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[Q] If I was to choose another tablet

If i were to return my galaxy 8.9 tablet... what other tablet would be ideal to get?
with all my research i came up with
#1 Kindlefire -
pros- price, would save me about $250, decent amount of developing roms
cons - NO CAMERA
#2 Motorola Xoom -
Pros- saves me about.. $100 bucks, comes with micro sd slot, lots of roms and development.., better camera also
cons-from what i heard washed out screen?(#1 reason why i got the galaxy tab in the first place), possibly too big, or heavy being that im use to the 8.9's leetness?
#3 ?
#4 ?
so on..
what do you guys think would be a good candidate?

the thing is im in love with the 8.9 screen size.
it took me a while to decide on what tablet i wanted and i tried out quite a few.
10.1 is just too big for me. i want to carry my tab around easily.
the 7inch is just too small. browsing becomes a chore and it just isn't that much of a gain compared to phones.
i really don't know why you would want to change your tab
everything else will feel bulky. a xoom is pretty huge and heavy plus the screen can be total crap if you are unlucky.
kindle is nice and cheap but is underpowered compared to the 8.9.
to be able to give you some ideas on what tab is good we would need to know why you want it and what you use it for. if you just want to watch movies on it by all means go for a 10.1 tablet if not then smaller might be better...

when another tab with 8.9 screen and tegra3 comes out, I'll take a look at it.

ellokomen said:
when another tab with 8.9 screen and tegra3 comes out, I'll take a look at it.
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^ This. I totally agree. It's the perfect screen size.

ellokomen said:
when another tab with 8.9 screen and tegra3 comes out, I'll take a look at it.
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thats a good reason for me to keep my tablet!,
the only reason why i was looking into another tablet is because im a college student and i feel like $450 was a big burn in my pocket just for a luxury device that i dont really need :/

trying to decide between 8.9" and tab 2 7"

which one should i get? galaxy tab 8.9 is used for $200 or pay $270 for tab 2 7" at BestBuy?

I use to look in gsmarena, you can compare devices with lot of details, IMO you
have to think in size and in CPU/Chipset, Exynos 1.2G of 7+ is faster.
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=4208&idPhone2=3891
:|

In this case you have to make your decision because of the size. I love my 8.9 because 7" is to small and 10" to big. Thats the reason why I have bought this tab. I dont know why no other manufacturer produce a tab in this size ... in my eyes 9" or better 8.5" is the best size for a tablet. I used the Ipad from my mom and after 30 minutes it was to heavy for me. I also used the 7" pad from a friend and its to small in my opinion. When i have to made a decision between these to (Ipad and 7"), i woukd choose the 7". But we all are lucky that samsung created these perfect 8.9

I've had a 10" tab and it was just too big. I had a 7" tab and I didn't use it much because it wasn't much bigger than my phone. That's why I went with the 8.9 and it's perfect for me. If this didn't exist, I'd probably stay with the 7" tabs.

It all depends on how you're going to use it: landscape vs portrait.
I bought the 8.9 because I tought a 10.1 would be too big, but after hours of continuous use in landscape, browsing and IM-ing, I started to feel that I needed and even lighter tablet. Until I figured out how easy it is to use it in portrait mode instead of landscape. Holding it is easier, scrolling is easier, typing is way easier (obviously) and now the weight issue is simply non-existent. Now I am even thinking about a 10.1 to be my next tablet, although the main reason would be the higher resolution (read: Transformer Infinity) that would help with browsing websites in portrait, which is really the only downside right now with my tab.
I don't know why everyone is avoiding portrait when it comes to big Android tablets, probably because they want to be different then all the iPad owners, but, really, you should try it, it's a whole new experience. I can't imagine myself using landscape again other than for watching movies, on a tablet. I would love it on a desktop PC too, if it were possible, since all the websites are built on columns and after a few scrolls you end up reading a bunch of text that is concentrated in the middle of the screen, on 50% of your monitor's area..

jlobodroid said:
I use to look in gsmarena, you can compare devices with lot of details, IMO you
have to think in size and in CPU/Chipset, Exynos 1.2G of 7+ is faster.
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=4208&idPhone2=3891
:|
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Click to collapse
OP said Tab 2 7", different than the Tab 7 Plus. The Tab 2 is OMAP4 powered.
I have a Tab 8.9 and a Tab 2 7in, and there are things I like from both. Honestly, I'd prefer the Tab 8.9 but with a faster CPU and an sd card slot. Got to have an sd card slot in any future tablet I buy. Expandable storage is such a crucial feature, its mind boggling how some manufacturers can exclude it.

