Reader? - Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2, 10.1, 8.4 Q&A, Help & Trouble

What do you owners think about using the tab as a reader?
I'm thinking about investing in either the 8.4 or the 10.1 as the reader. Simply for things like news articles, blogs, and maybe even using the Amazon Kindle app to read books. How much stress would it put on the eyes?

It's not stress on the eyes I would worry about...it's the weight of the device. The screens are mostly the same on these devices but the extra weight of a full size tablet might making extended reading sessions difficult. I would suggest getting the 8.4. I just upgraded to one from an LG G Pad and use it mostly for reading Kindle, Feedly, and Play Magazines.

I'm pretty sure there was a setting I saw that said Reading mode or something to that effect.
Sent from my GT-I9505 converted SGH-i337 w/XDA Premium 4 mobile app

mattskr said:
It's not stress on the eyes I would worry about...it's the weight of the device.
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I second this. The NotePro 12.2 is amazing for reading, I really like the sharpness of the text. Been using the Newsweek app a lot, read some magazines, comics, etc. View angles are good and you can adjust brighness easily.
There is the "reading mode" indeed but so far I don't see any difference when I turn it on and off.. not all apps support it.
The weight is indeed the problem, don't expect to be holding it up for long, as you would with a very light e-reader or a paper magazine. It will have to rest on your lap (even that way it can tire wrists a bit) or a stand.

I've tried all of the current 8" tablets for extended periods of time for reading. I own (or owned) the mini, the mini retina, the LG G Pad, the Samsung Tab 3 8", the Samsung Note 8", thus Asus Memo HD 8" and currently have the Tab Pro 8.4 on order.
I also had other slightly smaller tablets like the 7.7" Toshiba AT270 and the Samsung 7.7"
They all work fine for reading. Weight with a thin 8" tablet is negligble. In fact if you compare any of these to the top end reader available, the Kobo Aura HD, they only weigh on average about 100 grams more. That is not a big weight delta.
The Samsung tablets (the tab 3 8") and the new Tab Pro all have a reading mode. I used the Tab 3 8" for about 6 months and left it on by default. Wasn't really sure how it helped (or if it did at all).
Two things are important for reading under various conditions, max brightness/dimness and DPI. Max brightness is important if you are reading outside (one of the main reasons I got rid of the LG G Pad), max dimness is handy if you are reading in bed in the dark and don't want to wake up the wife with an 8" flashlight...
DPI, the higher the better as it increases the sharpness of text. As a reference, the Kobo Aura HD is 1440x1080 (6.8") with a DPI of 259. The Tab Pro has a 359 DPI....

I think 10.1 is the best size now that they're so light. I had an iPad 3 (retina) and then went for the first mini. Loved it for reading books, but not so much for Zino magazines, various PDFs that I needed, even web pages. Oh, heck, the occasional comic too. Just too small. I went to the iPad Air to get the size back after it hit 1lb. Two weeks ago i decided I was sick of iPhones and their size (I have big hands) and got a Nexus 5. Loved it so much I just sold the air and got the Tab Pro 10.1. I think the sharpness of current screens nullifies some of the 'lcd' tired eyes syndrome, and I've preferred the ability to turn to night mode in books to something like a paperwhite when it gets dark out.

100% i won't go with the 12in.
Still cannot decide if i want the 10 or 8.

If you are reading primarily books (as I do), there is no real benefit to a 10" tablet. It has more surface area than a page in a hard cover book.
If as mentioned above you read comics or magazines, the bigger surface area is handy.
The benefit of an 8" tablet is that it is extremely portable. I can fit mine into a pocket inside my coat. Try doing that with a 10" tablet...

Love my 8.4 for reading.
Sent from Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4

