My Nexus 7 is Toast - What Should I Get to Replace It?
#31
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 916
#32
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,303
My Nexus 5X has the same type of Type-C USB 2.0 spec, so it is probably more common than not with mid-end hardware. As far as I can tell, a USB C v3.X charger, cable, and/or micro -> C adapter all works to charge in a pinch. I don't have a QC charger to test it with, though, and buying good USB-C chargers/cables is time consuming.
#33
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,303
Lenovo Tab 4 8 (lower end wifi model) is available at B&H, NewEgg, and Amazon for $128
Asus also announced a similar 8" model "Asus Zenpad 3 8.0 Z582KL" with LTE
https://www.asus.com/Tablets/ASUS-Ze...pecifications/
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3...&idPhone2=8603
Still usb 2.0 with usb-c connector
Lenovo Tab 4 8 Pro and Asus Zenpad 3 8.0 with LTE haven't hit the stores, yet.
Asus also announced a similar 8" model "Asus Zenpad 3 8.0 Z582KL" with LTE
https://www.asus.com/Tablets/ASUS-Ze...pecifications/
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3...&idPhone2=8603
Still usb 2.0 with usb-c connector
Lenovo Tab 4 8 Pro and Asus Zenpad 3 8.0 with LTE haven't hit the stores, yet.
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: in the vicinity of SFO
Programs: AA 2MM (LT-PLT, PPro for this year)
Posts: 19,781
I continue to be impressed with the value of the Asus Zenpad products. They're priced link near non-brand stuff, and better than a lot of the lower-end Samsungs.
My 8" Samsung finally bit the dust, so now we've got three Zenpads now... although all 10" -- I upgraded to the Zenpad 3S 10" after my daughter wouldn't give my older one back, and my kids each have a Zenpad 10 (one Z300M ARM one and one Z300C Intel. The Z300M got the Nougat upgrade, and I'm really amazed at how well it performs for a $159 tablet. The Intel one is a bit pokey, but it's pretty good for something that was equally cheap 18 months ago.)
My 8" Samsung finally bit the dust, so now we've got three Zenpads now... although all 10" -- I upgraded to the Zenpad 3S 10" after my daughter wouldn't give my older one back, and my kids each have a Zenpad 10 (one Z300M ARM one and one Z300C Intel. The Z300M got the Nougat upgrade, and I'm really amazed at how well it performs for a $159 tablet. The Intel one is a bit pokey, but it's pretty good for something that was equally cheap 18 months ago.)
#35
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan, AAdvantage
Posts: 2,100
There are no high spec 7 tablets, haven't been in a long time and none that had the kind of community support the Nexus 7 had.
The Huawei MediaPad X2 was an improvement but not big enough and that was two years ago.
Today I would give up on 7" and go down to 6.44" and buy a Xiaomi MI Max 2. It's a decent 4GB, full HD screen phone below $300. The 5300 mAh battery is really nice, that's like a Moto Z Play with a battery mod in one. The CPU is a Snapdragon although only the 625 -- so TWRP is readily available and a Linage alpha is already out.
If you are in EU, honorbuy has EU stock still below $300 so you don't need to bother with customs and crap like that. (Before the mob comes: this is not spam, I am not even linking them, I am giving honest advice, sigh.)
I will go down this route if the Moto Z keyboard mod doesn't work out. Until then, that's my first choice but that's just me and my keyboard fixation. I only needed a screen this big because pawing at a glass rectangle lacking any tactile feedback to input anything is horrible but at least at this size I have a chance of hitting the right rectangle. I would rather type, you know.
The Huawei MediaPad X2 was an improvement but not big enough and that was two years ago.
Today I would give up on 7" and go down to 6.44" and buy a Xiaomi MI Max 2. It's a decent 4GB, full HD screen phone below $300. The 5300 mAh battery is really nice, that's like a Moto Z Play with a battery mod in one. The CPU is a Snapdragon although only the 625 -- so TWRP is readily available and a Linage alpha is already out.
If you are in EU, honorbuy has EU stock still below $300 so you don't need to bother with customs and crap like that. (Before the mob comes: this is not spam, I am not even linking them, I am giving honest advice, sigh.)
