Large tablet for reading papers
February 9, 2022 1:46 AM Subscribe
So I just realized my library has a stunning selection of e-magazines and e-papers for just 10€/ year, which is awesome. Unfortunately my Fire HD10 tablet is not awesome, some of the apps to get this content don't work, there is no native playstore, it's slow, etc.
I think about getting a new tablet with a big screen, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, which has a 12.4'' screen. However, I heard some Apps can't use all this screen real estate?
Do you know if I will be able to read my magazines in full screen?
The apps my library uses are onleihe, OverDrive and pressreader. Has anybody experience with this or can recommend another good tablet?
I won't use the tablet for anything else than reading, surfing and streaming.
The apps my library uses are onleihe, OverDrive and pressreader. Has anybody experience with this or can recommend another good tablet?
I won't use the tablet for anything else than reading, surfing and streaming.
Why not just get an iPad or iPad Pro? They are far and above considered the gold standard of tablets, and not that different in price. You won’t have to worry about the poor user interfaces found on Android tablet apps, plus it won’t be EOL after a couple of years and will receive security and software updates for at least five years.
The Windows Surface tablets aren’t bad, but they are lacking in tablet optimized apps too, though you can fall back to standard Windows apps.
If your really looking for just reading static content, a dedicated reader might be the best way to go, the Kindle I have is awesomely light, but clearly too small…
One thing to consider is the weight. My 10.5 inch iPad Pro is just light enough for me to use comfortably all night, but personally I thought the larger one was getting a little unwieldy. Definitely go to a store if you can and pick them up for a while, whatever solution you go for…
posted by rambling wanderlust at 3:23 AM on February 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
The Windows Surface tablets aren’t bad, but they are lacking in tablet optimized apps too, though you can fall back to standard Windows apps.
If your really looking for just reading static content, a dedicated reader might be the best way to go, the Kindle I have is awesomely light, but clearly too small…
One thing to consider is the weight. My 10.5 inch iPad Pro is just light enough for me to use comfortably all night, but personally I thought the larger one was getting a little unwieldy. Definitely go to a store if you can and pick them up for a while, whatever solution you go for…
posted by rambling wanderlust at 3:23 AM on February 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: @rambling wanderlust: I don't particularly like the Apple ecosystem and don't have any Apple products. But it is mainly a price thing, the 12.9'' iPad Pro costs 1040€, the 12.4'' Galaxy S7FE 470€ [Just realized I said S7 in my posting, which at 800€ is indeed similar in price, but overall too much]
@rockindata eInk displays are cool but B&W and I also want to read comics etc.
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 4:04 AM on February 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
@rockindata eInk displays are cool but B&W and I also want to read comics etc.
posted by SweetLiesOfBokonon at 4:04 AM on February 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
That’s cool, at that price point I’d just get the S7FE from somewhere you can easily return it if it turns out that 12 inch phone apps aren’t a good fit, or it is too unwieldy. (I can’t believe that even after a decade it is still a huge issue, seriously Android app developers don’t care about usability or their customers.) I’d stick to Samsung (or refurbished iPad) since they are less likely to be preloaded with malware and spyware than the cheaper brands.
I do think it is worth going somewhere that has different tablets on display to get a feel for their size and weight. I was enamored by the idea of the big screen too, and after spending an hour at the Apple store I decided the largest ones were too big for me. If I was really dedicated to drawing on tablet, though, it would be a no brainer for the largest size.
posted by rambling wanderlust at 4:31 AM on February 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I do think it is worth going somewhere that has different tablets on display to get a feel for their size and weight. I was enamored by the idea of the big screen too, and after spending an hour at the Apple store I decided the largest ones were too big for me. If I was really dedicated to drawing on tablet, though, it would be a no brainer for the largest size.
posted by rambling wanderlust at 4:31 AM on February 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
It's an unfortunate fact of life that a lot of Android apps aren't built for large tablet screens, and Apple apps are. Eink is great, but lacks in the brightness and clarity that magazines are valued for. Windows devices are good, but Windows itself never succeeded in being a decent tablet operating system.
