Good Android tablet ~350$?

[Ampera]

My nVidia Shield Tab has lasted me well for years, but it's less than stellar build quality is starting to take it's toll, so I am wondering if there are any good Android tablet suggestions out there for around the same price.

I would be looking for something like an 8-9 inch screen size, Qualcomm processor would be nice, but I just generally want something fast, with a good screen and speakers for watching YouTube and the like.

I have no clue what options are out there, and I do feel like a bit of a clod posting a load of specs here, but I don't have many other ideas.
 
Other good things would be stuff like 802.11ac networking, GPS, an option without a WAN modem, and USB-C.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[ez24]

Have you tried Amazon?  In your price range I would guess you are in the Samsung range.  My normal range is $100-$150 for a 10 inch.  Another place to look is B&H Photo, they have a better search ability  (they are on Easter vacation this week).  For many reasons, I try B&H first.

[retiredcaps]

The only thing I can add is that you look for a tablet that has 3rd party ROM support.  After the original manufacturer stops updating the tablet, it would be nice if lineageos or unlegacy android had support for your tablet.  That way, you will get the latest android security patches monthly.

I buy used tablets to get good value and I only buy ones that have 3rd party support.

[Ampera]

The only thing I can add is that you look for a tablet that has 3rd party ROM support.  After the original manufacturer stops updating the tablet, it would be nice if lineageos or unlegacy android had support for your tablet.  That way, you will get the latest android security patches monthly.

I buy used tablets to get good value and I only buy ones that have 3rd party support.

That would be a plus, but not a specific requirement. I'm honestly sick of waiting for nVidia to maybe or maybe not come out with a new tablet.

[Mr. Scram]

Might an iPad be an option too? I certainly don't want to start a brand war here and if it's not for you that's perfectly fine, but it does still seem to be the standard when it comes to tablets. The software update situation is as good as it gets, the new $329 dollar model is more that sufficient for most tasks and the build quality is fair. I can imagine there being practical or personal reasons for not wanting to look at Apple or iOS products, though.

[Ampera]

My issue with iOS devices is their unacceptable restrictions on applications you are allowed to run, often throw away build quality in some aspects, terrible customer service horror stories, excessive application sandboxing, lack (might have changed) of a visible file system, as well as the need to buy into all of Apple's exclusive services over my Google services, including things like peripherals.

It just doesn't mix with me as a person at all. I like buying computers I have full, or near full control over out of the box. I will admit, Apple hardware is impressive on paper, but it mixed with me like napalm on human flesh.

[Mr. Scram]

My issue with iOS devices is their unacceptable restrictions on applications you are allowed to run, often throw away build quality in some aspects, terrible customer service horror stories, excessive application sandboxing, lack (might have changed) of a visible file system, as well as the need to buy into all of Apple's exclusive services over my Google services, including things like peripherals.

It just doesn't mix with me as a person at all. I like buying computers I have full, or near full control over out of the box. I will admit, Apple hardware is impressive on paper, but it mixed with me like napalm on human flesh.

None of those are entirely unfair assessments. If I'm honest I think both parties leave a lot of room for improvement in fairly profound ways. I don't really agree with the business practices of either. There unfortunately don't seem to be many alternatives, though. Those that do exist seem to be moving in the same direction.

[Ampera]

https://www.asus.com/us/Tablets/ASUS-ZenPad-3S-10-Z500M/

This does seem to support Qualcomm's Quick Charge, so that's good.

The only concern I really have is the speaker position, but this all seems like a great combination. Any thoughts?

[Mr. Scram]

https://www.asus.com/us/Tablets/ASUS-ZenPad-3S-10-Z500M/

This does seem to support Qualcomm's Quick Charge, so that's good.

The only concern I really have is the speaker position, but this all seems like a great combination. Any thoughts?

It would be good to check how the Asus software support tends to be.

[Kevman]

Google is dropping tablet support from Android.

That said, I don't think that will stop companies from releasing new tablets or people from releasing updates.

I love my Galaxy Tab S, which I bought the day they went on sale. There's a Galaxy Tab S3 now, so perhaps take a look at that?

I just upgraded my Tab S to Nougat LineageOS, and Oreo seems to be in alpha.

[Ampera]

Google is dropping tablet support from Android.

Source?

[Halcyon]

Might an iPad be an option too? I certainly don't want to start a brand war here and if it's not for you that's perfectly fine, but it does still seem to be the standard when it comes to tablets. The software update situation is as good as it gets, the new $329 dollar model is more that sufficient for most tasks and the build quality is fair. I can imagine there being practical or personal reasons for not wanting to look at Apple or iOS products, though.

