Related
Hi,
Having had my Samsung GS2 for a few months now, I would really like a lot of the functionality on my coffee table.. the ability to do some web surfing on a larger screen, check emails, etc. But, of course, I don't want to spend a fortune!
So, I was wondering what gotchas I need to look out for around the cheaper end of the market for 7-10" tablets. It seems there are some dirt cheap no-name ones available.. like under £100?!
Many seem to run quite old versions.. do I need to care what version of Android it is running? Can I always just disregard the OS that it comes installed with and instead put on the latest Cyanogenmod or similar build instead? Is Cyanogenmod relevant to tablets? From what I understand of this, it's current core is Gingerbread, and I'm not sure I understand whether that supports tablets and their larger resolutions, or whether Honeycomb is the correct path. Is there a similar project to Cyanogenmod but aimed specifically at tablets?
I'd probably expect a Wi-fi-only model.. my thinking is, if I was away from home with it and wanted a mobile data connection, I could just tether my SGS2?
I'd like to be able to hook up to a TV via HDMI to play films - is that quite a regular feature of these devices, or would I need to look carefully for one with HDMI out? Is mini-HDMI just a small connector / converter lead?
I guess what is confusing me right now is the quite wide range of prices I'm seeing.. some tablets are around the £100 mark or even less (think I saw a Hanspree the other day), while many are up at £300+. Does that reflect the next gen hardware, i.e. Ghz-and-up and dual cores?
TIA,
JJ
Dude, Not a exactly match for the price range, but I suggest you the Dropad A8. Multitouch capacitive, It is fast, has mini hdmi output, usb host (where you can plug a 3g modem, gps or rj45 adapter). It is able to play every movie (rmvb even) and game I put on it
Based partially on this idea here about a tablet dock for a phone, I was wondering about the logictics of having two devices, a self contained SOC like a Mini PC or Raspberry Pi, and a form factor extender with a display, touch controls and other bells and whistles, and having the two dock with one another so that one could use different size devices with the same internals, and you would only have to upgrade one or the other part depending on what you needed at the moment. Could something like this be fabricated without the massive resources of a Samsung or HTC behind it, since it would seem like I pretty cool Kickstarter project if it could be produced without cobbling everything together.
3 in 1 super dock
I like that idea, but thinking 4 inch phone, slide into a 7" tablet and a 10"tablet. The Motolora Lapdocks seemed to be heading in that direction, but they are shelfing the product. If you buy the Lapdock around $50 you can convert your tv stick into a laptop. Even load ubuntu onto it, then it would be a chrome book, but more options.
cesar33 said:
I like that idea, but thinking 4 inch phone, slide into a 7" tablet and a 10"tablet. The Motolora Lapdocks seemed to be heading in that direction, but they are shelfing the product. If you buy the Lapdock around $50 you can convert your tv stick into a laptop. Even load ubuntu onto it, then it would be a chrome book, but more options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, why have a phone when you can just make a shell that you could slip the brains into? Seems like a waste of glass and formfactor.
I apologize, but I live 300 miles from any town with electronic stores to seek these answers, I also would be reluctant to trust a sales person anyway. I am a smart phone aholic and get tremendous amounts of good Intel on this site, so I came here.
I really need to update my laptop and am thinking of getting the new Surface. The way I understand it is you can buy a case with a hard keyboard, so you can use it like a laptop, and also take that off and make it a tablet. How do you install new software? Does it have a DVD, or do you connect to external? Is there any drawback to this device? Thanks
Sent from my VS980 4G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
If it's a Surface RT the only way to install software is through the Windows 8 app store. If it's a Surface Pro you can install any software you would on a PC including apps from theb Windows 8 app store. I'm pretty sure you could hook up an external DVD drive to it...
big70tom said:
I live 300 miles from any town with electronic stores
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm convinced you could only be living under a rock or a cave in the middle of nowhere. :laugh:
big70tom said:
Is there any drawback to this device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A Microsoft Surface is not a replacement for an actual laptop despite what anyone says. The answers to all of your questions is "Yes", however, you are still making a compromise. I love my Windows 8.1 Pro tablet, I use it daily, however you aren't going to be as "productive" as you would be getting an actual laptop?
The Surface (Pro) is a really good buy for the fun factor.