Several members of my family also hate Apple, but have iPads because they are the only tablets that give them a good tablet experience.
posted by lhauser at 5:54 AM on February 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Several members of my family also hate Apple, but have iPads because they are the only tablets that give them a good tablet experience.
posted by lhauser at 5:54 AM on February 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
I've never understood the hate against "phone apps" on a tablet. And I've been happily using android tablets since I got some generic android ipad look alike back in 2012 or so. It's the actual tablet apps that seem to "waste space" by trying to pin up some UI to always be present. The few apps that I use that have a proper tablet mode, after giving it a go, I've always resorted to settings to switch to phone mode, or found a new app that didn't have tablet mode.
Which is to say the S7FE may work well for you. Note that it's a TFT screen, not Samsung's gorgeous AMOLEDs. Definitely buy it from a place with hassle free returns. I have an S5SE, and the tablet is so thin, it was hard for me to use it because I was afraid of breaking it. I got a generic flip cover from Amazon, and the feel of fragility vanished and I've been known to toss it a few feet onto a couch/bed. I'm holding out for my next tablet upgrade to be about a 15" diagonal to be more similar to the size of a piece of paper.
My library also uses overdrive, but I found it more convenient to ... ask google for ways to remove the drm from overdrive books. Which is to say I'm not sure that the overdrive app won't be too much of a pain to use. I've also found alternate sources and haven't used overdrive in a while, feel free to memail me for a link.
posted by nobeagle at 6:32 AM on February 9, 2022
Which is to say the S7FE may work well for you. Note that it's a TFT screen, not Samsung's gorgeous AMOLEDs. Definitely buy it from a place with hassle free returns. I have an S5SE, and the tablet is so thin, it was hard for me to use it because I was afraid of breaking it. I got a generic flip cover from Amazon, and the feel of fragility vanished and I've been known to toss it a few feet onto a couch/bed. I'm holding out for my next tablet upgrade to be about a 15" diagonal to be more similar to the size of a piece of paper.
My library also uses overdrive, but I found it more convenient to ... ask google for ways to remove the drm from overdrive books. Which is to say I'm not sure that the overdrive app won't be too much of a pain to use. I've also found alternate sources and haven't used overdrive in a while, feel free to memail me for a link.
posted by nobeagle at 6:32 AM on February 9, 2022
I have the Samsung Galaxy Tab 5e and read magazines etc no problem. It has a 10.5 inch screen and have not noticed any apps not using all the screen but I don't use any fancy apps to read with. I had the same OMG it's so thin I'll break it reaction as nobeagle above though, but I've used and abused it every day since I got it last year and it's not put a foot wrong. I'd suggest buying one locally so you can actually go in and try them out, or if buying online make sure they have a good return policy though as how a tablet feels to hold and use is highly personal and can make or break holding it for long reading sessions.
posted by wwax at 6:37 AM on February 9, 2022
posted by wwax at 6:37 AM on February 9, 2022
I have a 12.5" Chrome based tablet. It works well for me physically but I'm a big strong guy. Be sure that the bulk and weight isn't something that would eventually discourage you from using it.
posted by Candleman at 7:16 AM on February 9, 2022
posted by Candleman at 7:16 AM on February 9, 2022
The Samsung tablets are excellent all around. I had an s5e and traded it in for an s7+ with the huge screen and S-Pen. The s5e was the perfect tablet for reading (including manga & comics but I don't read magazines) because of its weight and screen technology. AMOLED is amazing, I wouldn't get a tablet without an OLED display.
The tab s7+ is extremely high quality, also amazing screen with a 120hz refresh rate, but it's noticeably heavier than the s5e was. Not a huge problem as it's still very light, but it's more awkward and also has rectangular edges. It's designed more for use with the S-Pen.