The Next 8.9 tablet ?

Like many others on this forum, I am deeply enamoured to the 8.9 form factor. For me it's the sweet spot between having enough screen space for lounging at home without being too bulky or heavy to throw into my messenger with other stuff and carry around. When LG first announced their first tablet would be 8.9 based on customer research, I knew I'd be drawn to it, having found the original iPad too bulky. But by the time it came state sides as t mobile spring board it was out of spec and unwieldy. So when Samsung announced the galaxy tab 8.9 with current specs and lighter and thinner than ipad2 dimensions, I knew I was going to get it. After playing around with the 10.1 while waiting for the 8.9, then getting the 8.9 soon after it's release, there was no turning back!
Now, I plan to stick with this 8.9 for at least through the year, but admittedly in a world where quad cores and 1080nd screens are coming out, I've been keenly waiting to see if a current successor to the 8.9 would be announced, either by Sammy or another vendor, and I have become anxious that this form factor might die out. I secretly hope that there will be a galaxy note 8.9 in addition to the galaxy note 10.1 set for Q3, but I'm not seeing anything.
Then today I read this news on the new kindle fire rumors, and lo and behold, a 8.9 size with 1080hd screen is there!
http://m.cnet.com/news/at-least-three-kindle-fire-2-tablets-one-with-4g-on-the-way/57467294
This kind of torments my heart. I'm glad to see a manufacturer come up with these specs and hope it prods others too. But I'm not really glad it's a Amazon kindle. I tried the kindle fire for about a month before selling it, and I was quite disappointed at the sluggishness, box like design, and I'm not sure I trust Amazon to build a quality tablet anymore. And I fear Amazon will be more restrictive in terms of root-and port-ability, not to mention lack even more developer support.
But then if this is the only 8.9 tablet on the market at the end of the year and foreseeable future, I might feel compelled. What are your thoughts on the next 8.9 tablet for you?
Sent from my GT-P7310 using xda premium

if we can hack it and use a real version of Android then i can NOT wait for an 8.9 update.
I hate the Amazon interface, i personally really prefer Google's Android and the variety of choice in Google Play.

bdfull3r said:
if we can hack it and use a real version of Android then i can NOT wait for an 8.9 update.
I hate the Amazon interface, i personally really prefer Google's Android and the variety of choice in Google Play.
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Yeah, if the hardware is good enough(quad core and 1080p), and it is hackable, then I guess I'll consider the kindle too.
Though Amazon app store had a few good deals, I have to say, I much prefer the Google play too (as much as I dislike that name), if only to avoid update lags.
I so do wish we'll have more 8.9 inch options later this year!

Jnn1 said:
Yeah, if the hardware is good enough(quad core and 1080p), and it is hackable, then I guess I'll consider the kindle too.
Though Amazon app store had a few good deals, I have to say, I much prefer the Google play too (as much as I dislike that name), if only to avoid update lags.
I so do wish we'll have more 8.9 inch options later this year!
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Same here. All I wait is for an HD version with quad-core 8.9 and I will pounced on it.
Sent from my GT-P7300

I'm surprised the 8.9 size isn't more popular to be honest. I've always though that the iPad was a hell of a cumbersome thing, even the 2nd and 3rd generation versions, but that the Kindle Fire and other 7" devices tend to be almost like slightly overgrown smartphones, too small for web browsing and barely an investment in themselves unless you're a heavy eBook reader. 8.9 got it bang on but doesn't seem to have kicked off, to the point that Sammy haven't done an 8.9 Tab2.
Do remember though that the Tab2 range is almost the same product manufactured differently to get the price down (and redesigned to avoid further law suits from Apple) so other than waiting for OS updates there's not much of a disadvantage owning a Galaxy Tab 8.9.
But yeah, the 8.9 is the Goldie-Locks tablet, it's not too big, not too small, just right!

