Tablets

[Homestar]

So, need some info and help please. Currently have an iPad Air - had no real dramas with it but I think it’s met with Apples update that’s slowed it down now. Given that I find Apple a reprehensible company in pretty much every respect I’m thinking of moving to an android device at some stage soon as I’m sure as **** not giving Apple another dollar.

BUT.... All the android devices I’ve played with just seem to be a bit **** in how they operate and seem much harder to do things on. I’m sure this is just because I’ve only ever really used Apple products. Work phone is Apple and that won’t change any time soon.

So, given that I don’t want to faff around setting up things and playing with them to make them work, what should I be looking for that will be in a similar price range to a decent iPad?

Must have as good a screen as the IPad - SWMBO Samsung something or other has really crappy resolution compared to the iPad but I think it may be a cheapy of some description. I also find this difficult to navigate and use but again, maybe because it’s cheap?

Also needs to be able to play back through the telly easily - what’s the equivalent to an Apple TV in android land and is it a one click deal to switch it to the TV?

Any recommendation for a tablet and are there different versions of the android operating system which are easier to operate than others?

Over to the brains trust, I’m in uncharted territory here and don’t want to blow $500 to $800 plus on something I don’t like using or is sub par on the items I find important.

Primary uses are YouTube, Netflix, etc so screen quality and resolution is the biggest priority.

Thanks in advance.

[loanrangie]

Samsung Galaxy tab in 10" will do all you want.

[AK83]

firstly, I find Apple's stuff harder to use than Android! .. but that's just me.

I'm not a huge fan of connectivity through wires, and one thing I know I hate more than anything else is Apple's iTunes software on Windows.

So your choice of tablet device should also take into account what other devices you want/need/connect too, as well as the TV.
ie. do you use PC's at home for (proper) computing stuff, or Macs?

If Windows, then Android and PC cooperate together quite well without a need for other software, but I prefer to use a program called MyPhoneExplorer for backing up my Android devices(connected over Wifi).
If it's simply transferring files between the two device types, just Windows explorer is enough if you connect the Android device via cable.

As for your telly, what type is it?

I have an 'Android' TV, but it's a cheapo/crappo model from a few years back(Chinese rubbish using the Baidu version of Android) and barely works with anything or being able to do anything.
Brother has a U-Bute modern Sony Android TV, and apart from an initial connection to his Android phone(Huawei), connection to TV(mirroring) then became simple.
My Android phone(LG) connected up straight away, as did his son's iPhone(6 I think).

So the brand of Android device you get can make a difference in how easily/well it connects.

I used to use(still have) a Huawei phone, not a bad phone but always had issues with Bt connection to the work trucks .. whereas the LG connects first go every time(why I changed from Huawei to LG).

As for brands of Android, don't go full on cheapo, but you don't really need to spend $500-800 .. that's for sure.
Samsung/LG/Sony/Asus/etc .. ie. name brands will usually give a much better quality result.

I have a 7" Galaxy 2, works pretty much exactly how I need it too ... 99% OziExplorer .. ie. GPS, 1% other stuff that I usually can't remember how to do properly as I do them so rarely.

Size?
How big(or small) do you want, or need it?

After about 7 years, I'm finding that my 7" Galaxy is a bit too small now for it's primary function(GPS) and I want a higher res larger screen just to be able to see more of the surrounding map area.
Was given a 10" Galaxy Tab 2, but didn't like it's physical size, as it sits too high on the dash and blocks view of the road.
I'm thinking a Galaxy Tab A is a better fit for dash top work, but it's screen resolution(and quality) isn't as nice as the Tab2/3 models. Still better than my 7" Tab(ie. Tab 1 model) .. It only has 800x600 screen res!(but that what it was in those old'n days).
All the newer models now are 1900x1200 or better.

In terms of operation of the Android system, they do sometimes change the way they setup the Settings, but it's usually just changing the names and locations of various settings .. no biggie.
Other than manufacturer specific flavours of how they want their operating systems to 'look', all Android version of Android are inherently the same.
Probably sounds silly, but it must be remembered that Android is the basis of an operating system, and manufacturers are free to modify the look of it, and most aspects of it, for them to create differentiation.
Underlying guts of it all tho is the same.

