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Ok, so I did pick up a Tab S3 and I'll give it a try for a few days to see if it's worth keeping over the Tab S2. The fact that I've gone to "try it out" rather than automatically returning the S2 8.0 tells you what you need to know about the experience. The long and the short of it is UI smoothness is not what the should be on a $500 SD820 device. On the flip side, dat display! The S2 8.0 is the same resolution, but the smaller size display is using a pentile arrangement whereas the 9.7 displays are not. So, they are sharper despite being larger. That's only part of the story though as the Tab S3 supports HDR. Watching Amazon content in HDR on this tablet is such a leap. I already own an HDR capable OLED TV, so getting that same level of quality on a tablet is very nice. So, not an easy choice.
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Jun 6, 2017 15:36
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Huh; booted up my Tab 8.0 S2 tonight for the first time in a while and hey, the Nougat update is available! Upgrading now, going to be very happy to have these features if they all work properly.
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Jun 7, 2017 05:41
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smr posted:Huh; booted up my Tab 8.0 S2 tonight for the first time in a while and hey, the Nougat update is available! Upgrading now, going to be very happy to have these features if they all work properly. How about that. I just checked a few days ago and it wasn't out for the SD652 one yet. Good timing. Now I can compare nougat on the S3 and the S2 before I make my decision on which to keep.
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Jun 7, 2017 05:50
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I bought one of the new Fire tablets and it should be arriving today. I understand it runs a special Amazon OS and so is not a "real" Android tablet but is it pretty close? I've only owned an iPad before so I'm not really familiar with the Android environment.
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Jun 7, 2017 16:23
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My Twitter Account posted:I bought one of the new Fire tablets and it should be arriving today. I understand it runs a special Amazon OS and so is not a "real" Android tablet but is it pretty close? I've only owned an iPad before so I'm not really familiar with the Android environment. No, it isn't at all close to a normal Android tablet. Look into adding the Google Playstore, which I believe is easy, and into switching the launcher (like the springboard on iOS) to something like Nova Launcher, which I'm not sure is easy or not.
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Jun 7, 2017 16:34
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I have a spare Chuwi Hi8 that has a dual-boot Android 4.4 and windows 8 https://techtablets.com/chuwi-hi8/ This is kind of an odd use, but I would like to use it as an always-on monitor for an IP security camera. While keeping the camera feed on it seems to lose power at about 10% per hour while plugged in. Screen at minimum brightness. Its plugged into an ipad charger (10W, 2.1A). Is it just a weak-rear end charging circuit in the tablet? Is this too much to ask of this tablet to display a camera feed over wifi without slowly dying?
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Jun 9, 2017 22:48
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jeff8472 posted:Its plugged into an ipad charger (10W, 2.1A). Is it just a weak-rear end charging circuit in the tablet? Is this too much to ask of this tablet to display a camera feed over wifi without slowly dying? If it doesn't accept more than 500 mA over USB (which is common in older devices) then it doesn't matter what charger you use and yeah it'll probably slowly die while plugged in. Star War Sex Parrot fucked around with this message at 22:54 on Jun 9, 2017 |
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Jun 9, 2017 22:51
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Yeah, its a couple years old. I tried an app called Ampere which reports charging anywhere from 200-400mA. Just not enough juice to keep screen and wifi going. It will charge with the screen on and the tablet basically idle. Wifi all the time kills the battery
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Jun 9, 2017 23:09
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jeff8472 posted:Yeah, its a couple years old. I tried an app called Ampere which reports charging anywhere from 200-400mA. Just not enough juice to keep screen and wifi going. It will charge with the screen on and the tablet basically idle. Wifi all the time kills the battery I have an old Nexus 10 that had a battery that could not keep a charge at all. Replaced it and it was super awesome feeling after that. Try the app accubattery. It's neat in the way it figures out capacity after watching you charge it a handful of times. It also has a notification pop up saying you hit 80% or something so you can disconnect it.
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Jun 9, 2017 23:15
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Weirdly it will actually charge very slowly while streaming the camera view under windows 8. So problem solved. I had assumed android would be better than win8 for power management. Thanks for the input guys
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Jun 10, 2017 04:27
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Is there anything I can do to breathe a last bit of performance into a Nexus 7 2013? All I can really think of it a factory reset and minimal app installation.
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Jun 21, 2017 00:44
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Hughmoris posted:Is there anything I can do to breathe a last bit of performance into a Nexus 7 2013? All I can really think of it a factory reset and minimal app installation. What are you trying to do with it? I'm still clinging to mine for lack of a suitable replacement, and it's still reasonable for what browsing and gaming I do on it. About the only major chugging I get is on certain other message boards when a thread gets a few thousand comments on one page.
