Is now a good time time to buy an android tablet or even a Windows 8.1 tablet?

[Imaginer]

Then yeah, get the Nexus or the G Pad GPE now (or at the next sale you see). Now is a good time for the smaller size; new stuff coming out will be bigger (NotePRO, Nexus 10, etc).

Fewer functions can be better. A second screen lying around should be as simple as possible. This is why Windows is cratering in the consumer space...

And yet, to get back any functionality from a laptop, one needs apps for the deficiencies down the line?

Important widgets/apps for things like finance, weather, calendar/scheduling, notes, pictures, video, and music all exist by now for the big three (Apple, Android, Windows). There are free options in all places (and being either trials or ad-supported or limited in features until you buy).

If your goals are just solely viewing websites (maybe some text input), then even a Chromebook would be nice. But this is talking about Android. For all I know (not a direct comparison anyways) my Kindle Fire when I had it felt limited in browsing. Flash is still used in places on the web (and other things too). A mobile browser may not run much in the name of security, but it also does not run much.

Second screen of a device? Sure, but from my point it is additional travel weight and bulk (accessories considered in the end) and brings back in physical handling in the switching from a laptop to tablet and vice versa (I bet the guy has to do the back and forth dance in that blog web link). That person's laptop may not travel much (making owning a laptop moot).

But off the bat, that is the things I can think of that is the disparity between Android/iOS/Windows. The browser in Windows is fuller in function, most web services that rely on apps on Android/iOS would just be suited going to a web page in Windows. Windows' Modern IE can take anything on the web and gets better.

If it doesn't, desktop Firefox/Opera/Chrome/etc is not that far away and with a small screen, scaling elements for you hands or using the free TouchMousePointer for a touchscreen trackpad is going to bridge any web viewing needs. This method isn't as "clean" or "simple", but it functions more so.

Over time, security will be of a concern, no matter what the device.

Skydrive comes with the Windows device, I believe. It can also tie back easily to your desktop as well in a manner of accessing it like a simple folder in File Explorer/Windows Explorer. No need for added third party tools. iOS has their iCloud. And Google should have their own thing.

And speaking of simplicity, Samsung is cramming a lot of widgets onto a small screen (in a manner we have all seen before in tiling windows in the past). The beauty of live tiles in my opinion on Windows is it is a quick glance that is not constantly pinned on the screen, in the way, a simple Start icon bezel press switches back and forth. My full screen is still reserved for my task at hand, I get an updated glance switching over. Ultimately, it is up to the app developers to properly make live tiles work for widget functionality.

But when it is said and done, in the OP's case, it is an agnostic decision. The criteria is broad that all devices out now serves that purpose (with my note of browsing exception). Anything will fit the OP's requirements. It is up to the OP to try the devices themselves to be sure, most likely all if possible (given great return policies).

 

[Imaginer]

4:3 is far superior. It's a shame that Google itself doesn't make a 4:3 tablet.

The reason is the horizontal line for sentence line tracking over a paragraph. I know my eyes get lost on lines if it is too long (the 16 aspect of a 16:9 display). But a quick orientation in portrait mode fixes this (or in case of Windows 8, a snapped app to one of the screen sides that reduces the main reading area in landscape mode).

Also, this can be fixed with good highlighting options, to keep track of what you are reading as you go along.

 

[zerogear]

Better Worse or on Par with Bluestacks?

I personally think it's a lot smoother than Bluestacks.

 

[Bateluer]

My problem with Android tablets (and the iPad as well) is that tablets shouldn't have the same interface as a phone. And on Android, I've never been a real fan of the launcher, since it leads to a duplication of app icons. And widgets aren't uniformly designed making them look ugly to me (personal opinion).

Most importantly though, most Android tablets are 16:9 which leads itself to video, where as for reading/web browsing, 4:3 is far superior. It's a shame that Google itself doesn't make a 4:3 tablet.

You can get a antiqued aspect ratio from other manufacturers, but 16x9 is superior by every possible metric. Better reading in portrait, better web browsing in portrait, better movie watching in landscape. The 4:3 ratio just needs to die off, the faster the better.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Most Android tablets use 16:10, while most Windows tablets use 16:9. There are some exceptions and thankfully most of the 8 inch Windows tablets seem to be using 16:10 as well. I like the 4:3 on the iPad, but 16:10 seems like a better balance between all the things I do on a tablet. It's wide screen so videos fit pretty well with only a small amount of blank space at the top and bottom. And it still has enough width that using it in portrait mode is pretty good too. The 16:9 tablets just feel too wide and unbalanced and holding it in portrait mode feels so cramped.

