The Android Tablet Problem

[iHorseHead]

I watched the video of Marques Brownlee's video The Android Tablet Problem and even though I don't need a new tablet and iPad 9th gen will be most likely my last iPad / tablet.
But the Android tablet he shows seems awesome. I'd like to try it. Wish tablets could replace a computer for real, for me to consider a tablet.

 

[russell_314]

He’s confused why people don’t want to spend $700 on an android tablet….


It’s not a huge mystery. The problem is in the name.

 

[iHorseHead]

He’s confused why people don’t want to spend $700 on an android tablet….


It’s not a huge mystery. The problem is in the name.

I wouldn't spend $700 on an iPad either, but this Android tablet looks a lot better than iPads. I wouldn't spend that much on a tablet.
I'd still be using my iPad mini 2 if HBO worked on it and if I could surf the web a bit.

 

[sunapple]

He doesn't compare the iPad and that tablet despite the thumbnail, but I'm gathering it only has an LCD panel and the much bigger battery still doesn't seem to match the iPads battery life. He does say the app situation on Android is poor, but I'm sure it's much better on iPad. Not a super informative video and sounds a bit too positive.

 

[iHorseHead]

He doesn't compare the iPad and that tablet despite the thumbnail, but I'm gathering it only has an LCD panel and the much bigger battery still doesn't seem to match the iPads battery life. He does say the app situation on Android is poor, but I'm sure it's much better on iPad. Not a super informative video and sounds a bit too positive.

You're absolutely right. It doesn't match iOS's battery life. It's much better. Especially compared to my 9th gen that only lasts barely a day.
He also said it's **** situation on the iPad. Watch the video again. I'd rather have this tablet over the iPad. My iPad 9th gen sucks. I regret buying this. It constantly freezes, lags and generally battery life sucks.

 

[russell_314]

I wouldn't spend $700 on an iPad either, but this Android tablet looks a lot better than iPads. I wouldn't spend that much on a tablet.
I'd still be using my iPad mini 2 if HBO worked on it and if I could surf the web a bit.

I’m not sure how one rectangular piece of glass looks any better than another rectangular piece of glass. Squared versus rounded edges I guess?

I’m surprised a 12 year old iPad still turns on. I can imagine browsing the web on that thing must be slow.

Right now, I have a 5 year old iPad Air and so far it’s still works well. I expect within the next few years I’ll need to upgrade.

 

[iHorseHead]

I’m surprised a 12 year old iPad still turns on.

I also have a 90€ GoClever tablet from 2012 that still turns on. Can't really do anything on it except play Max Payne. Also, GoClever doesn't make tablets anymore. So what's surprising about it turning on? I wouldn't mind if it wouldn't though.
The point of the video was that people don't need tablets and tbh, I don't need a tablet either. I bought it because it's lighter than MacBook Air and expected a better battery life, but it doesn't have. MacBook Air m1 is way better than iPad 9th gen. I wish there was a PC that would be as light as a tablet.

 

[Abazigal]

The comments were filled with people detailing what they used their tablets for. I like to think that for most part, people are fine with a tablet not being a replacement for a PC, but more of an extension that they use for getting select tasks done.

 

[tbayrgs]

I was contemplating picking one of these up prior to watching WWDC but after seeing (and now using) what’s coming in iPad OS 26, doesn’t make sense for me to give up my iPad Pro for the One Plus variant.

Don’t get me wrong, this is likely the best value and best performing Android tablet available—$700 for a 13” tablet (with the keyboard included for free for the moment) with top notch specs is terrific considering the iPad Pro equivalent is $1200. Now that I think about it, I guess this is actually a closer analogue to the 13” iPad Air ($800) so that’s a better comparison. Not having an OLED display is a big step back if you’re used to a new iPad Pro.

Also, the disparity in apps between the two ecosystems is huge. Yes, iPads don’t have the prevalence of apps that the iPhone does but it’s a massive difference over Android. And the ‘can’t replace a computer’ concern is diminishing rapidly for many people with the rollout of iPad OS 26. Multitasking (didn’t have this being better on an iPad than Android tablet on my bingo card), file management and handling of audio input has made leaps and bounds foward. Most people that use a Macbook Air could likely use a modern iPad in it’s place without issue. Power users that need specific software exclusive to Macs/PCs won’t be able to switch and software development is really a no-go but the day-to-day stuff that many regular consumers do is perfectly at home on an iPad and it does a handful of things better than a laptop.

Still has lots of room to grow but really excited about the changes Apple made to iPad OS. Now bring the prices down just a touch (yeah, I know, never gonna happen) and it would be pretty awesome.

 

[UpsetTheAppleCart]

But the Android tablet he shows seems awesome.

But of course! He’s literally trying to sell you one. These sponsored videos are so annoying. There’s no getting an unbiased comparison while there’s money to be made.

 

[NewOldStock]

I just want to know who is winning the malware in the stores race>android or apple?
There for a while android was booting lots of bad actor software out of their store.