Personally, if we can get a Jelly Bean port after the official ICS release then I'm set.
I don't play intensive games so have no need for quad core anything. I'll be sticking with my GT8.9 for some time I think.

I do enjoy my 8.9 as well, but I think Samsung and other manufactures put out a bunch of different sizes the last couple years to feel out the market. Its looking like the 10inch and 7inch are prolly gonna become the normal going forward with most manufacturers if I were to guess.

Benknot said:
I do enjoy my 8.9 as well, but I think Samsung and other manufactures put out a bunch of different sizes the last couple years to feel out the market. Its looking like the 10inch and 7inch are prolly gonna become the normal going forward with most manufacturers if I were to guess.
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Which is really tragic, considering he majority of consumers never had much of a chance to try out a 8.9. If anything, I hope a kindle fire does come out in 8.9, if only, so that it peaks consumer and manufacturer interest in the 8.9 form factor!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I think 8.9 could do well if one company focused on only 8.9...

I have the same feeling about me 8.9, it is just the perfect size, I really dont get why
We dont have a new Sammy 8.9, I think Xoom2 is a alternative.
Sent from my GT-P7300 using xda app-developers app

sbeddoesdesign said:
I think 8.9 could do well if one company focused on only 8.9...
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Well, not that I'd wish to restrict the choice of others, but if you think about it, the tab 8.9 if the same height as the iPad, which speaks to it's optimal size, yet it's lighter and with 16:10 dimensions good for watching movies too ... so I do wish and think companies should show more love for 8.9s.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

8.9 is the right size but too many people dont know it :-(
I have tried the Ipad, the original thrive and galaxy, a trans prime, the fire and the Acer 7 inch, and my beloved touchpad and the galaxy tab 8.9 is just the perfect size and the screen is much prettier than ips displays. I love it. But the tegra 2 is just not enough. My poor tab just can't handle HD vids. So sadly my touchpad gets more use than my galaxy. Also I wish it had expandable memory. Come on Sammy why didn't you give this beauty an SD card slot? So while I agree that the 8.9 is just the right size it is due for an upgrade. Sadly it doesn't look as though one will be here soon enough. So for me its just waiting for someone to make a tab with a prettier screen and expandable memory. Unfortunaty for me none of the new tabs have a good screen. Ips displays have washed out colors when you compare them to an Ipad or a Samsung tablet. As for the 8.9 fire 2 it could be a decent machine. I put an aokp ics rom on my friends kindle and its a decent tablet now. Just a bit too small for me. Only time will tell but here's to my prayers for Sammy to make an 8.9 2 with a real processor and a SD card slot! That would be the best.

I've owned: Transformer w/dock., Iconia A500, Toshiba Thrive, Streak 7, Evo View, 8" china pad, Evo View, Archos 80 G9 and of course the 8.9. Left in the stable are the
Evo View: I'm on sprint so having the data plan is nice, but it sits on my nightstand on wifi and used once in a blue moon. Will probably sell it soon while it still has some value. 7" is just too small and not enough of a size difference over my 4" phone. I like the stylus, but haven't used it as much as I thought I would. The data plan is nice because some wifi at the hospitals I go to have a sign in, and for some odd reason webmail doesn't work while on it. Really odd. It was the same on the touchpad. Yet the Apple crowd had no issues. Haven't figured that one out.
Archos 80 G9: I paid $125 via Staples last month for it. Like the 4:3 8" size. Dual core OMAP, connectivity out the wazoo (full size usb, hdmi, microSD and microUSB), and I've been on official ICS since day one. The screen isn't bad. It has a little more heft and big side bezels, but it's comfy and more comfy to hold than any 10.1". Plus it has the built in kickstand. Another reason to ditch the Evo View. I have a dock for it, and I wouldn't need the dock to keep it upright on the nightstand. still not my ideal screen size as HD content is no better than a 7" tablet, or slightly less even. Not sure on that math.
And the 8.9: Tegra 2 is fine for me. No hi profile blu ray rips for me. I have the usb dongle for a card reader. Great screen even if it is PLS. The size and weight is the perfect trade off for carrying between the 10" and 7" while still having enough real estate to make media viewing and reading enjoyable. Best screen size out there if you ask me.
That being said, I want a 9 or 4:3. I think that's the best of both worlds. HD would still be a bit larger than a 7" tablet and everything else would be a nice 4:3 9" . And I want built in connectivity. microSD and HDMI are key. So until that comes, I have no need to buy another tablet unless the 8.9 and Archos become obsolete.