I will go down this route if the Moto Z keyboard mod doesn't work out. Until then, that's my first choice but that's just me and my keyboard fixation. I only needed a screen this big because pawing at a glass rectangle lacking any tactile feedback to input anything is horrible but at least at this size I have a chance of hitting the right rectangle. I would rather type, you know.
Last edited by chx1975; Jul 20, 2017 at 8:49 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,303
LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 13
https://www.verizonwireless.com/tabl...us-zenpad-z8s/
http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_zenpad_...news-26594.php
I've been using a phablet (Xperia Z Ultra) as secondary handheld screen for a few years and still prefer it to a tablet for the most part. It weighs a few ounces less than 8" tablet and can still be held with one hand which is easier to read books or use while standing.
Last edited by freecia; Aug 4, 2017 at 8:31 pm Reason: ETA: phablets
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 21,524
Lenovo P8 (Deep Blue) is available for $130 from GearBest (ships from China).
https://www.gearbest.com/tablet-pcs/pp_641529.html
Use promo code HARVESTLNP8
In addition, with Apple finally implementing wireless charging, I hope it gets incorporated into iPads. Hopefully that would mean more Android tablets with wireless charging. It's the only reason why I still have my Nexus 7.
https://www.gearbest.com/tablet-pcs/pp_641529.html
Use promo code HARVESTLNP8
In addition, with Apple finally implementing wireless charging, I hope it gets incorporated into iPads. Hopefully that would mean more Android tablets with wireless charging. It's the only reason why I still have my Nexus 7.
#39
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,595
MWC 2017 tablet releases which caught my eye
Lenovo Tab 4 8 Pro - 8" Nougat tablet starting at €259, expected availability in May.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, 3/4 GB RAM, micro sd card slot.
LTE version available but no specs for LTE bands covered, yet. Glass back (vs the Nexus 7's plastic), no NFC
Lenovo Tab 4 8 Pro - 8" Nougat tablet starting at €259, expected availability in May.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, 3/4 GB RAM, micro sd card slot.
LTE version available but no specs for LTE bands covered, yet. Glass back (vs the Nexus 7's plastic), no NFC
So, I bought a Lenovo Tab 4 Pro 8" at the weekend for Ł149. Very nice, and very similar to the Nexus 7. Has a fingerprint reader and USB-C, and feels very solid. It runs Android 7.1.1, but it looks doubtful that it will be updated to Oreo.
The only issue I have is the 'soft keys' for the Navigation Bar. They take up quite a lot of screen space, and there doesn't seem to be a way of making them disappear - Samsung have on the S8 / Note 8 etc. There are some apps that claim to support this "immersive mode", but they don't work properly for me.
#40
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,188
This thread is a little long in the tooth (although not as crusty as the other "which tablet should I get?" thread) but seems more suitable than the "in flight" tablet thread and it looks like a good place for this information.
The 4GB RAM version of the Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus with LTE recently became available in the US. I'm replacing an aging OG iPad Air and this looks like the best option to exit my one diversion into the Apple ecosystem.
Both Lenovo and Verizon have assured me it's compatible with the VZW LTE network. Mine arrives Tuesday, and if anyone is interested in my impressions I'll be happy to report back.
The 4GB RAM version of the Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus with LTE recently became available in the US. I'm replacing an aging OG iPad Air and this looks like the best option to exit my one diversion into the Apple ecosystem.
Both Lenovo and Verizon have assured me it's compatible with the VZW LTE network. Mine arrives Tuesday, and if anyone is interested in my impressions I'll be happy to report back.
#41
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,303
Yes, please do report back. Is there an official list of supported LTE bands?
Asus also released their Chrome OS Tablet for the educational market
https://www.cdw.com/product/acer-chr...tab-10/5029412
Asus also released a 32GB version of the 10.1" Chromebook flip C101PA-DS04 which is 2 lbs and charges via 33W USB-C PD. https://www.xda-developers.com/chrom...x-app-support/ No LTE, but if you're looking for something with a keyboard, a few USB ports, and convert into a meh screen tablet/tabletop. It supports Android apps and Linux apps (beta?)