 

[klasma]

It’s funny reading this thread on an Android tablet. They are fine, and if you want OLED you can get the Tab S9 for under $600 now, with pen included. I also use iPads, each have their place.

 

[The Game 161]

I have the tab S10 ultras and use it only for all media content so all sport games and other sports. Certainly does this great as it has a great aspect ratio

My iPad Pro is used for everything else I need though as it has better optimised apps for what I use

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

You're absolutely right. It doesn't match iOS's battery life. It's much better. Especially compared to my 9th gen that only lasts barely a day.

He specifically says that the battery life is only impressive regarding standby.
He even says that if you actually start using the tablet, just like most other tablets, including the iPad, you get about a day of usage. 10 to 12 hours.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

I bought it because it's lighter than MacBook Air and expected a better battery life, but it doesn't have. MacBook Air m1 is way better than iPad 9th gen. I wish there was a PC that would be as light as a tablet.

So you had absolutely unrealistic expectations that the device that’s 1/3 the weight, half the thickness and a little bit more than 50% of the battery capacity of a MacBook Air would have more battery life? How do you even come to that conclusion.
that’s like thinking an iPhone mini should have longer battery life than an iPhone Pro Max.
given their wildly different battery capacities, it’s just amazing that the iPad gets similar battery life to the MacBook Air. Just another reason why shoehorning macOS onto the iPad wouldn’t work, macOS is significantly more power hungry.

 

[iHorseHead]

So you had absolutely unrealistic expectations that the device that’s 1/3 the weight, half the thickness and a little bit more than 50% of the battery capacity of a MacBook Air would have more battery life? How do you even come to that conclusion.
that’s like thinking an iPhone mini should have longer battery life than an iPhone Pro Max.
given their wildly different battery capacities, it’s just amazing that the iPad gets similar battery life to the MacBook Air. Just another reason why shoehorning macOS onto the iPad wouldn’t work, macOS is significantly more power hungry.

My iPad mini 2 always lasted for a long time. iPad 9th gen doesn't. My iPad mini 2 lasted way longer than my MacBook Pro mid 2010. That's how.

 

[klasma]

My iPad mini 2 always lasted for a long time. iPad 9th gen doesn't. My iPad mini 2 lasted way longer than my MacBook Pro mid 2010. That's how.

IPads used to last really long in standby. Nowadays i(Pad)OS does much more stuff in the background that uses up battery in standby.

 

[iHorseHead]

IPads used to last really long in standby. Nowadays i(Pad)OS does much more stuff in the background that uses up battery in standby.

Thank you! And for real, my iPad mini 2 just was lying around for weeks and I didn't charge it even once, took it to school, wrote the whole day on Pages and continued the next day. It was so much better than my MacBook back then.

Nowadays I leave my iPad 9th gen and it'll be empty. I have to charge it nearly every day. I didn't have to do it with iPad mini 2, so I wouldn't say I had "unrealistic expectations".

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

From my love/hate experience, tablets benefit mostly from an ecosystem which is why iPads sell so well then Samsung with their Dex and Galaxy lineup. Google failed at this with their Pixels and every other Android tablet has their own skin, AI, etc so none of it is particularly fluid.

Nobody but Apple incorporates their desktop, mobile, and now hybrid (iPadOS 26) operating systems like Apple…Windows is the only one that could do it with their Surface lineup but now they have no phones.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

tablets benefit mostly from an ecosystem which is why iPads sell so well then Samsung with their Dex and Galaxy lineup.

this is somewhat true, but I don’t know so much.
I actually know quite a few people who have android phones, Windows PCs… And yet mostly use their iPads.
I think the iPad does so well because it’s a great product that doesn’t need much more.
obviously having the ecosystem integration is fantastic and all that, one of my favorite things to do is completely ignore my phone all day and just use my iPad, because with apple‘s ecosystem they are basically the same thing. my iPad gets all my phone calls and text messages.
but a lot of people just like iPads because they’re individual products on their own, even not connected to anything else.
I know people who like to use them as drawing tablets, I know more people who just like them as mini TVs for their bedrooms. The thing about the iPad is, it’s probably the most versatile thing Apple has.
you can use it as a computer replacement if you so choose. You can use it as a secondary computer. You can use it as a partner for your computer with things like sidecar.
or you can just use it as a tablet, or a mini TV, or a smart home controller, portable music maker, whatever you wanna do.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

this is somewhat true, but I don’t know so much.
I actually know quite a few people who have android phones, Windows PCs… And yet mostly use their iPads.
I think the iPad does so well because it’s a great product that doesn’t need much more.
obviously having the ecosystem integration is fantastic and all that, one of my favorite things to do is completely ignore my phone all day and just use my iPad, because with apple‘s ecosystem they are basically the same thing. my iPad gets all my phone calls and text messages.
but a lot of people just like iPads because they’re individual products on their own, even not connected to anything else.
I know people who like to use them as drawing tablets, I know more people who just like them as mini TVs for their bedrooms. The thing about the iPad is, it’s probably the most versatile thing Apple has.
you can use it as a computer replacement if you so choose. You can use it as a secondary computer. You can use it as a partner for your computer with things like sidecar.
or you can just use it as a tablet, or a mini TV, or a smart home controller, portable music maker, whatever you wanna do.