Main advantage of Android is storage, as they allow the usage of an external SD card for additional storage. Nothing like having the ability to load 128G of additional crap on your device because you can.
That is, get a cheap 16G option for whatever brand you decide to go with, instead of the much more expensive 128G version! .. and get a 128G micro SD card to make up for it.
Note that not all manufacturers have the ability to add external SD cards. AND ... while you can load programs onto an external SD card, they are much slower to transfer data than internal storage!

In order of preference for brands of Android I prefer Samsung/LG/ASUS/Sony/most others.
I find Samsung's overall tech spec qualities are usually better .. eg. their wifi hardware seems to be better, and connect more readily with fewer dropouts.

ps. Huawei does work .. but I replaced mine because it's ability to maintain connections in many situations just wasn't ideal! OK for the price, if you're not overly fussy about brand. But I won't get one again.

[Homestar]

Thanks - size around 10”. TV isn’t a smart TV so need something I can plug into it that will take a wireless connection from the tablet.

Have Windows PC - a work unit I only use for work, so no connectivity to other devices required apart from the telly.

Like the external SD card option too.

Also, can I use my music from ITunes I’ve already bought? How does that work?

[DeanoH]

Primary uses are YouTube, Netflix, etc so screen quality and resolution is the biggest priority.


I had pretty much the same criteria (screen resolution/quality) when I was looking for a tablet for SWMBO a couple of years ago. I ended up buying a Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 with a 9.7" screen and have not been disappointed. It has a Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 1536 X2048 pixel resolution which gives outstanding results. SWMBO and I are both into photography and use this 'in the field' to view and store photos which it does very well. The ability to zoom in and assess photo quality is important to us and this tablet is very good for this purpose. We also bought a 'USB to go' adapter with it which allows connection to various other storage devices etc to allow easy transfer of files to/from other physical media. It interfaces with our home wireless for easy access to the internet but I've never used it with You tube or Netflix or other on demand services so can't really comment here but have no reason to think it wouldn't do this as well. Some models have provision for a sim card (ours doesn't) and have different amounts of internal memory. I got the one with the most internal memory for fast access and installed a large SD card to store down loadedd photos.

One pleasant surprise was that it also has an inbuilt GPS that easily interfaces with the Hema mapping app (around $50) which turns it into a very good 10" GPS unit with maps for both on and off road thrown in. Excellent value here. :) I think it uses the GLOSNASS GPS system if that's any help to you. It also doesn't need to be mounted up high on the windscreen or dash to see the satellites. It sits on the engine cover in the cab over Oka and works very well with a cigarette lighter adapter. It uses the 9 volt USB 'high power' standard but will also chargeof a 'normal' 5 volt adapter. Battery life is OK when used normally but when in GPS mode is a bit hungry as it's running the GPS receiver as well. Turning off the Bluetooth and Wireless 802.11 when not needed would probably extend battery life but we find it easier to just plug it in to the vehicle. It also holds our music files which it plays in the backgroung through the Oka sound system.

We also bought the Griffin Survivor ruggedised case which protects it well and makes it a bit more outdoor user friendly without affecting indoor use. A very good additional purchase to protect the (at the time ~$600) purchase.

Deano :)

[Slunnie]

I have both an ipad and a Samsung. To be honest, I find the ipad so much easier and better to use and you will be able to continue airdropping between your ipad and iphone. My Samsung rarely gets used now.

[Chops]

Good info guys,, we're in the the running for something that works too.
I have a Samsung tablet we wanted to use for travelling, but I'm not impressed with how it works. Its been designated now to BT to check the forum here and some other internet stuff, and the car tool.
We could have got something with GPS in it, but for some reason decided against that because we had the BT dongle anyway. Bad move ultimately I think.

Other than that, it seems to run alright, although it has a few quirks I dont really like. Aside from that, with all things computer based,, I'm not that good at finding the right Apps for various things, and even worse when it comes to installing them. [bigwhistle]

I think when we finally find the right unit, I'll have it professionally "fitted" with all I want on it.

[Homestar]

I have both an ipad and a Samsung. To be honest, I find the ipad so much easier and better to use and you will be able to continue airdropping between your ipad and iphone. My Samsung rarely gets used now.

