[darkjedimaster]

Hi all,

I currently own a Ainol Aurora II 7" tablet which has a dual core processor & decided that it is high time that I upgraded to a 10" tablet. Now whilst I would like to keep to a low price, say max of £300, I am willing to get second hand if need be, I know from experience that cheaper isn't always better. I am happy with a dual core processor so don't really intend of splashing out for something like a quad core Nexus.

I have been looking at various reviews & am stuck between the Samsung Tab 2 and the original Asus Transformer TF101 as both of them have a dual core operating system. As far as operating systems are concerned, I would prefer something that has ICS for flash compatibility without the need of installing flash via flashing the device on the likes of Jelly Bean.

I am not too bothered about camera capabilities, the main use of the tablet would be for browsing, playing flash games, watching video in various formats & watching streaming video from various sites (Flash & HTML5), to me this is essential as I would like to watch football matches if on a long train journey or if my partner is using the main television for the dreaded soaps. Even tho I subscribe to Sky, I know that Sky Go isn't currently supported on any 10" Android tablet & even when it is supported, it will probably only run on the most expensive branded devices.

Part of me is interested in getting the Samsung Tab 2, as I already own a Galaxy S3 & a Samsung Led television (not smart but is DLNA compatible). Whilst the other part of me has always been interested in the Transformer pad for the keyboard dock. As I have gotten use to both the touch screen & usb keyboard on my current tablet, the use of a keyboard would be essential on whatever 10" I decide to buy.

Is there anyone here who can advise me on which 10" tablet would be good to buy ?.

Many Thanks

[ishAppy]

A nexus 10

[clonmult]

Originally Posted by ishAppy

A nexus 10

I believe this is whats known as "the right answer".

[ishAppy]

Originally Posted by clonmult

I believe this is whats known as "the right answer".

Lol, thanks

[darkjedimaster]

I must admit that I am tempted by the nexus 10", but can it stream flash videos of say football matches that are not on sky out of the box, without installing flash in a certain way.

[paulbrock]

I think the only tablet that will run flash out of the box in the Blackberry playbook.

Its really not hard installing Flash on android though. You don't need a screwdriver or anything.

[darkjedimaster]

Originally Posted by paulbrock

I think the only tablet that will run flash out of the box in the Blackberry playbook.

Its really not hard installing Flash on android though. You don't need a screwdriver or anything.

Lol yes I know you don't need a screwdriver, I am a newbie to the Android Os & have only recently started doing things that involves things like flashing through clockwork mod. I am not to worried about doing them things, but would prefer it if the tablet came with flash on, which doesn't look to happen if I get a tablet which has Jellybean on. Nothing that a trip to XDA & Youtube won't sort out.

I was looking at the Nexus and sadly it is way out of my price range, also I am disappointed that it looks like none of the Nexus devices are equipped for the possibility of expandable memory. So it looks as tho I have to go back to the drawing board as the Nexus 10 is way out of my price range.

So now I have the choice of the Asus Transformer series (Pad / Prime) T300)& the Samsung Galaxy Series (Tab 2 / Note 10.1). There is a second hand shop near me that does all these for under £300 with 12 months warranty. Of course if there is another make within a maximum price of £300, then I am all ears, but it must have the following.

10" Screen.

Flash Support & HTML5 support for streaming sports sites & other videos.

Expandable memory

DLNA for streaming to TV

Keyboard support via dock / mini usb / Bluetooth. As stated in the opening post, the use of a keyboard is essential to me, as I have gotten used to it on my 7" tablet & do love the best of both worlds.

Decent battery for streaming video & especially if it is connected to a Bluetooth keyboard.

Yeah yeah I know, I don't want much.

[biggebruv]

Type all them tablets into youtube and look at alot of video reviews there very helpfull

Imo no one tablet will do everything you want they all have features that the other wont have you have to choose which one you can drop and be happy with to drop otherwise if you want all fetures your probly looking at the more expensive tablets

I went with samsung tab2 10 in the end

It had expandable memory
10 screen
I can use flash after installing but its not that smooth it works but you cannot go forward backwards in some videos sometimes when Full screening it can go off the odd time

Tv out it not available on my tab2 but i was not really bothered about that

[Function]

If its of interest to the OP Argos Outlet are selling refurbished Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 for £200 with a 12 month warranty.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAMSUNG-GA...item51a7b85de0

[darkjedimaster]

Originally Posted by biggebruv

Type all them tablets into youtube and look at alot of video reviews there very helpfull

Imo no one tablet will do everything you want they all have features that the other wont have you have to choose which one you can drop and be happy with to drop otherwise if you want all fetures your probly looking at the more expensive tablets

I went with samsung tab2 10 in the end

It had expandable memory
10 screen
I can use flash after installing but its not that smooth it works but you cannot go forward backwards in some videos sometimes when Full screening it can go off the odd time

Tv out it not available on my tab2 but i was not really bothered about that

Thank you very much for the useful information on using flash with the device. I know I cannot mention the actual sites on here that I want to view the video on, but all I can say is that they stream football matches that are not on Sky. Other than that, the only videos I would want to view are YouTube & ones that are on my memory card.

