Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Hey guys! What's up? :D

So I am thinking of getting a tablet and I need some help from you...

The main uses will be:

• surfing the net/chatting
• reading pdfs/docs etc.
• getting it with me in university
• maybe doing some coding on the go(aide seems good on galaxy s3, so I assume it will be handy on a big tablet)
• maybe watch some videos from youtube etc.
• some gaming when bored(not really cared that much for that thought)

So I came up with these three 10.1'' tablets:

Asus Transformer Pad 10.1" TF103C -> cost: 230€*
LG G Pad v700 10.1" -> cost: 250€*
Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 -> cost: 250€*

So what should I pick up? Does anyone of you have any of these tablets, and if yes what do you think?

I think that the Transformer Pad looks good, but I would choose it only if it comes with the keyboard in this price (I am not sure about that), but yet I am not sure about the processor(it is an Intel Atom Z3745 Dual-core 1.86 GHz and the other tablets have a quad core snapdragon processor)

They all have the same screen resolution, ram size and internal memory size and it is expandable with a micro sd card.

I don't really care about the camera that much(who chooses to take pictures with a tablet :rolleyes:)

So what is your opinion? What should I choose from these 3? :)


*the prices are from stores here in Greece, and I will probably get my tablet from one of these...

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Me I like having a physic keyboard when I want it or not..just like the n810 and n900..so I'm personally biased to either:
A-thinkpad x convertible tablet series
or
B-toshiba portege m convertible tablet series
they can be got cheaper than the 3 you mention (the lowly m200 or the x60 are great devices ...a little older and slower but good design...and still perform admirably) .or more expensive (ie. toshiba portege m780 or thinkpad x230t ......a wicked model I love...came out last year...)
they perform admirally with win or a wide range of linux distros...
much more user friendly when it comes down to keyboard usage..
If what you want... is to get what you need to ...done...
and without frustration...get a portege m series or thinkpad x series...When you pull one out ...it will turn heads. Also the depreciating value in laptops or tablets is much different than in convertible laptops ...convertibles hold their monetary value much longer...
However ...If you want to look chic and fit in ...get what everyone else uses.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Buy a last generation Android tablet that's used. Better than those Chinese Knockoffs.

I can't quite recommend Windows tablets unless they're hybrids like the New Lenovo Helix.

Or better yet, save up, and buy the Apple iPad Mini 3 (32GB).... the premium tablet experience.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Definitely avoid buying new, and avoid buying off brands.

You can buy in the states a used (but mint) Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 inches in the auction site for $100 or less, and it satisfies all your requirements amply. Also has a microSD card slot (just upgraded mine from 16Gb to 64Gb cheaply).

I've got one of these with Cyanogenmod 10.1.2, inside an OtterBox (which can be bought also new/mint stateside for $25 or less), and it's 14 months now and works and looks like new. Cyanogenmod and the OtterBox case are a must. The case also improves ergonomics 10x, and also includes a stand.

Lemme know if you need help installing Cyanogenmod 10.1.2. Of course, I'd rather run Fremantle on it, but that's another story.

Also: Install and configure a firewall and set it up to run on startup.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Agree with malfunctioning ...
If yur gonna slum it....slum it right :D
+1 for the tab 2

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

I agree about keyboard convenience, but small bluetooth keyboards with integrated mousepads work pretty good on Android and are cheap.

But if the OP doesn't mind the extra heft, Thinkpad X6x or X20x series are a nice deal. However, the downsides are: size, weight, and incapable graphics hardware for modern standards (gaming).

They are a great bang for the buck noeadays, though. I just bought a like new Thinkpad X201 for $125, and I set up a triple boot system on it (Windows 7, Ubuntu, and Windows XP to run some legacy software).