That’s my worry - I really don’t want to give Apple another cent but am I cutting off my nose to spite my face by doing so...

[Slunnie]

That’s my worry - I really don’t want to give Apple another cent but am I cutting off my nose to spite my face by doing so...

To Apple it makes no difference, they wont notice. But for you, you have to be happy with what you're using as it will make a difference every single day.

[Homestar]

Yeah, but have to make a start somewhere.

[grey_ghost]

Is it worthwhile going into JB HiFi or someplace like that - to touch and feel? Apple **** me but I still like the iPad...

[scarry]

That’s my worry - I really don’t want to give Apple another cent but am I cutting off my nose to spite my face by doing so...

Umm,yes,get the apple and forget about it.

I use the apple phone,iPad,MacBook,all for work and play,you can’t go wrong.

I know what you mean though,but sometimes you are better going with what you know already works,and you are familiar with.

[87County]

While I can sympathise with Gav's comments re giving hard-earned to Apple - they seem to be fairly advanced & seamless compared to the competition.

We have a 128 iphone 6 that seems to do everything well including photos - I wonder if we really need a laptop with us when travelling. We also have an early ipad that somehow just keeps working, and a MacbookAir to run Word & Powerpoint, and the iphone gives us an internet connection (called a "personal hotspot") when there's no free wifi - guess we've been trapped into it all.

[Homestar]

Is it worthwhile going into JB HiFi or someplace like that - to touch and feel? Apple **** me but I still like the iPad...

Will give that a whirl - I never go into those sort of places so didn’t think about that. [emoji106]

[87County]

JB HiFi can certainly be an easier & more polite way than going near Apple or Telstra - price is about the same and at least locally I've found them less pressuring and I've found that they can answer questions

- & I confirm that I don't have shares in any of 'em :)

[trout1105]

My Missus has a Samsung tablet and although She is totally computer illiterate She Loves the thing.
She has had it for over 3 years now and it has never had any problems.

[rick130]

It ends up being what you're used to.
Having been PC/Android almost forever, I struggled with my one and only venture into Apple (iMac) and I wasn't very good with the ex's iPhone and vice versa![emoji23]

Thankfully we use android at work, phones and tablets.

FWIW I could do cool things for years on Android like Swype, something that's only recently come to Apple.
Swyping makes my life so much easier.

[Tombie]

That’s my worry - I really don’t want to give Apple another cent but am I cutting off my nose to spite my face by doing so...

Why?

Is this another case of Tall Poppy or that inbuilt human element of rebellion?

Is it the feeling of a closed, secure system upsetting you?

Strange that a company builds such a secure store and platform and yet when any company has a security breach (FB, Insta, etc all spring to mind) people lose their **** about needing to be more secure and safe.

Let’s face it, the UNIX based OS is stable and secure, far better than the openly hacked alternatives!

Is it not odd, that people love the “freedom” of the open system and yet are then compelled to install Antivirus, and other apps to mitigate the system risk!

[Tombie]

Don’t give Apple another cent.. give it to the Samsung corporation instead.. WTF???

[weeds]

I guess it’s what you’re used too.......

By default my work starting using iPhone when they come out of the dark ages.

At home i switch to Apple a few years ago as pc/window was too much work.....no need for anti virus and overstating system upgrades were just so simple.

I now have two iPads and the reason Tombie has given is the main reason for out laying more dollars. The iPads do what we need (wife is a part time artist) although I doubt we use them to anywhere near their potential.

But like the android users switching to Apple, I’m the same switching the other way, having to learn a new system, deal with Les security/viruses etc.....I hoping Apple stick around for a bit longer.

Our teenage kids seem to be able to switch quite easily.

[Homestar]

Why?

Is this another case of Tall Poppy or that inbuilt human element of rebellion?

Is it the feeling of a closed, secure system upsetting you?

Strange that a company builds such a secure store and platform and yet when any company has a security breach (FB, Insta, etc all spring to mind) people lose their **** about needing to be more secure and safe.

Let’s face it, the UNIX based OS is stable and secure, far better than the openly hacked alternatives!

Is it not odd, that people love the “freedom” of the open system and yet are then compelled to install Antivirus, and other apps to mitigate the system risk!