 

[Ravynmagi]

If you are after a 7 or 8 inch tablet now is a great time.

If you decide to go with Android, the the $280 (often cheaper with frequent sales at Staples) 32GB Nexus 7 is probably for most people still the best choice.

Though a Google Play Edition of the LG G Pad 8.3 is also quite tempting if you want the larger screen.

For Windows tablet it might be worth waiting for the ASUS Vivo Note 8. It is coming with an active Wacom digitizer with built in pen and I believe the price starts at $300. Though if you can't wait or see a good sale, a Dell Venue 8 Pro is pretty nice. Though it does have an active digitizer too it's best to pretend like it doesn't since the digitizer is a poor quality Synaptics and you can't even buy the pen from Dell anymore (they had to recall it and are back ordered with replacements I believe).

There is an 8.4 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro coming. And the specs on it look great. Unfortunately I'm not a fan of Samsung TouchWiz, it seems to cause lag and stutter on even the most powerful SoCs. However all that bloat on it does have a few neat features one might want. But this probably isn't something I'd wait for.

 

[TiredEngineer]

The move from 16:10 to 16:9 due to the 1080p marketing "buzzword" was the worst thing to happen to the LCD market in my opinion.

I do agree though, I much prefer 16:10 and even 16:9 to the 4:3 aspect ratio.

 

[dma0991]

I think the time is right to purchase a Windows tablet with an Intel Bay Trail SoC(Acer Iconia W4, Dell Venue, Toshiba Encore, Asus T100). It didn't work too well in the past because x86 processors were power hungry and needed fans to cool it, which adds bulk to the size of the tablet.

Windows 8.1 still needs to improve on the desktop experience rather than layering the problem with the Modern UI. I find that the desktop is lacking in usability when it comes to touch. The desktop interface on an 8" tablet is too cramped to navigate by touch.

 

[Imaginer]

I think the time is right to purchase a Windows tablet with an Intel Bay Trail SoC(Acer Iconia W4, Dell Venue, Toshiba Encore, Asus T100). It didn't work too well in the past because x86 processors were power hungry and needed fans to cool it, which adds bulk to the size of the tablet.

Windows 8.1 still needs to improve on the desktop experience rather than layering the problem with the Modern UI. I find that the desktop is lacking in usability when it comes to touch. The desktop interface on an 8" tablet is too cramped to navigate by touch.

TouchMousePointer. I used it on an Acer W3-810. Made desktop navigation better because I am not obscuring my finger over buttons, I can see the cursor, the whole touchscreen is a trackpad...

 

[Red Storm]

TouchMousePointer. I used it on an Acer W3-810. Made desktop navigation better because I am not obscuring my finger over buttons, I can see the cursor, the whole touchscreen is a trackpad...

Hmm I'll have to check that out. I've been tempted to get an 8" Win8 tablet but wasn't too sure about mouse control in desktop mode.

 

[dma0991]

TouchMousePointer. I used it on an Acer W3-810. Made desktop navigation better because I am not obscuring my finger over buttons, I can see the cursor, the whole touchscreen is a trackpad...

That would be a remedy to the current problem, not a permanent solution. It has to be something that's built in as we'd come to expect that the average user wouldn't take the trouble of fixing such flaw in its usability.

IMO, stock GNOME 3 has a more refined desktop interface for touch than Windows 8.1. I am more inclined to install Fedora in a x86 tablet or a dual boot than to bear with the cramped interface. GNOME 3 isn't perfect and still needs some work to enhance its usability (file browser) but I feel its much more usable than Windows 8.1 at its current state.

 

[Imaginer]

That would be a remedy to the current problem, not a permanent solution. It has to be something that's built in as we'd come to expect that the average user wouldn't take the trouble of fixing such flaw in its usability.

IMO, stock GNOME 3 has a more refined desktop interface for touch than Windows 8.1. I am more inclined to install Fedora in a x86 tablet or a dual boot than to bear with the cramped interface. GNOME 3 isn't perfect and still needs some work to enhance its usability (file browser) but I feel its much more usable than Windows 8.1 at its current state.