The thing you're thinking of buying is the Type Cover (the second generation one has backlit keys and is a bit thinner, but the first-gen one is cheaper and works fine). It's a full-size keyboard (that is, the keys are full-sized and at the usual spacing; it obviously doesn't have room for the full 104-ish keys of a desktop keyboard) plus a trackpad. It is not a case in any traditional sense, although it does work as a screen protector when "closed". It connects magnetically; removing it and reconnecting it is literally a snap (or perhaps "clack!") The magnets are strong enough you can fold the cover behind the tablet (although with the type cover this feels weird because the keys can move beneath your fingers, but at least they turn off automatically) or even dangle the tablet from the cover (not recommended but a cool trick anyhow).
Installing software is done the same way you would on any recent PC; you download it. The tablet has WiFi built in. There's a built-in store that can install and update "modern" apps, but you can also just download programs off the web/FTP servers/whatever. If you need to install off of an actual optical disk (CD or DVD) rather than a disk image (which Win8 can mount as a virtual drive), you will need an external optical drive that connects to the tablet using USB (there's a full-size USB3 port on the side of the Surface Pro). If you really need a wired network connection for some reason, you can get a USB Ethernet adaptor (they're only a few dollars) but that will take up the tablet's USB port. You can also use (USB) external hard disks or flashdrives with the tablet, as a way to transfer files including installers. I recommend getting a USB hub (ideally, one that can handle USB3) if you're going to use a lot of USB devices.
As for drawbacks, the biggest one is arguably that it's small. It's thick for a (modern) tablet, but at only 10.8" (about 28cm) diagonally, the screen is on the small size for a laptop. The case also doesn't have room for a lot of ports. You've got the aforementioned USB3 port, a miniDisplayPort, a headset (headphones+mic, like for a smartphone) port, a microSD card slot, the magnetic power connector (which is also where the stylus rests), and the magnetic cover port (which is how the covers send keyboard and mouse input to the tablet). No VGA (you can get a converter for the miniDP port, though), no surround sound output (the built-in speakers are ok for a tablet but nothing special), no serial or parallel ports (you can use a USB adaptor), no PS/2 port (USB adaptor), no wired Ethernet ports (USB adaptor), no card-reader for anything bigger than microSD (USB adaptor), nowhere to install additional storage or an optical drive (USB...), and only one USB port (hence the recommended USB hub). The Type (or Touch) covers offer very usably-sized keyboards, but a lot of keys are missing or require you to hold the Fn key at the same time. The next-biggest drawback is probably the price-to-specs ratio; while very attractive compared to other "ultrabooks" and high-end x86_64 tablets, you can get a more powerful actual laptop for half the price. The first-gen Pro also has a pretty mediocre battery life (5-ish hours) and a kickstand which only opens to one angle (which some people find to be not the correct angle for them). None of the internal components (battery, CPU, RAM, Flash storage, etc.) are removable/replaceable/upgradable, and the max specs of the original Pro (5GB of RAM, 128GB of internal Flash storage) aren't very impressive. There's also no dedicated graphics processor; the integrated Intel graphics are OK for light-to-moderate gaming, but not for serious gamers or any task requiring much GPU acceleration.
With all that said, it's a very nice, compact, lightweight 64-bit Windows computer with an excellent display (for the size), excellent stylus and touchscreen, very durable body (even without cover, though you really should get one anyhow), and good manufacturer support. It's usable as either a tablet or a laptop, and while it can't be said to be ideal for either, it's pretty good.
To give you any more advice on whether it's suitable would require knowing a lot more about why you're thinking of buying one and what you'd be doing with it.
Which I had read and understood a review like yours before I made a compulsive purchase on Christmas night! I purchased an RT 64GB version, not realising that it is not very well supported on the available app front.....no Google chrome and very few other apps that I have become to consider standard with my Samsung Android tablet. I think note in hind sight I should have purchased the pro version but the price difference from Tesco was GBP 400 vs GBP 950 for the pro. I agree that you should definitely get the cover keyboard and the old version (mk I) is on special offer at GBP 45 vs GBP 99 for the mkII with back light keys.
Oh and there is no onboard GPS receiver so forget navigation!
Sent with desire from My One
I'm thinking about buying a windows 8 tablet, but I'm having trouble deciding which one to get. There are a couple of options that I'm considering:
The Asus T100- The main reason I am considering this tablet is the included dock+keyboard and the fact that it has a full site USB port, which I would like for my FreedomPop USB dongle and my xbox controller wireless receiver. The screen is mediocre and the build quality is shoddy by several accounts. The processor is not the top of the line 3770, but the lower specced 3740.