Everything they do now ****es me off so why give them any more money? I have 2 ipads now that are basically scrap because Apple have 'slowed' them for my benefit even though they were working fine and you think I'm daft for wanting more of this? Really?

I love how Apple fanboys will defend their corporate greed to the last breath despite them being ripped a new one just the same as everyone else who gives them their money but are somehow perfectly fine with being bent over by them and willingly have their wallets emptied time and again for more of the same.

Happy for you to keep doing this but I'm simply not any more.

As for security and hackabilty - I watch streaming tv services on it and use the internet - mostly for AULRO. Who cares if they hack it - there's nothing to hack.

[Homestar]

Don’t give Apple another cent.. give it to the Samsung corporation instead.. WTF???

They're orders of magnitude less morally corrupt than Apple. Steve Jobs started it all - was one of the biggest arseholes in corporate history and but again, fanboys like you put him on a pedestal for some unknown reason...

[weeds]

Everything they do now ****es me off so why give them any more money? I have 2 ipads now that are basically scrap because Apple have 'slowed' them for my benefit even though they were working fine and you think I'm daft for wanting more of this? Really?

I love how Apple fanboys will defend their corporate greed to the last breath despite them being ripped a new one just the same as everyone else who gives them their money but are somehow perfectly fine with being bent over by them and willingly have their wallets emptied time and again for more of the same.

Happy for you to keep doing this but I'm simply not any more.

As for security and hackabilty - I watch streaming tv services on it and use the internet - mostly for AULRO. Who cares if they hack it - there's nothing to hack.

If you scrap your iPad can I have first dibs??

[Homestar]

If you scrap your iPad can I have first dibs??

It's worth **** all as it is - takes about 5 seconds to do anything now after the last update. Might go wrap it around some dickheads face at an Apple store first though...

[weeds]

It's worth **** all as it is - takes about 5 seconds to do anything now after the last update. Might go wrap it around some dickheads face at an Apple store first though...

Yeah like the dude at the Apple store is responsible it’s performance.

We have a iPad Pro <12 moths old with latest update and is working fine......I’d know the second its not.

[Tombie]

They're orders of magnitude less morally corrupt than Apple. Steve Jobs started it all - was one of the biggest arseholes in corporate history and but again, fanboys like you put him on a pedestal for some unknown reason...

Bwahahaha... that’s why they were sued for massive breaches of copyright, from Apple and even the CSIRO!

Fan boy or not, it’s a system thing (I live and work in multiple OS and systems) and my house effectively is trouble free.

The “slow down” you’re referring to has been removed, it was based on battery life but they’ve pulled it.. just like Microsoft had on their now defunct Nokia products..

If you’re going to go assault someone at the Apple Store just make sure to wear your disguise...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2018/04/943.jpg

[DiscoMick]

We have a couple of Samsung tabs at home which work fine. Work has gone Google so I have work devices and my phone all synced and they work well. Apple devices annoy me, probably because of unfamiliarity.

[Tombie]

Just out of curiosity how is Samsung orders of magnitude better than Apple?

They have been proven to have bribed members of South Korea Government.
Samsung town, Samsung Museum of Art, building corruption.
Fined $100M for phone tapping
83 Firms protected legally by Shell Corporations.
Links (confirmed) to massive corruption within South Korean government.

And as for taxes - Apple pays a higher global average than Samsung, who shelter more! The worst (lowest) of them all is Google!

But they’re better than Apple...... [emoji6][emoji41]

[Homestar]

I have no issue with a company getting into bed with a Government if that's what they do, but Apple seem to be the only company I know that screw their customers over - deliberately to make them buy more of their product and expect us to to swallow it.

I've been an Apple user for years, but wrecking my hardware becasue they want me to buy a new one is the lowest scumbag act going - how do you defend that? Nothing huh? Thought so...

[Homestar]

Yeah like the dude at the Apple store is responsible it’s performance.

We have a iPad Pro <12 moths old with latest update and is working fine......I’d know the second its not.


Mine is 3 years old and it's ****ed now. They say they removed this from the last update but it did nothing to mine and a wuick google showed it did nothing to fix thousands of others too. Just more lies from them.

[Homestar]

Interesting to note that I almost didn't start this thread because I knew some Apple fanboys would come in and defend to the death Apples right to screw its customers over. They tunred up right on cue.

