Best Value Tablet for under $500

I am wanting to buy a tablet for movies, internet researching and mild gaming. I don't have any weight, thickness, speaker (would be using headphones) or camera requirements, (would never even use a camera) I just want a good picture and reasonably fast and would love some input.

Thanks heaps, Chris

Comments

  • +1

    Sony Z3 Tablet - $299 until the 29th of this month. You will not find any at the online store but Sony Kiosks in malls may still have stock. It is not cellular and has a 8" screen but saw on the other day and did not seem too different to my iPad which has a 9.7" screen

    • I'd also recommend the Z3 tablet compact if you can find stock anywhere. Very good battery life, performance, and an extremely bright display.

    • I would like to check this out however I don't live anywhere near a kiosk. I do wonder if the screen would be too small for me but would've definitely had a look if I could've.

  • If you're leaning towards Android, the Nexus 9 is the best one you could get in that price range. "Best" is subjective, of course. But you get decent hardware with the latest Android updates and no bloatware.

    • seems its not sold now, and was slow for updates (for nexus) and other problems
      http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/04/the-nexus-9-leaves-th…

    • The Nvidia Tegra-powered tablet launched in November 2014 to a very poor reception. The supposedly "premium" tablet had a squishy back, the backlight leaked, sometimes the buttons didn't work, and the device was generally not worth its $400 price tag. It hit the bargain bin almost immediately, with HTC selling it for half price a day after launch. As an Android tablet, its apps were neglected by developers and Google, and it was resigned to a life of running stretched-out phone apps forever. It even failed as a Nexus device, taking a whopping two months to be updated to Android 5.1.

  • any particular operating system?

  • +1

    I would say go the Tab S2 Samsung, the super amoled display is beautiful. The tablet is fast with multiple tabs open and suits your budget.

    Anyway from my experience, i own an iPad air 2 and Samsung tab s1. The iPad was $650 and one of the most stupidest purchase in my life, being it was massively overpriced. The tab S1 10.5“ has great specs and the display is better than the ipad. It was half the price of the ipad and a great gift for a family member.

  • Thanks for the replies so far!! I should have specified I don't mind either android or windows and currently have an galaxy s5 if that makes a difference.

  • Probably Pixel C (goes over your budget) if you want something that's the best tablet in Android. I think 1:√2 is better than 3:4 for movies.
    With the developer discount promotion they are having, it's around $550 (don't quote me on the price though)? It's tad bit chunking though.

    If not, for 10 inch region tablet, Tab S1 (I think SoC is slightly underpowered for QHD but it'd suffice for mild gaming) for QHD + 16:10 display.
    For 8 inch tablet, I think Nvidia Shield is reasonable.

    • I own a Shield Tablet atm - I think it's wrong device for this guy based on screen size/quality (not enough of either).

      • Eh, OP didn't really post what screen size he wanted (hence why I suggested Shield for 8 inch size), I honestly can't think of non-Chinese brand tablet with higher resolution than that one at 8 inch (other than iPad Mini series which either goes over the budget or has a bad colour reproduction).

        FHD on 8 inch wouldn't be that bad in my opinion? Besides, it's 16:10, so it wouldn't be ridiculously small with letterboxes.

        • I think getting a larger/better quality screen would be better for this guys as he wants it for movies and isn't a "hardcore" gamer (whatever that is ;) so he won't appreciate the Tegra4 performance as much.

        • @Diji1: Tegra K1 you mean? As I said, he didn't mention what screen size he wanted beforehand. I've suggested two tablets because of that reason.

        • @Oversimplified: Er K1 yeah.

  • what about the samsung galaxy tab s?

  • Have you considered something like a Windows 2-in-1 tabled + detachable keyboard like this http://www.harveynorman.com.au/computers-tablets/computers/l…

    Great tablet for browsing the web and watching movies, and the X5-Z8500 it uses is quite a powerful chip (compared to the entry-level atoms-e.g. the Z3735f or X5-8300). You'd have to check the availability of games on the windows store though. Keyboard is quite handy and runs full Windows 10.