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Jun 22, 2017 14:49
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Well I sold my Samsung A7. That took what, not even one page's worth of posts? Actually I didn't "sell" it, but rather returned it to OfficeMax during my lunch break. It was a few days past their return period but they still took it so hey. So even though I enjoyed the 7 inch form factor a lot, the problem is that I just never use my tablets. Its lower resolution and slightly laggy browsing experience sealed the deal when the rep told me I could get a complete refund if I took the item back (vs selling it on ebay for $80 or less). It was fun to play with but between my note 4, gaming PC, work laptop, 3DS, and PS4, it was getting absolutely no use. Sure I could have used it to read books or watch netflix (as I had intended) but every single one of the other devices I listed already does Netflix, and reading on my phone is surprisingly alright vs having a dedicated device just for reading. I think I'll snag a spare battery or two and a battery charger for my Note 4. It's the best android tablet I've ever owned simply by virtue of it fitting in my pocket and working identically to every tablet I have ever bought, except it's faster and has a stylus. Who knows though, I might buy a GPD XD for fun because the idea of a 3DS that runs android is ridiculously appealing. That's my story thanks for listening! Android tablets are dead for a reason
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Jun 22, 2017 22:38
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Sounds a lot like the Lenovo tablet that's in my backpack (and has been, untouched, for the past two months.) At least it was only $80.
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Jun 22, 2017 22:52
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delfin posted:What are you trying to do with it? I'm still clinging to mine for lack of a suitable replacement, and it's still reasonable for what browsing and gaming I do on it. About the only major chugging I get is on certain other message boards when a thread gets a few thousand comments on one page. Netflix and web mostly. Web browsing can be noticeably slow at this point that's not unexpected on a 4 year old tablet.
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Jun 23, 2017 00:20
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Protocol7 posted:Sounds a lot like the Lenovo tablet that's in my backpack (and has been, untouched, for the past two months.) Yeah if I had literally no other device, sure it would do the trick for general use. As-is it just had no niche to fill, web browsing in particular should not have been so sluggish Related to Hughmoris's point but even 2 year old tablets have poo poo performance on current modern websites these days compared to a 5-6 year old computer, slow internet browsers is something I haven't had to endure in over a decade and it's just too much of a compromise
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Jun 23, 2017 01:10
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KingSlime posted:Yeah if I had literally no other device, sure it would do the trick for general use. Also touch browsing is so much worse than trackpad browsing that I can't imagine choosing to use a tablet when my MacBook's right there. When I had an Android tablet the only thing it ever got used for was playing games and that's rare for me. Now we've got an iPad Mini in the house and it hasn't been turned on in a year or more. I get the feeling that the novelty has pretty much worn off for tablets and with the exception of my parents everyone would rather use a phone or a laptop.
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Jun 23, 2017 05:20
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LastInLine posted:Also touch browsing is so much worse than trackpad browsing that I can't imagine choosing to use a tablet when my MacBook's right there. When I had an Android tablet the only thing it ever got used for was playing games and that's rare for me. Now we've got an iPad Mini in the house and it hasn't been turned on in a year or more. The ~6" phablets pretty much killed off most of the mainstream appeal for tablets, and the latter isn't really that cheaper either when comparing apples-to-apples in HW specs.
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Jun 23, 2017 05:38
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The future for tablets IMO will be replacing laptops. I don't think we're ready to get away from the PC entirely.
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Jun 23, 2017 05:45
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Virtue posted:The future for tablets IMO will be replacing laptops. I don't think we're ready to get away from the PC entirely. Nah that battle has already happened and the laptop won. Tablets appeal was stuff like quiet operation, quick wake up, long battery life, light weight and laptops have got much better in all those areas.
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Jun 23, 2017 07:07
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dissss posted:Nah that battle has already happened and the laptop won. I wouldn't say that while the Surface Pro is out there.
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Jun 23, 2017 07:37
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So is the Surface Laptop now. Anyway I know of a few places that have gone from Surface Pros (and the HP and Lenovo clones) back to proper laptops - most of the time the traditional laptop form factor just works better.
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Jun 23, 2017 10:13
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It's a shame since I quite like my Nvidia Shield. It's a great size for travelling with and covers all my browsing/email needs. I've got a slightly beefier laptop with a decent keyboard for when I have to travel and need to do actual work that is just way too big and heavy unless I definitely need to write reports or proposals or something. Even larger form tablets aren't really what I want and phablets are both too big for phone usage and too small to be comfortable using for extended periods. Maybe I'll get a K1 before they stop making them and just hold onto that. I'd say part of the reason for the decline has also been the increasing availability for mobile apps or mobile designed sites. The extra screen real estate of a tablet isn't as necessary for comfortable web browsing anymore.
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Jun 23, 2017 11:37
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I like my tablet for bedside Netflix watching/browsing but (a) I don't have a laptop and (b) I could easily transition to using my phone for that if/when my tablet breathes its last. I'm thinking if/when I replace it, it's more likely to be with one of those Android-capable Chromebooks if there are any that aren't terrible at that point than with another tablet.
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Jun 23, 2017 11:52
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Palladium posted:The ~6" phablets pretty much killed off most of the mainstream appeal for tablets, and the latter isn't really that cheaper either when comparing apples-to-apples in HW specs. Yeah absolutely. Watching things, even reading a web page could be quite a bit annoying on the old 3.5 inch diagonal phone displays. 5-6 inches displays work a whole lot nicer for that. MikeJF posted:I wouldn't say that while the Surface Pro is out there. You mean that thing most people use with a keyboard and mouse or the "keyboard case" with a touchpad?