As for the tv out feature, I am not too bothered if it hasn't got a HDMI port as I know that the Tab 2 comes with the Allshare play facility which is compatible with my Samsung TV.

Originally Posted by Function

If its of interest to the OP Argos Outlet are selling refurbished Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 for £200 with a 12 month warranty.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SAMSUNG-GA...item51a7b85de0

Wow thank you so much for this, I must admit that I had never thought of the Argos outlet.

[biggebruv]

Its why i went with the tab 2 10 i got a 2 year warrenty and 50 cashback so far im really happy with it

Its also updateable which means you can update to the new android sofware jellybean if you buy it and it has ice cream on it

[Stilian]

I would choose between Galaxy Tab 2 and the Nexus 10 with just a slight advantage for the Nexus as it is the newer device.

[nathanbrazil]

FWIW, I have two very nearly 10" tablets, and can offer the following:

Sony Tablet S (Android)

Looks good, and unique shape makes it easy to hold Unlikely to slip out of your hand. Android is incredibly easy to use and oh so very configurable. Thousands off apps, many free, and just as good in terms of functionality as anything Apple has to offer. Great machine for reading e-books, displaying photos, playing games. Screen nice and sharp, machine nippy in use. Absolute crap for built-in remote control, and Sony's product support is abysmal. Because of that, I will never buy another Sony computing product.

iPad 4

Beautiful design, slippery in the hand so best used with a case. Elegant in use, and Retina screen is all its said to be and more. Better than non-Retina for viewing pretty much anything. Fast in use and although app store is a mess it does contain around 275,000 apps, lots of them free. One I bought cost me a couple of quid and has solved a long running problem of remote controlling/ streaming from a NAS drive to my Home Cinema. The downside, is that it's expensive, and Apple wants every little thing done their way. Nowhere near as configurable as Android, but on the other hand, most native IOS apps are actually very good.

Out of the two, the iPad is the superior machine, but then it should be on price alone. Before buying it I looked at the nearest Android equivalent, the Nexus 10, and found that although the screen was an equal, it let itself down in other ways. Check out the reviews on line to see what I mean.

[c4rv]

I've got a Transformer TF101 and used plenty of other 10" tablets and can say there is very little to beat it. The dock is really what sets it apart, its a keyboard, extra battery (up to 15 hours usage between charges), two full sized USB (including external HDD support), a stand and a hard protective cover all in one.

[ishAppy]

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

Out of the two, the iPad is the superior machine, but then it should be on price alone. Before buying it I looked at the nearest Android equivalent, the Nexus 10, and found that although the screen was an equal, it let itself down in other ways. Check out the reviews on line to see what I mean.

What let down are you talking about? Nexus 10 is far superior to the iPad. Its even got multiple users which is great for families.

[Gormond]

Originally Posted by ishAppy

What let down are you talking about? Nexus 10 is far superior to the iPad. Its even got multiple users which is great for families.

The iPad still has a much bigger collection of games, something I hope will change over time.

[grassmarket]

Another vote for the Asus, very solid construction, very practical with USB inputs and HDMI outputs, and great battery life in both docked and undocked modes.

[darkjedimaster]

Originally Posted by nathanbrazil

FWIW, I have two very nearly 10" tablets, and can offer the following:

Sony Tablet S (Android)

Looks good, and unique shape makes it easy to hold Unlikely to slip out of your hand. Android is incredibly easy to use and oh so very configurable. Thousands off apps, many free, and just as good in terms of functionality as anything Apple has to offer. Great machine for reading e-books, displaying photos, playing games. Screen nice and sharp, machine nippy in use. Absolute crap for built-in remote control, and Sony's product support is abysmal. Because of that, I will never buy another Sony computing product.

iPad 4

Beautiful design, slippery in the hand so best used with a case. Elegant in use, and Retina screen is all its said to be and more. Better than non-Retina for viewing pretty much anything. Fast in use and although app store is a mess it does contain around 275,000 apps, lots of them free. One I bought cost me a couple of quid and has solved a long running problem of remote controlling/ streaming from a NAS drive to my Home Cinema. The downside, is that it's expensive, and Apple wants every little thing done their way. Nowhere near as configurable as Android, but on the other hand, most native IOS apps are actually very good.

