Is there not a single good ~9-10" tablet?

[EliteRetard]

Started looking at $200, then $300, now $400+! but I can't seem to find a good option at any price. The Tab S2 has poor performance and poor battery life. Nexus 9 has terrible quality issues, with the screen and other things. Venue 10 has terrible battery life, and has worse performance than the Nexus 9.

I just want decent all around performance, and even an FHD class screen is OK as long as it's without serious issues (*cough* Nexus 9) and around 10 hours battery life watching movies or web surfing. I was hoping for a fair price as well (under $300), I was willing to spend a bit more if I had to, but can't do much more than $350.

Tablets have been around forever, I thought it'd be easy to find something decent and cheap. I'm honestly shocked that I can't seem to find anything decent at all. The Nexus 9 is almost there, seems to be nice middle of the road performance in every area with good battery life...the price is high, but I could probably tolerate a used/refurb unit. But then find out that these things are total garbage quality wise (especially the screen) and that just ruins everything.

So is there something I've missed or overlooked? Are there any options/alternatives? I really didn't want to step down to 8", but I started looking anyway, and I'm finding lots of bad products there too...

 

[tsupersonic]

This is why we have the iPad. I'm using an iPad Air even though I'm fully invested in an Android phone right now. I'm sure you could get an iPad Air or Air 2 (on sale) in your price range.

 

[ControlD]

This is why we have the iPad. I'm using an iPad Air even though I'm fully invested in an Android phone right now. I'm sure you could get an iPad Air or Air 2 (on sale) in your price range.

Exactly the same for me. I looked into almost every Android tablet a few months ago and ended up with an iPad. I still would very much prefer something running Android, especially on a larger device where iOS's UI limitations become painfully obvious, but there just isn't anything to get excited about in Android tablets.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Started looking at $200, then $300, now $400+! but I can't seem to find a good option at any price....

Honestly the only really good Android tablet bigger than the Nexus 7 is the Pixel C.

 

[mikeymikec]

What's up with the Nexus 9 (out of curiosity)?

 

[thilanliyan]

I still really like my Tab S 8.4. I watch a lot of Netflix and streaming movies on it though which it is perfect for...can't beat that screen, and better battery life than the S2 IIRC. There are stutters here and there but I'm willing to live with it for the screen.
A year ago I paid CAD$420 for it, which is what like USD$5 now? Lol.

 

[Oyeve]

If only samsung would update their firmware on the Tab Pro line it would be near perfect. Alas, I am stuck on 4.4.2. on my Tab Pro 8.4.

 

[Artdeco]

Yeah, there really aren't any, just wait and pick up a current gen iPad on sale.

 

[A5]

Yeah, I like Android better on phones but the iPad is the only game in town for good 10" tablets.

 

[Raduque]

Well, I was going to be in the market for a new Android 10" tablet, but almost 6 years later and there still isn't anything much better than my current TF101? I guess when it dies completely, I'll just not bother with an Android tablet anymore. I don't want another iPad (sold my iPad Mini 3).

Google needs to release Play Apps as x86 apps for Windows so I can read my comics on my Surface without needing to use the browser. :/

 

[poofyhairguy]

Google needs to release Play Aps as x86 apps for Windows so I can read my comics on my Surface without needing to use the browser. :/

That will never happen, Google Play Services are built deep into the OS.

Why not just use an Android emulator like AMIDuOS?

 

[tsupersonic]

That will never happen, Google Play Services are built deep into the OS.

Why not just use an Android emulator like AMIDuOS?

I think he was saying Google developing apps like Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, Google Play Books, etc. on x86. This is definitely possible, and definitely does NOT need to be integrated into any OS - hence why they released these above apps for iOS.

 

[Raduque]

That will never happen, Google Play Services are built deep into the OS.

Why not just use an Android emulator like AMIDuOS?

I tried it, but even with VT enabled on my S3 it felt sluggish as my TF101.

I know the services are tied into the OS, but they could release Play Books/Music/Magazines as Windows programs, they have them on iOS.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I think he was saying Google developing apps like Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, Google Play Books, etc. on x86. This is definitely possible, and definitely does NOT need to be integrated into any OS - hence why they released these above apps for iOS.

Good point.

 

[Commodus]

Google might never release most apps for Windows so long as Microsoft dares to compete in search with Bing. Remember how Google purposefully thwarted Microsoft's attempts to put YouTube on Windows Phone? Yeah. It's convinced that anything which helps Windows (desktop or mobile) ultimately hurts Google, since that puts the Bing search box in front of more people.

 

[Phynaz]

As others have said, what you want is an iPad.

