing to lag on a Nexus 7 may actually be intentional. There are some who actually dislike the schizophrenic nature of how iOS is hypersensitive to every single mis-touch/swipe.

 

[badbrad17]

Are you positive it's lag? The reality is that Android animations are still intentionally more deliberate compared to iOS (haven't used Windows Phone/8). What you are attributing to lag on a Nexus 7 may actually be intentional. There are some who actually dislike the schizophrenic nature of how iOS is hypersensitive to every single mis-touch/swipe.

The Nexus 7 was definitely the best of the Android bunch. But for example, if you were to just try to pinch to zoom in and out as fast as you can you get a hesitation and just doesn't respond as well. I find the same effect when I pick up my employees iphone 5. It just feels perfectly responsive compared to my SGS2. The s3 and one X are better but I still feel like there is a studder. You can see this in so many iPad vs. Android tablet comparisons. The iPad usually does exactly what it's supposed to when touched while the Android tablet isn't as responsive and can require an extra swipe.

Try it the next time you are at the store. I think you will agree with me.
But I will still say that because Android tablets give you more options for less it is still the best deal out there and I hope that in the coming updates we will see even more improvements.

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[anon(20593)]

Hi everyone,

I recently switch from iOS to Android and picked up my first Android phone, the Galaxy S3 and I am in love with it. Its amazing, and I finally just rooted it and flash CM10 M2 on there and it is even better than before. I am looking to get myself my first tablet this holiday season and I was hoping for some help on whether or not I should get the Nexus 10 or possibly some other tablet. So what I am looking for in a tablet pretty much is portability and reliability. I am currently a graduate student and I keep lugging around my beast of a laptop and its starting to really get on my nerves. It can't hold a charge at all and overheats all the time so I have to carry a cooling fan unit all the time. Anyway, what I am looking for is a tablet that will be able to replace my laptop while I am on campus or in the library so I can write papers and just do note taking while in class. I was wondering if this might be the tablet for me or should I wait to see what else comes out. A big thing for me is that I need a physical keyboard to work on, it can either have a charging dock or just be a blue-tooth keyboard, it doesn't matter to me. Another big thing for me is that the keyboard needs to be portable, either its an accessory, or a third-party keyboard.

Sorry if this was a little long winded or sounded a little needy, I just want to make sure I am making the best purchase possible. What do you guys think?

Thanks for your help

P.S: If I get the Nexus 10, I'll get the 16gig so I can spend some money on a keyboard.

@BcSirstaroth, did you end up buying the N10? Here is where I am at:

I have not had a chance to check out the N10 yet because it is not available in any store. I am not going to buy a machine costing that much money (its plenty for me) without being able to see one or at least buy from a store where I have the option of returning it. My view about a tablet is that it needs to replace paper for me. I have a very decent laptop and a smartphone and I don't expect the tablet to take over any major functions that I perform on those two devices. The 'niche' that the tablet needs to have is that it should replace notes I take during class, meetings, etc. and store in different places. I would like to be able to read .pdfs on it, and make markings or take notes directly on that. I don't need to watch movies on my tablet, and that is why the N10's biggest USP - its screen - is not something I give a lot of weight to. Maybe this is too specific a demand I'm making of a tablet, but heck that is what I need.

So I did try my hands at both the N7 and the Galaxy Note 10.1. this week! And I have to say, interestingly enough, the Note 10.1. is the winner for now.

I had wondered for some time now whether the N7 would be good machine for note-taking. I like the fact that it is small and perhaps be a little less discrete during meetings and such where I want to use a tablet for taking notes. But alas, I came to the conclusion that for 2 fundamental reasons the N7 doesn't work for me: one of which of course is the size. It is a great size but there is not enough space for me to rest my wrist and write with a stylus. I don't want to have to write with the keyboard all the time, and there simply enough real-estate screen on the N7 to get a decent notepad up and running. I ended up scrolling very frequently in Evernote - which was the only decent app where keyboard entry notes could be written quickly. My assessment therefore, lo and behold, is that it is a great media consumption device with occasional e-mailing but not much else for my needs. I don't need a 7-inch screen to watch movies or read books on. I found myself getting quite frustrated when I was reading .pdf files since I like to mark in them directly and this was too small.

The second big reason that the N7 doesn't work for me, and this unfortunately relates to the N10 as well, is that there are almost no decent apps for writing. I tried a whole bunch of them - HandRite, Genial Writing and what not, but they all suck *big* time. My concern about the N10 is that it will have the exact same problem. I suppose I could wait and watch.

Briefly on the Note 10.1: I have to say that the Verge's review of it which turned me off it in the first place is somewhat unfair. I don't experience the lags that review showed and the multi-screening works well for me. The S-Pen and the S-Note app work extremely well for me. The fact that it is able to recognize math formulae and put them into a note is very impressive. I also have to say that the reason I put it back on my list of tablets to consider is the announcement about the Premium Suite. It addresses several outstanding concerns I have read about the Note 10.1, and I have to say that I am very very impressed that Samsung has responded with an outstanding update.

