As usual, OT but a good place for advice.

We are considering buying a tablet some time this year.
Cut off is end of November when we go on holiday.

Research into current tablets indicates that 10" is the right size; 7" is
very definitely too small.

No 3G/4G required.
16GB with add on memory card slot preferred, as you can usually buy 16GB
of micro SD card for less than the memory upgrade.

Given an aversion to Apple, the best bet to date seems to be the Sony
Xperia Z 10" which most closely meets our needs.

However firstly this still seems to be available only at full price and in
very few stores and secondly there may be something better just round the
corner.

http://tabletmonkeys.com/new-tablets/

lists a load of tablets and release dates but apart from the Galaxy S12
(which going by previous Samsung products won't have the expandable memory
and possibly not even the external connectivity of the Sony) I can't seem
to pick any obvious contenders.

Anyone know of any good stuff coming along?

Cheers

Dave R

I'd have a look here.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/search?act...type=relevance

On 09/08/2013 10:42, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

Given an aversion to Apple,

Understood but have you personally compared an iOS and Android device of
similar hardware specs side-by-side?
I have a relatively high end Android tablet running 4.2, with a quad
core CPU and 32Gb plus an SD card slot but it annoys me because it just
doesn't work as well as my iPad at what I use it for.

I guess my point is, just buy a cheap Android tablet because the
expensive ones are not going to work all that much better.
All very much IMO of course

Lee

On Fri, 09 Aug 2013 11:18:59 +0100, Lee wrote:

On 09/08/2013 10:42, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

Given an aversion to Apple,

Understood but have you personally compared an iOS and Android device of
similar hardware specs side-by-side?
I have a relatively high end Android tablet running 4.2, with a quad
core CPU and 32Gb plus an SD card slot but it annoys me because it just
doesn't work as well as my iPad at what I use it for.

I guess my point is, just buy a cheap Android tablet because the
expensive ones are not going to work all that much better.
All very much IMO of course

Lee

Didn't mention that we require a high screen resolution - this is to
replace a netbook with a 1024 * 600 screen which is barely adequate so we
would like Full HD but minimum around 1200 * 800.

This seems to rule out cheap android tablets.

Cheers

Dave R

On 09/08/2013 12:05, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

Didn't mention that we require a high screen resolution - this is to
replace a netbook with a 1024 * 600 screen which is barely adequate so we
would like Full HD but minimum around 1200 * 800.

This seems to rule out cheap android tablets.

Fairy snuff. Worth pointing out though, that more pixels require more
processing grunt, so battery life can suffer. Unless the device has a
large battery, which then makes it heavier/thicker of course...

Might be worth looking at the Nexus 10, simply becuase of the screen,
but it doesn't meet your requirement of an SD card slot.
One of the main reasons for me buying an ipad was the poor screens on
offer from Android devices as the time.

Lee

On 09/08/2013 10:42, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
....

Research into current tablets indicates that 10" is the right size; 7" is
very definitely too small.
...

Viagra? Dunno about the dosage to achieve any particular size tho'.

Forgot to add, very high resolutions don't neccessarily make it any
easier to use the tablet for reading, surfing etc. So you don't quite
end up with what you think you are going to, iyswim.
My Android device is HD and consequently a lot of time is spent zooming
pages to read tiny text. It would certainly be a good idea to try to
borrow or at least try out the device first to see it it suits your
style of use.

Unless it's using pixel doubling or similar tricks, like Apple do, but
you still end up with less readable text than you first expect and end
up scrolling/zooming...

Lee

On Friday, 9 August 2013 11:18:59 UTC+1, Lee wrote:
On 09/08/2013 10:42, David.WE.Roberts wrote:



Given an aversion to Apple,



Understood but have you personally compared an iOS and Android device of

similar hardware specs side-by-side?

I have a relatively high end Android tablet running 4.2, with a quad

core CPU and 32Gb plus an SD card slot but it annoys me because it just

doesn't work as well as my iPad at what I use it for.


A friend has a similar experience and eneded up ditching his tablet.
The scrolling didn;t always work, unlike his ipod which did.
he just annoyed him so much that teh simple tqasks such as browsing kept crashing. The only think it did better was watching flash content which kept freezing anyway.
He's saving up for an ipad saying something about crusifying his tablet.


I guess my point is, just buy a cheap Android tablet because the
expensive ones are not going to work all that much better.
All very much IMO of course


Somteimes you get what you pay for.

On 9 Aug 2013 09:42:10 GMT, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

Research into current tablets indicates that 10" is the right size; 7"
is very definitely too small.

