Recommend a Tablet with These Features, Please?

cheekiecheapo on 26/10/2024 - 10:07

I want an android tablet I can use for the following things:

  • Use as reading device for mostly reading books on the bus. I will use the Kindle app, but I will mostly use certain book apps which only have content within the app (O'Reilly books) for instance.

  • I can use for taking some written and drawing picture notes in meetings using an electronic pencil.

I'm sure all the usual tablet stuff like browsing and YouTube or the odd simple game will be fine on modern tablets.

Due to me needing glasses for reading, I suspect a larger tablet like 8-10" is probably better than a smaller one. I won't need a keyboard but some cover/protection would be nice as it will in my bag a lot of the time.

Also I'm happy to pay a little extra for lower weight and for better battery consumption.

Any suggestions would be most welcome.

General Discussion

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  • kiwical on 28/10/2024 - 18:29
    +3

    Funny how your mind works sometimes. I came here looking for a debate on Panadol vs Nurofen.

    • 1ys23 on 30/10/2024 - 13:33

      Ain't no way ahahhahaha xD

    • cheekiecheapo on 31/10/2024 - 08:16

      Well as a cheapie you should be looking for Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. :-)

      PS The one you're looking for is Dextroamphetamine (Adderall)

  • ChonkySausage on 26/10/2024 - 12:00
    +1

    Any particular budget in mind? If you do require proper stylus functionality, I would recommend going with Samsung Galaxy Tab series, which seem to be the only options in NZ that come with the stylus (S-Pen) in the box (and some even come with a keyboard case included).

    If you're looking on the cheaper side, something like the S6 Lite 2024 (~$420) or the S9 FE (~$650) would do, and they both meet your size requirements. Cases for both of these are readily available online as well.

    Otherwise, I'm not too versed on the options from overseas/Aliexpress/etc. I personally use a S7 FE (a couple generations older than the S9 FE), which has served me fine for uni note taking and content streaming. High-end gaming performance isn't the best but perfectly find for casual gaming, and the battery lasts me ~4-5 days of medium usage.

    Hope this helps :)

    • cheekiecheapo on 27/10/2024 - 07:29

      Hi, yes it does help. Thank you, I went to pbtech and chose an S6 Lite 2024. This was a great combination of size and functionality.

      • mcaekey on 17/09/2025 - 08:22

        How has it been? I am looking at getting one too. Same use case, reading.

        • cheekiecheapo on 18/09/2025 - 07:30
          +1

          Positives:

          • great performance
          • light (and I got the official flap case/cover)
          • pen works brilliantly
          • ok for videos and reading
          • I can turn the brightness up to read on the bus
          • has ability to split the screen to have two apps up, which is nice
          • Galaxy Notes is a great app for writing on the tablet, mostly (see below), I also use Miro so it's mostly great for me.

          Negative:

          • no fingerprint scan, so have to use passwords on some apps I use all the time, but I which need to be kept secure (like my password manager grrrr)
          • Face recognition didn't work if recorded without glasses, and I wore glasses when unlocking, or vice versa
          • Galaxy Notes does have horizontal AND vertical scroll. You can either have a page that scrolls left to right or up and down, but not both - such a stupid limitation. This might not be a problem on large (s9) devices, but on my s6 it's a notable annoyance.
          • Galaxy Notes is not available on non-Samsung devices, so having the notes on my phone became a pain. I've literally moved to a new Samsung phone this week, so that problem is gone (thank goodness)

          Honestly, if you're writing a lot, I'd still think an iPad is going to be better, but if you're doing mostly reading and some writing (like me), then it's a great tablet, and I'd buy another (though larger) one if I were doing it again.

  • cheekiecheapo on 02/11/2024 - 09:58
    +1

    An update since I bought the s6 lite last week. It's brilliant. I had to watch a few you tube tutorials, but the Spen is really really functional in miro. But over the top of that, the Samsung notes app is really good. The writing with Spen is very easy. One feature I've used a lot is being able to write a note without having to unlock the tablet. You just bring the Spen near the screen and tap, and start writing. It's weird at first but I'm getting more used to using it.

  • Everettpsycho on 26/10/2024 - 15:26

    Beyond samsung s series the only MSN brand I've heard of often is the lenovo p series, with the p11 and it's pen being $350 at the moment. I think you'd be OK with that but the samsung offering will likely get much better support, lenovo arent exactly known fkr keeping their devkces up to date.

    • cheekiecheapo on 27/10/2024 - 07:30

      Yeah I was thinking about updates too, so I opted for an S6 tab Lite 2024.

      Thank you for you advice.

  • alice12358 on 26/10/2024 - 16:03

    Have you thought of something like this?
    https://www.rubbermonkey.co.nz/Boox-Tab-Mini-C-7-8-E-Ink-Tab…
    Seems like it would be much better for your two main uses (though likely much worse for youtube and browsing). I have the bigger version of the boox and it is a great multipurpose ereader as it has the play store, and good for note taking too

    • cheekiecheapo on 27/10/2024 - 07:33

      Thank you. I did consider an e-reader but decided that it's not worth that cost and the extra versatility of a normal tablet at this point.

  • kiwijunglist on 27/10/2024 - 11:49

    Have an a9+ and s9fe tablet.

    The a9+ is horribly slow.

    Happy with the s9fe.

    • shhuuu0328 on 29/10/2024 - 05:07

      Did you get the 128GB, 8GB A9+?

      • Fox419 on 29/10/2024 - 17:07
        +1

        I have the 128GB, 8GB A9+ version and love it!
        Just in case anyone is searching for tablet information in the future.
        Waves to future people.
        Congrats OP with finding your S6 Lite, I hope it is amazing for you :)

        • shhuuu0328 on 29/10/2024 - 17:14

          Hi Sorry to bother you. I just want to know some feedback before I purchase.

          How is the battery life?

          Do you use a stylus? If so which one.

          Thank you!

          • Fox419 on 29/10/2024 - 17:43
            +1

            @shhuuu0328: Battery life is good for my purposes.
            I get 6hours+ on screen time just with web and youtube, however I have battery protection mode, so I don't charge more than 80% and have the screen at 60hz and all the other low power settings on.

            Don't get the Samsung A series if you want to use a stylus, you will have get the S series or go for another brand.
            Samsung limit the features on the A series and stylus support is one of them.

            For budget end of Samsung that support the stylus, you are looking at:
            tab S6 Lite
            tab S9FE
            tab S7FE
            tab S7 etc etc

            • shhuuu0328 on 29/10/2024 - 19:12

              @Fox419: Right, makes sense regarding the stylus usage.

              Then my choice is now either S9FE or iPad 10th generation…

              Thank you!

      • kiwijunglist on 29/10/2024 - 06:31

        Wanted mobile sim version so had to get the smaller ram version. Even on reboot with nothing running you can feel the slowness.

  • cheekiecheapo on 27/10/2024 - 21:16

    Thanks. I got an s6lite

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