RobilarOCN said:
I've tried all of the current 8" tablets for extended periods of time for reading. I own (or owned) the mini, the mini retina, the LG G Pad, the Samsung Tab 3 8", the Samsung Note 8", thus Asus Memo HD 8" and currently have the Tab Pro 8.4 on order.
I also had other slightly smaller tablets like the 7.7" Toshiba AT270 and the Samsung 7.7"
They all work fine for reading. Weight with a thin 8" tablet is negligble. In fact if you compare any of these to the top end reader available, the Kobo Aura HD, they only weigh on average about 100 grams more. That is not a big weight delta.
The Samsung tablets (the tab 3 8") and the new Tab Pro all have a reading mode. I used the Tab 3 8" for about 6 months and left it on by default. Wasn't really sure how it helped (or if it did at all).
Two things are important for reading under various conditions, max brightness/dimness and DPI. Max brightness is important if you are reading outside (one of the main reasons I got rid of the LG G Pad), max dimness is handy if you are reading in bed in the dark and don't want to wake up the wife with an 8" flashlight...
DPI, the higher the better as it increases the sharpness of text. As a reference, the Kobo Aura HD is 1440x1080 (6.8") with a DPI of 259. The Tab Pro has a 359 DPI....
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Click to collapse
I like using a tablet for reading but I think you've made some unfair comparisons. First, the Aura HD is a "premium" ereader but if you look at the mainstream model, the Aura, you drop the weight from 240g to 174g. That puts the Tab Pro 8.4 at nearly double the weight (174g vs 331g). I use a 2012 Nexus 7 (340g, only slightly heavier than the Tab Pro 8.4)) and a Kindle Paperwhite (206g) for reading. The Nexus 7 is fine, but I will say that for long periods of use the lighter weight of the Paperwhite is much more comfortable. I often find myself leaning the Nexus 7 on something while I never have to do that with the Kindle. And comparing the DPI of an eInk screen vs an LCD doesn't give you a good benchmark of the text quality since they're using two vastly different rendering methods. For text alone I would take the eInk screen at the lower PPI over the LCD at the higher PPI.
That said, a tablet is much more versatile and can even be better for reading if you're not talking about eBooks but various web content as well.I would say the ideal tablet for reading depends a lot on what you plan on reading. If you read a lot of magazines, I might have to recommend something like the iPad Air as the size and aspect ratio make it great for magazines. If it's mostly web content a 10" Android tablet like the Tab Pro would be good since it most closely mimics a laptop display. If it's primarily eBooks the 7" tablets like the 2013 Nexus 7 are great for the lighter weight. Lastly, if you view more of a mix of the above, 8.4" is a great compromise.

Related

LG G Pad or Tab Pro 8.4 ?

