Android tablet with digitiser: anything other than Galaxy Note worth considering?

[ozaz]

I'd like an 9-10" Android tablet with digitiser stylus.

I know the Galaxy Note 10.1 is held in high regard with respect to the quality of S-Pen. Therefore, I wonder whether it's worth considering any other Android tablets? I know Touchwiz is generally considered a negative aspect of Samsung devices, but it doesn't really bother me (my phone is an S4).

My primary use for the tablet will be as a leisure time media consumption device (which is why I'd rather it be Android and not Windows). The pen functionality (which I want to use for occasional note talking and sketching) will be an infrequent secondary use case.

 

[kuroe]

I'd like an 9-10" Android tablet with digitiser stylus.

You do realize that the Note series is the only Android device series with active digitizer styli, right?

The closest thing to the Note series would be the HTC Flyer (which is old, outdated, and crappy), as well as the NVIDIA Shield tablet series. However, the NVIDIA Shield series does NOT actually have an active digitizer stylus.

Instead, it uses a combination of hardware and software to emulate the active digitizer experience. It's not the real deal, but it is nonetheless quite good (from what reviews say, at least).

The Xperia Z series attempts to do something similar to what NVIDIA does with their shield tablets, but it's a half-assed attempt; there's no palm rejection, and I'm pretty sure that there's little to no pressure sensitivity.

Now if you wanted a Windows Device, there are a few active digitizer Windows devices (like the Asus note 8, Surface pro 1 and 2 (Pro 3 doesn't have Wacom) ).

Edit: I must revise my eariier statement; there was the Toshiba Excite Write series. Unfortunately, it's gotten fairly lukewarm reviews.

 

[Sensamic]

There was a Toshiba one. Don't remember it's name.

 

[Dontazemebro]

I think the Microsoft surface is the only other tablet with a Wacom digitizer inside but I could be mistaken.

 

[ozaz]

You do realize that the Note series is the only Android device series with active digitizer styli, right?

Why such a condescending tone?
If I had deep knowledge of the options, why would I be asking the question.

The closest thing to the Note series would be the HTC Flyer (which is old, outdated, and crappy), as well as the NVIDIA Shield tablet series. However, the NVIDIA Shield series does NOT actually have an active digitizer stylus.

Thanks for suggestion. Unfortunately I'd like a full size tablet (9-10"), rather than a mini (7-8") one.

I must revise my eariier statement; there was the Toshiba Excite Write series. Unfortunately, it's gotten fairly lukewarm reviews.

Main downside of this tablet for me is lack of silo for the stylus. On board storage for the stylus is something I feel I'd appreciate a lot.

-----------

I think the Microsoft surface is the only other tablet with a Wacom digitizer inside but I could be mistaken.

There are a few other Windows ones with Wacom. Unfortunately, I don't want Windows.
It doesn't need to be Wacom. As long as it's active, it would be good enough for my limited needs (notes and basic diagrams; no artwork). On board storage for the stylus would be appreciated.

 

[kuroe]

Why such a condescending tone?
If I had deep knowledge of the options, why would I be asking the question.

Sorry, didn't mean to sound condescending. I guess I just thought it was sort of obvious, but that's my fault for assuming such.

On a different note, I don't think anybody has tried to do what Samsung does and create a series of dedicated stylus-equipped devices.

Which is a shame, really, because the only reason why I buy the Note series is the stylus (I'm a fairly heavy user). If a good alternative with an active digitizer is ever released, I'd probably jump ship to it (not that the Note series is bad, but it'd be nice having a viable alternative).

 

[cube]

Galaxy Note PRO 12.2

 

[The Game 161]

note 12.2 is a great device..Best tablet I've had and a great screen too. A true multitasking device.

4 screens at once if you so need it

 

[MRU]

Android tablet with digitiser: anything other than Galaxy Note worth consider...

I think the Microsoft surface is the only other tablet with a Wacom digitizer inside but I could be mistaken.

The new surface drops Wacom digitiser for an alternative. Stopped me even considering the surface pro 3 recently.

