Samsung Galaxy S8+ / Ultra Tab or ipad for a 14 year old?

Schizophonic

Schizophonic

Schizophonic

Soldato
Joined
27 Dec 2006
Posts
2,898
Location
Northampton
Part of his 14 years old, my partner and I was thinking of getting a new ipad for him. He's 14 years old and he taken his mum's ipad (2nd gen) and watches Youtube on it whenever he has down time.
He has access to a family computer to do his homework but we were thinking maybe its time for an upgrade for him. While he wants to continue watching his youtube on a tablet, we were hoping he could do more of his homework on the tablet using a bluetooth keyboard / mouse and have it hooked up to a 2nd monitor (extended screen)

I know one of these tablets might be overkill just to watch youtube but we want him to utilise more of its functions and features as he likes to draw and sketch. Both tablets can have a digital pen which has good capabilities to do his sketching. However I was wondering if anyone else been in a similar situation and what was your choice in the end.
 
I have the Tab S8 Ultra, direct from Samsung last July for £850 before discounts and it's now showing as £1000 before discounts! So it's a lot for a teenager's birthday or Christmas present unless the whole family is splitting the cost. Once he has got the tablet though, he will be able to part-exchange it every 4-5 years. I went from a Tab 3 (2013) to the original Tab S (2017) to the Tab S8 Ultra (2022) using this method so that it never cost me more than a few hundred pounts every time I did it.

At 14.6" though, the Ultra is pretty much laptop-sized. Pairing with a bluetooth kb/mouse as you suggested and it makes for a more upmarket netbook or Chromebook replacement.

Then when it comes to Samsung/Android vs Apple/iOS debate, it's down to preference. Your son may have already decided based on what devices he has used so far from his friends or other family members.
 
Yeah I was looking at some historic prices and have noticed the Samsung tablets have shot up and they were more generous with additional gifts and etc.

We dont think he will use be using it with one of those keyboard cases as he will be using it primarily for watching youtube. However when doing homework he will need a BT keyboard / mouse. He's use to the ipad but has an Android phone. So he should be quite flexible in understanding the basics. How does 2nd screen attached to the tablet work? Is it quite easy and quite flexible in terms of what dongles can be used and etc? Has anyone here used a tablet with a 2nd screen much?
 
I've also got an s8 ultra and it is a beefy tablet - don't get me wrong it's slimline for what it is, but it's a BIG tablet and it's quite heavy relative to other models. Given the limited use you've outlined, the size could actually be a disincentive to use it. For that price, it's hard to recommend for mostly casual use.

However, prior to the S8 ultra I had an S7 plus and it was just right for me - not so large that it was cumbersome but still larger than a regular ipad. The Tab S7 FE is the same size and has the same excellent stylus. There appears to be a trade-in of £150 for any old tablet at the moment taking the price of the base model to £429 AND you get a free keyboard case. If you're in the market for a tablet with a stylus, this is a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned!
 
Last edited:
I'd probably recommend the smaller S7FE or S8+ - the Ultra while being a lovely device is massive but its also less portable than the smaller screened device, free keyboard case with both currently.

You can plug into a second screen via the USB-C port on the device, although I'd generally recommend using a USB-C hub and then an HDMI cable so you can also plug in power, mouse dongle, etc if you want to.
 
chrismscotland said:
I'd probably recommend the smaller S7FE or S8+ - the Ultra while being a lovely device is massive but its also less portable than the smaller screened device, free keyboard case with both currently.

You can plug into a second screen via the USB-C port on the device, although I'd generally recommend using a USB-C hub and then an HDMI cable so you can also plug in power, mouse dongle, etc if you want to.
Click to expand...

Is the USB Hub, just a standard USB Dongle or something like one of those dedicated USB hubs for workstations like this?

www.overclockers.co.uk

IcyBox 11 in 1 USB 3.0 Type-A + Type-C® Dock with two HDMI® interfaces

Order IcyBox 11 in 1 USB 3.0 Type-A + Type-C® Dock with two HDMI® interfaces now online and benefit from fast delivery.
www.overclockers.co.uk www.overclockers.co.uk

Or will only be able to use on something like this only?
www.overclockers.co.uk

IcyBox 12 in 1 USB Type-C Travel Dock

Order IcyBox 12 in 1 USB Type-C Travel Dock now online and benefit from fast delivery.
www.overclockers.co.uk www.overclockers.co.uk
 
Schizophonic said:
Is the USB Hub, just a standard USB Dongle or something like one of those dedicated USB hubs for workstations like this?

www.overclockers.co.uk

IcyBox 11 in 1 USB 3.0 Type-A + Type-C® Dock with two HDMI® interfaces

Order IcyBox 11 in 1 USB 3.0 Type-A + Type-C® Dock with two HDMI® interfaces now online and benefit from fast delivery.
www.overclockers.co.uk www.overclockers.co.uk

Or will only be able to use on something like this only?
www.overclockers.co.uk

IcyBox 12 in 1 USB Type-C Travel Dock

Order IcyBox 12 in 1 USB Type-C Travel Dock now online and benefit from fast delivery.
www.overclockers.co.uk www.overclockers.co.uk
Click to expand...

You can use almost any standard hub, both types there work but generally I'd be suggesting the smaller/cheaper Travel type hub
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom