Help me choose a tablet please

[newconroer]

Looking to pick up one of these two tablets :

Hannspree at74b2e
http://www.ebuyer.com/667178-hannspree-hannspad-10-1-hd-tablet-pc-black-sn1at74b2e

Linx 10" Win 8
http://www.ebuyer.com/664367-linx-10-windows-8-tablet-pc-black-linx10b



Similarities:
Connectivity
Screen size & resolution(might even be the same panel)
Same RAM/Storage space
Wifi


Differences:
Processor
Operating System



Points of contention :


-Do we believe that the OS is somehow hard locked or propriety? Any one 'flashed' a different OS on these devices and what does that look like? Am I needing a special install package for these tablets? In short, can I get Windows 7/8 on the Hannspree?

-What is the wifi capabilities of each device? I need something that can support at least 300N speeds.

-Battery life real world, any one have experience?



Lastly, to throw a wrench in here in the mix, there's an exdisplay model of this Hannspree.
http://www.ebuyer.com/624968-exdisplay-hannspree-hannspad-tablet-pc-ebr2-sn97t41
I appreciate the storage is less, but the processor is classed as Dual, claiming it to therefore be effectively 2.4ghz.
The original Hannspree I linked is a 1.3ghz 'quad core.' Does this mean the sn97t41 'dual' is actually faster?

 

[Crap Daddy]

Hanspree is ARM no Windows whatsoever capable. It's an Android tablet. Linx has full Win 8.1 so don't know what exactly do you need more as an OS.
May I ask for what do you plan to use the tablets? There are far better alternatives than what you linked in both Android or Windows tablets depending on budget.

 

[newconroer]

It's to be used as a mobile web browser, XBMC remote/viewer of media and email checker.
Occasionally I may want to run Windows based software, which has no Android equivalent or emulated version.
And if anything goes wrong per se, I can probably solve it faster on the Windows platform.


I've set budget at just about where the Linx RT in that link is at.

 

[TheDarkLord]

Definitely go with the Linx

Better OS (Windows is FAR FAR FAR FAR more superior than Android)
No you can't flash the first one to Windows 7 or 8
They don't mention what the wifi is, why do you need 300 N?
Can't comment on the battery life but in general, android tablets tend to have a longer battery life.

 

[newconroer]

I figure that anything less than 300 N (knowing that you never get any where near the theoretical throughput), is required for streaming high quality blu ray content, 10-20gb files.
I've just had bad experiences on the lesser speed wireless devices.

Something that does confuse me is that people have warned away from getting an "RT" tablet. I didn't realize they were still selling these alongside full blow Win 8 models.

Also, I guess Linx is a vendor/mfr, who is repackaging their version of the tablet, like Asus, Lenovo etc. I'm trying to find the differences between them all - so far the noticeable one is the processors.

Linx uses a 1.33ghz Quad Atom Baytrail-T Z3740
Asus uses both the above Baytrail Atom and a 1.8ghz Dual-core Z2760
Dell and Lenovo has a 1.5ghz Qualcomm 8060A

Guess I need to check out the performance of those.

 

[TheDarkLord]

well specs don't mention the speed, but it does charge through mini USB so you can always use an OTG cable (which might be a hassle) with a WiFi USB dongle to get your wanted speeds

 

[newconroer]

I get the impression a tablet with Windows is just a touchscreen laptop, where as IoS/Android devices feel like modern touch devices - no heavy background OS.

 

[TheDarkLord]

Yeah, It's going to be slower unless you get a hard core expensive tablet such as a surface. But then again, the things you can do with an windows tablet are where as the android / IOS tablets are

For web browsing - XBMC viewer - email

Then go for the android (it's more touch optimized anyways)

 

[Frick]

You can't even compare Windows (not RT) to Android. One is Windows ... the other isn't. Both are very good. If you for some reason want to run Windows programs on a tablet, get that, if you don't have to, don't.

Windows 8 is awesome on touchscreens btw.

