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What is the best tablet size?


  • Total voters
    40

Billy95Tech

Suspended
Original poster
Apr 18, 2014
540
61
I have a 7 inch tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7 and a 8.4 inch tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 and a 11.6 inch (Windows 8) tablet Acer Iconia W700(I5 Core).

I think 7inch tablets the sceens are too small view websites and more but it is very portable.

I think around 8.4/8.9 inch is the sweet spot for tablets because the is it big enough sceen and it is very portable just like 7inch tablets.

And 10/11 inch tablets are not as portable to take around but offers big sceen to watch movies and surfing the web and do content creation/productive work.

I am not sure about 9 inch tablets because i haven't tried a 9 inch tablet.

I was wondering what is the best tablet size? everyone

Do you think 8.4/8.9 inch tablets are the sweet spot for tablets?
 
Last edited:

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,740
I am not sure about 9 inch tablets because i haven't tried a 9 inch tablet.
Personally, I don't think there is a "best" size. For my the smaller iPad mini form factor is the best size, others may think the 9" tablet is better. One size does not fit all. :)
 

Micky Do

macrumors 68020
Aug 31, 2012
2,217
3,163
a South Pacific island
No tablet size is good for me. With my not all that flash eyesight and not not all that nimble fingers tablets, smart phones and the like are beyond my realm for comfortable use….. and that without considering my desire to be on-line away from my desk.

For others, different folk will have different ideas, depending on their needs and situation. Thus, there is a range of sizes available.

The best size comes down to individual preference.
 

Robster3

macrumors 68000
Dec 13, 2012
1,987
0
I like my Air for everything even in car, but I would like a mini just for e-reading.
 

OSMac

macrumors 65816
Jun 14, 2010
1,455
7
After using a number of tablets and larger phones
the original ipad 9.7" size and 4:3 format is the best by far.

Anything smaller while nice to carry is harder to read and interact with.

The Note 12.2 is not bad for using while just sitting on a couch
but in general is just too big and if that size of screen is useful it's better to use a laptop.

Steve got it right.
 

The Game 161

macrumors Nehalem
Dec 15, 2010
30,991
20,174
UK
I love my note 12.2 but when I'm quickly checking something and not relaxing I grab my note 8.0 more often than not.
 

ucfgrad93

macrumors Core
Aug 17, 2007
19,579
10,875
Colorado
Personally, I don't think there is a "best" size. For my the smaller iPad mini form factor is the best size, others may think the 9" tablet is better. One size does not fit all. :)

I agree one size doesn't fit all. That said, I prefer a 7-8 inch device.
 

balamw

Moderator emeritus
Aug 16, 2005
19,365
979
New England
Depends what for.

Personally the 8" form factor of the iPad mini and my new Dell Venue Pro 8 are both very handy, but for extended sessions I like the size and feel of the iPad Air. The iPad 3 in a similar form factor is less comfortable due to its weight.

The DVP8 is a bit heavier than the iPad mini (non retina) I have too.

B
 

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,468
5,097
The poll choices don't actually provide an optimal response based on my own preferences. I find the difference between 7" and 8" is pretty dramatic, far more than a 1" incremental size increase beyond that, and wouldn't personally group them together. On top of that, for me screen ratio has a far greater impact than just diagonal screen dimensions--there's a big difference between 8" using 16:10 vs. 4:3 display ratio. Consequently, there's a huge difference between the 7" display on the Nexus 7 and the 7.9" display of the iPad Mini.

I personally prefer the 4:3 display size used by Apple, and also find that I have preferred uses for both the Mini and Air. I love the portablility offered by the Mini but welcome the larger screen real estate afforded by the Air in what is now a pretty compact form, considering the display size. If forced to pick only one, I'd probably choose the rMini. However, 8.3-8.4" is the smallest I'd go on a device with a 16:10 display ratio.
 

hallux

macrumors 68040
Apr 25, 2012
3,443
1,005
It ENTIRELY depends on the use case and the person. I'm now receiving at least 1 magazine subscription through the Google Play Store, I found 10" is optimal for me for reading a magazine. I also don't find the 10" tablet to be all that ungainly to use, maybe because I've had one for 3+ years and just got a new one that's even more compact than the old one.
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
I voted 10", even though I'm giving up my Dell 11 Pro with a 10.6" screen for a surface Pro 3, but I need laptop functions as well. 10-11" seems to be the sweet spot for a screen where you can get stuff done. 8" seems like a weird compromise, it won't fit into most pockets so you still have to break out the man bag but you compromise for a smaller screen. As soon as I break out the man bag I might as well carry the 10" with me.
 

sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,405
13,290
where hip is spoken
Depends what for.

Personally the 8" form factor of the iPad mini and my new Dell Venue Pro 8 are both very handy, but for extended sessions I like the size and feel of the iPad Air. The iPad 3 in a similar form factor is less comfortable due to its weight.

The DVP8 is a bit heavier than the iPad mini (non retina) I have too.

B
This is what I'm leaning towards myself. I use my iPad 4 for extended sessions, but looking to get something like a DV8P (or iPad Mini if the next gen comes with an active digitizer)
 

Mechayoshi

macrumors regular
Feb 7, 2014
211
3
The Mushroom Kingdom
I have a note 3 so 7" tablets are a little too close to my phone's size to seem worthwhile. 8-10 however is pretty good for movies and browsing. Also this poll is made pretty weird. I don't really know what to vote for :/
 

thering1975

macrumors regular
Jun 5, 2014
215
136
having used tablets of all sizes i would have to say the best size or for me at least was the IPad Mini, its screen ratio and size was perfect, however not a fan of the os but overall when peeps ask me for a recommendation i always hit up the mini first

Tried 7inch galaxy tab when first came out but didnt like it, had the 10 icnh tabs and felt the same, also owned the notepro 12.2 inch tablet which was a stunning piece of hardware but far too big.

Oddly and dont take the preverbial but i have found my Galaxy Mega phone hits the sweet spot for me now so i dont own a tablet as the mega 6.3 covers both phone and tablet duty
 

Billy95Tech

Suspended
Original poster
Apr 18, 2014
540
61
Wow i am quite surprised that most of you voted for 10\11 inch is the best tablet size because i thought there be more people would prefer to use smaller tablets (7/8 inch) than big tablets.

Some good answers so far! lets keep this thread going! :)
 
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