Out of the two, the iPad is the superior machine, but then it should be on price alone. Before buying it I looked at the nearest Android equivalent, the Nexus 10, and found that although the screen was an equal, it let itself down in other ways. Check out the reviews on line to see what I mean.

Thank you for your detailed reviews, but the only way I would touch another Apple device is if it were Jailbroken & allowed me to install the apps & games that were not available on Itunes. I am anti apple due to the amount of restrictions they put on their devices.

[clonmult]

Originally Posted by darkjedimaster

Thank you for your detailed reviews, but the only way I would touch another Apple device is if it were Jailbroken & allowed me to install the apps & games that were not available on Itunes. I am anti apple due to the amount of restrictions they put on their devices.

The normal reason for jailbreaking an iDevice is to remove some of the restrictions - themes, multi tasking.

However jailbreaking an iDevice for apps & games not available on iTunes is primarily for the purposes of piracy; I did jailbreak an old iPod Touch and spent a little time browsing the Cydia store - some good stuff, but nowhere near the range thats available on the Apple App store.

And of course if you're so inclined, there are jailbreak options out there ....

[Nessun Dorma]

I have just bought an Asus TF300T. It gives me the best of both worlds, a netbook when I need it and a tablet when I don't. The battery life is incredible. When the tablet's battery runs out (about eight to nine hours depending on how heavy I am with its use), I just dock it and the keypad's battery charges the tablet.

I must admit, when it comes to tech stuff, I am a bit useless, but this seems to be quite easy to use.

£349 from John Lewis; can't go wrong.

[DotNetWill]

Originally Posted by darkjedimaster

Thank you for your detailed reviews, but the only way I would touch another Apple device is if it were Jailbroken & allowed me to install the apps & games that were not available on Itunes. I am anti apple due to the amount of restrictions they put on their devices.

Aside from not being able to load apps from untrusted sources, something that is a good thing IMO for non techies, what other restrictions put you off?

[whoever,hey]

Originally Posted by DotNetWill

Aside from not being able to load apps from untrusted sources, something that is a good thing IMO for non techies, what other restrictions put you off?

Using my phone as a usb mem stick is a biggy for me.

[DotNetWill]

Originally Posted by whoever,hey

Using my phone as a usb mem stick is a biggy for me.

Interesting, I haven't wanted to use a USB pen for anything other than playing things on my SmartTV since I came across DropBox.

Do you do a lot on other peoples PCs?

[whoever,hey]

Originally Posted by DotNetWill

Interesting, I haven't wanted to use a USB pen for anything other than playing things on my SmartTV since I came across DropBox.

Do you do a lot on other peoples PCs?

Its handy for moving GBs of data when its say not work related. Sometimes just the thing to play on a SmartTV Especially TV series.

[wakey]

Originally Posted by darkjedimaster

Thank you for your detailed reviews, but the only way I would touch another Apple device is if it were Jailbroken & allowed me to install the apps & games that were not available on Itunes. I am anti apple due to the amount of restrictions they put on their devices.

The thing is its the restrictions that actually make Apples iOS devices such a pleasure to use. You are in a closed hardware environmental with the OS not needing to be as bloated with support for such a wide range of hardware which then means there is less to go wrong and less to cause slowdown. You also don't have hardware makers then trying to push the OS to its limits or even extending it themselves to get a advantage over others making hardware on that platform which again aids in stability.

Finally you don't then have app developers doing their own thing, they have strict guidelines of what they can do and how to do them which once again aids in stability. It also adds security to users as there are things developers can't access and there is a level of checks in place to limit developers getting malicious code onto peoples devices.

Yes the openness of Android can be useful but most users simply don't need the openness of android. And most people who either Jailbreak their iOS device or choose an Android one for the open nature don't need and even take advantage of it.

For most people (even most people who label themselves techies) the only reason to possible discount an iOS device as an option should be the price. And the Price is unlikely to change as there isn't that much wiggle room in the iOS devices price (iPad especially) and Apple has never been a company that is willing to sell at loss to get a market share or skimp on the styling elements just to make it cheaper (2 Things that the likes of Amazon, Google and other tablet makers are doing to get a market share)