Which tablets have room for expansion?

bushmins · 7 Nov 2012 at 10:14

Is Samsung the only makers of tablets that put in the option to use an SD card? Im after something to use to view photos mainly, obviously it'll have other uses, but mainly for photos. I need a tablet with a memory expansion slot, does the kindle fire or nexus 7 have these slots?

I had my mind set on the TAB2 16gb 3G since it was only £240 on Amazon (with cash back). But although its 10 inch, which would be great for views photos/movies, its still seems a bit pricey for a photo viewer when there is the fire and nexus out there.

geuben · 7 Nov 2012 at 10:17

The Nexus 7 (or any of the Nexus line) does not have an SD card slot.

I really wouldn't limit your options by excluding any that don't have and SD card slot. You can easily use a USB OTG cable and connect your camera directly or use an SD card reader on a lot of tablet. Yes it's not as neat but it gives you access to a much better range of tablets

tom_e · 7 Nov 2012 at 10:17

Neither the kindle or nexus have SD slots.

bushmins · 7 Nov 2012 at 10:24

geuben said:
The Nexus 7 (or any of the Nexus line) does not have an SD card slot.

I really wouldn't limit your options by excluding any that don't have and SD card slot. You can easily use a USB OTG cable and connect your camera directly or use an SD card reader on a lot of tablet. Yes it's not as neat but it gives you access to a much better range of tablets

So if i had a USB OTG cable, i could use a usb key and use it as if it were plugged into a PC i.e. as an external drive (as long as im using an android device).

geuben · 7 Nov 2012 at 10:29

bushmins said:
So if i had a USB OTG cable, i could use a usb key and use it as if it were plugged into a PC i.e. as an external drive (as long as im using an android device).

Essentially yes.

Skeeter · 7 Nov 2012 at 10:46

Using OTG USB cables will only give you read access to a USB storage device. You will need root access for write.

bushmins · 7 Nov 2012 at 11:03

Skeeter said:
Using OTG USB cables will only give you read access to a USB storage device. You will need root access for write.

Thats fine, wouldnt be taking photos with the tablet, just viewing them. Im guessing a tablet would not power an external HDD?

PistolPete · 7 Nov 2012 at 11:29

bushmins said:
Thats fine, wouldnt be taking photos with the tablet, just viewing them. Im guessing a tablet would not power an external HDD?

Maybe able to, but the battery life would be decimated as a result.

DAnDan · 7 Nov 2012 at 11:36

bushmins said:
Thats fine, wouldnt be taking photos with the tablet, just viewing them. Im guessing a tablet would not power an external HDD?

PistolPete said:
Maybe able to, but the battery life would be decimated as a result.

As far as I know, they won't be able to. While the tablet's battery could easily run one, the port doesn't output enough power to run the HDD. You could get an HDD with an external power adaptor though, that would work fine.

ironhorse · 7 Nov 2012 at 12:55

DAnDan said:
As far as I know, they won't be able to. While the tablet's battery could easily run one, the port doesn't output enough power to run the HDD. You could get an HDD with an external power adaptor though, that would work fine.

Sorry bud, but that's wrong. I have a toshiba 500gb USB3 bus powered drive and my Nexus 7 powers it and is able to play high def movies too

tom_e · 7 Nov 2012 at 12:57

ironhorse said:
Sorry bud, but that's wrong. I have a toshiba 500gb USB3 bus powered drive and my Nexus 7 powers it and is able to play high def movies too

This won't be the same for all bus powered drives though, some will work some won't.