Current Tablets

diremommy · 05-18-2015, 08:10 PM

I've had my Nexus 7 since the 2013s came out, and I still love it. However, it's getting older, which always worries me with tech like this, as I use mine a LOT.

I was very disappointed when Google didn't put out a new 7 inch model, because it's a good size for me. I don't want something as big as the Nexus 9 (or as expensive!), so I was just wondering what the best tablet is right now, when all I want to do on it is read and web surf. I never game or watch videos on it, so that's not an issue. I wouldn't be opposed to an 8 inch tablet, but no bigger. And I already know I don't like the Fire.

So, can anyone tell me what's the best tablet for what I'm looking to use it for? Should I just hunt down another Nexus 7 and hide it away, or are there better, but still affordable options now?

Larla · 05-19-2015, 06:41 AM

Galaxy Tab S 8.4 -- I love mine and it has replaced the Nexus 7 in my esteem. Of course the S2 is coming out very soon so you may want to wait and see.

HarryT · 05-19-2015, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larla

Galaxy Tab S 8.4 -- I love mine and it has replaced the Nexus 7 in my esteem. Of course the S2 is coming out very soon so you may want to wait and see.

It's distinctly larger than the Nexus 7, though; if the OP is specifically after a very portable device, it's not necessarily a good choice. A 7" screen is a good compromise between size and portability.

downeaster59 · 05-19-2015, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diremommy

I've had my Nexus 7 since the 2013s came out, and I still love it. However, it's getting older, which always worries me with tech like this, as I use mine a LOT.

I was very disappointed when Google didn't put out a new 7 inch model, because it's a good size for me. I don't want something as big as the Nexus 9 (or as expensive!), so I was just wondering what the best tablet is right now, when all I want to do on it is read and web surf. I never game or watch videos on it, so that's not an issue. I wouldn't be opposed to an 8 inch tablet, but no bigger. And I already know I don't like the Fire.

So, can anyone tell me what's the best tablet for what I'm looking to use it for? Should I just hunt down another Nexus 7 and hide it away, or are there better, but still affordable options now?

If reading and web surfing are what you do, and your Nexus 7 is working well, I wouldn't worry at all. It still stacks up well compared to tablets now, and it is more than good enough for what you want. I'd say, keep using it until you start having problems with it that you can't resolve. Then the time may come to get something else.

Here's an example to illustrate what I mean. Here's a 7 inch Android tablet that Barnes & Noble is selling, made by Samsung: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/nook-tablets/379004191 Your Nexus is still a much better tablet than this.

I know people who still use a Nook Touch, which is now four year old tech, and it works fine for what they use it for.

So, just enjoy your Nexus 7 as long as it does the job for you!

miki2 · 05-19-2015, 01:51 PM

diremommy, you are so right, the Nexus 7 is great with a lovely screen and just the right size to hold in a hand comfortably. I have two at the moment and have just ordered a third because I read that they are being discontinued. The quality of the Nexus 7 and it's specs still make it, for me, one of the best tablets in the market, never mind that it is over three years old.
I have a Galaxy Tab S 8.4 which I received as a gift and while the screen is spectacular, the increase in size makes it a little uncomfortable to hold in a hand to read.
So my recommendation would be to buy another Nexus 7 while stocks last.

Wearever · 05-19-2015, 02:18 PM

I also have a 2012 Nexus that is sluggish, have rebooted and all that, but makes no difference. I was also disappointed that Google discontinued the Nexus 7.

I wouldn't get the B&N Galaxy Tab 4 even if it's a 7 inch tablet. You might want to look at the Galaxy S 8.4 even if it's a bit bigger. I like the ipad mini size ( almost same as Galaxy S8.4 ) and it's comfortable & light, I thought I wouldn't like the larger screen size from the 7, but I found I liked it just as much.

Just try some out at the store, and see if you would like a bit bigger size. Anything in the 7 inch size is getting harder to find. Either it's a Kindle 7 or a lesser quality screen. Since you don't want a Kindle 7 or Fire as they are called now, the choice is buy an old Nexus again or go up to an 8 or more inch screen.

I am also looking at the Samsung Galaxy S 8.4 as an Android replacement tablet. I don't use my Nexus much anymore.

apesmom · 05-19-2015, 03:41 PM

I wouldn't let the size of the GT S 8.4 put you off. While the display size is larger than the Nexus 7 the tablet itself isn't that much bigger.

