Hi there,
Which are the best affordable tablets at the moment and what are the main features to check for?
Thanks
Which are the best affordable tablets at the moment and what are the main features to check for?
Thanks
Best affordable tablet suggestions
As a follow up to my message above, would you say the beginners guide to tablets below covers the main features to check for when looking for an affordable tablet?
http://www.toptabletsearch.co.uk/tab...ers-guide.html
Does anyone have any good affordable tablet suggestions?
Thanks.
http://www.toptabletsearch.co.uk/tab...ers-guide.html
Does anyone have any good affordable tablet suggestions?
Thanks.
In the windows tablet range :-
Linx tablets are good value, with an excellent support forum, with guides, drivers, recovery images etc.
www.linxtablet.com
This is run by enthusiasts not connected to Linx in any way and, so, is ad supported to cover their costs.
The new Linx 1010 is really good with 2GB and 2 full size usb ports, and an optional keyboard.
Beware of cheap chinese imports - one glitch and you are often left with an expensive paperweight.
The only other models really worth considering are the HP stream range and Dell tablets.
Linx tablets are good value, with an excellent support forum, with guides, drivers, recovery images etc.
www.linxtablet.com
This is run by enthusiasts not connected to Linx in any way and, so, is ad supported to cover their costs.
The new Linx 1010 is really good with 2GB and 2 full size usb ports, and an optional keyboard.
Beware of cheap chinese imports - one glitch and you are often left with an expensive paperweight.
The only other models really worth considering are the HP stream range and Dell tablets.
Originally Posted by oilman:
“In the windows tablet range :-
Linx tablets are good value, with an excellent support forum, with guides, drivers, recovery images etc.
www.linxtablet.com
This is run by enthusiasts not connected to Linx in any way and, so, is ad supported to cover their costs.
The new Linx 1010 is really good with 2GB and 2 full size usb ports, and an optional keyboard.
Beware of cheap chinese imports - one glitch and you are often left with an expensive paperweight.
The only other models really worth considering are the HP stream range and Dell tablets.”
“In the windows tablet range :-
Linx tablets are good value, with an excellent support forum, with guides, drivers, recovery images etc.
www.linxtablet.com
This is run by enthusiasts not connected to Linx in any way and, so, is ad supported to cover their costs.
The new Linx 1010 is really good with 2GB and 2 full size usb ports, and an optional keyboard.
Beware of cheap chinese imports - one glitch and you are often left with an expensive paperweight.
The only other models really worth considering are the HP stream range and Dell tablets.”
Thanks for the reply - will check into Linx tablets and the Linx 1010 in more detail.
Originally Posted by M_C2:
“Thanks for the reply - will check into Linx tablets and the Linx 1010 in more detail.”
“Thanks for the reply - will check into Linx tablets and the Linx 1010 in more detail.”
I've got the Linx 1010. Amazon are doing it for £130 including the keyboard. Stores like Currys PC World sell the tablet but you send off for the free keyboard.
The keyboard is very good, but very heavy, heavier than the tablet itself in fact because it has to counterbalance the tablet to stop it tipping over. But most people will probably leave the keyboard on a desk and just use the tablet on the sofa or when travelling so it's not a big deal. YMMV.
The OS is Windows 10, exactly like your home PC so all the controls, settings etc are familiar, assuming you run a Windows PC of course. In fact if you enter your Microsoft ID during setup (you don't have to) it will boot up with your wallpaper, Onedrive files, app store ID etc already in place. You can easily add a micro SD card so storage for lots of music, movies, photos etc will not be a problem. And if it gets smashed, as can happen to tablets, you can just take out the SD card and have all your files safe and sound. Being Windows you can install any Windows programs you want, so I use Chrome as my browser instead of Edge since I like extensions like adblock, ZenMate proxy, video downloaders etc. Performance is great, I wouldn't recommend it for 4K video editing or playing the latest top end video game but it runs everything I want perfectly. You can play two different full HD movies side by side in different video players if you want. You can also plug in your HDTV or a monitor and run it as a dual monitor PC, something the iPad Pro can't even do. It comes with mobile app versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Onenote, but you can of course install the full desktop versions if you want the full features. I'm not into games but you can plug in a USB X-Box controller and play games if you want.
It has a 'desktop' mode and a 'tablet' mode. In tablet mode it uses the big finger friendly Metro menu and controls. I never bother with that and find the desktop controls fine even when using my fingers to work it. Again YMMV.
You can set up separate user accounts for your family, so the kids can use it without being able to mess up your settings or read your emails etc. Battery life is great and it feels solid and well made, though it's a 'rubberised' matt texture rather then a shiny body.
Downsides? The stereo speakers are both on the right hand reverse as you look at it in widescreen, so they're stereo in portrait mode, which makes no sense to me, but they sound okay. The keyboard is heavy as mentioned but if you want to do some serious work then it's as good as a laptop keyboard. The Windows app store is nowhere as big as the Apple or Android app market, but there are still plenty of apps to do what you want, like apps to download and save Youtube videos that are better than the official YT app on my Android phone. You can only play them if you have a network, so if you're on a plane you can't watch videos! Metro apps like PrimeTube download and save videos you can play any time. And of course you can install any Windows PC program.
Originally Posted by zz9:
“I've got the Linx 1010. Amazon are doing it for £130 including the keyboard. Stores like Currys PC World sell the tablet but you send off for the free keyboard.
The keyboard is very good, but very heavy, heavier than the tablet itself in fact because it has to counterbalance the tablet to stop it tipping over. But most people will probably leave the keyboard on a desk and just use the tablet on the sofa or when travelling so it's not a big deal. YMMV.”
“I've got the Linx 1010. Amazon are doing it for £130 including the keyboard. Stores like Currys PC World sell the tablet but you send off for the free keyboard.
The keyboard is very good, but very heavy, heavier than the tablet itself in fact because it has to counterbalance the tablet to stop it tipping over. But most people will probably leave the keyboard on a desk and just use the tablet on the sofa or when travelling so it's not a big deal. YMMV.”
Just a small point, but the tablet weighs 600g and the keyboard 560g (weighed on my household scales).
so it's slightly lighter that the tablet.
I agree with most of what you say. The Linx 1010 makes an excellent touchscreen netbook, and a tablet when needed. And if you want all the features of Windows then this is a brilliant device. Especially for the price.
But if you're purely wanting a tablet for sofa surfing etc, then I think Android still does it better.
As an example on an Android tablet everything is automatically scaled to work fullscreen regardless of the resolution of the screen, whereas in Windows you'd have to mess around with settings to achieve that, even in 'tablet' mode.
How large a screen do you want?
I've just bought a 7" tablet from Argos - £60; a Lenovo and naturally was worried that because of the price I was buying a load of garbage. But read the reviews and apart from pictures on the screen being "OK" rather than stupendous they were very good reviews.
So I bought it, and I am very pleased with it!! So if you want something that's good, cheap and you can manage with 7" screen I can only recommend it.
I've just bought a 7" tablet from Argos - £60; a Lenovo and naturally was worried that because of the price I was buying a load of garbage. But read the reviews and apart from pictures on the screen being "OK" rather than stupendous they were very good reviews.
So I bought it, and I am very pleased with it!! So if you want something that's good, cheap and you can manage with 7" screen I can only recommend it.
Thanks for the detailed replies, having a micro sd card option on a tablet could be a useful feature, and the Linx 1010 does seem to have a lot to offer.
Will also check out the Lenovo range of Android tablets.
Thanks again.
Will also check out the Lenovo range of Android tablets.
Thanks again.
I think the recent sale of Kindle Fire 7 at £35 was the best basement bargain of all.
With a little bit of (safe) effort, you can install google playstore, and if you are prepared to take a bit of a risk by rooting tablet, you turn it into (pretty much) a full fledged Android tablet.
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2121055
For a low end spec, it is surprisingly snappy, and screen quality is not too bad for the price. Even the full price version is quite good value, but more marginal of course.
With a little bit of (safe) effort, you can install google playstore, and if you are prepared to take a bit of a risk by rooting tablet, you turn it into (pretty much) a full fledged Android tablet.
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2121055
For a low end spec, it is surprisingly snappy, and screen quality is not too bad for the price. Even the full price version is quite good value, but more marginal of course.
Originally Posted by zz9:
“I've got the Linx 1010. Amazon are doing it for £130 including the keyboard. Stores like Currys PC World sell the tablet but you send off for the free keyboard.
The keyboard is very good, but very heavy, heavier than the tablet itself in fact because it has to counterbalance the tablet to stop it tipping over. But most people will probably leave the keyboard on a desk and just use the tablet on the sofa or when travelling so it's not a big deal. YMMV.
The OS is Windows 10, exactly like your home PC so all the controls, settings etc are familiar, assuming you run a Windows PC of course. In fact if you enter your Microsoft ID during setup (you don't have to) it will boot up with your wallpaper, Onedrive files, app store ID etc already in place. You can easily add a micro SD card so storage for lots of music, movies, photos etc will not be a problem. And if it gets smashed, as can happen to tablets, you can just take out the SD card and have all your files safe and sound. Being Windows you can install any Windows programs you want, so I use Chrome as my browser instead of Edge since I like extensions like adblock, ZenMate proxy, video downloaders etc. Performance is great, I wouldn't recommend it for 4K video editing or playing the latest top end video game but it runs everything I want perfectly. You can play two different full HD movies side by side in different video players if you want. You can also plug in your HDTV or a monitor and run it as a dual monitor PC, something the iPad Pro can't even do. It comes with mobile app versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Onenote, but you can of course install the full desktop versions if you want the full features. I'm not into games but you can plug in a USB X-Box controller and play games if you want.
It has a 'desktop' mode and a 'tablet' mode. In tablet mode it uses the big finger friendly Metro menu and controls. I never bother with that and find the desktop controls fine even when using my fingers to work it. Again YMMV.
You can set up separate user accounts for your family, so the kids can use it without being able to mess up your settings or read your emails etc. Battery life is great and it feels solid and well made, though it's a 'rubberised' matt texture rather then a shiny body.
Downsides? The stereo speakers are both on the right hand reverse as you look at it in widescreen, so they're stereo in portrait mode, which makes no sense to me, but they sound okay. The keyboard is heavy as mentioned but if you want to do some serious work then it's as good as a laptop keyboard. The Windows app store is nowhere as big as the Apple or Android app market, but there are still plenty of apps to do what you want, like apps to download and save Youtube videos that are better than the official YT app on my Android phone. You can only play them if you have a network, so if you're on a plane you can't watch videos! Metro apps like PrimeTube download and save videos you can play any time. And of course you can install any Windows PC program.”
“I've got the Linx 1010. Amazon are doing it for £130 including the keyboard. Stores like Currys PC World sell the tablet but you send off for the free keyboard.
The keyboard is very good, but very heavy, heavier than the tablet itself in fact because it has to counterbalance the tablet to stop it tipping over. But most people will probably leave the keyboard on a desk and just use the tablet on the sofa or when travelling so it's not a big deal. YMMV.
The OS is Windows 10, exactly like your home PC so all the controls, settings etc are familiar, assuming you run a Windows PC of course. In fact if you enter your Microsoft ID during setup (you don't have to) it will boot up with your wallpaper, Onedrive files, app store ID etc already in place. You can easily add a micro SD card so storage for lots of music, movies, photos etc will not be a problem. And if it gets smashed, as can happen to tablets, you can just take out the SD card and have all your files safe and sound. Being Windows you can install any Windows programs you want, so I use Chrome as my browser instead of Edge since I like extensions like adblock, ZenMate proxy, video downloaders etc. Performance is great, I wouldn't recommend it for 4K video editing or playing the latest top end video game but it runs everything I want perfectly. You can play two different full HD movies side by side in different video players if you want. You can also plug in your HDTV or a monitor and run it as a dual monitor PC, something the iPad Pro can't even do. It comes with mobile app versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Onenote, but you can of course install the full desktop versions if you want the full features. I'm not into games but you can plug in a USB X-Box controller and play games if you want.
It has a 'desktop' mode and a 'tablet' mode. In tablet mode it uses the big finger friendly Metro menu and controls. I never bother with that and find the desktop controls fine even when using my fingers to work it. Again YMMV.
You can set up separate user accounts for your family, so the kids can use it without being able to mess up your settings or read your emails etc. Battery life is great and it feels solid and well made, though it's a 'rubberised' matt texture rather then a shiny body.
Downsides? The stereo speakers are both on the right hand reverse as you look at it in widescreen, so they're stereo in portrait mode, which makes no sense to me, but they sound okay. The keyboard is heavy as mentioned but if you want to do some serious work then it's as good as a laptop keyboard. The Windows app store is nowhere as big as the Apple or Android app market, but there are still plenty of apps to do what you want, like apps to download and save Youtube videos that are better than the official YT app on my Android phone. You can only play them if you have a network, so if you're on a plane you can't watch videos! Metro apps like PrimeTube download and save videos you can play any time. And of course you can install any Windows PC program.”
Have they solved the charging problem that bugged the Linx 10?
I had one for about 2 months, I used it as my diary, but also to continuously play music while I was working. The music player had a good compressor on it, which made it sound really sweet but also was fairly processor intensive, and while the Linx could cope with that no problem, It used to drain the battery in about 3 hours. The problem is, I would plug it in continuously and the charging was so slow that the battery would still die after 5 hours, and it would need 30 minutes charge before it would start again, meaning I couldnt access my diary at all late in the afternoon, a totally stupid state of affairs. I eventually gave the tablet to my brother because of this problem. Other than that, it was good.
Originally Posted by Superwomble:
“Have they solved the charging problem that bugged the Linx 10?
I had one for about 2 months, I used it as my diary, but also to continuously play music while I was working. The music player had a good compressor on it, which made it sound really sweet but also was fairly processor intensive, and while the Linx could cope with that no problem, It used to drain the battery in about 3 hours. The problem is, I would plug it in continuously and the charging was so slow that the battery would still die after 5 hours, and it would need 30 minutes charge before it would start again, meaning I couldnt access my diary at all late in the afternoon, a totally stupid state of affairs. I eventually gave the tablet to my brother because of this problem. Other than that, it was good.”
