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Old 19-06-2016, 15:39
stephen122333
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I want to buy a new LARGE tablet, what do you guys recommend?

I have an iPhone and Apple watch (also the new tablet would be replacing an ipad2) but nearly £700 seems a lot, I am seeing a lots of large Windows and android tablets for less.

One big requirement that is a must (I am assuming its not really an issue, but can't be certain as I cant test the platforms), they must be 'compatible' with, NowTV, Netflix, AmazonMovies, all terrestrial catchup services.

Any suggestions, hints or tips will be gratefully received.
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Old 19-06-2016, 17:10
zz9
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Depends what you mean by "large".

Any Windows tablets will work with all those services since they are a full PC. And with expandable storage with a micro SD card you can easily download and keep a huge amount of content. I got a 128gb micro SD card from Amazon for £30.

So a 10 inch tablet wile the Linx 1010 will do the job for under £150. The Surface 3 is an inch bigger screenwise with higher resolution, but three times the price and the keyboard cover is extra while the Linx bundles it in.
The Venturer 11.6 inch tablet is £200.

Check the Linx out in a store. The resolution is "only" 1280 by 800 but play a HD video and it looks great. You can also plug any HDTV into it via its HDMI port and play 1080p video on the big screen. (Be careful reading the Amazon Q+A and reviews as Amazon for some bizarre reason include last years model, and the 8 inch model, under the same page, so any comment saying it only has a micro USB port is last years model.)

Edit: One downside of the Linx is the speakers are not that powerful.
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Old 19-06-2016, 18:11
stephen122333
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By large, I mean bigger the better. From the sizes I am seeing on Amazon and the size of an ipad Pro, I am looking at around the 12inch mark.
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Old 19-06-2016, 20:53
davies88
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I'm not an iPhone fan, but their iPad's are second to none, despite the higher price tags. Their displays and battery life are fantastic, and software quick and snappy.

It's a shame they can produce such good products like Macbooks and iPads, yet their iPhones are crap with battery life.

Although, Samsung's tablets are very good too.
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Old 20-06-2016, 10:28
IvanIV
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Windows tablet has an advantage that whatever runs on PC will run on the tablet, too. Surface 3 has a nice aspect ratio. The videos would be letterboxed, but still okay resolution wise, the screen is Full HD, but it will be less effectively because of the letterboxing. I think the aspect ratio is better for everything else though. I used various tablets, 16:9 is fine for videos, although films will still have letterbox bars, but everything else will suffer, IMO. Now I have Surface 3 Pro and I find it optimal for all tasks I need it for and letterboxed videos still use enough resolution. For this reason I'd recommend Surface 3, you can get one with Wi-Fi only relatively cheaply, for 4G you have to pay more.
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Old 20-06-2016, 15:54
Philip Wales
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@ZZ9 you must have all your Linx1010 posts saved to your tablet, I can't believe you re-type every time!!
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Old 20-06-2016, 19:11
stephen122333
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Thanks for the replies so far, 2 questions.

With the surface, what surfaces run which versions of windows? I thought some surfaces can only download software from the windows store (making is harder to get a virus???)

Is the Samsung View ( the18inch one) going a bit far, would that be to heavy to hold as a tablet/ in bed.
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Old 20-06-2016, 19:19
Stig
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Thanks for the replies so far, 2 questions.

With the surface, what surfaces run which versions of windows? I thought some surfaces can only download software from the windows store (making is harder to get a virus???)

Is the Samsung View ( the18inch one) going a bit far, would that be to heavy to hold as a tablet/ in bed.
The older Surface tablets run Windows RT. It's pretty much obselete now.
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Old 20-06-2016, 19:31
zz9
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Thanks for the replies so far, 2 questions.

With the surface, what surfaces run which versions of windows? I thought some surfaces can only download software from the windows store (making is harder to get a virus???)

Is the Samsung View ( the18inch one) going a bit far, would that be to heavy to hold as a tablet/ in bed.
Only the old Surface RT was limited to just apps. All the current machines run full Windows 10, exactly the same as any PC.
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Old 20-06-2016, 19:32
zz9
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@ZZ9 you must have all your Linx1010 posts saved to your tablet, I can't believe you re-type every time!!
That would save a lot of time....
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Old 20-06-2016, 19:32
Anika Hanson
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I'm not an iPhone fan, but their iPad's are second to none, despite the higher price tags. Their displays and battery life are fantastic, and software quick and snappy.

It's a shame they can produce such good products like Macbooks and iPads, yet their iPhones are crap with battery life.

