Best Android Tablet?

Derek Browning
Derek Browning Member Posts: 192
edited November 21 in English Forum

With the recent release of the Andoid app, and the personal acknowledgement that I have thousands of resources that remain unread because it's hard to sit and read for long periods of time on a computer, I've decided to get an android tablet.

I believe I'm going for one in the 7-8.9 inch range, because I believe the 10.1 will be a little awkward to hold and read from for long periods of time.

Does anyone have an opinion on which one is best and why?  Any links to good comparisons?

 

Thanks,

Derek

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Comments

  • vandevsr
    vandevsr Member Posts: 69 ✭✭

    The Best: The Nook Touch.  It has an E-ink screen and costs around a hundred dollars.  Only one catch: you need your geeky nephew to root it first.  And rooting just changed depending on which version of Nook firmware you have.

    The nook is the best reader.  If you want to do Bible Study use a laptop or a iPad, but for reading the nook wins.  Battery life is great (days, even weeks).  Good for bright sunlight too.

    And since the Nook runs the Logos app so well, you may as well put on the Kindle app, for all your other books.

  • Bill Anderson
    Bill Anderson Member Posts: 603 ✭✭

    With the recent release of the Andoid app, and the personal acknowledgement that I have thousands of resources that remain unread because it's hard to sit and read for long periods of time on a computer, I've decided to get an android tablet.

    I believe I'm going for one in the 7-8.9 inch range, because I believe the 10.1 will be a little awkward to hold and read from for long periods of time.

    Does anyone have an opinion on which one is best and why?  

    Derek,

    I am generally an Android fan but I have an iPad 2. To me the 10-inch screen is ideal for Logos on a tablet. And, the reason I have an iPad and not an Android tablet at this point in time is because the iOS version has split screen capability. Holding the tablet in landscape mode, I can have a Bible open on one side of the screen and a commentary on the other, with both screens linked. 

    This feature is coming to the Android version and when it does I will likely get an Android tablet. If I were buying one today (or soon), I would get the upcoming second generation of the Asus Transformer (a 10-incher). That looks to be the tablet with the best specs out there, as well as being the thinnest and lightest.

  • Rosie Perera
    Rosie Perera Member Posts: 26,202 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have the first generation Asus Transformer (a 10-incher) and love it. It's not too cumbersome to sit with and read for long periods of time. Battery life is fairly good. About 8-9 hours, twice that if you've got the keyboard connected. I haven't tried a smaller screen one since the Samsung Galaxy 7" one that was in the store beside the Asus when I chose it, but I got the feeling that one was too small even for just reading.

  • Todd Phillips
    Todd Phillips Member Posts: 6,736 ✭✭✭

    If I were buying one today (or soon), I would get the upcoming second generation of the Asus Transformer (a 10-incher). That looks to be the tablet with the best specs out there, as well as being the thinnest and lightest.

    Yes, the Transformer Prime, which is supposedly going to be released at the end of next week, will have a quad core processor and will be thinner than the iPad 2.

    Also coming in December is the Toshiba Thrive 7" (which has a 1280x800 screen on the smaller form factor for a higher pixel density), and maybe the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, which was announced in September but still doesn't have a release date.  The 7.7 will have a Super AMOLED display along with1280x800 resolution.

    If I had to buy right now, I'd probably buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9.  Best Buy has the 16MB version on sale for $399 right now.  But so much is in the near-term pipeline that I'm doing my best to wait.

     

    MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540

  • Derek Browning
    Derek Browning Member Posts: 192

    So....

    You all have unconvinced me of getting a smaller unit, the coming split screen functionality won me over...

    Does anyone know the price for the upcoming transformer prime?  With a quad-core it sounds like it may run faster than my laptop... [8-|]

  • Todd Phillips
    Todd Phillips Member Posts: 6,736 ✭✭✭

    Does anyone know the price for the upcoming
    transformer prime? 

    $499 for 32 GB and $599 for 64 GB.

    With a quad-core it sounds like it may run faster
    than my laptop..

    Don't get too excited--you can't compare it with an Intel. They are different beasts. The processor is a NVIDIA Tegra 3 Quad-Core Mobile CPU.  It handles both the programs and the graphics.

    MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540

  • Bill Anderson
    Bill Anderson Member Posts: 603 ✭✭

    So....

    You all have unconvinced me of getting a smaller unit, the coming split screen functionality won me over...

