Need New 7 Inch Tablet - Slim Pickings

[Phog Allen]

Gents, my old Samsung Tab 4 7.0 is getting...well lets just say slower than mud and more and more I get the dreaded 'not compatible with your devise' when I attempt to install apps. Even after the developers tell me it should be compatible(KitKat 4.4.2). There are allegedly remedies for this by 'resetting' Play Store or similar but nothing works. So, upgrade time.

The main issue is size. I really, really like the 7 inch size. Perfect for reading, browsing, and the time wasting things I do. I do not 'work' on these devises and never have. They are for consumption of web content and media. Now, try to find a decent one. Brick wall. 99% of the tablets in this range are designs from 3-5 years ago even if they have a newer version of Android on them. I had an Amazon fire tablet and didn't like it to be honest. Kind of clunky. So what is out there. Decent screen resolution is a good idea with my over 50 eyes. I also like the feature most newer Android versions support for combined storage between SD card and main memory. Suggestions please.

 

[bberg100]

Same here. Tired of Apples forced obsolescence, two iPads down. I would consider another iPad, but want to step down to the 7" and the mini has not been updated in years, obsolete out of the box. Have an older Samsung, not a huge fan of Androids multiple hardware/software versions causing compatibility problems.

 

[Macfrommichigan]

Yup. Had a Nexus 7 which I liked. Replaced with an Acer 8 inch two years ago. Looking for a replacement. Email and web searches are all I do... + too much time frittered away on this forum. Suggestions?

 

[TexLaw]

Rats. I have an iPad that probably will be good for nothing within a year or so. It seems we're all in similar boats. Something smaller would be good, but it just ain't out there.

I'm actually willing to go up to an 8", and it seems the Samsung Galaxy Tab at that size is not the dinosaur that the 7" is. Considering that it isn't much more than the 7" but has a great deal more capability, that just might have to be the way to go.

I've worked with a 10" iPad Air, and that really was just fine to deal with. I'm also no fan of Apple's PITA approach--never have been.

I bet I would be just fine with the 8" Samsung if it were to come down to it.. But I ramble.

 

[Phog Allen]

Gents, it looks as if we are all facing the same issue. Unavoidable obsolescence.

Tex, your points about moving to the 8 inch models to gain respectable hardware performance are well taken. I could make do with one but honestly, there is nothing like quite like the size, weight, portabilty, and screen size ratio of the 7 inch models. I can see each of you are as acutely aware of this as I am.

I also know I am going to get recommendations for a AirPad 2 or similar and I simply refuse to do that. If I go to the 300-500 dollar range I will simply buy the smallest, thinnest laptop I can in that price range. In our quest for larger screen real estate I think we are losing sight of form follows function. These 7 inch models are the size of a large paperback novel or an old nineteenth century slate you would have used at school. And in fact, the first tablets were called slates.Perfect for hanheld use and tucks into a rucksack or messenger bag perfectly. I think the 8 inch models could work okay but ideally for me, the slightly smaller model would be best.

And back to Apple. For all the above mentioned reasons the respondents listed is another reason I have avoided their tablets. And I had considered the mini but if indeed it has not been updated in a long while then it becomes a singularly poor investment. The search goes on.

 

[BigLeegr]

Well, I can't say what is good as I've been stung before: I bought the Blackberry Playbook just before Blackberry abandoned it and the prices plummeted to near give away and I bought a cheap 7" Windows 10 tablet from Best Buy that was almost immediately obsolete due to the basic set up of usable space and then a "no longer supported" OS which the computer specialist there said they might be able to fix for around $150 (more than I paid for the tablet in the first place). So... based on my experience, don't go for cheap and don't go for the new offering from a company. I did get a Dell 8" Windows 8.1 tablet that has been great, but that's not available anymore and the Dell offerings I've seen are more the 2-in-1 type deals and are mostly over 10".
Maybe there is a computer store around you that sells refurbished tablets that may fill your needs.

 

[StillShaving]

I think one reason is that phones are getting larger with thinner bezels each year. With 6 inch "flagship" phones and mininal bezels there is less consumer demand (in my estimation) for small tablets. As their phone is close enough.

I believe Huawei (a company whose products I largely ignore due to prior intellectual property theft) has announced 6.5" and 7" phones.

 

[Macfrommichigan]

SS, you may be correct. But I have my tracfone, for calls.
Just want a tablet for email and www. Something to complement my buggy whip.