Depends how you are going to use it. If hand held 10" jobbies are
heavy and in landscape don't balance well. I have a 7" Samsung Tab
II, comfortably works for my use which is mostly hand held email and
an web browsing. It's about a year old so I guess something better is
now on the market but the screen is bright and sharp, provided you
aren't in full sun but no screens can cope with that situation. I've
not had any troubles with crashing, or getting annoyed by
zooming/scrolling.

What does annoy me is the touch screen, it's very sensitive and when
you have a tremor... Or with my fingers it detects a touch not where
I think I'm going to touch and occasionally it'll acknowledge a touch
(by highlighting or similar) but not actually do that action and
occasionally ignore a touch/swipe completely. I don't think the touch
problems are down to my particular machine, I find all touch screens
suffer the same problems.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On 09/08/2013 10:42, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
As usual, OT but a good place for advice.

We are considering buying a tablet some time this year.
Cut off is end of November when we go on holiday.

Research into current tablets indicates that 10" is the right size; 7" is
very definitely too small.

No 3G/4G required.
16GB with add on memory card slot preferred, as you can usually buy 16GB
of micro SD card for less than the memory upgrade.

Given an aversion to Apple, the best bet to date seems to be the Sony
Xperia Z 10" which most closely meets our needs.

However firstly this still seems to be available only at full price and in
very few stores and secondly there may be something better just round the
corner.

http://tabletmonkeys.com/new-tablets/

lists a load of tablets and release dates but apart from the Galaxy S12
(which going by previous Samsung products won't have the expandable memory
and possibly not even the external connectivity of the Sony) I can't seem
to pick any obvious contenders.

Anyone know of any good stuff coming along?

Cheers

Dave R

I don't know if this is the case with non-Apple, but if you don't get
3G/4G then you don't get GPS.

I know you are averse to Apple, but this might be of some interest:

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/08/09/...h-macbook-air/

--
Rod

In message
"David.WE.Roberts" wrote:




Didn't mention that we require a high screen resolution - this is to
replace a netbook with a 1024 * 600 screen which is barely adequate so we
would like Full HD but minimum around 1200 * 800.

This seems to rule out cheap android tablets.

Cheers

Dave R

Nook HD+

--
Jim White
Wimbledon London England
I will not sell land in Florida

On Fri, 09 Aug 2013 09:42:10 +0000, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

As usual, OT but a good place for advice.

We are considering buying a tablet some time this year.
Cut off is end of November when we go on holiday.
snip

Supplementary on Android - I have been thinking that a tablet will do as a
Windows (or Linux) laptop replacement.

I am now wondering if the OS and interface are more like a mobile phone on
steroids aimed at doing one thing at a time instead of the usual WIMP
style of multiple application windows sharing a desk top.

I will be going back to John Lewis for another session of poking at the
tablets, but in the mean time, what does the team think about a tablet as
a laptop replacement?

A quad processor with high resolution screen should be able to run stock
Linux as long as there are drivers for a touch screen interface - so why
are they still running Android?

Mainly to tap into the Android Marketplace?

Cheers

Dave R

On 10/08/2013 10:49, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
On Fri, 09 Aug 2013 09:42:10 +0000, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

As usual, OT but a good place for advice.

We are considering buying a tablet some time this year.
Cut off is end of November when we go on holiday.
snip

Supplementary on Android - I have been thinking that a tablet will do as a
Windows (or Linux) laptop replacement.

I am now wondering if the OS and interface are more like a mobile phone on
steroids aimed at doing one thing at a time instead of the usual WIMP
style of multiple application windows sharing a desk top.

I will be going back to John Lewis for another session of poking at the
tablets, but in the mean time, what does the team think about a tablet as
a laptop replacement?

A quad processor with high resolution screen should be able to run stock
Linux as long as there are drivers for a touch screen interface - so why
are they still running Android?

Mainly to tap into the Android Marketplace?

Cheers

Dave R

Sometimes that is exactly what Windows 8 feels like! A mobile phone
interface on, say, a desktop or laptop, is often not a pleasant experience.

Few tablets realistically do multiple things. The Samsung Galaxy Note
(at least the big one) does have a split screen mode - but AIUI that has
severe limitations. Though you can probably play music and write an email.

Was interested to see an Android monitor the other day:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/215-v...0x1020-250cd-m

IMHO a tablet is not a laptop replacement until it has at least a
keyboard added. However I can see a time when a mobile phone/small
tablet will be able usefully to connect to a large monitor and a
keyboard allowing the same processor, memory, software installation,
etc. to work in pocket, briefcase, lap or desktop modes.

--
Rod

On Sat, 10 Aug 2013 11:22:24 +0100, polygonum wrote:

On 10/08/2013 10:49, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
On Fri, 09 Aug 2013 09:42:10 +0000, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

As usual, OT but a good place for advice.

We are considering buying a tablet some time this year.
Cut off is end of November when we go on holiday.
snip

Supplementary on Android - I have been thinking that a tablet will do
as a Windows (or Linux) laptop replacement.