So I'm on the verge to buy a 8 inches tablet and I've come down to a choice between the G Pad and the Samsung Tab Pro 8.4 and would like to have your opinions.
So of course, on paper, I should go with the Tab Pro. Better CPU&GPU, higher resolution, bigger battery, etc. But...the G Pad kinda looks better, has software buttons, has better Roms support (thank you GPE) and is also 150 € cheaper ! I also wonder if the GPE program will allow the G Pad to get updated longer than the Tab Pro.
So is the faster CPU/GPU really a huge leap of performance ? I'm not a huge gamer and will mostly browse the web and watch films.
What do you think ?
DannyBiker said:
So I'm on the verge to buy a 8 inches tablet and I've come down to a choice between the G Pad and the Samsung Tab Pro 8.4 and would like to have your opinions.
So of course, on paper, I should go with the Tab Pro. Better CPU&GPU, higher resolution, bigger battery, etc. But...the G Pad kinda looks better, has software buttons, has better Roms support (thank you GPE) and is also 150 € cheaper ! I also wonder if the GPE program will allow the G Pad to get updated longer than the Tab Pro.
So is the faster CPU/GPU really a huge leap of performance ? I'm not a huge gamer and will mostly browse the web and watch films.
What do you think ?
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I have the Gpad and it is a nice tablet, however, all the development is for the non GPE version. I also like soft buttons better than physical buttons. But if I were buying now it would be hard to overlook the 8.4 with Best Buy selling it for $249 in stores. It is now $80 cheaper than the Gpad.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
ncguy68 said:
I have the Gpad and it is a nice tablet, however, all the development is for the non GPE version. I also like soft buttons better than physical buttons. But if I were buying now it would be hard to overlook the 8.4 with Best Buy selling it for $249 in stores. It is now $80 cheaper than the Gpad.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
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I have tried both. The display on the Gpad is far too dark, not even 300 nits.
"Distribution of brightness as well as brightness are poor. With an average brightness of 291.7 cd/m², the G Pad 8.3 performs worse than all comparison devices: The average brightness of the Google Nexus 7 display is above 200 cd/m² higher! A brightness distribution of 78% is very uneven. Such brightness differences can be seen with the naked eye in big white areas."
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-LG-G-Pad-8-3-Tablet.108906.0.html
pikeshouse88 said:
I have tried both. The display on the Gpad is far too dark, not even 300 nits.
"Distribution of brightness as well as brightness are poor. With an average brightness of 291.7 cd/m², the G Pad 8.3 performs worse than all comparison devices: The average brightness of the Google Nexus 7 display is above 200 cd/m² higher! A brightness distribution of 78% is very uneven. Such brightness differences can be seen with the naked eye in big white areas."
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-LG-G-Pad-8-3-Tablet.108906.0.html
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I use the Gpad mostly indoors where brightness is not an issue. In fact I find the darker screen much easier on my eyes while reading ebooks. I have a Nexus 7 I use away from home and outside where a brighter screen works best.
Sent from my LG-V500 using xda premium
i've had both. I find the G Pad not bright and the screen not crisp. I also has 2 warranty issues with build quality and screen. I wouldn't recommend it.
I also had a GPad before, screen too dark even indoors (basically full brightness for any dark movie), weird sound, blue line when got hot. Not a bad device, but if you can get a regular 8.4 at similar price they are not even in the same league.
ncguy68 said:
I have the Gpad and it is a nice tablet, however, all the development is for the non GPE version. I also like soft buttons better than physical buttons. But if I were buying now it would be hard to overlook the 8.4 with Best Buy selling it for $249 in stores. It is now $80 cheaper than the Gpad.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