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Jun 23, 2017 14:35
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fishmech posted:You mean that thing most people use with a keyboard and mouse or the "keyboard case" with a touchpad? I find most people back and forth, which is entirely the point.
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Jun 23, 2017 15:11
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Really? I'm not sure I've ever seen one being used without the keyboard. It would be interesting to see some actual data on the usage.
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Jun 23, 2017 16:08
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Yeah, I've been a surface pro 3 owner for 3 years and just got the new Surface Pro and I'm constantly changing between modes. If I'm just couch browsing I typically flip the keyboard under it to form a triangle which is very natural. If I'm reading something more long form, I collapse the kickstand and either fold the keyboard behind or remove it altogether. The device was less useful on Windows 8, but since the Win 10 update, it works more naturally. SP3 had some battery life and performance concerns, but the Surface Pro has been solid as hell in the past week. It's still an expensive toy though unless you use it as a main computer (and it's completely powerful enough to do so.)
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Jun 23, 2017 16:13
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this is anecdotal but years ago I exclusively used my 2 in 1 asus t100 as a laptop when in public or at work, but definitely resorted to tablet mode when chilling at my apt by my lonesome it was convenient and pretty neat, I'm willing to wager a lot of surface owners do use the tablet mode often enough given that it's one of the more elegant options In general though laptops have become so compact and incredible lately, kinda feeling like it makes more sense to save up and buy a quality portable computer instead of toying around with tablets (though the surface certainly hits both marks on this, they are nice little gadgets)
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Jun 23, 2017 16:17
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Hughmoris posted:Netflix and web mostly. Web browsing can be noticeably slow at this point that's not unexpected on a 4 year old tablet. I did a factory reset about a year ago, and only installed like 6 non system apps, and that's about the best performance you'll be able to get. I only ever have like 2 tabs open in chrome at a time, and modern stuff can still choke it up a bit. It's still usually give, but it is definitely still a 4 year old device. The biggest drawback at this point is no quick charging at all.
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Jun 24, 2017 21:36
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Lenovo Tab 4 can now be pre-ordered from Amazon & Newegg. Maybe the 8+ & 10+ will be out by the end of summer?
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Jun 24, 2017 23:09
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Kheldarn posted:Lenovo Tab 4 can now be pre-ordered from Amazon & Newegg. Maybe the 8+ & 10+ will be out by the end of summer? I actually purchased a Lenovo tab a210 for my mother a couple weeks ago for $159. I probably say it's on par with those current tablets but with the full HD IPS screen it's a much better buy in my opinion.
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Jun 25, 2017 03:55
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I don't own a laptop (because of tablets) since 2012 when I got a Transformer TF201 wich was cool with the keyboard. Now I have a little bluetooth keoboard for my N7 2013 when I'm going to be a few days away from my desktop. The only situation I see right now to buy a laptop again is if I get deployed somewhere so I can play PC games. At home, I own a decent desktop, a ps4, a xbox360 my P9 and N7 2013 and I love my tablet for couch surfing or even watch netflix while my wife watches tv. I've seen these lenovo tablets with that proyector thing and they look really cool but considering that Nokia is back at the smartphone market with stock Android and fast updates, who knows if they try to make new tablets too (I know about the N1 but wasn't great).
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Jun 25, 2017 22:41
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Is Google completely out of the tablet game? I love my Pixel XL so much, and was thinking of dumping my Samsung Tab that moves at a snail's pace for their next tablet, but it looks like there's nothing on the agenda. Which is fine, I'm also considering a Surface Pro, but just curious.
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Jun 26, 2017 05:39
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Medullah posted:Is Google completely out of the tablet game? I love my Pixel XL so much, and was thinking of dumping my Samsung Tab that moves at a snail's pace for their next tablet, but it looks like there's nothing on the agenda. Since Google has the attention span of an ADHD 4 year old even when they were making them, I guess not.
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Jun 26, 2017 12:13
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This is so Google.quote:there's a bug in the pin and pattern security locks on the Pixel C that the Google team has deemed "high priority" but that hasn't been fixed since January 2016. That's almost a year and a half, if you're counting.
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Jun 27, 2017 19:09
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Tablets are dead to Google. Until they aren't again. I think the pendulum is far from swinging in that direction yet though.
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Jun 27, 2017 19:29
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I would still buy a Pixel C if it was closer to $200.
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Jun 27, 2017 19:51
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JayKay posted:I would still buy a Pixel C if it was closer to $200. That still requires Google to care enough about tablets to run a sale.
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Jun 27, 2017 23:02
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Further proof that 2:1 Chromebooks are where it's at. https://chromeunboxed.com/new-chromebook-eve-gets-double-tap-function-like-the-pixel/ 'Kevin' is barely released (Samsung Chromebook Plus/Pro) and Google is already working on a new flagship 'Eve' that seems to have some sort of double tap functionally and a fingerprint sensor.
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Jun 27, 2017 23:16
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