I am now wondering if the OS and interface are more like a mobile phone
on steroids aimed at doing one thing at a time instead of the usual
WIMP style of multiple application windows sharing a desk top.

I will be going back to John Lewis for another session of poking at the
tablets, but in the mean time, what does the team think about a tablet
as a laptop replacement?

A quad processor with high resolution screen should be able to run
stock Linux as long as there are drivers for a touch screen interface -
so why are they still running Android?

Mainly to tap into the Android Marketplace?

Cheers

Dave R

Sometimes that is exactly what Windows 8 feels like! A mobile phone
interface on, say, a desktop or laptop, is often not a pleasant
experience.

Few tablets realistically do multiple things. The Samsung Galaxy Note
(at least the big one) does have a split screen mode - but AIUI that has
severe limitations. Though you can probably play music and write an
email.

Was interested to see an Android monitor the other day:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/215-v...t-monitor-led-
touch-android-40-ice-a9-cpu-1gb-8gb-full-hd-1980x1020-250cd-m

IMHO a tablet is not a laptop replacement until it has at least a
keyboard added. However I can see a time when a mobile phone/small
tablet will be able usefully to connect to a large monitor and a
keyboard allowing the same processor, memory, software installation,
etc. to work in pocket, briefcase, lap or desktop modes.

Adding a bluetooth or wifi keyboard should be fairly easy - IIRC you can
connect a Samsung Galaxy phone to a TV or monitor screen, link in a
bluetooth keyboard, then wonder why you did this :-)

At least with Windows 8 you can fettle it to look a bit like W7.

I seem to have multi-window capability on my Galaxy S3 phone - just no
idea how to invoke or use it.

With regards to connecting to a monitor - the tablets I am looking at have
comparable screen resolution to laptops, better than the now apparently
obsolete netbooks, so I wasn't expecting to need a larger screen.

The killer for me would be the OS - at the moment I am doing 4 things;
usenet using Pan, web browsing with multiple tabs in the browser, email,
and Skype conversations.

I would expect any replacement for the netbook to be able to do this.

The attraction of a tablet is portability - no physical keyboard included
so all screen.

I would like to combine the things I do on my phone, such as using Google
Maps and MapMyRun whilst out walking, with normal Office Automation tasks
such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, web browsing.

I don't need 3/4G as I can tether to my phone.

I do need GPS, though.

Cheers

Dave R

On 10/08/2013 12:09, David.WE.Roberts wrote:

I seem to have multi-window capability on my Galaxy S3 phone - just no
idea how to invoke or use it.


Long push on the "back" capacitive "button" and you get a margin on the
left from which you can choose from a selection of apps. No split
screen, just instant (at least on the phone I'm using to test it)
switching between the selected apps. And imo, totally pointless.
Another long push turns the "feature" back off.

On a related note, the abomination that is Surface RT has been reduced
in price again...

Lee

On 10/08/2013 12:50, Lee wrote:

imo, totally pointless.

Shouldn't reply to myself....but as I was being stupid!
You need to drag the app from the bar onto the desktop then it does do
split screen. For two selected apps.

On 10/08/2013 13:08, Lee wrote:
On 10/08/2013 12:50, Lee wrote:

imo, totally pointless.

Shouldn't reply to myself....but as I was being stupid!
You need to drag the app from the bar onto the desktop then it does do
split screen. For two selected apps.

Which version of Android introduced this? Or has it always been there?

(My phone is at the repairers so cannot check.)

--
Rod

On 10/08/2013 13:11, polygonum wrote:
On 10/08/2013 13:08, Lee wrote:
On 10/08/2013 12:50, Lee wrote:

imo, totally pointless.

Shouldn't reply to myself....but as I was being stupid!
You need to drag the app from the bar onto the desktop then it does do
split screen. For two selected apps.

Which version of Android introduced this? Or has it always been there?

(My phone is at the repairers so cannot check.)


Introduced with 4.1.2, but afaik it's a TouchWiz (ie Samsung) specific
feature.


Lee

On 10/08/2013 13:24, Lee wrote:
On 10/08/2013 13:11, polygonum wrote:
On 10/08/2013 13:08, Lee wrote:
On 10/08/2013 12:50, Lee wrote:

imo, totally pointless.

Shouldn't reply to myself....but as I was being stupid!
You need to drag the app from the bar onto the desktop then it does do
split screen. For two selected apps.

Which version of Android introduced this? Or has it always been there?

(My phone is at the repairers so cannot check.)


Introduced with 4.1.2, but afaik it's a TouchWiz (ie Samsung) specific
feature.