Allow me to rebut. Apple hasn't held majority tablet market share since early-to-mid 2013, since then they've been hovering around 25% market share (give or take, depending on the region). These days, Samsung and Amazon hold about 15% of the market share each, with the rest going to other brands. Collectively, Android-based tablets hold over 60% of the user market.

With respect to software updates, I think Apple have proven several times over that while they are quick to release updates, they aren't always in the user's favour or best interest. Poor battery life, reduced performance and loss of data are the most common complaints.

As for Apple's build, sure the quality is fine, I can't argue with that, it's just they are horrendously put together. These days, pretty much everything is held together with glue and double-sided tape (Apple aren't the only culprits) and their use of different sized security screws make the thing near impossible to take apart and put back together without specialised tools and comprehensive notes about which screw belongs where. This might not be an issue or consideration for most users, but it speaks volumes about Apple's corporate attitude towards its customers, which in my personal opinion is "It's our way, not your way".

If you ask me, you'll see a steady rise in Linux-based tablets (as well as desktop/laptop computing devices) in the future as users continue to drop products developed by the likes of Apple and Microsoft.

[Ampera]

Well, the ASUS tablet I was looking at seemed pretty good, but the thing I HATE about it is the speaker placement. What moron decided that sideways speakers was a good idea for something that I would imagine most people would use for horizontal media consumption.

I think I'd either need a solution to the speaker problem (like a case that plugs into the headphone jack and has better front facing speakers) or another tablet with a better speaker arrangement. Any ideas?

[Ampera]

Thoughts on this tablet: https://www3.lenovo.com/us/en/tablets/android-tablets/yoga-tab-3-series/Lenovo-Yoga-Tab-3-Plus/p/ZZITZTBYT3L

It seems to fit my needs exactly, with all of my wants and requests, at the price range required.

[ebastler]

Google is dropping tablet support from Android.

Source?

Probably a misrepresentation of this:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/03/google-ends-major-os-support-for-the-nexus-phones-and-pixel-tablet/,
which is also on all the other tech news sites.

They are dropping support specifically for their own Pixel tablet, which is a 2015 product. (And are also dropping support for various older phones at the same time.)

[Mr. Scram]

Allow me to rebut. Apple hasn't held majority tablet market share since early-to-mid 2013, since then they've been hovering around 25% market share (give or take, depending on the region). These days, Samsung and Amazon hold about 15% of the market share each, with the rest going to other brands. Collectively, Android-based tablets hold over 60% of the user market.

With respect to software updates, I think Apple have proven several times over that while they are quick to release updates, they aren't always in the user's favour or best interest. Poor battery life, reduced performance and loss of data are the most common complaints.

As for Apple's build, sure the quality is fine, I can't argue with that, it's just they are horrendously put together. These days, pretty much everything is held together with glue and double-sided tape (Apple aren't the only culprits) and their use of different sized security screws make the thing near impossible to take apart and put back together without specialised tools and comprehensive notes about which screw belongs where. This might not be an issue or consideration for most users, but it speaks volumes about Apple's corporate attitude towards its customers, which in my personal opinion is "It's our way, not your way".

If you ask me, you'll see a steady rise in Linux-based tablets (as well as desktop/laptop computing devices) in the future as users continue to drop products developed by the likes of Apple and Microsoft.

"Rebut" sounds an awful lot like we're opponents arguing different sides. I want to make sure everyone understands we're not. I just want to make sure OP has weighed all the viable options before making a decision. When discussing a good choice for tablet computers it's hard not to mention the iPad. It's well within budget and regardless of the whens and hows, it's a product that's consistently held over 25% of the market. It'd be doing OP a disservice not to at least mention it as an option. Depending on your preferences it may be a good choice, or not for you.

I don't think people will drop Apple and Microsoft products. As it stands, they offer something different and therefore service another slice of the market. Android is king in the budget market and that comes with advantages and drawbacks. I think Google made a huge mistake dropping the Nexus tablet line. Android tablets could use a real champion that challenges the iPads and maybe even Surface tablets. There currently isn't a really interesting model that everyone wants to have.

[Ampera]

Actually, in the consumer market, Microsoft may very well be on their way out. They missed the train with the current mass-market trend of smart devices, and with personal computers on the decline for your average Joe, and the average power user more likely to leave Microsoft for Linux if they pull more of their shit, I believe it's entirely possible that Windows will go under. Maybe not entirely, and maybe not all at once, but Microsoft has proven they are too thick in the head to take on any new market, with their most successful venture as of recent being dedicated video game consoles (Which are just shitty PCs in a plastic box).

