Thread: Tablets

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

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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...

Originally Posted by Homestar

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.