Thinking about a cheap tablet - lots of questions

[Ken g6]

I've been thinking about a tablet for several reasons:

1. I don't have one. I've never used one. And I develop web apps that may be used by people using one.
2. I do have a laptop, but it's old. (Going on 8 years now!) I'd like to supplement it with a tablet - if not replace it entirely!
3. I work remotely, mostly using my desktop, but occasionally with my laptop. Like I said, my laptop's getting old. I'd like a tablet that's capable of doing as many of my use cases as possible.

Desired features:
- Price: <= about $200. This budget does not include any MicroSD cards which might be necessary to give the tablet enough space to work.
- It would be nice if I could buy it from Amazon, since I have a gift card, but I don't want to pay much of a premium. Say $20 max.
- The ability to develop for it with free (as in beer) software. This pretty much kicks out all iProducts.
- WiFi only. I don't want to be suckered into a contract. If I have to, I imagine I could get a 3G USB stick for my laptop and set up peer-to-peer WiFi between my laptop and tablet.
- Skype. In the background. Mainly for chat, actually. In many cases, just for receiving chats.
- A GMail monitor, to see if I have new mail, in the background.

Now let me set up a use case: an online meeting. Requirements:
- A web browser (probably Google Chrome) that can have more than one tab open at once.
- Flash (for watching the boss share his screen)
- GMail phone calling in another tab. Is this possible? Can I be on the phone while the Flash tab is showing on the screen? Do most tablets allow plugging in a standard set of headphones? (I can use the tablet's mic and mute it 95% of the time.)
- Can I open a third tab for general web browing? (Meetings are boring. )

If I can't do the GMail-phone-calling-in-the-background thing, I'll have to do it on the laptop. Which is possible, but not preferred.

Next use case: Actually doing work! Requirements:
- VPN. This is most likely to be the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility client. It appears to work on Android 4.0, certain other devices, and probably on rooted Android 2.1 or later. In case I switch companies (I'm a subcontractor), Android 4.0 looks like it supports the most VPNs.
- A web browser, for viewing the site, obviously.
- An SSH client, for modifying the site. I don't really want to have to type on a tablet, but I would like it available if necessary.

So, what tablet(s) do you suggest for me? I've heard the Nexus 7 is nice. I see it has Android 4.0, which is sufficient for my VPN requirement. Any other suggestions?

 

[s44]

You should have asked a few days ago: 1saleaday had the TF300+dock refurb for $300 total.

The Egg currently has the same thing new (note free dock) for ~$350.

Or get the refurb Prime plus refurb dock for $295AR.

They're almost the same device: the Prime is has a *slightly* faster clockspeed but because of the all-metal back the GPS doesn't really work and wifi range isn't great either. (I don't care about GPS and the wifi is still useable, so I've lived with this for a while.) You'll have to check if Android has an app for your particular remote work setup -- both Asus devices come with their version of Splashtop, but that's more for personal use.

 

[zerocool84]

Nexus 7

 

[Ken g6]

@s44, is there a really good reason to get a >$300 tablet over a $200 tablet? Does the 10" screen make a big difference over...

Nexus 7

I'm not currently doing remote desktop, so that's not an issue. I see there are a few SSH client apps, so that's good.

I gather iOS is only capable of running one app at a time. Is Android capable of having Skype running in the background? Can it do the whole web browser with Flash and Google phone call thing at the same time?

Edit: Reading the reviews:

Pros: The add-on keyboard with all of it's extra function keys is great. The battery life is great. I like the screen; it's bright and pretty crisp. The thin-ness of the tablet is great. It's light but fairly solid. Seriously if not for the lag it has I would love it!

Cons: Multitasking lag, scrolling lag, lag lag lag. Not at all what I expected for a Tegra 3 quad core. Not sure if my unit was defective or what.

Other Thoughts: I've been with android for several years now, and I was disappointed with the performance of this tablet- even with the CPU/GPU it has. For my phone, I have the HTC EVO 4G LTE and I get no lag ever when switching apps/multitasking etc. With this tablet, most times when switching between the music app, the browser, and other apps, the lag was too much for me to justify keeping it. Also, while scrolling in the browser and other apps, it was always jolty and unsmooth.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

That doesn't look too good. I might get the refurb Transformer Prime without the dock if I could get mail-in rebates, but I can't. (They never allow PO boxes. D

 

[s44]

@s44, is there a really good reason to get a >$300 tablet over a $200 tablet? Does the 10" screen make a big difference over...

I'm not currently doing remote desktop, so that's not an issue. I see there are a few SSH client apps, so that's good.