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Can you link me to an add that says tab pro 8.4 for 249? Because every add I see is still 329.00.
As far as processor and development go the gpads processor is more than fine. It can also be overclocked. I find that today's apps or even the best games need no over clocking though. They simply haven't caught up to the hardware. I so rarely have any tablet I own above 25% brightness I'm not sure how bright these guys homes are that they can't see the screen. My home is bright enough that I could cut diamonds and I have no issues, ever, with any tablet. The gtab has 348 nits max bright while the Tab pro goes to 450 so the Tab pro is better for outside direct sunlight viewing though. I find it to be better than the Nexus 7 2013 in fact and I love that tablet. The gpe version can use any of the custom ROMs by the by.
As for the pro tab 8.4 I find the hardware great. Mine did develop a stuck pixel however and I despise the speakers being on the same side. The physical buttons are horrible but I overcame that by using pie controls and disabling the hardware buttons.. The build quality of the 8.4 I find satisfactory, however the range and connectivity of the wifi are pathetic. Overall the hardware and screen are better in the 8.4 but if I'm going out I grab any tablet but the Tab pro 8.4 as wifi range and dropped connections are so bad on it.
All this being said, truthfully if I were you...i would wait to buy a tablet all together. In just a few short months or even less there will be a mass release of new tablets. They will all be quite nice I'm sure if you are looking for the latest and greatest, also, it will serve to lower the price of current models. The one I am hoping for is a nexus 8.9 but there will be a plethora of others.
conan1600 said:
Can you link me to an add that says tab pro 8.4 for 249? Because every add I see is still 329.00.
As far as processor and development go the gpads processor is more than fine. It can also be overclocked. I find that today's apps or even the best games need no over clocking though. They simply haven't caught up to the hardware. I so rarely have any tablet I own above 25% brightness I'm not sure how bright these guys homes are that they can't see the screen. My home is bright enough that I could cut diamonds and I have no issues, ever, with any tablet. The gtab has 348 nits max bright while the Tab pro goes to 450 so the Tab pro is better for outside direct sunlight viewing though. I find it to be better than the Nexus 7 2013 in fact and I love that tablet. The gpe version can use any of the custom ROMs by the by.
As for the pro tab 8.4 I find the hardware great. Mine did develop a stuck pixel however and I despise the speakers being on the same side. The physical buttons are horrible but I overcame that by using pie controls and disabling the hardware buttons.. The build quality of the 8.4 I find satisfactory, however the range and connectivity of the wifi are pathetic. Overall the hardware and screen are better in the 8.4 but if I'm going out I grab any tablet but the Tab pro 8.4 as wifi range and dropped connections are so bad on it.
All this being said, truthfully if I were you...i would wait to buy a tablet all together. In just a few short months or even less there will be a mass release of new tablets. They will all be quite nice I'm sure if you are looking for the latest and greatest, also, it will serve to lower the price of current models. The one I am hoping for is a nexus 8.9 but there will be a plethora of others.
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Click to collapse
I never saw the tab pro 8.4 online for $249. Only in store at Best Buy. This was before the tab s went on sale today. Not sure if the $249 price is still good.
Sent from my LG-V500 using xda premium
ncguy68 said:
I never saw the tab pro 8.4 online for $249. Only in store at Best Buy. This was before the tab s went on sale today. Not sure if the $249 price is still good.
Sent from my LG-V500 using xda premium
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Op if you can find this tablet at the price he saw it at I'd run to buy it. Don't walk, sprint all out. It would be a steal at $250.00. While it has its issues that price point would more than make up for the inconvenience. Not to mention the latest greatest coming soon would never bear out against such a price.