Bottomline: I have successfully eliminated the N7 from things-to-consider and am back to a Note 10.1. vs. Nexus 10 situation.

 

[BcSirstaroth]

@BcSirstaroth, did you end up buying the N10? Here is where I am at:

I have not had a chance to check out the N10 yet because it is not available in any store. I am not going to buy a machine costing that much money (its plenty for me) without being able to see one or at least buy from a store where I have the option of returning it. My view about a tablet is that it needs to replace paper for me. I have a very decent laptop and a smartphone and I don't expect the tablet to take over any major functions that I perform on those two devices. The 'niche' that the tablet needs to have is that it should replace notes I take during class, meetings, etc. and store in different places. I would like to be able to read .pdfs on it, and make markings or take notes directly on that. I don't need to watch movies on my tablet, and that is why the N10's biggest USP - its screen - is not something I give a lot of weight to. Maybe this is too specific a demand I'm making of a tablet, but heck that is what I need.

So I did try my hands at both the N7 and the Galaxy Note 10.1. this week! And I have to say, interestingly enough, the Note 10.1. is the winner for now.

I had wondered for some time now whether the N7 would be good machine for note-taking. I like the fact that it is small and perhaps be a little less discrete during meetings and such where I want to use a tablet for taking notes. But alas, I came to the conclusion that for 2 fundamental reasons the N7 doesn't work for me: one of which of course is the size. It is a great size but there is not enough space for me to rest my wrist and write with a stylus. I don't want to have to write with the keyboard all the time, and there simply enough real-estate screen on the N7 to get a decent notepad up and running. I ended up scrolling very frequently in Evernote - which was the only decent app where keyboard entry notes could be written quickly. My assessment therefore, lo and behold, is that it is a great media consumption device with occasional e-mailing but not much else for my needs. I don't need a 7-inch screen to watch movies or read books on. I found myself getting quite frustrated when I was reading .pdf files since I like to mark in them directly and this was too small.

The second big reason that the N7 doesn't work for me, and this unfortunately relates to the N10 as well, is that there are almost no decent apps for writing. I tried a whole bunch of them - HandRite, Genial Writing and what not, but they all suck *big* time. My concern about the N10 is that it will have the exact same problem. I suppose I could wait and watch.

Briefly on the Note 10.1: I have to say that the Verge's review of it which turned me off it in the first place is somewhat unfair. I don't experience the lags that review showed and the multi-screening works well for me. The S-Pen and the S-Note app work extremely well for me. The fact that it is able to recognize math formulae and put them into a note is very impressive. I also have to say that the reason I put it back on my list of tablets to consider is the announcement about the Premium Suite. It addresses several outstanding concerns I have read about the Note 10.1, and I have to say that I am very very impressed that Samsung has responded with an outstanding update.

Bottomline: I have successfully eliminated the N7 from things-to-consider and am back to a Note 10.1. vs. Nexus 10 situation.

teffects,

I purchased from Staples the Pre-ordered Nexus 10 32 gig and then not even 3 days later it was back inside the Play Store, so I went ahead and cancelled my order. While waiting for my money to return back to be I began to rethink about purchasing a 32 gig and realized even with my SGS3, I still have 3 gigs left in my internal storage, and I haven't even touched my 32 gig external SD card yet. I just purchased the the Nexus 10 16 gig instead. I realized that I do not need 32 gigs and wasting an extra $100 wasn't worth it.

I have played with the Note 10.1 at Best Buy and while I did enjoy using it, I still can not get past Touchwiz and I had a few instances of lag using the demo tablet. I know that the lag is probably due to wear and tear of the device, but I didn't find it overall amazing to use. As for the S Pen function, it is useful for most people but not for me. I am getting a tablet because I am tired of writing everything down on pen and paper, so I didn't see a use for the S Pen. You may have a different opinion that I do.

I can recommend if you are able to purchase the application, Office Suite Pro, it is amazing and I currently use it on my phone when I am at school and brainstorming ideas for research papers and etc.

 

[anon(20593)]

teffects,
I have played with the Note 10.1 at Best Buy and while I did enjoy using it, I still can not get past Touchwiz and I had a few instances of lag using the demo tablet. I know that the lag is probably due to wear and tear of the device, but I didn't find it overall amazing to use. As for the S Pen function, it is useful for most people but not for me. I am getting a tablet because I am tired of writing everything down on pen and paper, so I didn't see a use for the S Pen. You may have a different opinion that I do.

I agree entirely about wanting to eliminating pen and paper - that is precisely what I'm trying to do as well. I am trying to write notes directly onto .pdfs, write notes and thoughts electronically rather than on pieces of papers, different diaries and notepads. The S-software on the Note 10.1 seem to me to have worthwhile apps to do that, and I suspect they will be reference points for me. But I'll continue to look for regular apps which I could use were I to get the Nexus 10 eventually.

I can recommend if you are able to purchase the application, Office Suite Pro, it is amazing and I currently use it on my phone when I am at school and brainstorming ideas for research papers and etc.

Dude, thanks for the Office Suite Pro recommendation. I'll look at that rightaway.