The HP Omni 10: This is what I wish the Asus tablet was. This has a full HD 1920x1200 screen, compared to the t100s 1378x700 screen resolution. It also includes the best bay trail processor available, which is considerably faster than the t100. It also has a micro-hdmi port, which I would like for displaying movies in my college dorm tv. The only thing missing is that full size USB port. It has a micro USB port, but I don't know if a micro-USB to USB converter would be able to support things like the FreedomPop dongle, the xbox wireless adapter, and maybe an external hard drive. If it does support it, my problems are solved. If not, what are your suggestions? Do you know if those accessories can run under a micro-USB to USB adapter?
FroZebra said:
I'm thinking about buying a windows 8 tablet, but I'm having trouble deciding which one to get. There are a couple of options that I'm considering:
The Asus T100- The main reason I am considering this tablet is the included dock+keyboard and the fact that it has a full site USB port, which I would like for my FreedomPop USB dongle and my xbox controller wireless receiver. The screen is mediocre and the build quality is shoddy by several accounts. The processor is not the top of the line 3770, but the lower specced 3740.
The HP Omni 10: This is what I wish the Asus tablet was. This has a full HD 1920x1200 screen, compared to the t100s 1378x700 screen resolution. It also includes the best bay trail processor available, which is considerably faster than the t100. It also has a micro-hdmi port, which I would like for displaying movies in my college dorm tv. The only thing missing is that full size USB port. It has a micro USB port, but I don't know if a micro-USB to USB converter would be able to support things like the FreedomPop dongle, the xbox wireless adapter, and maybe an external hard drive. If it does support it, my problems are solved. If not, what are your suggestions? Do you know if those accessories can run under a micro-USB to USB adapter?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you plan on using this tablet for?
Well, I have the Dell Lat10 with win8 pro. I got it back in the spring. It works fairly well, but I don't really use it often. I would suggest you make sure that no matter which you get, you might want to spring the extra for the full Windows 8, not RT. I know a bunch of people who got the RT and realized they couldn't do anything they wanted to do and were limited to the Windows Store for options.
GipsyDanger said:
What do you plan on using this tablet for?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically, I want to lug it around in my backpack around college for taking notes, recreational purposes in the dorm, like watching movies, plugging it into the big screen, some light gaming with the xbox controller. I would also appreciate the better screen and more powerful processor. And I figured out the USB otg cable does work on the omni, so the obvious choice is the omni. Now I just need a good tablet holder so I can type using an external keyboard.
And by the way, to that other dude, don't answer just to answer haha. None of these tablets have windows RT; they both have full windows 8, the omni is $50 more expensive than the t100 at $400., they both sport a micro SD card reader and a micro USB, the omni has a micro hdmi port, the t100 has a full size USB port. The t100 has a keyboard dock included in the cost, while the omni has a full HD 1920x1200 screen compared to the 1378x780 screen. The omni also has a decently faster processor than the t100. So the omni for me is the clear choice.
Anyway, about that tablet holder: I just need something that will be able to stand on a lecture hall flimsy desk. Any suggestions?
I would look into the Dell venue pro 11.
Replaceable battery
Stylus with ntrig
Accessories available
Matches hp omni specs closely
Taking class notes on a tablet is rough without a stylus and palm rejection. You might want an ultrabook or hp split. Anytime you want to draw, write a formula, or place a device on uneven or small area input gets hairy.
FroZebra said:
Basically, I want to lug it around in
my backpack around college for taking notes, recreational purposes in the dorm, like watching movies, plugging it into the big screen, some light gaming with the xbox controller. I would also appreciate the better screen and more powerful processor. And I figured out the USB otg cable does work on the omni, so the obvious choice is the omni. Now I just need a good tablet holder so I can type using an external keyboard.
And by the way, to that other dude, don't answer just to answer haha. None of these tablets have windows RT; they both have full windows 8, the omni is $50 more expensive than the t100 at $400., they both sport a micro SD card reader and a micro USB, the omni has a micro hdmi port, the t100 has a full size USB port. The t100 has a keyboard dock included in the cost, while the omni has a full HD 1920x1200 screen compared to the 1378x780 screen. The omni also has a decently faster processor than the t100. So the omni for me is the clear choice.