Tab S 10.5 or Note 10.1 2014 edition?

which one would I buy?
I haven't seen a tab s in person yet but if it's available now here I would definitely choose it if the screen is as good as they say
Do you need the s-pen?
I have both and I'm feeling the Tab S more due to the screen. You won't go wrong if you choose the Note, its a great tablet, the main attraction is the pen which I hardly used. The Pro tablets weren't available at the time of purchase. After a few more days ill make my decision, but I'll probably keep the tab s.
Sent from my LG-LS980 using Tapatalk
dcaplinger76 said:
Do you need the s-pen?
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I had the same question before. The only advantage the Note has is the Pen.
The Tab s has better screen, better battery life and it is a brand new device therefore more likely would receive updates. The Note is more then 6 mths old. The HW specs are nearly the same as the Tab S but for the same price. For me the Tab S won and I love it.
Wish Samsung put it the pen in Tab S. I'll think I'll just wait for the next Samsung Note.
I went through this dilemma and ended up with the note. It's a tough call. I love oled but also had the older note and did use the spen for meeting notes. It's really oled vs digitizer.... nothing much else in it though the UK note is annoyingly still on 4.3. The note screen is lcd but very clear.
One consideration on screens. For movies etc and anytime the screen is darkish the oled will use far less power. All whites ie some Web browsing is worst case for oled and will such juice worse .
They're both superb tablets.
Which would you buy, a second hand 10.1 for $300 AUD or a brand new 10.5 for $580? Both 16GB wifi only model.
I sold my note for the tab s 8.4 and never looked back. Owning the note always felt like it was an incomplete job and unfortunately Samsung has a bad habit of not updating the software of older models even if their hardware can run it properly.
This is the best Android tablet I've ever of we'd and there's absolutely no reason for you not to like it
I have both (actually just sold my Note 10.1 2014). Here's is how I'd compare the two:
Advantages of Tab S:
- Tab S has better screen (colors in photos are more realistic on Tab S)
- Tab S has some better/updated apps (e.g., sidesync lets me make/take calls from my Galaxy S5)
- Tab S has better accessories available (covers, keyboards)
- Tab S has side power plug (precludes need for stand and angled power cord when used with book cover)
- Tab S is thinner/lighter (but the Tab S' smaller bezels make it a bit harder to hold...minimizing this advantage a tad)
Disadvantages of Tab S
- Note 2014 has S-Pen/Wacom, but this disadvantage is mitigated a bit by the fact that the Tab S has a sensitive screen works with fine tip (3mm) capacitive pens (e.g., iCooly). http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009XGMO1A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
- Gold trim on Tab S is gaudy to me
- Note has S-Pen related apps/functions (e.g., action memo, pen window). But, I never found much use for those though.
Performance-wise, the two are about the same. By my standards, both are very fast. The Tab S is just a tad smoother. I don't notice any of the browsing lag some others have complained about.
...and when I found out that some of those s-pen related apps e.g S -Note, were available for download onto the tab s, I was you even more convinced that I had made right decision to get rid of my Note 10.1
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
No Wacom, what is the point having S-pen app?
You can use a stylus with the Tab S. You just need to provide some sort of Palm rejection when writing. A simple cleaning cloth will do. Not as good as a Wacom Stylus but for simple note taking workable.
What we really need is a good aftermarket Bluetooth stylus but so far the available models work with Apple (grrrr) only.
Bluetooth still will not be as good as Wacom and kills battery.
Just going to wait for Note 10.1 2015 model with AMOLED and WACOM.
mitchellvii said:
You can use a stylus with the Tab S.
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You can drive a Camry off-road, it doesn't mean you'd want to. Using a stylus on a standard conductive display, even an iPad's, is painful. It's not the lack of palm rejection, it's the lack of detail, sensitivity, and precision. I'm not selling people on Note's per se, but unless you're making short, and I mean short, hand written notes and lists trying to use a conductive display in the same way as a Note will be pure frustration.
Now let’s check out the Note 10.1’s trump card: its S Pen. The S Pen is, when you get right down to it, a Wacom stylus and digitizer. Considering Wacom make the best graphics tablets in the world bar none (like the*Intuos 5, for one) that’s a very good thing.
Samsung is the first manufacturer to integrate this tech into an Android tablet – both the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet and HTC Flyer used N-Trig pens that were lumpy, required batteries, didn’t offer as many pressure levels and weren’t nearly as responsive, nor did they give you a choice of nibs.
Now for those who might say: “but the iPad has plenty of styli available for it, what makes this special?”, here’s the deal. With one exception, all the styli you can get for the iPad and every other capacitive tablet are only a minor improvement over using your finger. There’s only one capacitive stylus that gives a thin point, and it doesn’t offer pressure sensitivity or palm rejection.
With the S Pen - and other Wacom digitizers as found on the likes of the Samsung Series 7 Slate – you get 1,024 levels of pressure, which lets you draw weighted lines as you would with a real pencil. You get palm/finger rejection, which means you’ll rarely draw an accidental line with your hand. Basically, it’s akin to upgrading from using a chalk to an art pencil.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/samsu...w_s-pen-performance-and-video-playback_Page-4​​
@ BarryH, You can pick up more chicks with a Porsche but a 72 Pinto beats walking to work.
Wasn't trying to answer "should you" but more "could you". But seriously, if you want a tablet for notetaking, I would go with a Windows variety due to the OneNote full handwriting support. Sharp was supposed to release a 10.1 Windows tablet with the same resolution as the Tab S (not amoled) but appears to have been vaporware.
Sadly now that I have owned an amoled tablet I am spoiled forever. My Tab S is purely an entertainment toy. I use my Acer R7 for any handwriting (although that is far more rare than I imagined it would be - typing is just better).
Do you think if your Tab S was Wacom, would it be good enough to replace your Acer?
I have an ageing Thinkpad X200 Tablet, but I still can not find any good candidate to replace it. The only laptop I found good enough to replace the X200T is Fujitsu tablets, but they are so expensive.
WHat would you do?
I currently own a Note 10.1 (2014), and the screen has been cracked for about 6 months. Now the screen is not responding to a finger touch (although the stylus still works). I am told that there is a dual digitizer in the device, and the one which responds to the finger is dead.
Although the device is still technically under warantee, Samsung will reject the work because the screen is cracked.
SO... and the reason I am posting here specifically
Do I pay $280 to get my Note 10.1 repaired, or do I go buy an S 10.5?
I do like the stylus for some features, but have found a BT keyboard to be a faster interface for notes
Thoughts?
GO!
I personally think that unless you find the stylus useful, the Tab S has the better screen by far. If the screen of the note doesn't bother you, though, it may very well be worth simply getting the repair instead of shelling out more for a new tablet.
Not that I ever avoid getting new toys.
Sent from my Galaxy S5