    Does anyone know the price for the upcoming transformer prime?  With a quad-core it sounds like it may run faster than my laptop... Geeked

    Yes, that was what I was trying to emphasize. The problem is that because the split screen hasn't been implemented on Android yet, we don't have any reports on how usable it will be on a 7-inch screen. I am over 50, so with my eyes it isn't going to work. The 10-inch screen is the smallest I could use with this functionality.

    As far as whether a quad-core tablet will run faster than your laptop, tablets are different beasts. They don't run full blown desktop applications. But one thing you will really appreciate is that there will be no boot up time. Just turn on the tablet and enjoy. [:)]

     

  • If I were buying one today (or soon), I would get the upcoming second generation of the Asus Transformer (a 10-incher). That looks to be the tablet with the best specs out there, as well as being the thinnest and lightest.

    Yes, the Transformer Prime, which is supposedly going to be released at the end of next week, will have a quad core processor and will be thinner than the iPad 2.

    Personally learned Asus Transformer Prime has one faster graphics benchmark score than iPad 2 (tied other score) => http://www.pcworld.com/article/245256/asus_eee_pad_transformer_prime_tf201_review_a_breakthrough_performer.html with planned upgrade to Android 4.0.1 "Ice Cream Sandwich"; likewise learned tablet has 2 CPU's with automatic processor load switching.

    PC World has a Top 10 Tablets list => http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/collection/8786/top_5_tablets.html

    Keep Smiling [:)]

  • Steven T Hague
    Steven T Hague Member Posts: 7

    I've been watching tablets for a while - look back a couple of versions and there are some other posts. Anyway, I just can't go for the iPad and was looking for Android tablets. I had been looking at the Samsung Galaxie 10.1 but last weekend I bought a Lenovo X1. It is a 10-inch, 32 gb Android tablet with a micro SD card slot and HDMI ports. Currently priced at $299.

    With my laptop, I can be patient for all the features on the tablet. The ones I really want are split screens and reverse interlinears.

    STH

  • Tony Thomas
    Tony Thomas Member Posts: 444

    I love my Galaxy Tab wi-fi 7".  Much more capable than the Kindle Fire and affordable at around $300.

    Director of Zoeproject 

    www.zoeproject.com

  • JJ Miller
    JJ Miller Member Posts: 103 ✭✭

    There are a lot of Android tablets out there.  I think in a year there will be just a few left actually selling.  Most of the tablets that get dropped will continue to work, however.  

    There is no doubt about it, iPad2 is king of the hill and will remain popular. However, their rumored lower price will be necessary to stay competitive with the likes of the Kindle Fire, the B&N Nook Tablet, and the Galaxy Tab 7.    Say, anyone using the lower end (about $80 to $140) Android tablets with success?  I noticed the $75 Velocity Micro Cruz recently and it was running Android 2.2.  At Office Depot, it seemed fairly good with my 90 second test. :)   

    I used to have a Nook Color but I sold it for the Kindle Fire.  Both of these devices run Logos.  They both have 7" displays that are clear and easy to read. At 189 to 199.00, the kindle Fire is hard to beat on pure value. It runs Logos for Android and gives access to Amazon's wealth of resources in video, audio, and books. It lacks a camera and a microphone.  There appears to be plenty of room for Logos and downloading resources... though, at 8GB, that may present a problem for some. But remember, the things from the Amazon remain in the cloud (for the most part) so that is a plus. 

    The New Nook Tablet (that looks like the original Nook Color) is a great buy at $250. The one thing that really makes the Nook Tablet compelling is it has an SD slot for memory expansion. (not even the iPad has that). You needn't "root" the Nook Tablet to get a full Android OS, for there are SD cards that the device can boot from and you end up with a dual booting Nook, if that is important to you. 

    O

  • JJ Miller
    JJ Miller Member Posts: 103 ✭✭

    To continue... 

    Of course, the other Android tablets are coming down in price too. Notably the Galaxy Tab is at 299.00, I believe. The Galaxy Tab's (both 7 inch and 10 inch) have consistently received good reviews. They also have things like SD card expansion, camera, and such. 

    The iPad needs no overview. It currently comes only in its 9.7 (( believe) form factor without SD card, but with camera. It is wonderful and it has few drawbacks other than the price. If price is not a consideration, it would be hard to imagine you being unhappy with the iPad 2. Unless ease of carrying the tablet with you is a concern. Expect a 7 inch model at some point. 

