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TNGW1500SE's avatar
TNGW1500SE
Explorer
Mar 14, 2018

What tablet to by?

I guess I need a new tablet. I have a older Motorola Zoom MZ505 family edition and the app I need is "not compatable". :( I need to run dropbox and open an excel file on it daily. I'd also like to run Waze on it while driving. If I could figure out how to use it as a second monitor using a USB it could also work. It's running Android 3.1 now. Anybody got any "Why don't you..." advice?

40 Replies

  • Unquestionably, the best "bang for the buck" is the Amazon Fire HD 10. You can not beat the price. The screen is very nice and bright. It does have a few negatives.
    • No cell phone connection (but that may not be an issue for many people)
    • No GPS so no mapping software
    • Probably the biggest negative is no direct access to the Google Play Store and it thousands of apps.

    There are work arounds to allow you to load the Google Play app, so that is not a complete bust.

    EDIT : TetherGPS allows you to share GPS information over WiFi from one device (say an Android cell phone with GPS) to another device (Fire tablet).
  • TNGW1500SE wrote:
    That's where I'm lost on what to buy. If you talk windows 7,8,10 or XP, I can follow the conversation, but when it comes to all these "food items", mashmallows, suckers, frozen treats, etc., ...


    The Android OS versions are in alphabetical order, so Marshmallow is newer than Lollipop, before that was Kit-Kat, etc.

    I think the newest is Oreo (V8.0, 8.1), the next one will start with "P".

    CC
  • Tiger4x4RV wrote:
    Info from Google Play app store: Dropbox for Android tablet requires Android 4.1 and up. You have Android 3.1. Waze for Android tablet says varies with device.

    To run Dropbox, you need to either upgrade the so4.1.
    Viking ftware on the tablet you have now from 3.1 to something higher or get a new Android tablet which already has 4.1 or higher. I don't know about Waze; perhaps someone else can chime in.

    Disclaimer: I am not an Android expert. I just looked up the info on Google Play.


    And both models I mentioned are newer than 4.1
    Walmart website , currently available, just checked prices,,,,,
    RCA Viking Pro, 10'1" screen, Android 5.0 system current price $69.98
    or
    RCA Galileo Pro, 11.5" screen, AQndroid 6.0 current price $79.98

    Both have wi-fi operation, built in GPS
    2 monitors? I don't know if this is what you want but the RCA units I listed have a mini hdmi port which we use to connect a 37" flatscreen TV for use. It displays the movie on both the tablet screen and the TV simultaneously.

    Nothing wrong with the Apple products, but these do what I have needed, and do it for a small fraction of the price. Get one, try for a day, and if you dont like it take it back. They wont hassel you as long as you box it back up, just tell them it wont run the program you wanted it for.
  • Besides 3X a couple of others, I will say that if you are one who tows your heavy 5th wheel with a light half ton truck then anything might work because the salesman said so. Or, you could do it right and get the right tool for the job without having to "make it work". Get an Ipad. They just work without all the hassles. I've had both kinds and Apple products are the best.
  • TNGW1500SE wrote:
    I have to have two monitors. I have that now but one is in the bedroom and the other is in the livingroom. I need a 2nd in the livingroom to do bookwork on.


    Could you elaborate on using a tablet with "two monitors"? Do you mean simultaneously?
  • Info from Google Play app store: Dropbox for Android tablet requires Android 4.1 and up. You have Android 3.1. Waze for Android tablet says varies with device.

    To run Dropbox, you need to either upgrade the software on the tablet you have now from 3.1 to something higher or get a new Android tablet which already has 4.1 or higher. I don't know about Waze; perhaps someone else can chime in.

    Disclaimer: I am not an Android expert. I just looked up the info on Google Play.
  • kerrlakeRoo wrote:
    Your older Motorola is similar to the RCA models Walmart sells now. We have a Viking 10.1" with keyboard that has been great for nearly 3 years that we fill with movies and stuff for travel. Cost currently is about $90 with a keyboard, and 32 Gig of memory. Uses Android 5.0 (lollipop) or the have the same ones with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) for around $120.
    These are both google chrome/android systems, but newer than your 3.0, you would have to verify that they work with the apps you want to use.


    That's where I'm lost on what to buy. If you talk windows 7,8,10 or XP, I can follow the conversation, but when it comes to all these "food items", mashmallows, suckers, frozen treats, etc., I'm an idiot. As for the apple stuff, I've never used any of it. I'd love to avoid any learning curve at all. I have to have two monitors. I have that now but one is in the bedroom and the other is in the livingroom. I need a 2nd in the livingroom to do bookwork on.
  • Your older Motorola is similar to the RCA models Walmart sells now. We have a Viking 10.1" with keyboard that has been great for nearly 3 years that we fill with movies and stuff for travel. Cost currently is about $90 with a keyboard, and 32 Gig of memory. Uses Android 5.0 (lollipop) or the have the same ones with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) for around $120.
    These are both google chrome/android systems, but newer than your 3.0, you would have to verify that they work with the apps you want to use.
  • Fizz wrote:
    This is going to start an argument but what the h...
    Get an iPad. I'm on my second one, upgraded from the original. It does everything you asked and more. I have the cellular model for the built in GPS. In the eight years I've used it I never, ever had a problem.


    I second that.
  • This is going to start an argument but what the h...
    Get an iPad. I'm on my second one, upgraded from the original. It does everything you asked and more. I have the cellular model for the built in GPS. In the eight years I've used it I never, ever had a problem.

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