 

[Crap Daddy]

I have an Asus Transformer T100TA. Fantastic device for the price can't even compare the benefits of a full Windows OS over Android or iOS. It has the Baytrail Z3740 a powerful little Atom, does everything you need including gaming (older games maybe on low medium but it even plays DOTA2 at around 20FPS) just don't expect Intel core CPUs speeds. All this for roughly 9 hours of use on one charge. Nothing compares to laying in bed and have a desktop OS touch enabled on your belly.

 

[newconroer]

Thanks guys. The Hannspree is tempting at half the cost and covers the basics I require. However I have a feeling those devices aren't as web page format friendly as they could be. I've seen some videos of the Win 8 tablets where you can adjust the layout (manually or automatically) of the pages, to be more readable and manageable.
There will be some fairly heavy use of various web pages and if this isn't comfortable on the Android then that's a no go.


Also, XBMC is much better on Windows than Android.

@Darklord,

Most 'surface' I've seen are RT. Is this correct?
I may go for something used if I find the right one.

 

[Crap Daddy]

Thanks guys. The Hannspree is tempting at half the cost and covers the basics I require. However I have a feeling those devices aren't as web page format friendly as they could be. I've seen some videos of the Win 8 tablets where you can adjust the layout (manually or automatically) of the pages, to be more readable and manageable.
There will be some fairly heavy use of various web pages and if this isn't comfortable on the Android then that's a no go.


Also, XBMC is much better on Windows than Android.

@Darklord,

Most 'surface' I've seen are RT. Is this correct?
I may go for something used if I find the right one.

I think only MS has still RT on their Surface. Surface Pro runs Windows 8.1. That Linx is not RT, it runs the same OS as your desktop or for that matter Surface Pro. So you can use your preferred desktop browser, this is not the mobile version of a browser like in Android. It's the same like on your desktop monitor except you can touch, pinch and zoom. As I said you'll have too choose whatever device suits your needs. One runs Android the other runs the same Windows as your desktop machine, but don't expect miracles, these are cheap products, they cut a lot of corners regarding build quality, battery life, screen res and quality, speakers, camera and so forth. I mean, regardless that Microsoft offer Windows 8 at a huge discount if not for free for smaller tablets, only a Win 8 license costs almost like the whole Linx tablet. That says a lot.

 

[newconroer]

Yes, definitely.

I'm pretty sold on not getting a device with anything less than the Z3740 processor.

I see the Dell Venue 11 Pro 5130 is good at used price, not too much more than the Linx and seems better in several areas, noteably processor 3770 and the storage.

It would be a direct competitor to your T100TA?

Should I also be trying to avoid eMMC storage types?
I also read that the 64gb models of these tablets tend to be a bit misleading in that it cordons off about 15gb for a recovery partition? But on the 32gb models, it has a separate drive for that so it's not affected?

 

[newconroer]

So got a hold of a Nexus 7 (just as a benchmark) and that Hannspree SN1AT.

The Nexus 7 is snappier, smoother - particularly during XBMC use. It doesn't break a sweat, and is low level load on the CPU.
The Hannspree, using the exact same fresh XBMC build, is not struggling, but it's noticeably slower in some places. The CPU load is pretty much pegged.

So it looks like the Tegra 3 quad core on the Nexus is pretty strong.
Comparing it to the Baytrail..
http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Nvidia-Tegra-3-(T30)-vs-Intel-Atom-Z3740

Gives me the impression that I should get a decent x86 tablet

 

[newconroer]

Ah I love hardware research, you unearth more and more.

So I've bumped up my budget and decided on the following :

Dell Venue 11 Pro 5130 with the Z3770 Baytrail quad core
Dell Venue 11 Pro 7130 with the i3 4020y dual core
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 i5

Any opinions are welcome.

 

[newconroer]

Ah I love hardware research, you unearth more and more.

So I've bumped up my budget and decided on the following :

Dell Venue 11 Pro 5130 with the Z3770 Baytrail quad core
Dell Venue 11 Pro 7130 with the i3 4020y dual core
Galaxy Note 10.1 (appreciate it's not x86, but can find them at a good price).

Any opinions are welcome.