[Q] Pro 8.4 vs S 8.4. Worth the price difference?

I'm looking to buy 8.4 inch tablet. From what I read, both are very good tablet. The difference of price here is about 70 AUD.
I don't really care about AMOLED vs LCD- both are fine.
I'll most probably run it on custom ROM. Tab Pro already has official CM support and established community. I'm not sure about Tab S, it's is too early to tell at this stage. I also notice Tab S is slightly thinner and lighter. Tab S runs on 3GB ram compared to 2GB of Tab Pro.
Probably you guys can give an opinion whether the price difference is worth it. Is there any other factor that makes one better than the other?
In regards to custom ROM support, I would think the Tab Pro 8.4 would get more support because of the Snapdragon 800 processor. In America that processor is very popular and used by different manufacturers, so developer support is strong. The S 8.4 has a Exynos processor, which I'm not sure of developer support.
This video compares the Pro 8.4 vs. S 8.4
In addition to the above answer, if you are not going to root and will need Knox for security, go for the Tab pro. If you will root the device, get the Tab S because it has 3gb memory and it will certainly help.
I prefer the screen of the Tab Pro S. It is brighter and I have not had any problem with the 2 units I have used. I have also bought the Tab S 8.4 and the 10.5. Their screen were pinkish when viewing webpages with white background. I can also see purple fringing on top of icons and letters, while I see green fringing at the bottom.
I suggest go to a local store and try them both, only you can really make the best decision for yourself.
Good luck
If you actually don't care about the screen I would 100% get the tab pro 8.4. The snapdragon 800 is a better SOC than the exynos in the tab s. Your tablet will be quicker and developer support will always be more active with the snapdragon compared to the exynos. I currently have the tab pro 8.4 and it's perfect in every way except for the screen. I got spoiled with my note 3 and now I'm not sure I can stand reading off the tab pro in bed at night.
tl;dr if you don't care about the difference in screens, save your money and get the better performing tab pro 8.4
superkevx said:
If you actually don't care about the screen I would 100% get the tab pro 8.4. The snapdragon 800 is a better SOC than the exynos in the tab s. Your tablet will be quicker and developer support will always be more active with the snapdragon compared to the exynos. I currently have the tab pro 8.4 and it's perfect in every way except for the screen. I got spoiled with my note 3 and now I'm not sure I can stand reading off the tab pro in bed at night.
tl;dr if you don't care about the difference in screens, save your money and get the better performing tab pro 8.4
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I use lux lite from google play to reduce the brightness at night.
Thanks for the heads up regarding the Qualcomm vs Exynos thing, guys!
I love to customize my gadget and an active development community means a lot to me
I was leaning to tab S and now reconsidering my decision on tab pro.
If you own both device, I'd like to know your opinion about how it feels at your hand. I cannot try Tab Pro 8.4 at my local store (samsung decide not to sell it here) so I can only get it from grey imports. Does the difference in weight & dimension a significant one?
Hey I'm in the same position, can't decide what Tablet to get, I have however tried both of them in the shop and can say the Faux Leather plastic of the TabPro is not nice however won't we all be having a case on it anyway? As for the size difference is noticeable however in daily use I doubt it'd really effect anybody.
The price difference is £100 so that also plays a part idk how much cheaper the TabPro is for you. I'm also looking at the Nvidia Shield Tablet - let me know what you think to that compared to the Samsung tablets
acasserole said:
Hey I'm in the same position, can't decide what Tablet to get, I have however tried both of them in the shop and can say the Faux Leather plastic of the TabPro is not nice however won't we all be having a case on it anyway? As for the size difference is noticeable however in daily use I doubt it'd really effect anybody.
The price difference is £100 so that also plays a part idk how much cheaper the TabPro is for you. I'm also looking at the Nvidia Shield Tablet - let me know what you think to that compared to the Samsung tablets
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Nvidia shield is a gaming tablet and Samsung's tabs are casual tablet. It depends on your use case; for me, I'd rather play games on my pc instead of tablet.
What do you think about the weight? does Tab S feel more comfortable? It is very light for an 8.4 inch tablet.
Prokeke said:
Nvidia shield is a gaming tablet and Samsung's tabs are casual tablet. It depends on your use case; for me, I'd rather play games on my pc instead of tablet.
What do you think about the weight? does Tab S feel more comfortable? It is very light for an 8.4 inch tablet.
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Click to collapse
The Nvidia shield is close to stock android and has the best chipset out atm? and at a competetive price, the only thing is the weight of it...
And The tab was lighter though it's hard to tell when they have the security attachment things on the back. I tried bending it and it felt pretty solid considering how thin and light it was
acasserole said:
The Nvidia shield is close to stock android and has the best chipset out atm? and at a competetive price, the only thing is the weight of it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDIT: I thought it runs on Tegra 4. It turns out to be Tegra K1 which is a better processor.
I'm not sure about the best chipset. Snapdragon 800 has better clockspeed and only one less core. Exynos 5 has 8 core but a little less clockspeed.
While it might be true that it is close to stock android, Nvidia is famous to keep the source of their SoC, making it harder for devs to develop things. I own LG optimus 2x with nvidia tegra 2 chipset and familiar with frustated devs blaming nVidia for it. Also, You can see that there is little to no development going on Shield's forum.
Qualcomm on the other hand is more developer friendly.
Another difference to note is the finger print scanner on the Tab S
I tested the Pro 8.4 and S 8.4 at a store. The S is noticeably lighter and thinner, but it doesn't matter to me since I always uses cases that add some bulk. I really don't like the Pro's extra height, which makes it a little awkward to hold in portrait mode. Its also harder to find sleeve cases that fit the height, without resorting to a sleeve made for a 10" tablet. The Pro is modeled after the Galaxy Note 3, while the S is modeled after the Galaxy S5. The Pro/Note 3's faux leather back is just matte plastic. The S/S5's back has a rubber-like coating thats soft and grippy. Getting the Pro 8.4 was an easy decision, especially due to the lower price. I can't see the difference between LCD and AMOLED screens.
xdm9mm said:
I use lux lite from google play to reduce the brightness at night.
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Yeah I have tried that. Looks like you have a note 3 also. Try reading something in the dark with the note 3 and black background with grey text. Like google play books with night mode turned on or any app with an amoled option. Then try the same with the gtab pro in the dark and you'll notice a huge difference!
I prefer the pro 8.4 against the s 8.4. Its cheaper by a lot and has a more widely used SoC hence more awesome ROMs to choose from.
superkevx said:
Yeah I have tried that. Looks like you have a note 3 also. Try reading something in the dark with the note 3 and black background with grey text. Like google play books with night mode turned on or any app with an amoled option. Then try the same with the gtab pro in the dark and you'll notice a huge difference!
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Yes I know what you mean. It (ASAmoled screen) is nicer when reading at night, but I can't stand looking at it during the day time. I have already returned the Note 3. I only have S4 and Tab pro 8.4 now.