 

[auk1124]

I am still using a Kindle Fire HDX 7 inch tablet from 2013, so I am no help, but I feel everyone's pain. If my beloved 7 inch Kindle ever dies, I will be at a total loss. I have used this thing for all of my personal computing for the last 5 years and will mourn its passing when it eventually dies.

I am also an Ipad hater and would not switch over to Apple without kicking and screaming.

 

[Macfrommichigan]

One of those is what, $50? Do you use Google for web searches?

 

[auk1124]

The newer Fire 7 inch tablets are 50 bucks. The older ones like mine were more money back in the day.

I use Google for web searches and Amazon's proprietary Silk browser for browsing. And their proprietary email app works with my Windstream email account just fine. I don't do a lot of word processing or photo stuff at home, so my setup is very basic. I basically just browse and install the occasional game at home. And read a lot of books, which is ridiculously easy if you read Amazon ebooks (of course). Amazon delivers ebooks to Fire tablets with one click of a button.

I like my old Fire tablet so much that my first inclination would be to replace it with one of the 50 dollar jobs if my old one ever dies. But I only do very basic stuff and have no experience with the new Fire tablets so YMMV, of course.

 

[Commander Quan]

I am still using a Kindle Fire HDX 7 inch tablet from 2013, so I am no help, but I feel everyone's pain. If my beloved 7 inch Kindle ever dies, I will be at a total loss. I have used this thing for all of my personal computing for the last 5 years and will mourn its passing when it eventually dies.

We just bought my 4 year old a 8" Fire Kids edition for his birthday. For the price, I was surprised at how functional the normal interface is. I'm thinking about buying one for my parents for Christmas who only need basic email/web browsing capabilities and skype. The Play Store not being available natively could be an issue for some however.

 

[Phog Allen]

I think one reason is that phones are getting larger with thinner bezels each year. With 6 inch "flagship" phones and mininal bezels there is less consumer demand (in my estimation) for small tablets. As their phone is close enough.

I believe Huawei (a company whose products I largely ignore due to prior intellectual property theft) has announced 6.5" and 7" phones.

I think you are precisely correct in that observation. I just recently had to upgrade to a new mobile devise( I call them dumb phones because the only smart thing about them is the amount of money the providers collect from their use). A Nokia 6.1 2018 version. To be frank, I wish I hadn't.

It has the 5.5 inch screen and I cannot imagine using it if it were one millimeter larger in any dimension. I have pretty large hands and it is just wide enough to be a bit uncomfortable in hand when held up to your head. The extra real estate is good when surfing but it has fairly angular edges and when in pocket the size makes it a bit bulky. It does not fit the phone holders on the equipment at the gym, etc. I wish I would have just purchased a Motorola Moto G 5 inch version from last year. I have my tablet for web viewing.

The Nokia has other issues as well. It does not support merged storage which if I would have paid attention would have been a deal breaker for me. Why in thunder would Nokia not support one of the better, baked in festures of Android starting in 6.0? It also does not have the flashing white led that my older Moto G had. A handy feature to let you know you had a message or missed call when the ringer was turned down. It does not act up much but I fully expected Nokia to have ergonomics and basic OS features mostly sorted in a second generation devise.

Sorry, all that in a thread about tablets. Still, it is just a bit aggravating to have to hunt such a basic piece of hardware as a quality small format tablet.

 

[Rory1262]

To this point, a year or two ago I noted that a portmanteau word had been coined: "phablet."

 

[PreachTheWord]

Lenovo Tab 7 Essential. 7" screen, running a recent release of Android, good screen.

 

[BigFoot]

The word is Apple is going to abandon the Mini completely as the sales are so low. People are buying the larger cell phone and not the tablet. I have also read some hints that Android platforms may start abandoning the smaller tablets as well. I love the small tablet but it may just go the way of the Dodo.

 

[ackvil]

My grandson bought a Samsung Galaxy which was made for Costco. It is 8" and he is happy with it.

 

[jmudrick]

Available October 4 $80-$110. My daughter has the 10" Fire HD and it's just great. Installed Google Play Store with no problem.

 

[Ad Astra]

+1 the Lenovo. Love ours; much faster than iPad - and older Lenovo.


AA

 

[thematthatter]

I have the 7 inch fire, and the kids 7 inch edition.
My only downside is that it won’t play clash of clans or the newer apps. But I used it for streaming movies while overseas, although US content isn’t available overseas.