You prove a good point though meaning someone effectively outside the Apple ecosystem would still rather have an iPad than another tablet. For as much hate as iPadOS gets it’s still the go-to.

 

[jimimac71]

I didn't watch much of the video.
In my opinion, the base $349 iPad would work for me.
My Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is already outdated.
Has not received an update since July and is only 2 years old.
That is Android unless you spend plenty more than $349.
I would not send $599 for an Android tablet or Chromebook.
Apple makes the best tablet for the money.
I've learned that the hard way.
While the iPad Air would be nice, I don't need that much from a tablet.

 

[schnaps]

A tablet will never replace a computer.

1. Tablets typically have primitive mobile operating systems with a ton of limitations and incompatibilities.
Running desctop software is usually impossible, forcing people to choose stripped-down mobile software.
The exception is Intel-Windows tablets, but they are rare, and good models are relatively expensive but have shorter battery life.

2. Tablets are usually locked down and not designed for work. Although... it depends on what you mean by work. If you're just doing some drawing, maybe.
And productive work involves saving results, backups, software tweaks, and working with networks, normal networks like everyone else.

3. Tablets are weaker than computers in terms of performance, they have limited memory, and they don't have much storage space. However, this isn't a critical point.

4. Tablets don't have enough USB ports, and for this reason are only good as wearables.
What's the point of lugging around a bag of adapters and cables, a keyboard, mouse, and power supply if all this junk is heavier than a laptop and less convenient?

5. Experience shows that overpaying for tablets is not advisable. Among wearable devices, tablets are at the highest risk of screen breakage.
And laptops often survive in good working order until they become obsolete.

There's a contradiction here: a tablet should be affordable, powerful, have ports, and run a good OS.
But that's unrealistic. Cramming a tablet with extra features will make it a better computer replacement,
but it will also become thicker, heavier, and a poor portable tablet.

A tablet is good for working while standing and away from a desk, when using a laptop isn't appropriate.
In other situations, a laptop is more practical, lighter, and more durable.

PS: I use lowcost Android tablets so I can carry them around and don't mind breaking them.
I also use Windows tablets when I need to work with desktop Windows/Linux software.
I've never had a personal iPad, and while I enjoy drawing on them, they don't meet my other needs.
When a tablet with real Macos comes out, I'll definitely buy it.

 

[1096bimu]

forget about the geek speak and look at the basic everyday normal person experience, you don't REALLY need a tablet period, there's nothing that requires a tablet.

but there are lots of things that require a phone, there are some things that require a computer. That's why if you buy one thing you buy a phone, if you want to buy another thing, it makes the most sense to buy a computer. Only then, if you still have money around, you might buy a tablet.

Apple is the only one that can sell some tablets because apple dominates in the high end market where people have money to throw around even after they've bought a phone and a computer.

 

[Mrbiggestman]

A tablet will never replace a computer.

1. Tablets typically have primitive mobile operating systems with a ton of limitations and incompatibilities.
Running desctop software is usually impossible, forcing people to choose stripped-down mobile software.
The exception is Intel-Windows tablets, but they are rare, and good models are relatively expensive but have shorter battery life.

2. Tablets are usually locked down and not designed for work. Although... it depends on what you mean by work. If you're just doing some drawing, maybe.
And productive work involves saving results, backups, software tweaks, and working with networks, normal networks like everyone else.

3. Tablets are weaker than computers in terms of performance, they have limited memory, and they don't have much storage space. However, this isn't a critical point.

4. Tablets don't have enough USB ports, and for this reason are only good as wearables.
What's the point of lugging around a bag of adapters and cables, a keyboard, mouse, and power supply if all this junk is heavier than a laptop and less convenient?

5. Experience shows that overpaying for tablets is not advisable. Among wearable devices, tablets are at the highest risk of screen breakage.
And laptops often survive in good working order until they become obsolete.

There's a contradiction here: a tablet should be affordable, powerful, have ports, and run a good OS.
But that's unrealistic. Cramming a tablet with extra features will make it a better computer replacement,
but it will also become thicker, heavier, and a poor portable tablet.

A tablet is good for working while standing and away from a desk, when using a laptop isn't appropriate.
In other situations, a laptop is more practical, lighter, and more durable.

PS: I use lowcost Android tablets so I can carry them around and don't mind breaking them.
I also use Windows tablets when I need to work with desktop Windows/Linux software.
I've never had a personal iPad, and while I enjoy drawing on them, they don't meet my other needs.
When a tablet with real Macos comes out, I'll definitely buy it.

1)depends on manufacture.
2)I can download all my apps straight off the app store.
3)true, but still, it depends on manufacture.
4) Just use a dock
5) Just use a screen protector and case.
5a) True but apps can still work on devices even if they are outdated, same with computers
6)I mean if your cramming a HDMI port into a tablet then yeah. But you add another port like thunderbolt, it won’t add any significant weight while also being light, portable and fast.