GT S 8.4 is 8.38" x 4.94"
Nexus 7 is 7.87" x 4.49"

So roughly a 1/2" wider and 1/2" taller than the Nexus (which has those ridiculous top and bottom bezels)

GT S 8.4 is also 1 gm lighter than the Nexus.

The price of the GT S just dropped this week, whether it's a brief sale or permanent drop remains to be seen (The S2 is supposed to come out next month). Regardless it can currently be had for $279 at Amazon or Newegg.

I'm probably going to buy it. In my opinion it's the only option for replacing my N7 (2013) that has comparable pixel density, which for me is the key spec for a great reader. The Dell Venue 8 7000 series has a great display but the sharp edges make it uncomfortable to hold for long periods.

The only other candidate would be iPad mini 2 (or 3) but I just can't make myself buy an Apple product.

HarryT · 05-19-2015, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wearever

Since you don't want a Kindle 7 or Fire as they are called now, the choice is buy an old Nexus again or go up to an 8 or more inch screen.

I'm slightly puzzled by your "Fire as they are called now" remark. Amazon's Android tablets have never been called anything other than the "Kindle Fire". There's certainly never been a device called the "Kindle 7".

Wearever · 05-19-2015, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm slightly puzzled by your "Fire as they are called now" remark. Amazon's Android tablets have never been called anything other than the "Kindle Fire". There's certainly never been a device called the "Kindle 7".

I must be thinking of the Kindle HDX Tablets they were called Kindle HDX and now they are called Fire HDX. Confusing they dropped the Kindle part of the name. Your right Harry, the Fire tablets have always been called Fire.

I have the HDX 7 and it's a good tablet nice & light too. But they have not made a newer one since 2013, So I was only thinking of the current Fire 7. tablet. that came out recently. I wonder now if only the e-ink's from Amazon are called Kindle anymore ?

tubemonkey · 05-19-2015, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I'm slightly puzzled by your "Fire as they are called now" remark. Amazon's Android tablets have never been called anything other than the "Kindle Fire". There's certainly never been a device called the "Kindle 7".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wearever

I must be thinking of the Kindle HDX Tablets they were called Kindle HDX and now they are called Fire HDX. Confusing they dropped the Kindle part of the name. Your right Harry, the Fire tablets have always been called Fire.

I have the HDX 7 and it's a good tablet nice & light too. But they have not made a newer one since 2013, So I was only thinking of the current Fire 7. tablet. that came out recently. I wonder now if only the e-ink's from Amazon are called Kindle anymore ?

They used to be called "Kindle Fire". Now it's just "Fire". Amazon dropped "Kindle" from the name last year when they released the gen 4 Fires.

"Kindle" is now reserved for the eink ereaders.

Wearever · 05-19-2015, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

They used to be called "Kindle Fire". Now it's just "Fire". Amazon dropped "Kindle" from the name last year when they released the gen 4 Fires.

"Kindle" is now reserved for the eink ereaders.

Thanks for sorting that out , tubemonkey !

diremommy · 05-19-2015, 07:12 PM

My Nexus still works very well, the battery life isn't what it used to be though. I'll probably just stick with it, and hunt around for bargains on the current model and grab one when I see one. I've never actually held an 8 inch tablet, I don't know if the size would be a deal breaker or not, but the Galaxy was the one that looked the best, other than what I have now.

My daughter has a Fire 6 inch, and I hate the Kindle app, and from what I've seen, I can't get Moon+ on it, which is my preferred reading app. Not fond of the Silk browser, either.

AnemicOak · 05-19-2015, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diremommy

My daughter has a Fire 6 inch, and I hate the Kindle app, and from what I've seen, I can't get Moon+ on it, which is my preferred reading app. Not fond of the Silk browser, either.

You can get Moon+ on it, but you have to side load it.

booklover6 · 05-19-2015, 10:20 PM

You can also put the chrome browser on the fire HD 6. That tablet is a lot slower than the Nexus 7, though. And the battery life is not as good.

HarryT · 05-20-2015, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

You can get Moon+ on it, but you have to side load it.

How would you buy it in the first place, though, if the Fire is your only Android device?

