MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Trying to find a compact Android tablet to use as an ereader

robilarocn · 02-13-2018, 02:47 PM

Looking for some advice. I have a large library of epub books that I read currently on a Samsung Tab S2 8".

I also have a couple of 7" tablets, all of which would be vastly preferable but all have limitations.

What I am looking for is a 7" android based device, as compact as possible. I use Moon + Reader Pro (which I love btw) and as noted have roughly 11k of books.

I like to keep my entire library on my device and have found Moon Reader to have issues with pulling books off Micro SD cards in various devices. Also the sheer quantity I have may be part of the issue.

What I currently have in 7" devices:

Huawei T2 7.0 Pro 7" (16 GB version). I love this tablet (well technically a phablet) but the big issue with it is storage. While it does have a micro SD slot, as mentioned above, I've run into issues trying to pull content off a micro SD card. Also this device only has Android 5.1.1. Because its also a phone, a big chunk of its storage is phone related apps that cannot be uninstalled (And I've never found a decent root kit for it). Only have about 550MB free on the device currently (and that is with zero other apps installed and all apps that can be disabled, disabled and updates removed).

Samsung Tab A 7" (16GB version). Got this recently, will be sending it back. While it is very bare in terms of embedded apps (which means it has most of its 16GB free), it only comes with Android 5.1.1 and has a pretty awful screen. Also incredibly slow

Nexus 7 (2013) 16GB. Used this for awhile, found one new on Amazon. However, it has issues. It goes into a constant reboot state if I power it off or it runs out of batteries, necessitating a complete reload (a 2 day process with my library).... I ended up throwing it out after rooting and multiple other efforts to get it working stable.

Asus Memopad 7 (16 GB). This was a decent little device except it has really slow hardware and a very low res screen that results in eyestrain during extended reading periods.

So what I really need is a 32GB , 7" tablet that has at least Android 6.1 with at least a 1080P screen. The only device I have ever found (other than the Nexus 7 32GB which disappeared a long time ago) is the Huawei Mediapad X2 32GB which has been discontinued. I also can't verify what Android OS it runs (started at 5.1.1).

I've also owned E-Ink devices, most recently a Kobo Aura One. My big issue with it aside from being bog slow is it only comes with 8GB of storage standard and the Kobo reading app does not capture ebook metadata. That's a big one with a library as big as mine.

So are there any other devices out there in the wild? I looked at the 32GB kindle oasis but it has the same metadata issues that the kobo does plus its $500 in Canada, a bizarre price for an e-reader.

I've been relegated to using my Samsung Tab S2 which is a great device but simply too big to stick in a coat pocket. Great when I am travelling with a laptop bag but too big otherwise.

Help!

02-13-2018, 02:47 PM	#1
robilarocn Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2018 Device: Samsung Tab S2 8"	Trying to find a compact Android tablet to use as an ereader Looking for some advice. I have a large library of epub books that I read currently on a Samsung Tab S2 8". I also have a couple of 7" tablets, all of which would be vastly preferable but all have limitations. What I am looking for is a 7" android based device, as compact as possible. I use Moon + Reader Pro (which I love btw) and as noted have roughly 11k of books. I like to keep my entire library on my device and have found Moon Reader to have issues with pulling books off Micro SD cards in various devices. Also the sheer quantity I have may be part of the issue. What I currently have in 7" devices: Huawei T2 7.0 Pro 7" (16 GB version). I love this tablet (well technically a phablet) but the big issue with it is storage. While it does have a micro SD slot, as mentioned above, I've run into issues trying to pull content off a micro SD card. Also this device only has Android 5.1.1. Because its also a phone, a big chunk of its storage is phone related apps that cannot be uninstalled (And I've never found a decent root kit for it). Only have about 550MB free on the device currently (and that is with zero other apps installed and all apps that can be disabled, disabled and updates removed). Samsung Tab A 7" (16GB version). Got this recently, will be sending it back. While it is very bare in terms of embedded apps (which means it has most of its 16GB free), it only comes with Android 5.1.1 and has a pretty awful screen. Also incredibly slow Nexus 7 (2013) 16GB. Used this for awhile, found one new on Amazon. However, it has issues. It goes into a constant reboot state if I power it off or it runs out of batteries, necessitating a complete reload (a 2 day process with my library).... I ended up throwing it out after rooting and multiple other efforts to get it working stable. Asus Memopad 7 (16 GB). This was a decent little device except it has really slow hardware and a very low res screen that results in eyestrain during extended reading periods. So what I really need is a 32GB , 7" tablet that has at least Android 6.1 with at least a 1080P screen. The only device I have ever found (other than the Nexus 7 32GB which disappeared a long time ago) is the Huawei Mediapad X2 32GB which has been discontinued. I also can't verify what Android OS it runs (started at 5.1.1). I've also owned E-Ink devices, most recently a Kobo Aura One. My big issue with it aside from being bog slow is it only comes with 8GB of storage standard and the Kobo reading app does not capture ebook metadata. That's a big one with a library as big as mine. So are there any other devices out there in the wild? I looked at the 32GB kindle oasis but it has the same metadata issues that the kobo does plus its $500 in Canada, a bizarre price for an e-reader. I've been relegated to using my Samsung Tab S2 which is a great device but simply too big to stick in a coat pocket. Great when I am travelling with a laptop bag but too big otherwise. Help!