Lee

It doesn't seem to work on my Nexus 10 - which is made by Samsung - and
now running 4.3
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On 10/08/2013 10:49, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
On Fri, 09 Aug 2013 09:42:10 +0000, David.WE.Roberts wrote:


Supplementary on Android - I have been thinking that a tablet will do as a
Windows (or Linux) laptop replacement.

I am now wondering if the OS and interface are more like a mobile phone on
steroids aimed at doing one thing at a time instead of the usual WIMP
style of multiple application windows sharing a desk top.


I don't know the feasibility of putting a different OS on an Android tablet.

I'm planning to take my Nexus-10 on holiday, in the hope that it will do
*enough* of the things I usually do on a PC to make it unnecessary to
take a laptop.

I very much doubt whether it could ever be a permanent replacement for a
laptop. There are lots of things I do on my laptop for which I wouldn't
know where to start on a tablet! But for holiday use, it's probably ok.

It's certainly ok for web browsing, and reasonable for emails and
usenet. I haven't currently got a finance package which is compatible
with the very old version of Quicken which I use on a PC.

If creating emails and other documents on it, you really need an
external keyboard - and there lies the rub! I've just bought a bluetooth
keyboard which won't work with the Nexus-10, even though it's ok with my
wife's iPad Mini. Apparently there's something in the Android 4.3 update
which is incompatible with bluetooth keyboards - so hopefully the next
update will fix it, but it's likely to be too late for my holiday.

Incidentally, I've not found any way of displaying more than one Ap at a
time. Anyone know how to create a split screen on a Nexus-10 running
Android 4.3?
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On 10/08/2013 12:09, David.WE.Roberts wrote:


I would like to combine the things I do on my phone, such as using Google
Maps and MapMyRun whilst out walking, with normal Office Automation tasks
such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, web browsing.

I don't need 3/4G as I can tether to my phone.

I do need GPS, though.


My Nexus-10 has certainly got a GPS. Tethering is not straightforward,
though! I've got a Huawei 3G dongle which I can physically connect by
using a USB OTG cable. Sadly, it doesn't work. The perceived wisdom is
that I would need to 'root' the tablet - which I'm reluctant to do.

The alternative is to buy a MiFi unit which uses mobile phone technology
to create my own local WiFi hotspot. I'll probably go down down that
route because it should also work with my wife's (WiFi-only) iPad Mini.
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

On 10 Aug 2013 11:09:00 GMT, "David.WE.Roberts"
wrote:

The killer for me would be the OS - at the moment I am doing 4 things;
usenet using Pan, web browsing with multiple tabs in the browser, email,
and Skype conversations.

I would expect any replacement for the netbook to be able to do this.

I've not used a tablet as such, but as mentioned above the larger
Samsung Galaxy mobiles, I have a Note II model GT-N7100, can operate
in split screen mode, but I never use it. To me it's an irritation
that at least now can be permanently switched off, and it is.

The attraction of a tablet is portability - no physical keyboard included
so all screen.

But how do you do anything at all that requires significant text
input?

When I was recently 'on the road', someone said to me that "in a few
years these" (pointing to my mobile, upon which I'd just been showing
off some of the panoramas it had taken) "will be all you need, those "
(pointing to the laptop I was working on) "will be redundant!". But
it was just a man-in-pub-told-me type of comment, and I didn't and I
don't agree. To write anything that needs significant input of text,
you need a keyboard. My mobile has a pen keyboard which can come up
on-screen, but it's slow and error-prone, and will never be as fast as
touch-typing with multiple fingers as I can now more or less do,
albeit with more errors than I'd like, but I make just as many errors
with the pen keyboard on the mobile, and it's far slower.

I would like to combine the things I do on my phone, such as using Google
Maps and MapMyRun whilst out walking, with normal Office Automation tasks
such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, web browsing.

I don't think you'll ever be able to do the latter without a keyboard
and a decent sized screen.

I do need GPS, though.

Yes, though my phone's route-finding did rather lead me astray the
other day. Fortunately, although I didn't check the map (you know the
type, printed, sits forlorn and neglected in the glove compartment?)
as soon as would have been wisest, I didn't let the mobile lead me
astray very far before I reverted to such older, tried and tested
technologies!

And at least I had plenty of time to spare, and was still well early
for the appointment.
--
================================================== =======
Please always reply to ng as the email in this post's
header does not exist. Or use a contact address at:
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R.G. Bargy put finger to keyboard:

On 09/08/2013 10:42, David.WE.Roberts wrote:
...

Research into current tablets indicates that 10" is the right size; 7"
is very definitely too small.
...

Viagra? Dunno about the dosage to achieve any particular size tho'.

Guy goes into the chemist, says "I'd like to buy some Viagra, would I be
able to get it over the counter?"

Chemist replies, "Maybe, if you took two tablets."