    One last thing. The Kindle Fire does something that the Nook Tablet didn't do for me. The Kindle Fire fits in my pants pocket. The Nook Color and Nook Tablet are just large enough that they will not fit in pants... perhaps a coat pocket, but not pants.  Not a big deal, but it is convenient. 

  • The iPad needs no overview. It currently comes only in its 9.7 (( believe) form factor without SD card, but with camera. It is wonderful and it has few drawbacks other than the price. If price is not a consideration, it would be hard to imagine you being unhappy with the iPad 2. Unless ease of carrying the tablet with you is a concern. Expect a 7 inch model at some point. 

    For iPad or iPad 2, if want USB or SD Card reader, can purchase a Camera Connection Kit => http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC531ZM/A

    iPad mini rumor => http://www.macrumors.com/2011/10/18/ipad-mini-rumors-revived-with-claims-of-7-85-inch-screen/

     

    Asus EEE Pad Transformer Prime review => http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9222380/Asus_Eee_Pad_Transformer_Prime_The_Rolls_Royce_of_Android_tablets

    Noted Asus advertises 12 hours of battery life (can plug in keyboard for 18 hours) playing 720p videos.  Wonder about Asus definition of "soon" for upgrade from Android 3.2.1 (Honeycomb) to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) ?

    Keep Smiling [:)]

  • Derek Browning
    Derek Browning Member Posts: 192

    it doesnt look like transformer prime is that much better than the current transformer?

  • Mark Runge
    Mark Runge Member Posts: 7

    It (the Transformer Prime) is touted to be better (but at a premium) is what I have read.

    I have the "original" Transformer and find no problem with the speed so can't honestly recommend upgrading though I would be interested to see Logos on Ice Cream Sandwich (the new operating system apparently on the Transformer Prime).

    I went for the transformer as I wanted to use a keyboard - particularly when doing assignments for seminary and had gotten frustrated with the PC-Apple issues and my ipod touch - so it made a lot of sense.  Compared with other android tablets, in Australia the Asus Transformer seemed to be the best supported locally and I have found Asus to be very high quality so it made sense (i.e. right feature

    If you are considering the Prime, I would hold out as there are a lot of reports on GPS issues.  If you can be patient (after all it is good - see Gal 5:22), I would wait until the issues are out in the open a bit so that firmware fixes don't taint your experience.

    + as the Prime comes out, I have found a lot of shops offering reduced prices to clear their stock.

  • Tommy Johnston
    Tommy Johnston Member Posts: 23 ✭✭

    I've got a prime, and am quite satisfied with it.  With that said, given the number of issues others are having, I think waiting is not a bad idea (especially given how difficult it is to track one down anyways).  Overall there are still some software bugs that need to be ironed out, but the device has lived up to my expectations and some.

     

    Now I just have to wait for logos split screen.. Lord give me patience!

  • Tony Thomas
    Tony Thomas Member Posts: 444

    Picked up the original Asus Transformer during a post-Christmas sale ($50 off).  I really love this tablet and it works great with Logos!

    Director of Zoeproject 

    www.zoeproject.com

  • lynn-kai chao
    lynn-kai chao Member Posts: 6

    got the asus transformer 16gb brand new off craigslist for $190 cash. it should be hitting rock bottom prices used now that the prime is out. hands down best android tablet ever made even sweeter with the price. like people have said here already, its a greeaaatt device


    i use logos on it all the time. love it in vertical mode. a little heavy to hold though and not as well balanced in vertical (top heavy) but its the only way you can type with thumbs. the ipads vertical split keyboard is a nice feature. if theres something like that for android especially the transformer that would be the best as it would help with the balance issue. i believe the transformer has one of the longest running battery lives too in an android tablet. i no longer am afraid (compared to say a laptop) when the battery meter says 10% left as i know that will still be plenty of juice to get me through a long sermon. i personally was looking at 7in tablets also like the galaxy but this 10incher isnt as awkwardly large in person as it may seem to be. im glad i got a 10incher. never looking at 7in again. i encourage you going into a store to see it in person.


    other than the thinness of the new prime, there really is nothing that would make me want to upgrade to it until the price falls below $200 on the used market. this original transformer is peppy in all applications i use it for especially logos. there is a slight delay when you flick through pages in logos but otherwise no big deal. im even responding with it right now. i cant wait till they have notes syncing capabilities (hoping thats in the works).

    for me a $500 tablet is nothing but a joke. you can buy two fairly portable core i3 or amd A6 laptops nowadays with that cash or the 1st gen macbook air!