 

[Raduque]

Google might never release most apps for Windows so long as Microsoft dares to compete in search with Bing. Remember how Google purposefully thwarted Microsoft's attempts to put YouTube on Windows Phone? Yeah. It's convinced that anything which helps Windows (desktop or mobile) ultimately hurts Google, since that puts the Bing search box in front of more people.

Tech companies can be so petty. I search with Google even inside Edge, and I'm literally giving Google money when I buy comics through Play Books, which is the only thing I need an Android tablet for!

 

[quikah]

Tech companies can be so petty. I search with Google even inside Edge, and I'm literally giving Google money when I buy comics through Play Books, which is the only thing I need an Android tablet for!

Maybe you should start buying through another service which has better support? (I don't know what service that would be unfortunately)

Have you tried using ArcWelder? Might be faster than AmiDuOS, though it is very hit and miss with app compatability.

 

[accguy9009]

Not saying this is the ultimate tablet but you can upgrade the OS, 10 hour battery, decent screen

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ue&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_34&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[taisingera]

It seems like the tablet is going the way of the mp3 players. The iPod line came out and it killed all other mp3 players except cheap Chinese stuff and Sandisk. The iPad is now dominant and eventually all that will be left on Android is cheap Chinese stuff and either Lenovo or Samsung android tablets. I think companies like Dell, HP, Asus, maybe Acer will leave the Android tablet market. Basically there will be only 1 or 2 non Chinese companies making Android tablets.

 

[thilanliyan]

It seems like the tablet is going the way of the mp3 players. The iPod line came out and it killed all other mp3 players except cheap Chinese stuff and Sandisk. The iPad is now dominant and eventually all that will be left on Android is cheap Chinese stuff and either Lenovo or Samsung android tablets. I think companies like Dell, HP, Asus, maybe Acer will leave the Android tablet market. Basically there will be only 1 or 2 non Chinese companies making Android tablets.

I hope we don't only have apple left because when I was buying my Tab S, I compared it to the iPad mini 2 or maybe it was 3 but there was no contest screen wise, and considering I am looking at the screen constantly it was an easy choice. My use case is mostly video though. Having said that I find the amoled screen perfect for reading in bed as well with night mode so it's easy on the eyes. Not sure why the ipads are so highly recommended as the screens can't touch the amoled ones imo. Granted Samsung sucks at software but the latest update definitely made things very smooth on my Tab S 8.4.

 

[bradly1101]

I still really like my Tab S 8.4. I watch a lot of Netflix and streaming movies on it though which it is perfect for...can't beat that screen, and better battery life than the S2 IIRC. There are stutters here and there but I'm willing to live with it for the screen.
A year ago I paid CAD$420 for it, which is what like USD$5 now? Lol.

+1, I really like mine!

 

[Crono]

I hope we don't only have apple left because when I was buying my Tab S, I compared it to the iPad mini 2 or maybe it was 3 but there was no contest screen wise, and considering I am looking at the screen constantly it was an easy choice. My use case is mostly video though. Having said that I find the amoled screen perfect for reading in bed as well with night mode so it's easy on the eyes. Not sure why the ipads are so highly recommended as the screens can't touch the amoled ones imo. Granted Samsung sucks at software but the latest update definitely made things very smooth on my Tab S 8.4.

You answered your own question. For video and other uses where the screen is eyecandy, sure, just having AMOLED makes it better visually. iPads are consistently more fluid and faster than most other tablets otherwise. Which I hate to say because my preference is still for Android and Windows, but it's hard to beat the price/performance of the iPad Mini or the performance of the iPad Air lines.

Currently I've been using my Surface Book in lieu of a smaller tablet like I've had in the past, but if I was in the market for one I'd get Nexus 9 or the Shield if I was looking for an 8" tablet.

 

[Oyeve]

I found a refurbished Dell Venue 11 Pro for just over 400. FHD screen, 256GB ssd and 8GB ram. It has replaced all my other mobile gadgets except my phone. I cant figure out why they havent taken off as its pretty killer.

 

[Qbah]

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet. You're welcome.

10" QHD screen, SD810, 3GB RAM, microSD slot, great battery life, water/dust proof, LTE.

You can also get a previous Z2 Tablet - 10" FullHD screen, SD801, 3GB RAM, microSD, great battery life too, water/dust proof, LTE too. Should be cheaper too.

EDIT: I meant Z2 in the older model. There's also z Z3 Tablet Compact, 8" screen, pretty much Z2, just smaller.

EDIT2: Might cost a wee bit more than what you're willing to pay