LG's new G Pad 8.3: A Decent ~8in Android tablet?

[jpiniero]

I laugh at comments like this

What specifically does 4.3 do for you over 4.2.2?

Well, it'd be NICE if Android devices were released on the latest version. The trim support is pretty helpful.

It'd pretty much going to get overshadowed by the impending release of the Mini retina (still at $329?)

 

[Commodus]

Sadly, Apple seems to have convinced many people that a 200-300% profit margin is normal. :/ 10-15% mark up used to be normal, above that used to be considered extreme.

Obviously, there are R&D costs and advertising costs. In LG's case, the R&D costs are spread over many products. The same display tech in this GPad is also the same place they make all their phones, televisions, and yes, the iPhone and iPad screens.

And seeing how LG probably isn't going to drop half a billion dollars in advertising like Samsung and Apple do, a 60-80 dollar profit on each G-Pad is plenty. Especially if you consider that they can't sell it above 300.

I don't know how much of your claim is serious (forgive me if it's not!), but I've gotta shut down this claim: Apple isn't making a 200-300% profit margin.

I know what you might do in response. You may cite an IHS iSuppli cost breakdown showing that it only costs Apple X dollars to make an iPhone or iPad, and how dare the company charge two or three times as much. There's only one problem... that's not how much it actually costs.

As IHS iSuppli will tell you, it's only counting the most basic expenses behind a device -- the cost of each part and the manufacturing. The analyst firm isn't factoring in things you've mentioned, such as shipping, R&D, sales and the many other factors that go into the final price. Apple has relatively high profit margins, but they're closer to 30-40%.

For comparison, look at how much a Galaxy S4 costs to make -- it's remarkably similar to the cost of an iPhone. LG is likely in the same boat with the G Pad 8.3. It's probably not charging $349 in an attempt to get Apple-like cachet for a cheaper device; more likely, it's setting that price just to get its normal profit margins.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I thought this was a pretty nice tablet for the $350 price it retails for.

But have you guys seen that NewEgg has it on sale today for $250 (have to add the $30 off coupon mentioned on the page). Available in black or white.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834325004

 

[Brian Stirling]

I thought this was a pretty nice tablet for the $350 price it retails for.

But have you guys seen that NewEgg has it on sale today for $250 (have to add the $30 off coupon mentioned on the page). Available in black or white.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16834325004

Tempting in many ways but no uSD no deal. For a tablet, a modern tablet, to be limited to 16GB with no way to expand that is almost criminal. I'm not cloud streaming an HD movie and wind up paying huge for data overages. 100% Fail!


Brian

 

[lopri]

$250 for this tablet is almost a steal. I would really like 4.3, though, unless LG has implemented some sort of TRIM in its 4.2 ROM.

Really tempting but I can't justify another tablet in my household.

 

[lopri]

Tempting in many ways but no uSD no deal. For a tablet, a modern tablet, to be limited to 16GB with no way to expand that is almost criminal. I'm not cloud streaming an HD movie and wind up paying huge for data overages. 100% Fail!


Brian

NewEgg spec sheet says mSD supported?

 

[catnapper]

My son owns an LG G Pad 8.3. It has microSD support. I've used it.

He finds it fast enough and the right size for his needs.

I can tell you from my own experience that there is something about the Android 4.2 implementation on it that screws up the RFO-BASIC editor, limiting its ability to read large BASIC Source files. Or maybe I missed some setting.

There is no such problem with the Android 4.3 on the Nexus 7 2013 (which I own and use for that exact purpose), and no such problem on my TF300 with Android 4.1 either (which I also use to write BASIC).

For what that's worth. I don't think that's an issue for very many people. Possibly 2 or 3 worldwide.

 

[sweenish]

Its not so much 16gb, but the no msd that is an auto ignore, which is why I dont buy iphones or ipads. The only iphone I have is a 4 and a 5 and those are from work and I just use them for work email. Really tho, why do manufacturers NOT put in these slots? Stupid in my opinion and I bet that if an android tab that had these specs AND memory slot were to hit the market at a sub 250 it would sell like hotcakes.

It's best if you try not to apply your "ignore criteria" to other people. They're different from you.

I could not care less about microSD card options. You do. We are different. Our ignore criteria is different. I'm not being pushy and telling you what features you should care about.

 

[sweenish]

I laugh at comments like this

What specifically does 4.3 do for you over 4.2.2?

Bluetooth LE, reduced draw requests, TRIM support baked in, just to name a few.

All of which can help the battery last longer and the experience stay smoother longer. I could say I laugh at comments like yours, but I don't. Ignorance doesn't make me laugh.

 

[Oyeve]

It's best if you try not to apply your "ignore criteria" to other people. They're different from you.

I could not care less about microSD card options. You do. We are different. Our ignore criteria is different. I'm not being pushy and telling you what features you should care about.

Who's being pushy? After reading your comment I am still confused. Unless you meant you couldn't care less.

 

[Trombe]

It was on fire sale for like 3 or 4 hours by Newegg via some Twitter promo last week for $175 (half off). Probably a no brainer at that price if I wanted a tablet because the 8 inch size slot rules.

 

[jacktesterson]

Bluetooth LE, reduced draw requests, TRIM support baked in, just to name a few.

All of which can help the battery last longer and the experience stay smoother longer. I could say I laugh at comments like yours, but I don't. Ignorance doesn't make me laugh.

I'm sure you see this in real life experience all the time. Battery last longer? Show me the stats on this. A few minutes difference over a single charge?

 

[isp]

I've only had it a couple days, but I'm really pleased with this tablet so far.

Most of the reviews I read praised the tablet itself, but felt that the $350 pricetag was a little much. For $250 this is great!