I just started working, which is nice, however, I'm in the market for a Tablet/Laptop. I made a thread a few months back on how I decided to change my major from Chemistry to something Computer related. I'm considering Software Development, BUT that's whole other discussion I'm thinking about having. BUT here are a few things I've considered. am i making the right decision? I'm new to Software development, in fact i changed my major but i haven't even started my courses yet, i start in august. but i need a tablet. well i don't want a laptop, cause when i'm on the go i don't really use a keyboard all too often. but i would like to have one when i need it.
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 10.1 (I found a refurbished 32GB model for $420)
Surface 3 (I'm looking for the 128GB model which is $599 and i need to purchase the stylus and type cover)
ASUS Transformer Book CHI T300 (this comes with a keyboard but the only port is microUSB 3.0 and 2.0)
HP Slate Pro 12 (this is just a giant HTC One with a 4:3 Aspect ratio but it comes with a stylus)
Anything you would choose? or am i looking in the wrong direction. also i've had terrible experiences with Synaptics Digitizers, but that is on the Windows Platform, i don't know how the experience is on Android.
I would steer away from Android for productivity. Have you considered the Dell Venue 11? They are not too pricey, and with the keyboard attachment you get extra battery. Plus its full windows.
The Surface 3 would probably be a great option too. I haven't heard much about it though. But Surface does have a pretty good track record.
I've messed with the Dell Venue 11 Pro, it's uses Synaptics which i've had terrible experiences with. I don't know about N-Trig, and with Waccom the Hand-writing on the Galaxy Note series is Impeccable.
Hm, I think the Surface 3 is going to be your best bet then. I think that with android, you will have problems getting the right software to work on things. Unless you're doing super basic stuff that like Google Docs could handle. But it would be possible, just more of a pain.
I had considered the Android platform cause of the big and quality app store and the Samsung Tablet has a lot of support from the open source community. i 've found about 8 custom roms for the tablet. i have a Dell Venue 8 Pro running the Windows 10 Technical Preivew, and everything is awesome, there's only a few things that haven't been fixed. the Store is still ass and the scaling still sucks. and i'm loosing all hope for the Windows App Store. but all the productivity apps work. so i'm scratching my head right now. lol
Probably not. Microsoft is going all out with Windows 10 this year. so they have been trying extremely hard to moon-walk back into people's good side this year. there are massive issues that have been fixed. but the minor ones are still there.
mostly the reading, a few gaming apps, and media consumption apps. then again i'm not going to read on a 10 inch tablet anyways, but just the support for the apps period. I have a Venue 8 Pro, there are alot of a good apps on windows. BUT they are either, haven't been updated in a while, or the developers just abandoned the app completely. there's not even a proper Pandora, or Touch-screen friendly music application.
oh i already have my eyes set on a 7 inch tablet. I found Android tablet or $105 bucks. that will most likely replace my dell venue 8 pro very soon. the specs are exactly the same. and it has tiny support from the open source community. there's a extremely de-bloated touch-wiz rom for it. it doesn't have cyanogenmod support sadly. which is what i load up on all my android devices. but i can tolerate touchwiz without all the non-sense.
Blue-stacks would work, but somethings don't always work. and scaling on windows will just ruin the experience. i haven't made my decision yet, but i've narrowed down to the Note 10.1 and the Surface. 11 inch tablets with a 16:9 are massive in portrait mode. which is what the Dell Venue 11 Pro has sadly
Is it viable; yes, totally. But only if you do it right.
Would I suggest it to you; no, not at all. Since you have the chance to get a Surface out of the 4 options you've got; go for it! It is pretty much the best choice you are offered. Not only 'because it's a surface' but mainly for the operating system and workflow you will have compared to Android.
Besides of this all; Android for tablets is a no-go. 9/10 it isn't useful for what you are planning on doing with it. With a few exceptions of course. The Galaxy Note series is brilliant, you almost completely forget that it is android and it works almost flawlessly. And of course the Nexus and HP stuff that works fine. But besides of that, Android for tablets is a no-go, it simply doesn't work well enough.
But Windows RT does, and so do iPads. I'm not a fan of apple the last years, but iPads work (as they are tablets) very very VERY well. Especially when you want to get shit done. The workflow, options and opportunities on those fuckers are amazing!
But since you're not aiming on an iPad I won't suggest it anymore.
My suggestion; Surface (Preferably the Pro version)
I'll key my eye on the surface. right now Windows 10 is looking pretty good. but the app store and scaling is still pretty bad. hopefully it gets fixed at launch.
Modding and tweaking my friend....modding and tweaking.
We're on TekSyndicate forums, everyone will help you modifying your surface to make it work flawless. It is kind of needed to get access t ook some programs and stuff like that.