Yeah, I getcha... An 8.9 with Tegra 3 would be nice. For me, well, HD Movies on this little screen, personally I wouldn't notice/appreciate the difference, I watch some SD stuff and stream Netflix on there when I can't use my TV and it looks sharp as anything to be honest, heh... Tegra 3 would be nice for gaming though.

I know what you mean, I've been hoping to hear some rumors of a Galaxy Note 8.9 as well. Honestly the 10-inch form factor feels too big, and the 7-inch too small. The 8.9 felt just felt perfect and the S-Pen is now a big deal for me on a tablet. Stick in some internals like whats in the Galaxy SIII (quad-core, 2 GB ram, NFC/Android Beam, Jelly Bean, and 2MP FFC/5MP Rear Camera). Bring back the IR blaster from the original Tab 8.9, and a 1080p screen (to keep in competition with the Retina display). Then all they'd have to do is keep it thin and light (not plastic-like) and I'd probably camp out for that one, even if it costs $599

8.9 vs note 10.1

Forgive me if I do something really wrong...this is my first post here.
I got a Samsung Note 10.1 today and have been playing a few hours now. It is really sweet...except it is just too damn big. I grabbed a 32gb at Amazon. I have 30 days to decide. The pen is much improved over the phone version (which I have) but the sheer size of this tablet is just off putting.
I really wish Sammy would release this in the 8.9 size. Maybe after the lawsuits are concluded we will see it...somehow I doubt it, considering the support the 8.9 has gotten so far.
Don't know how to list the phones and tablets I have had so far...it's a bunch.
The 8.9 size is just too perfect.

You are complete right, 8.9 is just the perfect size, and GT NOTE 8.9 would be a dream, you are a lucky!, GTN10.1 should
be a great device.
Sent from my GT-P7300 using xda app-developers app

OP, what are your opinions of the build quality? Most reviews are tearing it up for being shoddily made. Android Police tore it a new one.
That said, I would like to stick the Exynos 4412 and 2GB of RAM into my Tab 8.9.

I don't understand the bad reviews on the build quality. I have read that it is so flimsy you can twist it easily and feel the "guts" through the thin back cover. Just not true. It is as stout as the 8.9. Also, some have complained about a light bleed on the screen. No problem there either.
My honest opinion?
Apple fan boys at Android Police getting REALLY nervous.
It's a real nice, very fast, device. Just wish it was a bit smaller. I have kept my HTC Evo view all this time because a 7 inch device with a working pen is just so handy. If Samsung would put the Note out in an 8.9 size, I would sell everything else in a heartbeat and be a very very happy little girl.

The 10.1 looks truly amazing. Yeah, Sammy's 10.1 inch tabs are a little bit (bigger than iPad even) but I imagine that can be handy for work stuff.
I wouldn't recommend switching it to the 8.9 for software reasons. The 10.1's software is much better. On the 8.9 we're still stuck here with Android 3.2, way way way out of date, and the processor, whilst better even than the iPad on paper, really struggles to play 3D games at a good framerate. The Note 10.1 has the same advantage of the Galaxy S3 in that it's way more powerful than it could ever possibly need to be so whatever you throw at it will run lovely and fast.
8.9 may be the perfect size but the software and performance are pretty bad and the service even worse (we still don't know even IF we're getting Ice Cream Sandwich, every month news sites say the next month but when people e-mail Sammy they say they have no official release date, and the unofficial ICS rom has bricked my tab by killing the battery).

[Q] Is it too late to buy an 8.9?

Well I asked this question in the CM10 thread but was told it was best left for the general thread. I am in a position to get my first tablet and have it down to the 8.9 and the nexus 7. I love the hardware on the 8.9, and the screen size is perfect, but it is a little older and I plan on putting CM on it to keep the software up to date and it might not be able to keep up much longer. I like the Nexus 7's hardware but I have a feeling it'll be just a little too small for any sort of productivity (mostly taking notes) and I have never been a fan of the 7 inch form factor. So I ask you 8.9 owners, how does CM10 run on it and how do you think it'll fare in the future? Would you recommend it still as a purchase? Thanks in advance.