  • I'm thinking the Nexus 9, Tab S1 or S2 are good candidates (maybe more so the Tab S1 or 2). I understand the 16:10 ratio is better for movies as well as expandable memory is always a plus, so I think I'm leaning towards the Tab S1. Next question is where is the best place to get the Tab S1???? Thanks for your help so far too!

    • Hmmm, I'd say you might need to dig around places that may have few as a stock (Not too sure what place might). I personally don't recommend display units or 2nd hand units, especially for AMOLED devices so that gets rid of few options as well. JB HiFi might hold old stocks (which is unlikely so I wouldn't go out of my ways to visit JB hifi)? I dunno. It'd be hard to find one now I think about it.

      Are you looking for approx. 10 inch and above (like Nexus 9 etc) or approx. 8 inch (iPad Mini etc) and below?

  • +1

    If you want to use it for movies then I would prioritise screen image quality and size (as in bigger is better) over performance.

    For me this means IPS LCD rather than AMOLED (or non-IPS LCD) because AMOLED tends towards looking "garish" or oversaturated whereas LCD looks more lifelike for video - although the reverse is true for video games and interface. This is a matter of degree and preference of course and a good AMOLED and a good LCD screen will both do more than adequately but I lean towards LCD for movies.

    I would also try and get at least a 9" screen and you may be able to squeeze a 10" or 11" for <500.

    I would suggest that a microSD is essential due to large files (movies) being carried unless you opt for a Windows RT or Windows 8/10 device with a large SSD (256GB is what I would suggest as a comfortable storage size at the moment).

    It can be handy when buying tablets to make a table of all the features you "need" and check them off for each model you consider rather than keep all the options in your head (which is impossible ;)

  • Under $500, won't go wrong with the lower range of Samsung tablets - Samsung Galaxy Tab A?

  • Thanks for all for the suggestions, sorry I didn't specify in the post, probably 9 inch or more would be great. I haven't had any luck finding a reasonably priced Galaxy Tab S1 so if anyone else knows of where one might be I'd appreciate the heads up? Aside from that would it be better going the Galaxy Tab S2 or Samsung Galaxy Tab A

    • I'd definitely stay away from the Galaxy Tab A. Resolution of the screen is 1024x768 which is horrendous-the same as the original iPad released almost 6 years ago, which makes web browsing a pain, and movies don't look great either at that size. 15% off until midnight tonight, bringing it to around 510 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-S2-9-7-T810-32…

  • +1

    Nexus 7 2013 is still very good value and one of the best tablets ever made

  • I recommend good quality Chinese/Korean tablet.

    I was getting something for grandma so I could risk it, in case it was slow, but it is as fast and responsive as my Galaxy5, if not faster.
    IPS screen, 9.7", Android, Dual boot Android or Windows 10 (win 10 not quite stable so stay clear).

    http://www.banggood.com/Teclast-X98-Plus-64GB-Intel-Z8300-Qu…

    This was a year ago so maybe Google for latest Chinese tablets or go to Bangood.com or gearbest.com and search for tablets and use filters tos ee what is on offer then google for review of the tablet.

    Half the price of Aussie store tablets, large screen and good performance - why the hell not.

  • +1

    If you can handle a large device the Chuwi Hi12 is a pretty amazing device particuarly in the bang for buck dept.:

    CHUWI Hi12 12.2" IPS 2160*1440
    Dual boot Windows 10 + Android 5.1
    4GB RAM
    64GB Storage
    Intel Cherry Trail Z8300 Quad Core 1.84GHz

    Of particular note is the screen which is the same one used in the MS Surface 3 Pro albeit not as bright (not sure if this is changeable or not). Although to be clear this is a 300nit screen so it is more than adequately lit and that's not something to worry about.

    $338 at Geekbuying including delivery if I'm not mistaken.

    http://www.geekbuying.com/item/CHUWI-Hi12-12-Inch-Windows10-…

    There is an optional keyboard that turns it into a passable ultrabook configuration as well.

    I haven't looked at the cheaper Chuwi Hi10 which is cheaper and might be better for your situation if you want a smaller device.

  • I just noticed you didn't specify whether you had a preference for mobile internet (requiring a SIM card to use) or whether you were happy with WiFi only.

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