I also have an X61, and an X24 running Suse 10 (I think) which was my fiorst Linux system. :)

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

ya...aren't the thinkpad x series great?....sure the older x60 and x61 have a time with recent games...but...x61 and x60 can run a whack of linux distros with little hassle...and I think it is the x60 which is considered suitably perfect for gnu/linux libre distros. If you are gonna spend the bucks anyway...shuck it out for the x230...that baby can run ....and ya it is a bit heavier...but not as heavy as the m780...which is a beast with the optical drive...but ...you can simply take it out and throw in a 2nd hard drive bay...more storage...more distros ....a pretty mean beast with guts...wheeee! :D
But ya...bt or wireless keyboard will do in a pinch with a simple tablet.
And ya ...I agree...with the amount of current support for past models...

I wouldn't buy a new one either ...with what you need and wish it for...and at the "middling" price point you are aiming....either go lower and aim at specific usages...or go higher...go all out...then you most certainly will get the device you really want and need and it'll be ahead of the "depreciatory curve" ....so to speak.

Otherwise ...buy the brand new "middling" and you'll prob. regret the money spent for the value of the product and feel let down with what it can do....and for how long it can do it for...

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Or just buy the used Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, put a sticker of your favorite fruit or vegetable in the back, get a system you can upgrade easily (ROM and storage) and avoid making some fat cat in Wall Street richer. ;)

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Yeah, Thinkpads are awesome. I still wish IBM hadn't sold the division to Lenovo, though.

And what really bugs me is the keyboard on the X230. That's a sascrilege! :D

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

haha...yeah.
truth...
also...another sad thing is the fact that other than lenovo...there isn't really any new convertible tablet pc devel. out there any more.
I love my x series and I love my m200, m700 and m780's.
I think these suckers are the perfect "all-arounders"
I love doing tab stuff on them...stylus or touch.
They are perfect for diagram, artwork (especially love it for that...it's the only thing I use for graphic comp work) handwriting (to text) ...etc...list goes on.
I still believe convertible tablet pc's are the future (look at the love for the n900 form factor still...)...having had a rocky takeoff and now are getting thinner, lighter, faster, and more powerful.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

If you consider alternative to android or ios...

Blackberry playbooks are cheap nowdays arent they ?

Else I dont know any gnu/linux tablet on the market ?

Have to check ubuntutouch or firefoxos ones ...

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

It sounds like you really use your tablet pc systems for a lot of things!

My first tablet device was a Sharp Zaurus SL-C1000 which is also a convertible (has a nice keyboard, fits on the palm of your hand, and also runs linux, including an X server unlike Android). I got this in 2007, and I still like it, but I don't use it much as a tablet actually, but more as a mini computer.

/End thread hijack :D

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

So the main idea is not to buy any of these tablets!

I don't want to spend much money, so this is why I came up with these tablets. I will get it (as I said) from stores here in greece, so the price might be more than this available online on ebay, amazon etc.

endsormeans I haven't searched much about tablets and I didn't know there were tablets with keyboard! They are really cool and I am sure we will see more in the future!

Right now I don't have much money, so I can't afford any of these that you all mentioned (except of the tab 2, but I think that 7" are kinda small), so I am starting thinking to save money for getting something bigger/greater! :D

If I will do this I will definitely try to get a hybrid/tablet/laptop/mix/whatever it is called :p

The only devices available on stores here are these:
Asus Transformer T100TA-DK046H
Asus Transformer T100TA-DK046H
Asus Transformer T100TA-DK005H

The difference between T100TA-DK046H and T100TA-DK005H is the processor?

What is your opinion about these?

Some questions... Do they work as tablets or as laptops? Will I be able to run all the windows apps availables?(for example eclipse etc.) Also will I be able to install linux if wanted, or maybe dual boot, or it is not possible? I am a little confused on how it will feel when it is only a tablet...

I was thinking to get a pc as well some day (because I have a 2007 toshiba laptop with dual core 2duo on 2Ghz) but maybe this mix of tablet will do the trick to get both a pc and a tablet with buying only one product...

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Technically, people have been installing Ubuntu Touch on many tablets. Only a few (the Nexus line I think) are officially supported, but there are ports for many others.

I think the support on the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is almost full, except for autorotation and maybe something else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQH2rlEgnJE

I'm not sure when Ubuntu Touch will finally be released though, I think they are a little delayed on the release schedule.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Yeah I have seen some stuff about ubuntu touch..
Does it work like real ubuntu on a pc(same apps and stuff) or it is different?