I only have one app that sucks in tablet mode, but literally all others are fine. The Kindle app in particular is excellent. I'm pretty sure you'll have no trouble with apps using the entire screen or any scaling issues.
posted by spbb at 8:05 AM on February 9, 2022
The tab s7+ is extremely high quality, also amazing screen with a 120hz refresh rate, but it's noticeably heavier than the s5e was. Not a huge problem as it's still very light, but it's more awkward and also has rectangular edges. It's designed more for use with the S-Pen.
I only have one app that sucks in tablet mode, but literally all others are fine. The Kindle app in particular is excellent. I'm pretty sure you'll have no trouble with apps using the entire screen or any scaling issues.
posted by spbb at 8:05 AM on February 9, 2022
I don't recall any problems getting Overdrive content on my HD8. It's also available natively on Amazon app store.
Same with Onliehe and PressReader
Adding PlayStore to Amazon Fire tablets takes about 10 minutes and requires no software hacks, just follow simple instructions.
I believe the new HD10 is notably faster than the older HD10 as well.
posted by kschang at 8:15 AM on February 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Same with Onliehe and PressReader
Adding PlayStore to Amazon Fire tablets takes about 10 minutes and requires no software hacks, just follow simple instructions.
I believe the new HD10 is notably faster than the older HD10 as well.
posted by kschang at 8:15 AM on February 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Samsung just announced their next generation S8 tablets, if you want an even bigger screen that is less likely to bend and break:
Samsung thinks your tablet is too small. So the company is announcing the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, a slim tablet with a massive 14.6-inch screen. The $1,099.99 Tab S8 Ultra sits at the top of the Tab S8 line, which includes the more pedestrian-sized Tab S8 and Tab S8 Plus, successors to the Tab S7 models from 2020.
At 1.6 pounds, almost 13 inches across, and over 8 inches tall, the Tab S8 Ultra is closer in size and weight to a Microsoft Surface Pro than what most people would consider a tablet. Despite its size, Samsung claims that the Ultra is 40 percent less prone to bending than the Tab S7, and its aluminum is 30 percent more scratch resistant. It’s impressive to be holding such a big screen in your hands, but it’s hard to see how useful the Ultra will be as an actual tablet and not parked in a keyboard case on a desk. Samsung is including an S Pen stylus in the box with all of the Tab S8 models, but a keyboard case will cost extra. (Those that place preorders will get the keyboard case for free as a perk.)
posted by rambling wanderlust at 10:54 AM on February 9, 2022
Samsung thinks your tablet is too small. So the company is announcing the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, a slim tablet with a massive 14.6-inch screen. The $1,099.99 Tab S8 Ultra sits at the top of the Tab S8 line, which includes the more pedestrian-sized Tab S8 and Tab S8 Plus, successors to the Tab S7 models from 2020.
At 1.6 pounds, almost 13 inches across, and over 8 inches tall, the Tab S8 Ultra is closer in size and weight to a Microsoft Surface Pro than what most people would consider a tablet. Despite its size, Samsung claims that the Ultra is 40 percent less prone to bending than the Tab S7, and its aluminum is 30 percent more scratch resistant. It’s impressive to be holding such a big screen in your hands, but it’s hard to see how useful the Ultra will be as an actual tablet and not parked in a keyboard case on a desk. Samsung is including an S Pen stylus in the box with all of the Tab S8 models, but a keyboard case will cost extra. (Those that place preorders will get the keyboard case for free as a perk.)
posted by rambling wanderlust at 10:54 AM on February 9, 2022
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I love it, and use it exclusively to read books and magazines on the kindle and Libby(overdrive) apps. I went canoeing for ten days, read for 3-10 hours a day, and I think I charged it once even though I didn’t really need to. For more regular use, battery life is weeks.
Magazines are a shade small, and I am seriously considering getting the max lumi for reading magazines and PDFs.
It did take some fussing to get the Google play store set up properly, but that was a one time thing.
posted by rockindata at 3:05 AM on February 9, 2022 [1 favorite]