Tab S 8.4 Question

Hello,
Im thinking of buying this today, My basic usuage will be for reading books,
Would this screen size be a issue for reading or should i go for 10.1 ?
veenab said:
Hello,
Im thinking of buying this today, My basic usuage will be for reading books,
Would this screen size be a issue for reading or should i go for 10.1 ?
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In my opinion. This is the perfect size for reading. That is one of my primary usages for the 8.4. Larger=heavier=lesser reading experience.
veenab said:
Hello,
Im thinking of buying this today, My basic usuage will be for reading books,
Would this screen size be a issue for reading or should i go for 10.1 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on what you are willing to read. For e-books, I'd actually aim at a 7" tablet that you can easily hold in one hand, which is not the case of the Tab S 8.4.
In e-books the fonts are scaleable, and an app such as Moon+ reader allows you to scroll the text as you read for optimized reading ergonomy. In my opinion, handling comfort is more important than screen size.
I personally use a 2nd gen Nexus 7, which is not only easier to manipulate but also offers a smoother scrolling than Tab S 8.4, but I beleive Huawei X1 to be an even better option for this usage.
If you are more interested in comics, then a larger screen will be more comfortable. 7" is good enough with scrolling, 8.4" is more comfortable but 10.5" is better for this usage as it allows to decently display a full page in portrait mode.
ukael said:
Depends on what you are willing to read. For e-books, I'd actually aim at a 7" tablet that you can easily hold in one hand, which is not the case of the Tab S 8.4.
In e-books the fonts are scaleable, and an app such as Moon+ reader allows you to scroll the text as you read for optimized reading ergonomy. In my opinion, handling comfort is more important than screen size.
I personally use a 2nd gen Nexus 7, which is not only easier to manipulate but also offers a smoother scrolling than Tab S 8.4, but I beleive Huawei X1 to be an even better option for this usage.
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Click to collapse
The 2nd gen Nexus 7 got the same weight as the Tab S 8.4 or to be more precise, it's 290 g against 294 g. Besides that, the Tab S actually feels a bit lighter to me because the weight is more balanced in that slightly bigger device. I bought the Tab S last week after using the Nexus for a year for its better screen as well as the sd slot and the lack of multitouch issues (which plague all N7 2nd gen IMO more or less). Anyway, I did prefer 7" before the purchase but now I thing the (light weight) 8.4 device is a better compromise all around. The handling comfort is really around the same or for me a bit better on the Tab S and it is just as mobile (fits easily in the back pocket of my baggy jeans).
ukael said:
If you are more interested in comics, then a larger screen will be more comfortable. 7" is good enough with scrolling, 8.4" is more comfortable but 10.5" is better for this usage as it allows to decently display a full page in portrait mode.
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Yeah, Comixology as well as CBZ/CBR files profit allot from the noticeable size increase (still talking about N7 2k13 against Tab S 8.4). Plus the deep blacks (as well as the vibrant and adjustable colors) help with the large black parts in most comic art and keep the battery usage down.
TheGoD said:
The 2nd gen Nexus 7 got the same weight as the Tab S 8.4 or to be more precise, it's 290 g against 294 g. Besides that, the Tab S actually feels a bit lighter to me because the weight is more balanced in that slightly bigger device. I bought the Tab S last week after using the Nexus for a year for its better screen as well as the sd slot and the lack of multitouch issues (which plague all N7 2nd gen IMO more or less). Anyway, I did prefer 7" before the purchase but now I thing the (light weight) 8.4 device is a better compromise all around. The handling comfort is really around the same or for me a bit better on the Tab S and it is just as mobile (fits easily in the back pocket of my baggy jeans).
Yeah, Comixology as well as CBZ/CBR files profit allot from the noticeable size increase (still talking about N7 2k13 against Tab S 8.4). Plus the deep blacks (as well as the vibrant and adjustable colors) help with the large black parts in most comic art and keep the battery usage down.
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Click to collapse
Interesting points you highlight here. The handling comfort seems to be a matter of personal preference. As far as I am concerned, I use the Nexus 7 without cover, and hold it in one hand when reading.
The Tab S is the same weight without cover, but I find it less comfortable to hold single handed. Worse, I find the samsung touchkeys to be a permanent annoyance when handling the tab without a cover, because its borders are so thin it's though to find a proper place to grip on it. I therefore use it exclusively with its top grade official cover, which is an awesome stand and improves handling but adds 50% weight and doesn't make it thinner for single handed use.
That and the fact the N7 offers a smoother experience on Moon+ Reader lead me to prefer it for ebooks reading. And I can't help thinking about how good the Huawei X1 with its 220g should be for this usage.
Now, I totally agree that the tab S's size is more versatile option. 8.4" is an excellent compromise that led me to completely give up on 10" tablets. But I'm not much of a comics reader, and don't care about the screen size for movies.
ukael said:
Depends on what you are willing to read. For e-books, I'd actually aim at a 7" tablet that you can easily hold in one hand, which is not the case of the Tab S 8.4.
In e-books the fonts are scaleable, and an app such as Moon+ reader allows you to scroll the text as you read for optimized reading ergonomy. In my opinion, handling comfort is more important than screen size.
I personally use a 2nd gen Nexus 7, which is not only easier to manipulate but also offers a smoother scrolling than Tab S 8.4, but I beleive Huawei X1 to be an even better option for this usage.
If you are more interested in comics, then a larger screen will be more comfortable. 7" is good enough with scrolling, 8.4" is more comfortable but 10.5" is better for this usage as it allows to decently display a full page in portrait mode.
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Click to collapse
Not comics but my basically study material ( programming languagues,etc)
I already ordered a Tab S 8.4 on ebay,

Has anyone switched from an ipad to tab S4?