  • Randall Sweeney
    Randall Sweeney Member Posts: 2

    It's tough to say what is the "best" because there are a lot of options out there and a lot of different features that have to be examined. Personally, I love the Asus Transformer Prime because it offers a lot of the unique options that i need / want in a tablet and its' price isn't too bad, though not the cheapest. But, at the same time i like the Galaxy 10.1 and the Acer Iconia Tab A500 which are cheaper options compared to my favorite. At the end of the day it all just depends. This is a link that is pretty informative about some of the best android tablet

  • Johnpush
    Johnpush Member Posts: 2

    I did my research, knew what I wanted and when I found it, I bought it... Having owned an Android tablets for a couple of years was helpful, the stuff I learned in this forum was helpful, and taking my time was helpful.

    Probably the biggest issue with the Android Tablets are companies that are out to make the quick buck, they have low prices on tablets that are not certified for the Android Marketplace, that's a killer.

    If you do spend the money, from what I have seen, you get a good product.

  • Angelia Ulrich
    Angelia Ulrich Member Posts: 84

    I have just looked at the Asus Transformer Prime at Best Buy & was disappointed that it only had 1GB RAM (or DDRAM). I thought Logos 4 users said 2 GB were needed & 4 were best. You don't find this tablet very slow? Thanks.

  • Angelia Ulrich
    Angelia Ulrich Member Posts: 84

    Just looked at the Asus Transformer Prime at Best Buy. I thot I'd read somewhere that the RAM could be updated from 1 to 4. Now I can't find that. Isn't 1GB RAM too slow to run L4? Thanks.

  • Bill Anderson
    Bill Anderson Member Posts: 603 ✭✭

    Angela,

    It is important to know that you won't be running L4 on the tablet; you will be running a pared down version of Logos built specifically for tablets. This app is designed to work within the confines of tablet specifications.

    Also, when you buy a tablet -- any tablet -- all of the components are built in to the main circuit board. Unlike desktop and laptop computers, you can't add more memory. Depending upon which tablet you buy, you might be able to increase the storage space with an optional microSD card.

    For what it's worth, my iPad 2 has 512MB of memory and runs the iOS version of the Logos app very well.

  • Angelia Ulrich
    Angelia Ulrich Member Posts: 84

    Thank you, Bill. I had completely forgotten that I'd be running the Android App which I have on my phone where the screen size is too limited!

  • Ron Henderson
    Ron Henderson Member Posts: 20

    I have the latest Toshiba thrive 10.1" 4G.  But I am eagerly awaiting the split screen in logos android.  I have it on my iphone and find it a great necessity and joy.  When will it come out?  It is already in android Olive Bible.

  • Tony Thomas
    Tony Thomas Member Posts: 444

    Director of Zoeproject 

    www.zoeproject.com

  • Geoff Johnson
    Geoff Johnson Member Posts: 81 ✭✭✭

    Might there be any chance that there will be a Logos app for Nook that doesn't require any special workarounds at all?

  • Ezekiel37
    Ezekiel37 Member Posts: 1

    Finally obtained a Transformer Prime 64G unit in January - tough to do. The first APP was LOGOS. Very responsive. Do not regret my purchase. Waiting for more functionality for the Android OS. If possible allow those with larger size, or more processing ability to configure /customize Logos for whichever screen size they have. Multiple screen partitions as in the Windows environment - more open resources at once. Include the ability to configure local processing as CPU and Storage permits.  This of course would not work well on a phone. 64G storage can maintain quite a library if desired. Tablets and mobile devices are only going to see increased storage and processing abilities.

  • Bill Anderson
    Bill Anderson Member Posts: 603 ✭✭

    Hey Gary,

    Welcome to the Logos Forums.

    I picked up a Transformer Prime 32GB last week and love it. 

    The newest version of the Android app brought in the split screen feature, so now the Android app is on feature parity with the iOS app. I don't think there are plans to make it possible to partition the screens with any more granularity like the desktop version of Logos. The Android and iOS apps aren't meant to be on feature parity with the desktop version.