I moved from a Xperia Z Ultra 6.4" phablet for travel to a dual sim Samsung Note 8 and the usb-c is really handy. I use a usb-c hub (the much maligned Belkin 4-port mini hub*) to connect my USB 3.X SD Card reader & Sandisk Extreme portable hard drive to backup photos. Both storage devices will show up as mounted vs the single storage device connected to a hub + otg adapter on the Z Ultra. The file transfer is fairly quick, too, and both devices don't use that much power. The live translate with s-pen hover is also handy for apps & non-selectable text in other languages. It saves me from having to take a screenshot & run it through Google Translate with OCR.
I wish I had a good lightweight physical travel keyboard. I've looked at currently available bluetooth keyboard options - the foldable ones seem to be so-so and at least 8 oz? Any recommendations? I am still waiting on WayTools to release & ship the textblade (ordered 3 years ago). In the meantime, I'm looking at chromebooks < 2.5 lbs & max $400 with usb-c charging as an alternative to bringing my 13" Macbook Pro for longer personal travel. A desktop browser AND being able to download Netflix/Prime videos for offline mode would be a nice bonus for switching to ChromeOS if I can keep the weight down. ChromeOS Android apps should be able to read/write to SD soon https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/0...ing-chrome-os/ I think I'd be comfortable with leaving a less expensive (and slightly more rugged) chromebook in my hotel room or in hotel luggage storage, especially with local file encryption & ability to enable 2FA for chromebook login.
This isn't the usb-c accessories thread Outfitting your travel kit for USB-C but wanted to note:
* The Belkin 4-port USB-C mini hub doesn't support USB-C Power Delivery or USB-C display. Just two A + two C 3.0 ports with over bus power in good size format. The cord tucks into the casing, weighs 2.1 oz, and is USB-IF certified. Buy the Belkin USB-C 4 Port Mini Port Expansion Hub It can occasionally be found for a good price on eBay. Mine works with various Macbook Pros & Samsung Note 8 for attaching bus powered USB drives, wireless mouse receiver, usb keyboard, sd card reader, & usb-c yubikey without wifi interference or getting too warm. I'd also take a look at these if I needed different port options
Anker 5 in 1 with HDMI & eth, no PD Kingston Nucleum with HDMI, SD Card, 2 usb-c ports including PD, no eth
Asus also released their Chrome OS Tablet for the educational market
https://www.cdw.com/product/acer-chr...tab-10/5029412
Asus also released a 32GB version of the 10.1" Chromebook flip C101PA-DS04 which is 2 lbs and charges via 33W USB-C PD. https://www.xda-developers.com/chrom...x-app-support/ No LTE, but if you're looking for something with a keyboard, a few USB ports, and convert into a meh screen tablet/tabletop. It supports Android apps and Linux apps (beta?)
I moved from a Xperia Z Ultra 6.4" phablet for travel to a dual sim Samsung Note 8 and the usb-c is really handy. I use a usb-c hub (the much maligned Belkin 4-port mini hub*) to connect my USB 3.X SD Card reader & Sandisk Extreme portable hard drive to backup photos. Both storage devices will show up as mounted vs the single storage device connected to a hub + otg adapter on the Z Ultra. The file transfer is fairly quick, too, and both devices don't use that much power. The live translate with s-pen hover is also handy for apps & non-selectable text in other languages. It saves me from having to take a screenshot & run it through Google Translate with OCR.
I wish I had a good lightweight physical travel keyboard. I've looked at currently available bluetooth keyboard options - the foldable ones seem to be so-so and at least 8 oz? Any recommendations? I am still waiting on WayTools to release & ship the textblade (ordered 3 years ago). In the meantime, I'm looking at chromebooks < 2.5 lbs & max $400 with usb-c charging as an alternative to bringing my 13" Macbook Pro for longer personal travel. A desktop browser AND being able to download Netflix/Prime videos for offline mode would be a nice bonus for switching to ChromeOS if I can keep the weight down. ChromeOS Android apps should be able to read/write to SD soon https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/0...ing-chrome-os/ I think I'd be comfortable with leaving a less expensive (and slightly more rugged) chromebook in my hotel room or in hotel luggage storage, especially with local file encryption & ability to enable 2FA for chromebook login.