Apple devices never even crossed the possibility list. There are too many things wrong with them and too many things they can't do. It's, to my knowledge, completely incompatible with my current media streaming system which requires a device with a visible file system and a compatible SMB (3?) client.

That Lenovo tablet is probably going to be what I pick up in about a month when I have money for such things, unless something better comes across. It hits all the dots, with the only tiny tiny ever so minor nitpicks I have include not having an HDMI out, not having a Quantum Dot or OLED screeen (IPS is still entirely fine, so this is just a tiny nitpick) and not having a completely modern snapdragon (The one in there is powerful enough for anything I could throw at it anyways). GPS would also be nice, but it may or may not have it.

[BillB]

I've always liked Asus products, but the last tablet I got from them had a common touchscreen defect that still wasn't corrected after they "repaired" it.  Nobody likes to send in something that is only a month old for repair.  I don't know that I would get another Asus again.

Lenovo seems to have good quality products for the cost.  My wife's large company deploys Lenovo products to their thousands of employees, and all the interactions I've had with their equipment have been favorable.  It sounds like for your application, that Lenovo Yoga might be a good choice.

As far as Microsoft/Apple/Google goes, Microsoft is destined to become this decade's IBM.  They've lost the platform wars and will turn into an enterprise/services company.  Windows on enterprise servers will be around for a while, but certainly has taken a backseat given their latest management re-org.  Apple will have the top end tablet market for consumption users for the foreseeable future, but the lower tiers are going to be Android all the way. 

[Ampera]

Linux, by far, has probably the most market share in the server/enterprise market. It is the most ubiquitous operating system in the world, with the Linux kernel running on about 40% of general purpose machines. (StatCounter according to what devices hit websites the most, may or may not be accurate).

I think Windows is not going away too fast, but their general consumer days are over, and their only customers are people who do PC gaming, certain power users, and whoever is still running Windows Server (Which could be a respectable number of people, but nobody in history has ever said the NT kernel is lightweight compared to Unix-based kernels).

[Mr. Scram]

Actually, in the consumer market, Microsoft may very well be on their way out. They missed the train with the current mass-market trend of smart devices, and with personal computers on the decline for your average Joe, and the average power user more likely to leave Microsoft for Linux if they pull more of their shit, I believe it's entirely possible that Windows will go under. Maybe not entirely, and maybe not all at once, but Microsoft has proven they are too thick in the head to take on any new market, with their most successful venture as of recent being dedicated video game consoles (Which are just shitty PCs in a plastic box).

Apple devices never even crossed the possibility list. There are too many things wrong with them and too many things they can't do. It's, to my knowledge, completely incompatible with my current media streaming system which requires a device with a visible file system and a compatible SMB (3?) client.

That Lenovo tablet is probably going to be what I pick up in about a month when I have money for such things, unless something better comes across. It hits all the dots, with the only tiny tiny ever so minor nitpicks I have include not having an HDMI out, not having a Quantum Dot or OLED screeen (IPS is still entirely fine, so this is just a tiny nitpick) and not having a completely modern snapdragon (The one in there is powerful enough for anything I could throw at it anyways). GPS would also be nice, but it may or may not have it.

Microsoft is actually doing better than it has done in years thanks to Azure. That's the reason they're converting from Windows as a product to SaaS. I think the relatively new Surface line of products is also doing fairly well and it sounds like full blown Windows versions for ARM are around the corner. I might not like the "everything online and accounts for everything" trend, but Microsoft is doing an admirable job converting their old company structure into a new one. It's amazing how it's remained one of the constants for decades in such a volatile market. I vehemently disagree with some of the choices, but I understand they're in the money making business before anything else.

SMBv3 on an iPad isn't a problem. I hooked an iPad into a share just the other day, including the capability to stream local video and audio files from your own sources over your own network to the iPad. You can browse and open the files on the share or have them synchronised to the iPad, or save from the iPad to the share if you want. It's obviously not the right choice for you, but it's possible and works.

[BillB]

Microsoft is actually doing better than it has done in years thanks to Azure. That's the reason they're converting from Windows as a product to SaaS. I think the relatively new Surface line of products is also doing fairly well and it sounds like full blown Windows versions for ARM are around the corner. ...

True, though given their history, I can't see how they are going to be nothing but an also-ran in the cloud wars.  I'll admit, it certainly seems like they are putting a lot of effort into the Azure ecosystem, they're still playing catch-up.  Compare this to Amazon scooping up FreeRTOS and integrating IOT seemlessly into the AWS stack, while Microsoft foundered with Embedded to IoT Core.  I was a Microsoft fanboy for a long time, but sadly, they'll never be a leader again.