Brettbesa said:
Well I asked this question in the CM10 thread but was told it was best left for the general thread. I am in a position to get my first tablet and have it down to the 8.9 and the nexus 7. I love the hardware on the 8.9, and the screen size is perfect, but it is a little older and I plan on putting CM on it to keep the software up to date and it might not be able to keep up much longer. I like the Nexus 7's hardware but I have a feeling it'll be just a little too small for any sort of productivity (mostly taking notes) and I have never been a fan of the 7 inch form factor. So I ask you 8.9 owners, how does CM10 run on it and how do you think it'll fare in the future? Would you recommend it still as a purchase? Thanks in advance.
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If you can get it cheap it is still a very good tablet but I wouldn't recommend paying full price for it now as the hardware is a bit outdated. I'm personally aiming for a nexus 10 or 7 because of the high res screen is just too tempting!

There can unfortunately be very few guarantees made about future developments. The dev community on 8.9 is small, and any time one of the remaining devs decide to buy a new tablet, support for cm ROMs may disappear without notice...
Or it may be continued by new devs who currently are happy to watch and learn.
The good thing is the similarity to 10.1 tablet, so the 8.9 devs can inherit a lot direct from 10.1 devs.
It is still a very able, good size and weight tablet for mobility, and for a good price, I'd pick it up again. Personally I'd like a 8.0 to 8.4 inch, max weight 300g... For even more comfortable reading. But everyone differs...

Its your first tablet, so I'd be going for future updates. The n7 and n10 are great choices for you first tablet.
My first tablet was the OG Xoom. Then I got a flyer and hated the small screen. I was glad I don't sell the Xoom, as it is great, but still needed something a bit more portable, so I picked up a used i957 for 200 and really haven't touched the Xoom since.
Not that the gtab is better, but I needed something bigger than the note I had, but smaller than my Xoom, plus the cellular connectivity my note had.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using XDA Premium HD app

Ps. It struggles with high bitrate, fast motion x264 video... My own encodes (720p -crf22 -ref5) run fine...

Brettbesa said:
Well I asked this question in the CM10 thread but was told it was best left for the general thread. I am in a position to get my first tablet and have it down to the 8.9 and the nexus 7. I love the hardware on the 8.9, and the screen size is perfect, but it is a little older and I plan on putting CM on it to keep the software up to date and it might not be able to keep up much longer. I like the Nexus 7's hardware but I have a feeling it'll be just a little too small for any sort of productivity (mostly taking notes) and I have never been a fan of the 7 inch form factor. So I ask you 8.9 owners, how does CM10 run on it and how do you think it'll fare in the future? Would you recommend it still as a purchase? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 8.9's are closing to a phase-out. I think. CM10 works like a charm on the 8.9, if you're not after face unlock. And I hear there's a school in SE Asia that uses 8.9s as ebooks. So maybe it's a sign that it's good.

you can always check out the nook HD+. they've rooted (temp root) it and found the bootloader unlocked so development should be starting up soon. as to whether i like it better than the sammy, hell no!
as it is its running b&n's launcher and the tablet is laggy as hell. scrolling netflix queues is as slow, choppy and unresponsive as my tf700's were. the sammy is better, but not as good as the galaxy note 10.1.
i'm still on the fence on whether to keep it or not. CM may bring out some better performance, but right now it's just a high res book reader (which it's market to be - and a pretty good one at that.) since i'm a silver rz member i have 45 days to make up my mind.

Just bought an 8.9 from Amazon - very pleased
HI - I just bought a 3G Galaxy Tab 8.9 from Amazon.co.uk - for £250...it was a refurbished one, but is in mint condition. I love it. Need to work out how to root it and get rid of the Samsung Apps - but once I've done that I will be set. I was also going to go for the Nexus 7, but found that when using the keyboard in landscape mode - the keyboard takes up half the screen. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it, but I have no regrets on the 8.9 - for me it is the ideal size screen... speakers on the 8.9 are surprisingly good too. Go for it!

i just picked up a used one with a nice leather case for $220. Boss is going to pay for the data plan, so I'm all set.