First Tablet Suggestion

[slider0274]

I'm looking at purchasing my first tablet and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the options. My budget ceiling is $400, but the lower the better.

 

I have a Samsung S22 Ultra phone that I primarily use to stream content. I play some mobile games, but nothing too intensive. I occasionally connect remotely to work systems and I also use a recipe app when cooking. Being able to connect a keyboard (in any way) to be able to update recipes and type in a terminal would be a major plus.

 

My S22 Ultra did not come with a stylus, so I'm not sure how useful I would find a tablet stylus. I would classify it as a "nice additional feature, but not a requirement". A nice display would be great, since I'm primarily streaming content. And a fingerprint unlock would be nice, but not required.

 

Samsung A11+ is on sale right now on Amazon:

* 6GB RAM, 128 GB storage - $200

* 8GB RAM, 256 GB storage - $270

 

Samsung S10 Lite is on sale at Walmart

* 6GB RAM, 128 GB storage - $290

 

Or another model that I haven't listed is fine too, I'm just a bit overwhelmed with all of the options.

[dizmo]

Have you used a tablet before? I keep thinking I want one, and each time I buy one I find I don't use it.

If you haven't, I'd just pick up something cheap. I also don't know if you'd really need more than 128GB on a tablet, so I'd just save the $70 if it were me. 

[porina]

I have a Tab S8. It is getting somewhat old now but still plays games fine, since it was high end when it was new. It comes with a pen. I think I used it about twice ever. Maybe there are use cases for it, but not for me. My main use for it is gaming, and watching videos to a much lesser degree. I do have the optional keyboard cover for it. It works as a great stand. As a keyboard, it is better than screen typing but not by a lot.

 

Comparing gaming performance is something I find almost impossible on a tablet. Anything budget is likely worse than a S22 Ultra in gaming perf. Anything will play video fine. Figure out a stand if you need one. I don't think display quality is too big a deal since it feels like they all use at least IPS panels since viewing angles will vary in use. Even my £100 no name Chinese tablet is fine in that respect. It does struggle in games though.

[slider0274]

5 hours ago, dizmo said:

Have you used a tablet before? I keep thinking I want one, and each time I buy one I find I don't use it.

If you haven't, I'd just pick up something cheap. I also don't know if you'd really need more than 128GB on a tablet, so I'd just save the $70 if it were me. 

I have used a family member's tablet before. They have A9+. Do you have a cheaper option in mind?

[slider0274]

5 hours ago, porina said:

I have a Tab S8. It is getting somewhat old now but still plays games fine, since it was high end when it was new. It comes with a pen. I think I used it about twice ever. Maybe there are use cases for it, but not for me. My main use for it is gaming, and watching videos to a much lesser degree. I do have the optional keyboard cover for it. It works as a great stand. As a keyboard, it is better than screen typing but not by a lot.

 

Comparing gaming performance is something I find almost impossible on a tablet. Anything budget is likely worse than a S22 Ultra in gaming perf. Anything will play video fine. Figure out a stand if you need one. I don't think display quality is too big a deal since it feels like they all use at least IPS panels since viewing angles will vary in use. Even my £100 no name Chinese tablet is fine in that respect. It does struggle in games though.

Do you have a suggestion on a decent cheaper alternative? It would be a media player probably over 95% of the time.

 

A tablet for me would just be a luxury item. I think it would be nice to have a larger screen to watch content while doing chores.

[dizmo]

33 minutes ago, slider0274 said:

I have used a family member's tablet before. They have A9+. Do you have a cheaper option in mind?

I don't think you'll find much cheaper than the A11+. Unless you find a good deal on the used market, but even then you're not saving much for a used item.

If you can find one of the Lenovo Yoga tablets with the JBL speakers, they're quite nice.

[porina]

5 hours ago, slider0274 said:

Do you have a suggestion on a decent cheaper alternative? It would be a media player probably over 95% of the time.

Chances are it is hard to go wrong if all you want is media playback. I can't give a specific recommendation since I find it impossible to keep up with the models that exist. Get to a store to check them out if you want to see it for yourself.

[Commodus]

22 hours ago, slider0274 said:

I'm looking at purchasing my first tablet and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the options. My budget ceiling is $400, but the lower the better.

 

I have a Samsung S22 Ultra phone that I primarily use to stream content. I play some mobile games, but nothing too intensive. I occasionally connect remotely to work systems and I also use a recipe app when cooking. Being able to connect a keyboard (in any way) to be able to update recipes and type in a terminal would be a major plus.

 

My S22 Ultra did not come with a stylus, so I'm not sure how useful I would find a tablet stylus. I would classify it as a "nice additional feature, but not a requirement". A nice display would be great, since I'm primarily streaming content. And a fingerprint unlock would be nice, but not required.

 

Samsung A11+ is on sale right now on Amazon:

* 6GB RAM, 128 GB storage - $200

* 8GB RAM, 256 GB storage - $270

 

Samsung S10 Lite is on sale at Walmart

* 6GB RAM, 128 GB storage - $290

 

Or another model that I haven't listed is fine too, I'm just a bit overwhelmed with all of the options.

If you like Samsung and want harmony with your S22 Ultra, I'd honestly look at that A11+ with 8GB/256GB (for longevity's sake). It won't thrill you, but it's certainly enough for streaming, cooking, and work.

 

After that I'd honestly rather get a base iPad than other Android alternatives. It's a combination of performance with the sheer size of Apple's tablet ecosystem; you'll find more tablet-native apps and accessories than you'd get even for Samsung, including keyboard folios. So long as the apps you need are available on iPads (they probably are) you're likely set.