Android users, thoughts on 8" tablet models?
 

OK, I've got a way I'm leaning on this one, but I know we've got some serious power users here and wanted to get some opinions...

I'm looking at getting either a new Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 or a Galaxy Note 8.0, and am leaning towards the former. I use it almost 100% for reading comics and ebooks with too much graphical content or layout to read on my phone (mainly cbr/cbz files and some PDFs.)

I've currently got a no-name 8" tablet ("Utoo M80e by Aigo") and love the screen size and resolution (and the sub-$100 price tag), but otherwise it's awful -- so-so contrast, laggy on page flips, and has a habit of running down the battery when off. That replaced the Galaxy Tab 2 7" which I liked a lot, but found the screen a little too physically small, and the 1024x600 resolution a LOT too low. Now it's my daughter's favorite toy, so I'm not getting it back.

I'm set on another 8" replacement -- so please, no Nexus 7 or Nook HD* recommendations; if there were a Nexus 8, I'd definitely look at it! -- and I need something that's still relatively portable (the Aigo will still fit in some of my trouser pockets and the Note 8 is smaller) -- so the 9"-10" class tablets are right out.

As I said, I'm primarily looking at the GT3 8", but am having a lot of second thoughts about spending the extra $100 to get the GN8. From what I can see, the differences come down to the faster processor on the GN8 as I am pretty much 100% certain I will not use the S-pen.

Any thoughts on GT3-8 vs GN8? Is $100 for 2 more cores worth it?

Any other 8" recomendations?

(* I went to look at a Nook HD a couple of days ago The price is right, the screen resolution is great... I really, really wanted to like it... it was just a little too small, and way too much bezel around it.)

I know these didn't figure into the usage you mentioned above, but no GPS, camera, or cellular data options on the Nooks either, and unless you root or boot a generic Android OS, very limited app selection. Agree that the HD and HD+ displays are gorgeous though.

Someone here said the Nook HD and HD+ now have the regular Google Play app store.

Hadn't been aware of those other limitations, although the only one I'm likely to miss is the front-facing camera. Can't remember if the Nooks have an SD card slot; I'd miss that, although I can live without it for primarily e-reader use.)

The GN8 with LTE from AT&T actually has the bands I'd need for T-mobile, and would be tempting assuming they'd unlock it -- but I don't think I want to go up to $499, and I really don't want white. (I'd likely have just gotten a GN8 a couple months ago, overpriced for my interests or not, if they'd been available in Brown from the beginning.)

My Note 8 has been the best tablet I've ever owned - definitely the perfect size. Add the SD card slot, stylus and HDMI out (though MHL) and it really is a joy to use. Downside is the price.

The entry level one is absolutely fast enough for anything you throw at it, so I wouldn't invest in the extra speed. Also, Samsung still offers a $25 Google Play credit when you register it.

I think the $25 credit is only on the Note 8; the Tab 3 is being advertised with a $10 credit.

Still not a bad bonus, either way.

--

Ended up playing with the Nook HD and HD+ briefly earlier, as another stop had me next to the Barnes and Noble retail store near here. Beautiful screens, but oh-dear-lord they were slow just trying to surf very casually to grab a CBR to test them out with.

Quite update: went by the local Best Buy to see if they had the Tab 3 8" in stock on release date... they did, but only in white, so I didn't buy it.

Overall, though, I'm really impressed. Their Samsung display had the Tab 2 7", the Tab 3 8" and the Note 8.0 all near enough to hold them one in front of the other. The Tab 3 8" with its narrow side bezels is not appreciably wider than the GT2 7", although it's a bit taller. It's quite a bit narrower than the GN8.

No noticeable lag in the trivial amount of browsing on Google Play to install ComicRack, or to grab a high-resolution CBR off the web to try it.

Great screen; as far as I can tell, indistinguishable from the Note 8.

I'm sold pretty much just on the form factor. There doesn't seem to be a Gold-Brown one in stock locally, so I'm going be ordering it. I really don't get the appeal of white electronics, or much of anything (well, unless it's a car and you live in the desert, for practical rather than asthetic reasons.)

Speaking of which, anyone know or heard of when the next generation Nexus 7 will come about?

It's anyone's guess right now. Very little credible evidence to suggest a firm date.