Looking for cheaper tablet options

[arandomguy]

Looking for -
- 8 inch or higher
- Must be FHD(1080p) or higher resolution
- prefer 16:10 (wider) due to usage scenarios
- microsd (or no premium high base storage, must be able to store media on device and not reliant on streaming)
- will be used for videos, browsing, comics. Maybe some gaming (fallout shelter android release) or emulator (snes) gaming.
- cheaper/better deal the better
- running windows a bonus

So far what I've been thinking about are (prices in CAD) -
Acer Iconia Tab 8 A1-840FHD - $150
Lenovo Tab 2 A10-70 - $240
Lenovo Tab S8 - $190
Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 - $265
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 - $330 (only considering spending this much due to OLED display and high display/size ratio)
Nvidia Shield Tablet - $310 (only considering spending this much due to stylus)
Various chinese tablets (main issue here is I can't stand even a display single pixel defect, and these would basically be non returnable. Although the bonus would be running Windows).

Any othe good options?

Or keep waiting.

 

[richierich1212]

Best budget tablet is the LG G Pad 8.3 if you can find one. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/LG-G-Pad-8-3...455?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item259ae63e57

 

[stlc8tr]

Tab Pro 8.4 for $200 (USD).

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-galaxy-tab-pro-8-4-16gb-black/3715001.p?id=1219093181535

(No idea what the prices are like for this up in Canuckistan.)

 

[lopri]

I didn't know that Tab Pro deal is still around. It beats everything else the OP listed in bang/buck.

Off-topic: Did Tab Pro/S receive Lollipop updates yet?

 

[Oyeve]

I didn't know that Tab Pro deal is still around. It beats everything else the OP listed in bang/buck.

Off-topic: Did Tab Pro/S receive Lollipop updates yet?

Nope. Still waiting on it for my Tab Pro 8.4. Should be any day now. I think the Tab S is rolling out now.

 

[arandomguy]

I think Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 stocks have been depleted in Canada. I don't believe it has ever been that cheap here though (I'd say lowest was $250 CAD when exchange was better though).

200 USD would be 250 CAD in straight conversion. Does that still make it a much better deal? (eg. $100 more than the Acer, only $80 less than the Tab S).

I'd originally wanted to wait for the Tab S 2 but it looks like they are going with a 4:3 aspect ratio (don;t like that) and CAD tanking relative to USD made that a bad idea in hindsight. Same with waiting for newer Surface products from MS due to currency exchange.

 

[Rottie]

Do you like Samsung Tab 7.0? Take a look Nook Tablet for $149.00

 

[arandomguy]

Need 8 inches or higher and 1080p or higher resolution.

I think right now I'm at the following -
1) The Acer Iconia for $150
2) Wait for a Tab S 8.4 sale to drop to $250 maybe ($330 feels like too much to pay for it now given this price was available more than 6 months ago) with the Tab S2 release (dislike the new aspect ratio).
3) Wait for a Shield tablet update (with better display) or price drop on the existing one (pen support).
4) Keep waiting, maybe for the Skylake version of the Surface Pro.
5) Or decide to get a 10inch+ tablet.

 

[Rottie]

Need 8 inches or higher and 1080p or higher resolution.

I think right now I'm at the following -
1) The Acer Iconia for $150
2) Wait for a Tab S 8.4 sale to drop to $250 maybe ($330 feels like too much to pay for it now given this price was available more than 6 months ago) with the Tab S2 release (dislike the new aspect ratio).
3) Wait for a Shield tablet update (with better display) or price drop on the existing one (pen support).
4) Keep waiting, maybe for the Skylake version of the Surface Pro.
5) Or decide to get a 10inch+ tablet.

Is 280.00 too much for you for 10.1 Samsung Tab 4 Nook?

 

[MarkLuvsCS]

Asus Zenpad S 8 is $199

4:3 ratio, 2k display, 32gb + microSD upto 128gb. Seems pretty hard to beat for the money, and has Z stylus support (separate pen to buy). Personally waiting for the slightly upgraded model @299.

 

[mcveigh]

I was going to recommend the Asus Zenpad as well.

 

[arandomguy]

Zenpad with straight conversion would be $250 going by current exchange rates. Though actual market price may well be higher here.

Also I don't really like the 4:3 aspect ratio. At least I feel like that would be a negative over 16:10 for a large part of my usage (videos/comics).

Do you know what the digitizer will be for the Z stylus? Is it synaptics?

Is 280.00 too much for you for 10.1 Samsung Tab 4 Nook?

That seems like paying more for a lower resolution display?

My spending "limits" aren't really hard limits in any sense. But spending more needs to really get something (eg. the OLED display on the Tab S). So in the case of the Tab S I can say I'm paying xx more but can get a much nicer display and just debate whether or not I want to spend more for that.

 

[Oyeve]

Asus Zenpad S 8 is $199

4:3 ratio, 2k display, 32gb + microSD upto 128gb. Seems pretty hard to beat for the money, and has Z stylus support (separate pen to buy). Personally waiting for the slightly upgraded model @299.

Tab Pro has a higher res. I cant see buying this asus model if only for the pen. Its 50 bucks more plus you need to actually buy the pan. Also, asus updates are even worse than samsung in many cases.

 

[sweenish]

I've been very intrigued by the devices ASUS has been putting out lately, but I don't know if they're any good because a: the skin blows chunks, and b: I have no clue how fast or if they even will update.

It's like they're entering the android game 3 years ago. If they get closer to stock, update in a timely manner, and/or be root/ROM friendly, then I think they stand a chance of taking a large chunk of the market.

 

[Oyeve]

I've been very intrigued by the devices ASUS has been putting out lately, but I don't know if they're any good because a: the skin blows chunks, and b: I have no clue how fast or if they even will update.

It's like they're entering the android game 3 years ago. If they get closer to stock, update in a timely manner, and/or be root/ROM friendly, then I think they stand a chance of taking a large chunk of the market.

I've only been disappointed by Asus in the tablet market. My tf101 failed miserably, my asus Memo HD never got any update and Asus marketed it as HD but no video apps ever recognized it as such so never streamed at HD.