“Have they solved the charging problem that bugged the Linx 10?
I had one for about 2 months, I used it as my diary, but also to continuously play music while I was working. The music player had a good compressor on it, which made it sound really sweet but also was fairly processor intensive, and while the Linx could cope with that no problem, It used to drain the battery in about 3 hours. The problem is, I would plug it in continuously and the charging was so slow that the battery would still die after 5 hours, and it would need 30 minutes charge before it would start again, meaning I couldnt access my diary at all late in the afternoon, a totally stupid state of affairs. I eventually gave the tablet to my brother because of this problem. Other than that, it was good.”
I used mine out and about, and at home rarely when plugged in, so never noticed that. The 1010 charges via standard micro USB rather than a propitiatory charger but both mains adaptors supplied say 5V 2A output so it might be the same. The 1010 does seem to be louder than the 10 but the speakers are placed oddly.
Originally Posted by zz9:
“I used mine out and about, and at home rarely when plugged in, so never noticed that. The 1010 charges via standard micro USB rather than a propitiatory charger but both mains adaptors supplied say 5V 2A output so it might be the same. The 1010 does seem to be louder than the 10 but the speakers are placed oddly.”
“I used mine out and about, and at home rarely when plugged in, so never noticed that. The 1010 charges via standard micro USB rather than a propitiatory charger but both mains adaptors supplied say 5V 2A output so it might be the same. The 1010 does seem to be louder than the 10 but the speakers are placed oddly.”
One big advantage of the 1010 is that the charging port is now separate to the usb ports now ie you can use the usb ports while charging.
Originally Posted by oilman:
“One big advantage of the 1010 is that the charging port is now separate to the usb ports now ie you can use the usb ports while charging.”
“One big advantage of the 1010 is that the charging port is now separate to the usb ports now ie you can use the usb ports while charging.”
They were separate on the old 10 as well. It had a micro USB port but it charged through a round pin charger. The 1010 is much better in that it has three USB ports, two full size and a micro for charging or data.
At the risk of stating the obvious, if you don't need it for Christmas Day you would be well advised to wait another week before buying anything techie right now.
Originally Posted by oilman:
“I think the recent sale of Kindle Fire 7 at £35 was the best basement bargain of all...
For a low end spec, it is surprisingly snappy, and screen quality is not too bad for the price. Even the full price version is quite good value, but more marginal of course.”
“I think the recent sale of Kindle Fire 7 at £35 was the best basement bargain of all...
For a low end spec, it is surprisingly snappy, and screen quality is not too bad for the price. Even the full price version is quite good value, but more marginal of course.”
Got one of these for the missus for Christmas and have to say it's rather surprised me. I didn't have a great expectation of it - my own similarly specced Nexus 7 from 2012 is OK but a little laggy round the gills. I thought this would be much the same. To my surprise it is indeed pretty nippy as people have said, and I would consider one for myself as a Nexus replacement.
I also expected to have to mess about a bit with it to make it usable (install Google Play, maybe even have to root it etc) but that hasn't been the case either. The app store certainly isn't as big as Google's but it does cover many bases ably. The only thing I would like to see personally would be Firefox, but the Silk browser seems to be doing OK so far, and there's always Dolphin.
Certainly a very impressive little tablet, cheap or not imho.
Originally Posted by MrSuper:
“Google Nexus 7 2013 with latest OS. Absolute bargain!”
“Google Nexus 7 2013 with latest OS. Absolute bargain!”
The Google Nexus 7 2013 maybe an absolute bargain and can be updated to the latest version of Android and although I do like the Nexus 7 as I have the 2012 model they want a tablet that will last them a good few years.
I have had the Nexus 7 2012 model just over 3 years now and in the last few months its started to play up a little and become a little sluggish once in a while.
Also you get far more apps on the Google play store than you do on the Windows app store
Darren
Originally Posted by MrSuper:
“Google Nexus 7 2013 with latest OS. Absolute bargain!”
“Google Nexus 7 2013 with latest OS. Absolute bargain!”
I'd definitely recommend buying one second hand if you can find one. I have the LTE variant, which is even better!
I remember when the 2013 model came out that there didn't appear to be THAT many compelling reasons to upgrade. Boy was I wrong though, as the Nexus 7 2012 was always sluggish on account of the storage issues, and made worse with every new update.
Who wanted a tablet that became near unusable if you filled the storage? The N7 2013 never had those problems, and was a lot faster.
Indeed, Snapdragon 600 (even if they did market it as S4 Pro) is still ample for most uses today. It benchmarks well, and with Android M is lovely and fluid with be added benefit of Doze to boost standby. I find it faster than my wife's Samsung Tab S. Sure, that has a gorgeous screen in comparison but it's so laggy.