Although, Samsung's tablets are very good too.
The iPhone 6S plus/6 plus has great battery life.
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Old 20-06-2016, 20:15
ney
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I would say although Windows is ok for as a PC or laptop. I have never been a fan of Windows when it comes to phones or tablets as Windows don't have all the apps that Android and IOS msy have.
I had a Nexus 7 for 2 years and did like it but it started to get minor problems after 18 months.
The Samasung tablets looks good from what I have seen of them.
I now have an IPad Mini 4. Got about 6 months ago and love t.
I would say don't got for the ones you sometimes see them selling on the likes of Ideal Word that only come with 8GB even f they giving you an 8GB SD card to go with it. I think you are better of getting a minimum of 16GB tablet in the first place.

Darrren
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Old 21-06-2016, 02:24
zz9
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I would say although Windows is ok for as a PC or laptop. I have never been a fan of Windows when it comes to phones or tablets as Windows don't have all the apps that Android and IOS msy have.

Darrren
Depends on what apps you want. The fact that Windows tablets can run all Windows programs more than makes up for the poor app store IMHO. Even Chrome which I use as my browser, which is not tablet optimized (obviously since Google would rather push Android) but works great. Even the swipe left and right for back/forward page navigation is easy. The menu buttons are small but perfectly useable in my experience.

And the apps it does have, such as Twitter, Facebook, ebay and so on have one cool trick. You can use them on your Windows 8 or 10 desktop PC. I keep Twitter open in the corner of one of my three PC monitors, far neater and easier than keeping a Chrome window or tab open for Twitter.
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Old 21-06-2016, 16:08
stephen122333
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How do you turn on/use the on screen keyboard?

I was having a play with a Linx windows 10 tablet, and I selected lots of text boxes and not one did a on screen keyboard appear?
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Old 21-06-2016, 18:57
IvanIV
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How do you turn on/use the on screen keyboard?

I was having a play with a Linx windows 10 tablet, and I selected lots of text boxes and not one did a on screen keyboard appear?
I think you have to be in Tablet mode for it to come up automatically. Otherwise you have to do it manually, there's a symbol for it on task bar on the right.
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Old 22-06-2016, 05:14
zz9
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How do you turn on/use the on screen keyboard?

I was having a play with a Linx windows 10 tablet, and I selected lots of text boxes and not one did a on screen keyboard appear?
Did it have the keyboard attached? Because then the osk won't pop up. Or was it in desktop mode?

There is a setting in Settings, Devices, Typing of 'Show touch keyboard when not in tablet mode and no keyboard attached' which you select On. Then it will pop up if you tap a text area in both tablet and desktop mode. Always works for me.

There is an issue with Chrome, since Google do not support Windows tablets (obviously, they'd prefer you bought an Android) and the osk not popping up. It's to do with the way chrome detects a keyboard. You change the shortcut destination to "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --disable-usb-keyboard-detect
Adding the bit after chrome.exe means it won't think there is a USB keyboard connected.
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Old 22-06-2016, 07:51
lettice
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Did it have the keyboard attached? Because then the osk won't pop up. Or was it in desktop mode?

There is a setting in Settings, Devices, Typing of 'Show touch keyboard when not in tablet mode and no keyboard attached' which you select On. Then it will pop up if you tap a text area in both tablet and desktop mode. Always works for me.

There is an issue with Chrome, since Google do not support Windows tablets (obviously, they'd prefer you bought an Android) and the osk not popping up. It's to do with the way chrome detects a keyboard. You change the shortcut destination to "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --disable-usb-keyboard-detect
Adding the bit after chrome.exe means it won't think there is a USB keyboard connected.
Agree sounds like the keyboard was attached.
Always run in desktop mode myself with my Linx 1010B.
But often use without the linx physical keyboard attached. Do not use Chrome, but that Google Chrome issue is seen on many Windows tablet devices, not just the Linx, but easily fixed as you say.
You can have the touch keyboard icon permanently sit in the taskbar, so can easily bring up with one touch for use with one of those 'few' programs that do not recognise it.
A good windows 10 help site that takes you through many of the touch keyboard options is http://bit.ly/28OaEYz
The MS supplied touch keyboard is very configurable and works very well on the Linx, but there are others like the free virtual keyboard http://freevirtualkeyboard.com/
Also, you can always at anytime say 'Hey Cortana open keyboard'
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Old 22-06-2016, 10:09
grassmarket
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I've got an IpadPro and use a Surface at work. I wouldn't recommend the Surface to my worst enemy, frankly. It's basically just a clunky PC. Awkward shape and weight. The keyboard is awful. The touchscreen is also awkward because the default screen resolution is tiny, so it's difficult to be accurate. Really, you should only use it if you absolutely require full Windows compatibility.

