8 Inch Android Tablet for Grandparents

Nukkels on 11/03/2019 - 09:48

They currently have 7" Samsung tablets from about 6-7 years ago. No more updates to the version of Android, and some apps are no longer able to update because of that. So ideally something as recent as possible that's likely to keep getting updates for another few years.

Budget is as little as possible obviously, but I only want to suggest a quality tablet for them - 2GB RAM minimum, ideally more (they don't have a lot of time left, I don't want them wasting it waiting for slow tech). They don't play any games, mostly just emails, reading Kindle books, Skype, looking at pictures and accessing some reference material via apps (such as lesson manuals, etc).

7-8" are both fine sizes, although 8" is better due to poor eyesight at their age. 10" is too large/heavy though. Samsung seems to have a few options, but I can't tell which models are better/newer because rather than using sequential numbers, they've named their models A and 8 and Note sigh - so any help is appreciated.

Computing Tablet Android

Comments

  • rendev on 11/03/2019 - 10:28

    https://m.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_nkw=Fire+tablet+8&isNewKw=…

    Amazon fire tablet is good for the price vs specs vs features. Just need to side load Play store after boot. I gave a bunch of 7" tablet to my cousin kids a year ago. Still solid and works with almost all android tablet applications.

    • crentist on 11/03/2019 - 15:29
      +1

      Wait a few months for Prime Day if possible. I got a Fire 7 on Prime day for around $40. It's pretty crap and I wish I had got a Fire 8 for around $70, which sounds much better. But both are dirt cheap and you could easily hand out a couple without caring too much

  • [Deactivated] on 11/03/2019 - 10:38

    I’ve found that iOS is far easier for older people to use, maybe a iPad mini?

    • Nukkels on 11/03/2019 - 11:13

      Yeah, I agree it's the better option, but unfortunately they've already invested in Android buying apps and items within those apps.

      Also, Apple suffers the same problem with no updates after a few years, and in my experience more apps stop working sooner with Apple. I'm hoping they can get at least 5-6 years out of it their new tablet, without trying to sound too morbid, it might be the last one they ever need.

  • ESEMCE on 11/03/2019 - 11:11

    MSY had a Huawei Mediapad M2 for $259 this week.
    https://www.msy.com.au/viconline/notebooks/16446-huawei-m2-8…

  • Caped Baldy on 11/03/2019 - 12:26

    I know you wrote 10 inch is too large but are they just holding it? Larger size means easier readability.
    The samsung deal seems good. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/443387

    Xiaomi tablets also seem to be well received.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 11/03/2019 - 12:26

    Although it's only 1GB RAM I've found this model very solid and quick.
    https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/lenovo-tab…

  • mooney on 11/03/2019 - 12:52

    This is a tough request… typically cheap tablets don't enjoy OS updates (looking at you lenovo)

    Your other choice is to go slightly older but with more oomph… Samsung could be good option here.

    My current throwaway tablet of choice is the OzBargain favourite Lenovo P8/ Tab 3 Plus.. its stuck on an older Android OS (think 6) but its still plenty fast enough and can be found cheap if you look (on OzBargain)- if you are technically minded Lineage can be installed to keep it more up to date, but I haven't bothered myself.

    One other consideration (apologies if too morbid)… apple whilst higher in price definitely hold their value better. There will be a resale value to anything of theirs you buy.

    Good luck.

    • Nukkels on 12/03/2019 - 17:58

      Thanks - I'd much rather pay a little more for something good quality like Samsung with 2-3GB of RAM, and for it to be fairly current, so it's still got at least 3 or 4 years of updates in it. The main problem with their current tablets is actually the fact that several of their apps won't work any more. The app needs to update, but it can't update on such an old version of Android. That's why I'm not touching Lenovo.

      Getting a cheaper but still decent tablet and replacing it every couple of years might be possible, but it's a heck of a lot of work to research tablets, set them up, provide free IT support for months while they figure it all out, etc. I'd like to minimise the pain of changing devices as much as possible.

      So far, the front runner looks like it's the Samsung Tab A. 8" screen, 2GB RAM and only $300. But doing some research, it looks like it's only running Marshmallow, so it's already 2 versions behind.

      • ESEMCE on 13/03/2019 - 09:13
        +1

        Even Samsung aren't going to be great with software updates.
        Xiaomi MiPad would be a great option as their MIUI OS is updated periodically even for older devices.

        • Nukkels on 13/03/2019 - 22:07

          Actually, I ended up buying one of these due to a flash sale - ~$300 for 4GB RAM, FHD screen, SD660 CPU, decent battery, etc. The best part is these only just came out, so they should get plenty of updates for a few years at least.

  • Jethro1 on 13/03/2019 - 21:53

    I picked up a Samsung Tab A 8.0 2017 from Telstra the other week for $20 a month includes 10gb per month for 24mths. So far I'm really happy with it. The specs are not very impressive but it runs netflix, YouTube, emails, Facebook, internet browsing, and even some spreadsheets through google sheets for work very well. I've barely touched my laptop since I've got it. You can get a version without a SIM card from Harvey Norman for under $300. Mine is running android oreo. Yes there are more powerful and expensive models, but I'm very happy with it.

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