I would love to have a real ubuntu image installed on a tablet if ubuntu touch does not give you all the capabilities.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

I would recommend getting a Nexus tablet, either new or used. They offer the best quality for the least money, being Google-sponsored devices. There have to be some for sale in Greece, too :)

I myself have the 1st-gen Nexus7 which is really good device, battery lasts long time and it has really good feature set & is well built and runs fast.
In the past have run Cyanogenmod, Ubuntu and Plasma Active on it, and now have SailfishOS installed.

If 7" is too small for you, you might want to try to find the Nexus10. Unfortunately that was never for sale in finland so I have not ever touched it but I suppose it is as good as Nexus7.

And of course yesterday Google launched Nexus9 which seems to me to be the perfect size... If it is going to be reasonably prized I might want to get that as my next tablet some day :D

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Ubuntu Touch runs a Mir variant of display server, hence your normal ubuntu applications do not run on it. (Just like SailfishOS runs Wayland)

However all console applications and system daemons run normally.

That is also possible, altough you'd need a keyboard to fully take advantage of it

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

I am starting thinking seriously about collecting money for tha asus t100! :P

After seeing some videos I am really impressed! It can even run games that my laptop can't even open and I will be able to use it as a tablet too.

juiceme I don't know why, but well known stores here in Greece does not really sell nexus products and I don't know why! :(
but I will not take the nexus 7 mostly because of the screen. I don't know about the 10..

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

if you are in UK consider this:
http://www.tesco.com/direct/hudl/

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Those come with Windows8, right?
I do not know for sure but before getting one I'd recommend checking that the bootloader can be unlocked: At least some of the windoze-devices can only boot signed OS'es which makes it pretty impossible to install another OS on the device.
(and who nowdays wants to run W8 on their device???)

In Finland too we only have Nexus4 and Nexus7 in stores. :(
It is true there is huge difference of 7" and 9"/10" which is why I am looking forward to what the Nexus9 will be like :D

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

I have searched a little bit more on this.
They have managed to run other OS'es on it
Here is a video running ubuntu and here there are some more details on xda...

I am actually really impressed seeing it run games like far cry 3 and assassin's creed black flag (maybe not on top graphics but yet it is cool :rolleyes:)

My concern is if I will manage to get the one with the keyboard dock and the 500GB, will I be able to install some things on the 500GB, or it will be like having a space for saving files?

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Like juiceme said, the display server is different, but in theory applications should be ported relatively easily. And most applications in the desktop should have an Ubnuntu Touch counterpart equal in functionality and data formats (to get "desktop convergence").

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

If you have money to spare, why not? But personally, I think premium tablets are a risk if you are not familiar with the format and the limitations. I'd whet my appetite first with an inexpensive and low risk device like the Galaxy Tab 2. They also have a 10 inch model, but I like the compact factor better.

I prefer not to buy new technology if I can help it, as it depreciates too rapidly and it's not worth it buying the latest when you can buy 2 year old stuff that has been proven to work for a fraction of the cost. ;)

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

What do you mean? I have never had a tablet before so...

What might be the limitations for the T100TA for example?

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

What I'd call low budget is buying a 2012 Amazon Kindle HD for 50 USD on Ebay. Those 7 inch models are easy to repair in case you run into trouble.

For the price of your proposed low budget options my whole family of 4 each has one.
If you like you can spend some time putting full glorious Android on it or just take a shortcut by paying for http://n2aos.com/ which takes about 10 minutes to install / remove.

Compromises: no SD card , only 1GB RAM,

But beautiful screen colors!!!

Why spend more on Android?

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

My point is that because you haven't used a tablet before, you might not find it as useful or convenient once you actually get to use it. Things that might sound cool now might become a nuisance in actual use.

For example, gaming on a tablet os a pain in the arse in my opinion, because using on screen touch controls is annoying and very imprecise. And if you add a keyboard or a game controller, then you might as well buy a cheaper, more useful, 2 year old compact laptop.

