Tablet recommendation

[Molteni]

To save taking my laptop to the boat on each trip, I'm looking for a suitable tablet.

Should at least mimic laptop spec ie. 8Gb RAM and 256 GB SSD

Must be a robust “outdoor” compatible model with a bright screen

Must have GPS Bluetooth and wifi. Connections for SIM (emergency use) and HDMI and USB

I made a few notes below for suitable requirements.

Would consider a refurb, any recommendations gratefully received

Thanks


Apps to be independent of connection to phone

OS maps

Navionics

Yacht battery systems (Bluetooth)

Samsung Smart Tag

Google maps

Anchor app


When tethered to phone should be able to access

Windy.com

Internet

Whatsapp

Youtube

emails

 

[stav]

Not sure if it meets your specification but I recently changed from Samsung tablets to an ipad 8th generation and so far pleased with it. Needs to have cellular to have a GPS. Sooooo many to choose from! Good luck.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

This will inevitably open up the Android vs Apple debate.

If you are an Apple user (IPhone and/or Mac) then the iPad is the obvious choice; as @stav says you need the cellular model to get GPS, it’s useless for navigation without it. Probably costs more than the equivalent premium Android tablet from eg Samsung.

Cheap android tablets available on eBay for 60-100 quid will likely do the job but with unknown security and updates may not be for you.

Don’t get hung on on matching laptop specs.

 

[lustyd]

Cheap android tablets available on eBay for 60-100 quid will likely do the job but with unknown security and updates may not be for you.

Also beware that some brand new current version Android tablets don’t get updates to the OS due to the way the licensing is tied to the processor rather than device. I made this mistake and it’s deeply frustrating as it immediately limits various things including app availability and ability to connect to work type systems where policies are in place.
Unfortunately it takes legwork to find what’s what for a given device in terms of expected update life.

Not wanting to extend the Apple vs Android but the additional cost of an iPad does buy a very extended device life in terms of updates and upgrades so higher price isn’t the same as higher cost.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Yup. That.

 

[Laminar Flow]

We use a Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, 10".

It does all the things we require. It is fully GPS capable, without any cellular connection. We have had it for three years now and has accompanied us on several major voyages. It lives in the wheelhouse and never has had a reception issue. I carry a smaller one of the same vintage as a backup, which also doubles as viewing screen for the drone.

It does practically all the things you require, though I doubt it has the quasi-laptop capabilities you want. On the upside: we didn't have to sell the boat to buy it.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

NB. For the Apple iPad, the requirement for cellular to get the GPS capability does not require a SIM. The issue here is that the GPS capability for the iPadis contained within the same chip that provides the cellular connection, so iPad devices that do not have cellular capability do not have GPS. No cellular connection is required to make the GPS work, provided that you buy the cellular capable iPad.

 

[PaulRainbow]

From post #1

"Must be a robust “outdoor” compatible model with a bright screen"
"Must have GPS Bluetooth and wifi. Connections for SIM (emergency use) and HDMI and USB"

That rules iPads out then.

 

[ProDave]

As you have a "laptop" (and you don't mention apple) I deduce you are likely talking about a windows machine.

Most "tablets's" will be android / chrome OS etc, so you may not be able to run exactly the same software you do now on the laptop.

If this is you then have a look at the much recommended Panasonic Toughpad's. they are in fact a rugged touch screen windows PC in a tablet format.