Another new tablet
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Join Date: Dec 2013
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Another new tablet
The battery on my last year's seven inch tablet (jelly bean 4.2.1) is running out of puff, so I thought I'd better get a new one.
This time it cost a mere 40 quid for a 4.2.2 tablet which is perfectly acceptable.There were a few bugs to overcome, the default page kept resetting to a chinese search engine, avg told me it had been rooted, and play store refuses to provide my usual apps.
The default page problem was easy to fix, I tried alternative browsers and found Dolphin suits me. To get home screen links I have to copy from Dolphin and paste in the resident browser, infrequently so not a problem.
Rooted? Dunno, but perhaps that's why Play Store offers me phone apps in portrait style rather than wide-screen landscape tablet apps. Not a problem, I simply use links to desktop sites instead.
The really good news is that it has a separate charger input, and a real full-size usb host socket, which means I can hook in peripherals at will whilst still charging if necessary. I use a two-channel wireless dongle to connect kb and mouse, and I have a teeny 4-way hub for when I want these plus mem stick for photo work.
I still have the old tablet with very short battery life, it is handy to have a second machine for occasional use or longer term swipe-only use with mains connected.
Though there have been issues to surmount, I would still go for cheap machines because I can afford a new one each year instead of being tied into a clunky great iPad or whatever running last year's software.
This time it cost a mere 40 quid for a 4.2.2 tablet which is perfectly acceptable.There were a few bugs to overcome, the default page kept resetting to a chinese search engine, avg told me it had been rooted, and play store refuses to provide my usual apps.
The default page problem was easy to fix, I tried alternative browsers and found Dolphin suits me. To get home screen links I have to copy from Dolphin and paste in the resident browser, infrequently so not a problem.
Rooted? Dunno, but perhaps that's why Play Store offers me phone apps in portrait style rather than wide-screen landscape tablet apps. Not a problem, I simply use links to desktop sites instead.
The really good news is that it has a separate charger input, and a real full-size usb host socket, which means I can hook in peripherals at will whilst still charging if necessary. I use a two-channel wireless dongle to connect kb and mouse, and I have a teeny 4-way hub for when I want these plus mem stick for photo work.
I still have the old tablet with very short battery life, it is handy to have a second machine for occasional use or longer term swipe-only use with mains connected.
Though there have been issues to surmount, I would still go for cheap machines because I can afford a new one each year instead of being tied into a clunky great iPad or whatever running last year's software.
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I would still go for cheap machines
And so would I. Still using a three year old Viewsonic from Maplin. Cost just over a hundred quid and has a SIM card (currently with a Virgin plugged in) SD slot (with 32gigs in it) GPS, the WFW.
Only problem is it doesn't like my home WiFi network (but likes every other damn one in the neighbourhood, even ones with a far lower level), however once on charge it locks up OK.
No need to pay a fortune for these things, and the old ones are very useful to pass around the canapés at parties on....
And so would I. Still using a three year old Viewsonic from Maplin. Cost just over a hundred quid and has a SIM card (currently with a Virgin plugged in) SD slot (with 32gigs in it) GPS, the WFW.
Only problem is it doesn't like my home WiFi network (but likes every other damn one in the neighbourhood, even ones with a far lower level), however once on charge it locks up OK.
No need to pay a fortune for these things, and the old ones are very useful to pass around the canapés at parties on....
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Tablets were never intended to be desktop or laptop replacements, the only people who want them to be so are those pesky gullible users who fall for the marketing hype that a tablet (from any manufacturer) will suddenly do everything for them !
To those of us in the know, the old adage "right tool for the job" applies. For example, I wouldn't take my tablet to work and I wouldn't take my laptop to the gym....
To those of us in the know, the old adage "right tool for the job" applies. For example, I wouldn't take my tablet to work and I wouldn't take my laptop to the gym....
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I'm not sure I understand how the battery of a year-old tablet could be "running out of puff." My son has a Google Nexus 7 (2012) which is still holding a charge for many hours. My other son as well as my daughter each have a 1st Gen Kindle Fire both of which are certainly holding their own, charge-wise. (Certainly not holding their own dirty, fingerprint en-caked screens wise!)
mixture:
Like you I would never entertain the thought of bringing one of my tablets to work. Dunno why, it just seems So Wrong!!!
mixture:
Like you I would never entertain the thought of bringing one of my tablets to work. Dunno why, it just seems So Wrong!!!
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rgb Yes, a rarity, I've had many batteries last well, but this one recently dropped from three hours to one hour. It discharges quickly and recharges equally quickly. Not worth trying to get inside and replace, easy enough to keep plugged in when used as a spare.
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I have a Cambridge tablet STARPAD for using with my DSLR camera.
mainly because it had a IPS 1280*800 Hi-Res Screen
Think it cost me 75 quid.
You can get them with Blue tooth and 3G as well although I don't have that on mine.
Well chuffed with it to be honest and its worth a look.
mainly because it had a IPS 1280*800 Hi-Res Screen
Think it cost me 75 quid.
You can get them with Blue tooth and 3G as well although I don't have that on mine.
Well chuffed with it to be honest and its worth a look.
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Did you have Skype installed? They recently added a new 'feature' that used up all your battery in a very short time, but it was fixed a week or two back.