I gather iOS is only capable of running one app at a time. Is Android capable of having Skype running in the background? Can it do the whole web browser with Flash and Google phone call thing at the same time?

The $100 difference is mostly in the keyboard (notice that the Prime refurb is $220AR without it). Being able to type is really the dividing line between real productivity and pecking/swyping out occasional emails. The Asus docks also boost battery life to absurd duration.

iOS devices can multitask, but I don't actually own one so I'll leave that to someone else... I'm not sure what you're thinking about with Skype. You can definitely have it running/waiting in the background when you're not talking. Probably works even when you are talking, but I haven't tried that. Same for G+ hangouts. Flash works on the right browers.

 

[s44]

Lag is due to the limitations of I/O, both on Tegra3's memory bandwidth and the flash used for storage. It's an issue when you update apps from the Play Store or do aggressive multitasking. T4 this summer will fix it, but that won't be $300 including dock either.

 

[Ken g6]

I'm not sure what you're thinking about with Skype. You can definitely have it running/waiting in the background when you're not talking.

That's what I want. The other thing I want is to be able to use GMail to make a voice call to a phone line while using another browser tab with Flash in it. If Android can do that I'll be completely sold on the OS.

The question remains, though, which device? Anyone have other good suggestions besides the ASUS? I'm OK with upgrading, rooting, whatever-ing the device, though I'd prefer not to void the warranty.

 

[ponyo]

That's what I want. The other thing I want is to be able to use GMail to make a voice call to a phone line while using another browser tab with Flash in it. If Android can do that I'll be completely sold on the OS.

The question remains, though, which device? Anyone have other good suggestions besides the ASUS? I'm OK with upgrading, rooting, whatever-ing the device, though I'd prefer not to void the warranty.

Android version of Gmail can't do phone calls. You have to use Windows or Chrome OS Gmail to do that. But Android has couple apps that can make free phone calls using Google Voice.

 

[Ken g6]

Android version of Gmail can't do phone calls. You have to use Windows or Chrome OS Gmail to do that. But Android has couple apps that can make free phone calls using Google Voice.

OK, I see Groove VOIP and Sparephone. But if I use one of those, can I "talk and surf at the same time", as the iPhone commercials like to claim I can't?

 

[s44]

Yes.

At this point, the only Android tablet manufacturers I'd consider are Asus and Samsung. The others half-ass updates way too much, even though most are pretty close to the standard Tegra3 design officially supported by Google on the Nexus 7...

 

[scaramoosh]

I've used a Nexus 7 last year and it's a great Tablet but a little small at only 7 inches, really it is Smart Phone size these days lol. Probably see the Note 3 be that size this year with the rate it's going. Tbh Tegra 3 is going to be good for another 2 years, we're at the point now where the software is far behind the hardware.

You ain't gonna get a better tablet for the price point.

 

[lopri]

Or you could wait for the ASUS Fonepad or something like that (I think there was something else announced @MWC?) and get a real voice plan for cheap while using Wi-Fi for other things. IIRC, those are not going to be too expensive. ($250?)

I don't know how satisfactory Flash performance is going to be for your purpose, however. It's passable for non-HD materials (on my N7) but don't expect a smooth sailing, performance-wise.

 

[Ken g6]

Well, I had been thinking about just a tablet, but my laptop being almost 8 years old might not last much longer. So I went ahead and got that Asus.

Thanks for the help!

 

[scaramoosh]

Can you use the Nexus 7 as a phone too? Look at the specs it says it supports GSM.

 

[zerocool84]

Can you use the Nexus 7 as a phone too? Look at the specs it says it supports GSM.

Just for data

 

[TuxDave]

OK, I see Groove VOIP and Sparephone. But if I use one of those, can I "talk and surf at the same time", as the iPhone commercials like to claim I can't?

I think that was more of a carrier advertisement when CDMA (Verizon) couldn't do voice and data at the same time.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

Nexus 7

i think you mean "nexus 7S", itll only be a few weeks

 

[ponyo]

Or you could wait for the ASUS Fonepad or something like that (I think there was something else announced @MWC?) and get a real voice plan for cheap while using Wi-Fi for other things. IIRC, those are not going to be too expensive. ($250?)

I don't know how satisfactory Flash performance is going to be for your purpose, however. It's passable for non-HD materials (on my N7) but don't expect a smooth sailing, performance-wise.

I've read Asus Fonepad probably won't be released til June and even then it will be overseas and not in the US. That's pretty disappointing and I think by then we should know more about the new Nexus 7 2.0 from Google. I crossed off Fonepad from my list.