Update Android version through rooting an older Samsung tablet?

[Android Central Question]

Hi, hoping someone can help. I've got an old Samsung note 10.1 tablet (Gt-N8010).

Its running on jellybean 4.1.2, im after putting a later version on it, I guess they stopped making software for it a while back as there no updates for it on system updates.
Done a little research and it looks like rooting it is my only option, my questions I guess are:
What version of android will work on this tablet?
Is there any other way without rooting it and risking breaking it?
Forgive my ignorance, I have no idea what I'm doing, I've never tried anything like this lol.
Any help would be appreciated

 

[hallux]

Is there any other way without rooting it and risking breaking it?

No.

The bottom line though is that you're not going to get to a high enough Android version to be meaningful for app support and still have decent performance.

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! I moved this to the Note 10.1 forum for more specific traffic.

Please register on this forum, which will allow you to engage in discussion more easily, as well as post images. https://forums.androidcentral.com/ask-question/409154-join-android-central-community.html

 

[mustang7757]

Recommend getting something newer.