I've got the info I was looking for thanks for those that gave opinions based on experience and th other genuine recommendations recieved. 👍

[weeds]

Mine is 3 years old and it's ****ed now. They say they removed this from the last update but it did nothing to mine and a wuick google showed it did nothing to fix thousands of others too. Just more lies from them.

Umm, our iPad 2 must be four ish years old and seems to perform ok.

[Homestar]

My Ipad 2 might as well be a door stop - that slowed to a stop years ago...

[Tombie]

Except they admitted it and came clean... and then the independent reviewers came out and found that ALL platforms tend to suffer similar for multiple reasons.

Apple was slowing devices as battery degradation was recorded - a new battery meant full speed and full life.
Whilst frustrating, a slower app is not as annoying as extremely short run time.

ALL devices suffer degradation due to app and OS updates.. that app you like is likely more feature rich and hardware heavy than it was last year.

Apple has at least made an offer - cheap battery replacement with full warranty and immediately brings performance to maximum.


Google, Samsung, Microsoft and Apple have all been guilty of such doing...

If your iPad is slow, it’s more likely a memory issue or bloated apps - I have a 32 bit iPad that can’t run OS11 but runs sweet on 10 because that’s its limit.

Somewhere around here is an old droid tablet that now runs so slow it grows moss as it runs...

[Tombie]

Interesting to note that I almost didn't start this thread because I knew some Apple fanboys would come in and defend to the death Apples right to screw its customers over. They tunred up right on cue.

I've got the info I was looking for thanks for those that gave opinions based on experience and th other genuine recommendations recieved. [emoji106]

I thought you were above the “fan boy” pre-Defensive position type behaviour...

“Someone will be along soon to say they believe the opposite” defence is becoming very common (you’d fit right in on FB nowadays)...

Our Samsung experience has been to be ****ed over...
Our LG experience was fantastic
Our Apple support was beyond reproach... immediate hardware diagnosis and replacement.

Keep on rebelling Gav... Stick it to the man (or whoever) and enjoy all your stresses that entails.

(I always ran AMD processors in the early days because ‘**** intel’ [emoji6] )

I’m pointing out that if you believe Samsung give any more a crap about a Pug loving 101 Driver from Victoria Australia than Apple does. And you you believe that Samsung are any more honourable in their representations to the consumer, the environment or morality than Apple - then you have missed with your assessment.


So take that away from the equation... and simply run with the interface and hardware you like, that integrates best with your budget, usage needs and current other interfaces and commitments (cloud, apps etc)...

And there will be your answer.


Nothing to do with fanboy - just not a fan of conspiracy drivel.

[Tombie]

My Ipad 2 might as well be a door stop - that slowed to a stop years ago...

Interesting - ours is still humming along.. 256 wifi/gsm version.
iOS 10 and used daily (alarm clock, video streaming, emails etc)

[weeds]

Interesting to note that I almost didn't start this thread because I knew some Apple fanboys would come in and defend to the death Apples right to screw its customers over. They tunred up right on cue.

I've got the info I was looking for thanks for those that gave opinions based on experience and th other genuine recommendations recieved. [emoji106]

LOL......Pretty much like any advice thread on here....unlocker v real locker, FJ cruiser v Land Rover, ARB v everything else and the list goes on

Enjoy what ever you choose.

[Slunnie]

I thought you were above the “fan boy” pre-Defensive position type behaviour...

I think a key aspect when there are differing view points is to never play the man.

[Homestar]

Interesting - ours is still humming along.. 256 wifi/gsm version.
iOS 10 and used daily (alarm clock, video streaming, emails etc)

Want to swap??? [emoji16]

[DiscoMick]

One nice thing about going Android is that all your devices look similar and work similarly and it's easy to replace one device with another. For example, I just replaced my work laptop with a new one and it only took about 10 minutes to get everything up to speed again on the new one. So familarity makes it easier.

[Tombie]

One nice thing about going Android is that all your devices look similar and work similarly and it's easy to replace one device with another. For example, I just replaced my work laptop with a new one and it only took about 10 minutes to get everything up to speed again on the new one. So familarity makes it easier.

That trait is on both platforms.

I always like the fact the new hardware arrives, I log
In, wait a bit, and all my settings are done...