But if you want a tablet to mainly surf the web, read books, listen to music, watch YouTube, etc, then one of the ASUS tablets is a waste of money because you will be underutilizing the hardware.

How about having 2 devices instead of 1? Cheap tablet like a Galaxy Tab 2 with expandable storage (and a compact bluetooth keyboard with integrated mousepad), and a laptop for use at home?

Another thing: At least the early generation of Asus Transformer tablets have a non-user replaceable battery. That to me would kill the deal right there. The Galaxy Tab 2 is non-user replaceable too, but I can tolerate that on a $150 device, not so on something 3 times more expensive or more. Just my honest opinion.

Take my comments with a huge grain of salt though, as what annoys me might not be an issue for you. :)

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

That's another good option, yeah. Either that or the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

I will think all of these...

The main idea is to have a tablet for programming in it and use it in university both for reading and writing as well as surfing the net etc.

I can imagine that playing games (pc games actually) in touch screen will be just stupid after all, but with the keyboard dock and a mouse it will be good I think!

I was thinking for the T100 because it is a tablet and a laptop and it will for sure be handy in one way or another. I have to admit that I haven't thought anything about the battery actually (are there tablets with removable batteries?) but let's say in 2 years, if the battery does not work as it should, will I be able to disassembly it and change it?


As I said before I don't really want a 7" tablet(there are many good 7" tablets out there in much more less money actually). The thing is that 10" tablets are more expensive :rolleyes:

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Mostly I agree, these devices good for books and reading / watching static web content.

But regarding gaming, it depends. For example, the Pinball Arcade is very good on a tablet and one of the few reasons to own one :p .

Productivity wise Windows tablets would be better but if you play a game like Pinball Arcade on Windows with tablet hardware such as the budget Asus T100 and its energy efficient but otherwise slow processor, you feel the graphics hardware is lacking to run a full blown windows game, even on directx9.
On the Android platform the graphics and controls have been adjusted for optimal usage with the weak hardware and touch screen input respectively.

Also, make sure that you purchase a tablet with a display which allows to dim the backlight low enough to be able to read in low light without too much eye strain!

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Sorry, I didn't realize that you definitely didn't want a 7 inch tablet. There are some 8 and 9 tablets too. As for 10 inch, there is also the Galaxy Tab 2.0 10.

I think Toshiba makes some Windows tablets with user replaceable batteries. I don't know how easy it would be for you to replace the battery yourself on an Asus Transformer, but it is not convenient at the leasdt, and most definitely would void your warranty. So you are stuck with either taking a chance, or sending it for replacement with all your data in ot (another inconvenience).

Yes, a keyboard dock and a mouse would improve a tablet's ergonomics a lot. We called those laptops. :D

But seriously, man. Get something you like and would enjoy. Just consider all the cons as well.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Hahahaha :p
Well I just like the idea of just grabbing the screen and from a laptop it becomes a tablet :p
But yet if I will go this way, I will have to wait more to collect some money :rolleyes:

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Spot on about the brightness controls. I must be a vampire or something, but sometimes some devices are too bright even on the lowest setting (the N900 is like this for me).

And you are right, some games are actually better on a tablet, as long as the accelerometer or the touch controls are well implemented.

Two of those games for me on Android are aTilt 3D Labyrint and Glow Hockey, both of them free versions.

Say, what's this Pinball game's name? I do miss Visual Pinball on Wimdows though. That and MAME are the best for a vintage gaming experience. Play some Tears for Fears in the background and you're back in the 80s. ;)

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

I feel like this in night with my Galaxy S3 on the lowest brightness :p

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Yeah, I know what you are talking about. I usually find YouTube review videos a great way to find out about devices I'm considering buying. There are hundreds of videos for about every single computer.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

This is what I am doing right now! :P

I use a windows 8 laptop as my everyday pc, so I think that Asus T100TA could replace it, while I will be able to do the same things in it and also use it as a tablet...

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

All tablets are really really bad for writing anything longer than a tweet or a SMS using the touchscreen keyboard. Doesn't matter whether it is 7" or 10" tablet.
Really bad, believe me.

Also, you lose screen estate for the keyboard, and even on a see-thru keyboard like fingerterm the usability is hindered.