The IpadPro is identical to every other Ipad, just bigger. Battery life is maybe a bit shorter than a standard model. The main application I use on it is my comics reader, for which it is absolutely perfect, just the right size.
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Old 22-06-2016, 11:12
lettice
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I've got an IpadPro and use a Surface at work. I wouldn't recommend the Surface to my worst enemy, frankly. It's basically just a clunky PC. Awkward shape and weight. The keyboard is awful. The touchscreen is also awkward because the default screen resolution is tiny, so it's difficult to be accurate. Really, you should only use it if you absolutely require full Windows compatibility.

The IpadPro is identical to every other Ipad, just bigger. Battery life is maybe a bit shorter than a standard model. The main application I use on it is my comics reader, for which it is absolutely perfect, just the right size.
The iPad pro is good, but you would expect that and I think the OP was looking at the 12 inch £799 version of that rather than the standard 9.7. Have both, the 9.7 is still my preferred, the 12 being bigger does not really offer any advantage to me, but then that's probably using the iPad2 for many years now and similar Android 10.1 inch tablets, and also using smaller windows tablets like the Linx, you just get used to that size.

Do agree though as above, the surface is not great, it is very awkward to use. Tried many variants since its launch many years ago and never got on with it.
We often try them out on our travels and the later ones have not changed my view there. There are many others out there from other manufacturers with a similar form factor that do a better job and are more reasonably priced.

Another tablet I've used occasionally is the Lenovo Yoga Pro,perhaps worth considering.
But the one I've really liked is the Google Pixel C, (much like the Nexus devices, it will get those Android updates first, if you care about that) its probably a good match spec/speedwise for the iPad pro, but at a lower cost.

The Samsung Galaxy View is one to go and play with and will then make your mind up not to buy as its very heavy and the screen res is pretty poor. Would not want to be carrying that around the house let alone on your travels.
I think this guy's review sums it up very well https://youtu.be/O67ouHsq3oo
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Old 22-06-2016, 13:06
kidspud
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I've got an IpadPro and use a Surface at work. I wouldn't recommend the Surface to my worst enemy, frankly. It's basically just a clunky PC. Awkward shape and weight. The keyboard is awful. The touchscreen is also awkward because the default screen resolution is tiny, so it's difficult to be accurate. Really, you should only use it if you absolutely require full Windows compatibility.

The IpadPro is identical to every other Ipad, just bigger. Battery life is maybe a bit shorter than a standard model. The main application I use on it is my comics reader, for which it is absolutely perfect, just the right size.
I have a surface pro 3 and an ipad air2 and I agree with you.

I think the surface pro has an identity crisis. As a laptop it is underpowered and as a tablet it is too heavy, eats battery too fast (if you try and do anything remotely intensive), does not have a good selection of apps (which would probably help with the battery usage) and requires a full size power supply to be carried around. However, the kick stand is excellent.

Next time I will just get a better dedicated laptop for the money and stick to using the ipad as my portable device.
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Old 22-06-2016, 13:22
TheSloth
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I'd advocate going into a shop and man-handling a few. Why so big? The 9.7" Samsung S2 is a lovely tablet with a superb display for example and the 10.2" Pixel C from Google has its merits too.
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Old 22-06-2016, 14:17
jcm193
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I bought an Asus Chromebook flip form curry's yesterday primarily because its the first Chromebook to officially support android apps,not the highest spec but ok for £249

https://www.asus.com/uk/Commercial-N...k_Flip_C100PA/
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Old 22-06-2016, 16:28
stephen122333
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There wasn't any keyboard attached, unfortunately I didn't have a chance to go back into Currys and try what has been suggested.

I want a large tablet, as it won't ever leave the house, and I intend to consume large amounts of media, so feel bigger is better.

I have considered a chromebook, but not sure if the added functionality is anything I would use. I'm ne question about chromebooks and android tablets how easy is it is to use a flash website on them (only a small detail as the booking system used at work is flash website, and it would be handy to be able to view the bookings but by no means a need, but could help decided.
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Old 22-06-2016, 17:38
zz9
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There wasn't any keyboard attached, unfortunately I didn't have a chance to go back into Currys and try what has been suggested.
Sounds like the keyboard is not switched on in settings. Can't remember what the default was.
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Old 23-06-2016, 08:53
Millie1366
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Would I be allowed to join in here or should I start a new thread? I will if you think my question should be a standalone as I do not want to take away from the original posted question.

My scenario have my laptop, have my new Microsoft Lumia Phone - but - now think an 'iPad' would be a nice addition. I do not understand the technology. BUT - thought it could be useful to carry around house to search on the web, check emails and - possibly use my Microsoft Office 365 subscription.

So is there a reasonable priced iPad that I would enjoy? (£-200?) I have my 'office' upstairs and several times have carried laptop downstairs and sat at dining table.

I will not type anymore in case I need to start a new thread or be directed to another thread. Thank you
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