Anyway, about that tablet holder: I just need something that will be able to stand on a lecture hall flimsy desk. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FroZebra said:
Basically, I want to lug it around in my backpack around college for taking notes, recreational purposes in the dorm, like watching movies, plugging it into the big screen, some light gaming with the xbox controller. I would also appreciate the better screen and more powerful processor. And I figured out the USB otg cable does work on the omni, so the obvious choice is the omni. Now I just need a good tablet holder so I can type using an external keyboard.
And by the way, to that other dude, don't answer just to answer haha. None of these tablets have windows RT; they both have full windows 8, the omni is $50 more expensive than the t100 at $400., they both sport a micro SD card reader and a micro USB, the omni has a micro hdmi port, the t100 has a full size USB port. The t100 has a keyboard dock included in the cost, while the omni has a full HD 1920x1200 screen compared to the 1378x780 screen. The omni also has a decently faster processor than the t100. So the omni for me is the clear choice.
Anyway, about that tablet holder: I just need something that will be able to stand on a lecture hall flimsy desk. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The omni seems like a pretty good tablet. I'd say wait until Black Friday and Cyber Monday to see if there are any good deals on more high end tablets, maybe you can find a deal on a Surface Pro.
HP Omni 10 otg?
I would also like to know if the HP Omni 10 has OTG-usb support and 3G dongle support, via an otg cable.
I found in internet the specifications and says: MicroUSB2.0 typeAB connector (Support Host Mode Only)
Does anybody knows if this means it may supports OTG via otg cable?
The Omni 10 has much better screen because is Gorilla 3, anti-glare and anti-smudge. I would like it had a keyboard included, but I hope a usb-keyboard can be connected.
Another interesting win 8.1 tablet is the Lenovo miix 2: 8''. According to internet comments it seems it supports otg.
Can anyone confirm the hp omni 10 has microusb that support otg?
anddroidz said:
Can anyone confirm the hp omni 10 has microusb that support otg?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really late, but I can confirm It supports OTG
Hello, I've been on the market for something to replace my Nexus 4, which I use much like an Ipod touch, in the respect that I only use it on wifi and wont attach it to a cell service provider. I'd appreciate your input on what phone to get.
I'd like as many hardware features as possible, for a price range of 400 bucks maximum. The Essential phone, and Motorola Z2 play and Force are a few I had in mind. The Essential phone is missing a good camera, and I'm skeptical about Motorola after watching my dad try to navigate their horrible customer service. They killed his phone with an update and sold him a dud as a replacement, although some of the mods add functionality Id be interested in if you guys can recommend one they won't patch-kill.
I tend to use my device for a number of things, but virtually never as a phone. It just happens that nowadays most android devices that are small enough to carry in my pocket are garbage if they weren't designed with the functionality of a phone in mind. Past devices I've bought and liked are the Toshiba Thrive 10.1 and Nvidia shield portable, offering on board ports for HDMI and etc without adapters. I can live with using Type C adapters for a more pocketable device however. I like compatibility with other devices for data transfer or flying a drone, controlling LEGO Mindstorms, etc. I have not rooted devices for fear of ruining them, but if there is such a thing as "as close to being rooted without being rooted", I'd be interested.
Please note that I need these features:
*Android OS, preferably Oreo and better, pure android or better preferred
*USB OTG, type C plug, 3.1 for using an adapter to turn it into a workstation via HDMI, USB and ethernet ports added on.
*NFC for editing nfc tags
*Good camera for everyday pictures but also close up pictures of LEGO models in particular
*64 GB storage minimum, 128 and/or expansion preferred.
*1080P screen or better. I can live with or without whatever weird notch or bezel thing.
I can live without these but if they happen to be there then all the better:
*Headphone jack
*Fingerprint reader
*Water resistant/nanocoating
*Wireless charging
I've checked out XDA's recommended phones, but it seems their recommended phones cap off at the 250 dollar price range and without my preferred 128 on board storage or are missing NFC or something, unless I'm missing a separate "up to 400 bucks" article. They are all surely a vast improvement to my Nexus 4, but significantly under my budget while missing some things I'd prefer. I'm hoping I can just spend a bit more to hit more of my marks.
Thank you for your time and input!
Update/Bumping
Added more info on my preferences to original topic, I found out USB Type C 3.1 is what I need if I want to use an adapter to use a dock to give it Ethernet, HDMI out, keyboard and mouse support, etc.
Someone suggested the Nokia 7 Plus, a very good candidate though it has USB Type C 2.0, which supports data transfer OTG but not a work station dock. Still have to keep the 7+ in mind, has some good features despite this.