The method I mentioned can be a permanent virtual mouse pointer (much like the on-screen virtual keyboard that was implemented in 7 onward - maybe earlier). Scaling can take care of direct to touch, should the user want that, in enlarging menu elements (but may interrupt very busy window layouts in some programs).

The File Explorer's Ribbon element, auto hiding until needed, is there and very viable. Office 2013/365 also sports the hidden ribbon and activates with hitting File/Edit/etc...

Auto hiding UI elements that are not constantly needed, should be a thing with smaller screen real estate, to maximize main working content display. It is why you see these things with Modern apps, the swipe for charms and Modern taskbar, and swiping for the address bar and tabs in Modern IE.

Should Modern apps be used in windowed mode for proliferation in desktop mode, a context bar (Modern IE has that to cue there is an address bar and tabs when you swipe or tap it) would help for pointer users.

 

[dma0991]

Auto hiding UI elements that are not constantly needed, should be a thing with smaller screen real estate, to maximize main working content display. It is why you see these things with Modern apps, the swipe for charms and Modern taskbar, and swiping for the address bar and tabs in Modern IE.

Hiding can be useful if it doesn't affect the number of steps to perform the same task. For instance, to get to the Windows button, a swipe from the right edge of the screen is necessary before pressing the Windows button. This takes two steps rather than having a button that is persistently available (except full screen mode) that only requires one step.

Microsoft could have retained the taskbar with Windows button at its original location that invokes the Modern UI but doesn't cover the taskbar. The left corner location of the Windows button is still strategic(accessible with the left thumb) as a software button in a two handed usage scenario of a tablet.

Something that is constantly accessed should only need one step. Android does it with physical or software button, Apple does it with their physical button. In fact, I do applaud Acer for fitting a physical button (I do wish that they make it look better though) to mitigate this issue on their W3/W4.

 

[Imaginer]

Hiding can be useful if it doesn't affect the number of steps to perform the same task. For instance, to get to the Windows button, a swipe from the right edge of the screen is necessary before pressing the Windows button. This takes two steps rather than having a button that is persistently available (except full screen mode) that only requires one step.

Microsoft could have retained the taskbar with Windows button at its original location that invokes the Modern UI but doesn't cover the taskbar. The left corner location of the Windows button is still strategic(accessible with the left thumb) as a software button in a two handed usage scenario of a tablet.

Something that is constantly accessed should only need one step. Android does it with physical or software button, Apple does it with their physical button. In fact, I do applaud Acer for fitting a physical button (I do wish that they make it look better though) to mitigate this issue on their W3/W4.

Windows key, the Windows icon under laptop bezels and tablets are there as well. If you already hover in that corner, one click would reveal the Start screen.

 

[MrSquished]

If you are after a 7 or 8 inch tablet now is a great time.

If you decide to go with Android, the the $280 (often cheaper with frequent sales at Staples) 32GB Nexus 7 is probably for most people still the best choice.

Though a Google Play Edition of the LG G Pad 8.3 is also quite tempting if you want the larger screen.

and the LG has a microSD slot

 

[desura]

Short answer...no.

Definitely no.

Reasons...

I hear Samsung is going to be releasing AMOLED android tablets in the near future I hear. AMOLED is such a good screen tech, especially for tablets, that I"m willing to overlook the annoying Android OS. I've heard 10.5 inches so far.

Windows 8 tablets look like they've improved dramatically with the newest atom processors coming out...so just wait a bit on those and the next gen of those will be pretty much perfect.

Ideally, I'd have an Atom-based Windows 8 tablet with an AMOLED HD screen. That would be amazing.

 

[BladeVenom]

If you want something cheap, the Asus MemoPad HD looks decent. Microcenter has them for $129.99 http://www.microcenter.com/product/417431/MeMo_Pad_Tablet_-_Blue

 

[rh71]

surprised the Black Friday sale for the Nexus 7 2013 for $229 is still the best price. Need it to go down to at least that much before I consider it. I hate not getting a good deal.

 

[ponyo]

surprised the Black Friday sale for the Nexus 7 2013 for $229 is still the best price. Need it to go down to at least that much before I consider it. I hate not getting a good deal.

I've seen it cheaper than that with coupons. I paid $209 for 32gb Nexus 7 2013 back in August.

But yeah, I'm the same way. I'll make a big stink over a dollar when it's pretty meaningless.