The add-on keyboards also vary a lot on the feel and usability; just think of different laptop keyboards. (Thiknpad keyboards are a joy to use, and Compacq keyboards suck like bloody hoovers...)

If programming/writing on lectures/assignments is important to you, I really suggest you try the keyboard before buying!!


Anything can be changed/fixed by oneself, of course, provided you can get a matching cells from somewhere. Batteries in different devices vary so much in form factor and electrical specifications it would have to be an exact match.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

The truth is that I haven't tested writing on tablet, so I can't say..
I will for sure try the keys and the feel of the tablet I will choose before buying it.

I have used aide on galaxy s3 and wrote some small apps (hello world, estimating sum of two numbers , easy stuff actually but yeah :p) with swipe and it wasn't that bad...

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Bill my good man...so I don't fill a page...(like I have a predominance to :D) ...I'll keep it simple.
um..here is a link to what I've done to one of my toshiba portege m780's...
http://talk.maemo.org/showpost.php?p...13&postcount=5

I use mine graphic-wise for everything from video, web design work, animation, mainly graphic design...ie painting, drafting, sketching, drawing, 3d sculpture..list goes on...then utilize it in creation..I find that it has virtually eliminated the waste of materials from mistakes in finished "physically rendered" work.
Dictation to text, handwriting recog. ergo handwriting to text...
darn handy in all. Better than perpetually typing...allows for alot more natural a flow of ideas to recorded format.
I've used tablets...yup they're lite...but when the crunch comes they are terrible for typing ...yup I've used bt/ ir/ wifi keyboards with tablets...mixed feelings about it...after all is said and done...better to have the built in option. Yup I've used docks so I can have a optical and or external drive and additional ports...but it's kinda like the bt keyboard thing...an irritant (the only thing I dislike about my thinkpad x series convert. tab. pc's. )
Personally I like everything in 1. Bam done...it may be a wee bit heavier...but not cumbersome.
And yeah...it can do quite a bit...more than your tabs. and cheaper.
with more distro/ os options. and more software...and more function.
I 1st started using the simple wacom graphic tablet (back in the day) WITH my desktop computer for art work. HATED the "eye-to-hand-to-tablet-to-screen disconnect"....I like to work "on" the surface and see the results "there"
Had the 1st model fugitsu's , the compaq's, the motion computing's, and travelmate models...when I ran into the thinkpad x's I became impressed...when I ran into the toshiba m200 ...more so...when I hit the toshiba m700/m780 models with optical/ 2nd hard drive bay, stylus and finger touch...I was x-static.
m780 can handle 8gb of ram (not bad) and you can get it in i3, i5, and i7.
Not bad price either...cheaper than brand new tabs...
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Toshiba-Porte...item2342365a80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPUNEPL2StA

Also...when it comes to touch and penabled screens win honestly does have it good.
As well...check out linlap and tux mobile (out of date for the most part...but separate reviewers will essentially say the same thing) ...you will want to make sure whatever models you are looking at have good compat with linux...the best are ...of course thinkpad x's ...mind since they are older reviews and linux has marched on...I have found my m780's can handle pretty much any new linux I have thrown at it...
Remem. - you don't want to get a fly model that doesn't play nice with linux.

I can't say I have been happier with any other type of comp. design than a good convert. tab. pc.
So yeah man..there you go in a nutshell.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

Avoid everything with Tab in the name.

Low end? Note 8 is your choice sir.

Re: Buying a low-budget tablet. Need some help :)
 

If you can tolerate a 4.5" display, I would recommend LG Realm for Boost Mobile ($40 @Best Buy). I bought two, none of them is activated with the carrier. I just use them as Wifi machines and media players. Realm has a microSD card slot, so I put a 64GB card on each of them, and hook them up to Bluetooth speakers. WOW! That's gotta be the cheapest (and great) mp3 player you can find. Best of all (for me at least), its system language option includes Japanese, so I promptly set one up for learning purposes. Can't say the same thing about my N9, N900x2 or Moto X (my Sony Experia Z Ultra of course has no problem).