-----------

I have a note 12.2 too.

Basically the new Corel painter is great, Sketchbook Pro works fab

 

[Dontazemebro]

The new surface drops Wacom digitiser for an alternative. Stopped me even considering the surface pro 3 recently.

-----------

I have a note 12.2 too.

Basically the new Corel painter is great, Sketchbook Pro works fab

That sucks. I have been loving the small tablet experience and was thinking of one of those new Note pro tabs in the 10 maybe even 12 inch range for Christmas. I always thought tablets were useless in general but I'm loving the 8 inch range far too much.

 

[cube]

I wanted to buy the Note 12.2, but I got a great deal on a Tab 12.2

 

[Menneisyys2]

I'd like an 9-10" Android tablet with digitiser stylus.

I know the Galaxy Note 10.1 is held in high regard with respect to the quality of S-Pen. Therefore, I wonder whether it's worth considering any other Android tablets? I know Touchwiz is generally considered a negative aspect of Samsung devices, but it doesn't really bother me (my phone is an S4).

My primary use for the tablet will be as a leisure time media consumption device (which is why I'd rather it be Android and not Windows). The pen functionality (which I want to use for occasional note talking and sketching) will be an infrequent secondary use case.

Should you want to do some pen work, you could also consider getting an old(er) Windows tablet. After upgrading them with an SSD, Windows 8.1 runs just great on them - it's so much faster than Windows 7. For example, with 8.1, I'm able to do some serious mapping work on my 11-year-old HP TC1100 (a cult model – really great at its time) in Inkspace.

 

[msavic]

The new surface drops Wacom digitiser for an alternative. Stopped me even considering the surface pro 3 recently.

-----------

I have a note 12.2 too.

Basically the new Corel painter is great, Sketchbook Pro works fab

I thought the switch from WACOM to N-Trig would be a massive downgrade on the Surface Pro 3 but N-Trig actually works really well on the Surface Pro 3. I would say it's better than Wacom in a couple areas as well.

 

[ozaz]

Sorry, didn't mean to sound condescending. I guess I just thought it was sort of obvious, but that's my fault for assuming such.

No worries. I could see from the rest of your post you were trying to be helpful. It's just the first sentence that slightly irked me

Galaxy Note PRO 12.2

I've tried this in store. Yes, it seems fantastic. But since the primary use case for me would be a portable media consumption tablet (inking/productivity secondary), I think I'd prefer a 9-10" device.

Should you want to do some pen work, you could also consider getting an old(er) Windows tablet. After upgrading them with an SSD, Windows 8.1 runs just great on them - it's so much faster than Windows 7. For example, with 8.1, I'm able to do some serious mapping work on my 11-year-old HP TC1100 (a cult model – really great at its time) in Inkspace.

This is something I'm considering separately. Basically a cheap Windows tablet with inking support just to sit in the drawer of my work desk and occasionally use at my desk and when giving powerpoint presentations.

I'd ideally like a 14" hybrid laptop with inking as my sole work machine (don't like smaller screens for work). But nothing has been released yet that I'm happy enough with. The only machine I've been tempted by so far is the Vaio Flip 14. I particularly like the mechanism for converting between modes. But it's compromised in various ways (weight, battery life, fan noise).

 

[HardBall]

I thought the switch from WACOM to N-Trig would be a massive downgrade on the Surface Pro 3 but N-Trig actually works really well on the Surface Pro 3. I would say it's better than Wacom in a couple areas as well.

N-Trig is actually quite usable sometimes, but has a lot of issues compared to a truly stand-alone digitizer layer for pen.

It's basically an emulated layer effected by a small actuator in the pen as well as controller, not the real deal. Things like differentiating between pen and touch is not nearly as good as a real solution with an inductive layer, just enough for palm rejection to work. Things like pressure sensitivity, tilt, rotation, etc; are far inferior to a real inductive input method.

It's about on par with Nvidia's directstylus solution; somewhat competent at most casual things used for active digitizers (writing notes, drawing diagrams); but is unfit for professional use.