Significant difference between 7 and 8: tablet with same resolution?

[wjgollatz]

I plan on giving my mother a tablet. I have decided on a 7" 1280 x 800 model. I just learned that the manufacturer just released a few weeks ago, what is essentially the same model, but with maybe a faster cpu and a better graphics cpu (which is not needed for my mom's web surf, email, and contacts/calendar use), but in a 8" version, with the same resolution. It cost $60 more based on current prices and sales today.

Would the 8" version present any appreciable difference in reading the screen? My mom does use reading glasses, and would use reading glasses for either version. But with the saved money, I can apply a 2 year accident warranty and a protective case and shield.

I am aware of other benefits of the larger versus smaller sizes. I am hoping for her to be mobile with the tablet, for instance, taking it with her to doctors and using it for her calendar, so the 7" would fit better in her pocketbook and be more inducing for her to use. Also, in favor of the 7", is a 11% longer battery and that would be beneficial for her, because she is apt to forget to plug in rechargeable things like her phone. But readability is what I am concerned with right now.

For budget, I am not going bigger than the 8" and that is stretching it right now if I were to also get extra warranties and a case.

(if needed, the tablet is the Asus Memopad HD7 or the Asus Memopad 8. Best price is for Walmart for the HD7 and their 2 year warranty plan, and the 8" on Amazon.)

 

[s44]

How is she going to use it outside the house without data?

I would seriously consider the Galaxy Mega.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I think the main difference will be the physical size and weight. It'll be about 20% heavier and for some people they can wrap their hand around a 7 inch tablet easily and it's difficult to hold the 8 inch tablet the same way.

So far portrait reading, like books, I think the 7 inch size is just about perfect.

For landscape reading, such as web surfing though, I find the 7 inch size to be a little cramped, especially with the menu and navigation bar taking up screen space, and 8 inch tablets are much better here.

It's a hard choice though, I think both have some pros and con's, so neither seems to be a bad choice. Though I've kinda grown partial to the 8 inch size myself. Really like the size of my Dell Venue 8 Pro and iPad Mini and am contemplating replacing my Nexus 7 with a G Pad 8.3 (though I suspect I'll just stick with the Nexus and hope for an 8 inch Nexus next year).

 

[poofyhairguy]

All I can think in my head is "why not a BETTER 7 inch tablet, ala Nexus 7 or Tegra Note 7."

I wouldn't pay extra for an inch, but I would pay extra for 1080p vs 720p or 2GB of ram vs 1GB.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Yeah good point poofyhairguy, those ASUS tablets are still stuck on Android 4.1, only have 1GB of RAM. You would get a lot more with just a little more money. Nexus 7 2013 edition seems to be on sale a lot lately for around $200.

 

[cronos]

If you're looking for a general purpose 7" android tablet, there's absolutely nothing better than the Nexus 7 2013 right now. Seriously, it's not even close. It's retailed for $230, but as Rayvnmagi mentioned around these holiday season you'll commonly find it for a little cheaper.

 

[Dulanic]

If you're looking for a general purpose 7" android tablet, there's absolutely nothing better than the Nexus 7 2013 right now. Seriously, it's not even close. It's retailed for $230, but as Rayvnmagi mentioned around these holiday season you'll commonly find it for a little cheaper.

I just picked one up yesterday from Office Depot for $180....I think I am in love!

 

[CuriousMike]

I'll be the dissenting voice I guess - I just went thru the 7" or 8" question, and after handling many tablets, decided that 8" was a better form factor for me.

I ended up with a Tab 3 8.0. I actually payed more for the Tab than the "better" Nexus 7, but I found I really liked the form factor of the 8 better, and the screen resolution was fine. I actually like the screen on the Tab better... but I like that saturated look.

 

[cronos]

I'll be the dissenting voice I guess - I just went thru the 7" or 8" question, and after handling many tablets, decided that 8" was a better form factor for me.

I ended up with a Tab 3 8.0. I actually payed more for the Tab than the "better" Nexus 7, but I found I really liked the form factor of the 8 better, and the screen resolution was fine. I actually like the screen on the Tab better... but I like that saturated look.

I actually just got a Note 8 myself ($280 at OfficeDepot holiday blowout sale), but I got it because I *want* the digitizer+pen so at that price point I have no other choice. Samsung's screen is just polarizing, some people love it, while others hate it. This is my first Samsung device and I think I like it as well.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The Note 8 is great if you want the pen.

Otherwise the sub-10 inch Android tablet market belongs to the Nexus 7 and LG G Pad 8.3.

 

[lothar]

The Note 8 is great if you want the pen.

Otherwise the sub-10 inch Android tablet market belongs to the Nexus 7 and LG G Pad 8.3.

/thread

 

[MrSquished]

i thought the galaxy tab 7.7 was perfectly sized, so i thought i'd be an 8" tablet guy and always wished it was the nexus 8 not nexus 7. however after having the 2013 nexus 7 tablet for a few months now, i really haven't wanted more screen real estate. it's a damn good size. i use it to watch movies, tv shows, browse the web, play games. never felt it was too small of a screen.