05-18-2015, 08:10 PM	#1
diremommy Zealot Posts: 137 Karma: 14452 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Zenpad S 8, iPad mini 2	Current Tablets I've had my Nexus 7 since the 2013s came out, and I still love it. However, it's getting older, which always worries me with tech like this, as I use mine a LOT. I was very disappointed when Google didn't put out a new 7 inch model, because it's a good size for me. I don't want something as big as the Nexus 9 (or as expensive!), so I was just wondering what the best tablet is right now, when all I want to do on it is read and web surf. I never game or watch videos on it, so that's not an issue. I wouldn't be opposed to an 8 inch tablet, but no bigger. And I already know I don't like the Fire. So, can anyone tell me what's the best tablet for what I'm looking to use it for? Should I just hunt down another Nexus 7 and hide it away, or are there better, but still affordable options now?

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05-19-2015, 06:41 AM	#2
Larla Addict Posts: 281 Karma: 5262189 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Katy, TX Device: Samsung Tab S5E 12" Tablet	Galaxy Tab S 8.4 -- I love mine and it has replaced the Nexus 7 in my esteem. Of course the S2 is coming out very soon so you may want to wait and see.

05-19-2015, 01:51 PM	#5
miki2 Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 1271879 Join Date: Dec 2012 Device: Galaxy Tab 2 7", Nexus 7 (2013),	diremommy, you are so right, the Nexus 7 is great with a lovely screen and just the right size to hold in a hand comfortably. I have two at the moment and have just ordered a third because I read that they are being discontinued. The quality of the Nexus 7 and it's specs still make it, for me, one of the best tablets in the market, never mind that it is over three years old. I have a Galaxy Tab S 8.4 which I received as a gift and while the screen is spectacular, the increase in size makes it a little uncomfortable to hold in a hand to read. So my recommendation would be to buy another Nexus 7 while stocks last.

05-19-2015, 02:18 PM	#6
Wearever Wizard Posts: 1,063 Karma: 10944084 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New England Device: Oasis 2,Voyage, Kindlle hdx 8.9, Ipad mini 4. Air 2	I also have a 2012 Nexus that is sluggish, have rebooted and all that, but makes no difference. I was also disappointed that Google discontinued the Nexus 7. I wouldn't get the B&N Galaxy Tab 4 even if it's a 7 inch tablet. You might want to look at the Galaxy S 8.4 even if it's a bit bigger. I like the ipad mini size ( almost same as Galaxy S8.4 ) and it's comfortable & light, I thought I wouldn't like the larger screen size from the 7, but I found I liked it just as much. Just try some out at the store, and see if you would like a bit bigger size. Anything in the 7 inch size is getting harder to find. Either it's a Kindle 7 or a lesser quality screen. Since you don't want a Kindle 7 or Fire as they are called now, the choice is buy an old Nexus again or go up to an 8 or more inch screen. I am also looking at the Samsung Galaxy S 8.4 as an Android replacement tablet. I don't use my Nexus much anymore.

05-19-2015, 03:41 PM	#7
apesmom Wizard Posts: 2,535 Karma: 24702524 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Boox Nova Air, Galaxy Note 10	I wouldn't let the size of the GT S 8.4 put you off. While the display size is larger than the Nexus 7 the tablet itself isn't that much bigger. GT S 8.4 is 8.38" x 4.94" Nexus 7 is 7.87" x 4.49" So roughly a 1/2" wider and 1/2" taller than the Nexus (which has those ridiculous top and bottom bezels) GT S 8.4 is also 1 gm lighter than the Nexus. The price of the GT S just dropped this week, whether it's a brief sale or permanent drop remains to be seen (The S2 is supposed to come out next month). Regardless it can currently be had for $279 at Amazon or Newegg. I'm probably going to buy it. In my opinion it's the only option for replacing my N7 (2013) that has comparable pixel density, which for me is the key spec for a great reader. The Dell Venue 8 7000 series has a great display but the sharp edges make it uncomfortable to hold for long periods. The only other candidate would be iPad mini 2 (or 3) but I just can't make myself buy an Apple product.

05-19-2015, 07:12 PM	#12
diremommy Zealot Posts: 137 Karma: 14452 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Zenpad S 8, iPad mini 2	My Nexus still works very well, the battery life isn't what it used to be though. I'll probably just stick with it, and hunt around for bargains on the current model and grab one when I see one. I've never actually held an 8 inch tablet, I don't know if the size would be a deal breaker or not, but the Galaxy was the one that looked the best, other than what I have now. My daughter has a Fire 6 inch, and I hate the Kindle app, and from what I've seen, I can't get Moon+ on it, which is my preferred reading app. Not fond of the Silk browser, either.

05-19-2015, 10:20 PM	#14
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	You can also put the chrome browser on the fire HD 6. That tablet is a lot slower than the Nexus 7, though. And the battery life is not as good.

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