This isn't the usb-c accessories thread Outfitting your travel kit for USB-C but wanted to note:
* The Belkin 4-port USB-C mini hub doesn't support USB-C Power Delivery or USB-C display. Just two A + two C 3.0 ports with over bus power in good size format. The cord tucks into the casing, weighs 2.1 oz, and is USB-IF certified. Buy the Belkin USB-C 4 Port Mini Port Expansion Hub It can occasionally be found for a good price on eBay. Mine works with various Macbook Pros & Samsung Note 8 for attaching bus powered USB drives, wireless mouse receiver, usb keyboard, sd card reader, & usb-c yubikey without wifi interference or getting too warm. I'd also take a look at these if I needed different port options
Anker 5 in 1 with HDMI & eth, no PD Kingston Nucleum with HDMI, SD Card, 2 usb-c ports including PD, no eth
#43
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,188
The Lenovo Tab 4 10" Plus arrived early this afternoon. I was quite surprised at how seemingly light it was, being a tiny bit larger than the iPad Air. The screen is quite bright and vivid.
Although I had a spare VZW LTE SIM card, it couldn't be activated in the tablet because it was "retired." I had my wife pick one up at the VZW Corp store that's sort of on the way home from work for her. I popped it in the tray and installed it into the tablet with a 128GB Samsung microSDXC card I had received as part of the promotion for purchasing the Note 8 last year. WWAN access through Verizon worked immediately, and I saw ~25Mb/s down, 5Mb/s up performance per Speedtest.net.
While the application experience isn't quite as fluid as the iPad, the speed at which one can switch between apps is vastly better. I'm also very appreciative that I can use FireFox with a number of "FT experience enhancing" add-ons.
So ... 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, 128MB of SDXC (added), a 10" display, wifi and LTE connectivity in a package that seems to also be giving me decent battery life so far. I'd prefer it was running Oreo over Nougat 7.1.1, but the differences aren't terrible. Around $380 at Amazon, out of stock through Lenovo Direct Sales.
More once I've spent some quality time with it.
Although I had a spare VZW LTE SIM card, it couldn't be activated in the tablet because it was "retired." I had my wife pick one up at the VZW Corp store that's sort of on the way home from work for her. I popped it in the tray and installed it into the tablet with a 128GB Samsung microSDXC card I had received as part of the promotion for purchasing the Note 8 last year. WWAN access through Verizon worked immediately, and I saw ~25Mb/s down, 5Mb/s up performance per Speedtest.net.
While the application experience isn't quite as fluid as the iPad, the speed at which one can switch between apps is vastly better. I'm also very appreciative that I can use FireFox with a number of "FT experience enhancing" add-ons.
So ... 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, 128MB of SDXC (added), a 10" display, wifi and LTE connectivity in a package that seems to also be giving me decent battery life so far. I'd prefer it was running Oreo over Nougat 7.1.1, but the differences aren't terrible. Around $380 at Amazon, out of stock through Lenovo Direct Sales.
More once I've spent some quality time with it.
Last edited by Dodge DeBoulet; Jun 27, 2018 at 2:36 pm Reason: Plus not Pro
#44
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,188
Well, one complaint so far ... the 5GHz wifi radio seems to be borked. It's not just my device, either; it appears some recent firmware or OS update caused the issue and multiple users are experiencing it. 2.4GHz is fine, though, and that's OK for now.
Edit: It appears as though the Tab 4 10" Plus is incompatible with WMM (Wireless Multi Media) on the 5 GHz radio. Turning that feature off on your router seems to fix the connectivity issue, at the expense of trashing your wireless performance by 80% (went from 170Mb/s downstream to 25Mb/s).
Edit: It appears as though the Tab 4 10" Plus is incompatible with WMM (Wireless Multi Media) on the 5 GHz radio. Turning that feature off on your router seems to fix the connectivity issue, at the expense of trashing your wireless performance by 80% (went from 170Mb/s downstream to 25Mb/s).
Last edited by Dodge DeBoulet; Jun 27, 2018 at 2:28 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Exclusively OMNI/PR, for Reasons
Posts: 4,188
At approximately 3 months in, the fingerprint reader failed on my Lenovo Tab. Had to ship it back to Lenovo at my expense (which I did Monday this week @ $13 via USPS). According to the status page on the Lenovo support website, it's been repaired and will be on its way back to me shortly.
Wondering if they actually repaired or replaced it ... I guess I'll see when I get it back.
Wondering if they actually repaired or replaced it ... I guess I'll see when I get it back.