I'm currently using an iPad Air 2 looking for an upgrade, my 2 options being the iPad pro and the Samsung tab S4. If anyone has switched from on ipad onto the Tab S4, I want to know whether the change was good or not? I use my ipad for reading books and digitalized notes plus videos from YouTube, Netflix, Prime video. How does Tab S4 fare as a book reader(pdf)?
Chasing_cars said:
I'm currently using an iPad Air 2 looking for an upgrade, my 2 options being the iPad pro and the Samsung tab S4. If anyone has switched from on ipad onto the Tab S4, I want to know whether the change was good or not? I use my ipad for reading books and digitalized notes plus videos from YouTube, Netflix, Prime video. How does Tab S4 fare as a book reader(pdf)?
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I switched from an iPad pro 2017 to a Tab S4 with no regret.
The iPad is a well built device but I wanted something with more possibilities (root) and being consitant with my android phone (Pixel 3)
With Vanced Youtube, no more annying ads
To read pdf I simply use google pdf reader, no problem to open pdf files as big as 450mb so far.
I think this is he best Android tablet you can buy at the moment
Hey,I switched from ipad 6 gen (2018) to tab s4 and I'm dissapointed,I would rather take ipad pro. The screen color saturation is great tho,but it is slower and more laggy. Ipad pro 2,3gen processor has much better performance and I like the interface more on ipad. But I don't use device as a ebook reader.
Rokz1z said:
Hey,I switched from ipad 6 gen (2018) to tab s4 and I'm dissapointed,I would rather take ipad pro. The screen color saturation is great tho,but it is slower and more laggy. Ipad pro 2,3gen processor has much better performance and I like the interface more on ipad. But I don't use device as a ebook reader.
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I switched from an iPad Air 2. I do miss the iPad Form factor but this is a great tablet. But I have been leaving the Apple ecosystem and the iPad was the last thing I had. I moved to a Pixelbook from a MacBook Pro. I believe this is the best Android tablet on the market today like was mentioned earlier. The 16x10 display is good for movie watching and I have felt no lag like previous Android tablets I have used.
I think this is a pretty good video to take a look at: https://youtu.be/q24uD5UgT-0
I've had 2018 ipad pro, but send it back to Vodafone and got myself tab s4. No regrets.
Ipad is certainly nice looking and powerful, but all that power is restricted by IOS.
I mostly use my tablet for netflix, youtube and such, so 4:3 aspect ration on ipad was annoying. 16:10 on tab s4 is much better, minimal black bars on screen.
Only thing I miss from ipad is face id. It works on day and night unlike gimmicky iris/face unlock of Samsung that struggles in dark or if you wear glasses.
I have both the 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 and the Galaxy Tab S4. In my opinion the 16:9 aspect ratio and the vibrant AMOLED display are much better for media consumption as mentioned in the comments above.
There is no denying that the iPad Pro is very quick with the A10x Bionic SoC and 120Hz display but what can you really do with that power? The Galaxy Tab S4 is not quite as fast but it is certainly no slouch and performs very well in most tasks. It would not have any issues for the purpose that you have described.
In addition, the Tab S4 LTE version (T835) can do phone calls and SMS's as well as WhatsApp and various other mobile apps. (Something that iPad has never supported). It also has support for Bluetooth mouse and keyboard which is very handy if you need to do some basic tasks and don't want to carry a notebook with you.
Finally, the USB-C port on the Tab S4 is more versatile due to the Android OS which is less restrictive than iOS. (For example you can access files on an external drive)
I had the Galaxy Tab S3 before and tend to use my Galaxy tablet more often than the iPad simply because of the flexibility. (For example, I wanted to copy photos and videos onto my tablet to show to some family and friends the other day and just couldn't find an easy way to do that with iPad because once the file were transferred, I wasn't able to find them in the video and image viewer, whereas with the Galaxy Tab, I just connected it to my PC and dropped the files onto the memory card, Done!)
its sad they wont make a flagship tablet. theres no reason for it to be slower than their flagship phones. it would be one thing if it was just a little slower than the ipad in benchmarks, but in some areas its like half the perfomance!
An update on this, I finally got myself the Tab S4 and I'm really happy with it!
•The S pen is awesome to use
•the screen is amazing
•UI and animations are smooth
•Speakers are okayish, could have better bass
•All the apps I need work well with the tab and dont look silly/unoptimised
•Battery backup is nice, although havent timed it yet
•Heaphone Jack!
•Youtube in 1440p!
•Better communiction with my Pixel 2( vs ipad)
•Gaming is smooth(Tested Mortal Kombat X, GTASA, PUBG)
This is quite an underrated tablet TBH, most people see SD835 and 4Gb Ram and trun this down but I think its well worth the price. Samsung has promised pie update in March, lets see. So far so good!
Muller21pr0 said:
I am a really fan of iPad
I really want to buy an iPad or just to try it once
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Please check your PM's. Thank you.

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