Regarding the Arm, and as speaking as one of the 4 people on the planet who own's a WindowsRT tablet, I think that ship has probably sailed as well.

[Mr. Scram]

True, though given their history, I can't see how they are going to be nothing but an also-ran in the cloud wars.  I'll admit, it certainly seems like they are putting a lot of effort into the Azure ecosystem, they're still playing catch-up.  Compare this to Amazon scooping up FreeRTOS and integrating IOT seemlessly into the AWS stack, while Microsoft foundered with Embedded to IoT Core.  I was a Microsoft fanboy for a long time, but sadly, they'll never be a leader again.

Regarding the Arm, and as speaking as one of the 4 people on the planet who own's a WindowsRT tablet, I think that ship has probably sailed as well.

No, RT is very dead. The successor seems to be ARM capable Windows, but proper Windows. I see that happening a lot sooner than a device limited to the Store, as it's leveraging the massive ecosystem already out there. I gather it's also supposed to succeed Windows Phone in a two birds with one stone move. Microsoft may not have a knack for getting it right the first time, but they do have the resources to throw endless initiatives at the wall to see what sticks.

While Linux is king in regards to servers, the vast majority of companies have Microsoft run and managed domains. They're currently hooking that into Azure, with a fair amount of success. That market won't change any time soon, as there doesn't even seem to be an aspiring contender. They're loyal and very well paying customers.

IoT I don't know. Could we just not?

[Ampera]

I believe that Windows on ARM, for the moment at least, is quite dead, especially on mobile devices. (Their best attempt, Windows Phone, had 0 software support, and then died)

Sure, Microsoft will continue on, and I didn't say they didn't have anything good going for them, (I did forget about Azure, so forget what I said about the xbox being their most recent successful venture), but I am saying in terms of the general, public joe consumer market, their days are over.

[Mr. Scram]

I believe that Windows on ARM, for the moment at least, is quite dead, especially on mobile devices. (Their best attempt, Windows Phone, had 0 software support, and then died)

Sure, Microsoft will continue on, and I didn't say they didn't have anything good going for them, (I did forget about Azure, so forget what I said about the xbox being their most recent successful venture), but I am saying in terms of the general, public joe consumer market, their days are over.

I gather you guys haven't seen the news Windows for ARM yet? It's ultimately supposed to be a full Windows experience with x86 compatibility. It's aimed at frugal ultraportable systems, though I see a future on the phone too. As always is the case with Microsoft, we'll have to see how it pans out and whether they develop it into something passable before it gets dispatched of quietly. They look to have a much better shot than they had with RT, though. Coincidently, Apple just announced they want to make their own x86 chips to enhance the interoperability of computers and mobile devices. Both apparently see the need for a more homogeneous experience in the future.

I honestly don't see the end of Microsoft in the consumer market even on the horizon. Everyone carries around a laptop and that's either a Windows or an Apple device, with Windows holding a whopping 88.72% market share and Apple lagging way behind with 8.56%. Unless 2018 is going to be that illusive year of the Linux desktop or Chome OS suddenly comes charging through, Microsoft isn't going anywhere soon.

[BillB]

Yeah, yeah.  I got excited about Windows on Arm the first time they tried it .  There will be several caveats about what it can and can't do, that will pretty much confuse all but the most astute power user:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-on-arm-it-will-be-more-limited-and-heres-how-reveals-microsoft/
 
Having Qualcomm behind it gives me a little hope, but it's going to end up being a replay of their last attempt. 

[Mr. Scram]

Yeah, yeah.  I got excited about Windows on Arm the first time they tried it .  There will be several caveats about what it can and can't do, that will pretty much confuse all but the most astute power user:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-on-arm-it-will-be-more-limited-and-heres-how-reveals-microsoft/
 
Having Qualcomm behind it gives me a little hope, but it's going to end up being a replay of their last attempt.

The only real issue I see is the lack of x64 support, but the list seems very preliminary as they already announced that x64 should be supported. Of course, it wouldn't be Microsoft if they wouldn't be shooting themselves in the foot by causing a stir over things that might not be an issue after all. 

I understand how people might be sceptical after the RT disaster and Phone being left to bleed out. That's not an unfair attitude.

[Fsck]

What kind of support do you want? This site reviews a ton of chinese tablets, that you'll have a hard time getting support for in NA: https://techtablets.com/
The choices are plentiful if a bit risky.