What's the worst that could happen - buying no-name tablet

[Riley Blue]

I'm in the market for a tablet though funds are tight at the moment but I've spotted this; what's the worst that could happen?

The spec. is good, it has all the features I'm looking for and buying it (or similar) would solve several problems.

Am I looking at a life of misery and torment if I buy it?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BC8YFLPJ?ref_=cm_sw_...

[Alorotom]

Seems pricey for a no-name tbh ... there is this one with a better spec for £100 less ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BF9JJV7G/ref=sspa_dk...

I assume it'll be sending everything you do and type and access back to China. I expect that battery won't be great either.

[bitchstewie]

The worst?

China slurp all your personal data.

Sorry but you couldn't pay me to use a no-name tablet or mobile phone if I had the slightest intention of doing anything sensitive on it.

[grumbledoak]

Why would you pick an expensive one with no reviews?

4.3 stars from 301 ratings and half the price -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blackview-Octa-Core-Proce...

ETA Amazon's Choice 4.5 stars from 472 ratings but less storage -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tablet-TOSCiDO-Android-Bl...

Edited by grumbledoak on Sunday 12th March 13:18

[TonyRPH]

bhstewie said:

<snip>

China slurp all your personal data.

<snip>

I'm intrigued by statements like this.

When one considers how many mobile phones Chinese companies must sell worldwide - how many tablets etc....

I wonder how they process all this data, as there must be millions and millions of devices out there, all apparently sending data which has to be stored and then datamined.

But for what...?

[BlueJazz]

How about a Samsung one instead, at least you've heard of the make. Alternatively, Amazon Fire tablets are good.


Deal: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 32GB WiFi Android Tablet Grey 2022 Version, 3 Year Manufacturer Warranty https://amzn.eu/d/2oxKd1z

[bloomen]

'Octa core' in any description, along with the Android version, is a guarantee of fake Android versions and many other surprises.

I'm sure it'll be seviceable enough, but this would have to be well under half the present cost to be remotely of interest to me.

[Riley Blue]

My five year old Samsung Tab S has developed a fault that's not economic to repair so I've been seeing what's available to replace it. That one appeared out of the blue this morning - unknown name, no reviews and it intrigued me hence the question.

Re. Chinese slurping data; wouldn't they gather far more by doing that through big name products they manufacture rather than via unknowns that, judging by the number of reviews, sell very few by comparison? Do the big names have some sort of data-grabbing prevention incorporated?

That is something for me to ponder though as it'll be used as much by O/H as me I'm not sure what value her obsession with Mama Mia and other ghastly musicals is worth in the Chinese equivalent of silicon valley.

[bitchstewie]

TonyRPH said:

I'm intrigued by statements like this.

When one considers how many mobile phones Chinese companies must sell worldwide - how many tablets etc....

I wonder how they process all this data, as there must be millions and millions of devices out there, all apparently sending data which has to be stored and then datamined.

But for what...?

And it may be paranoia on my part but there are enough branded devices available where I just wouldn't have that concern.

I'd liken it to whether you'd login to your online banking on a totally random computer.

[nyt]

For a little more .. https://www.costco.co.uk/c/Apple-iPad-9th-Gen-102-...

[bloomen]

I'd be far more interested in washed out screens, crap batteries and apps that won't run because, despite it saying Android 12 in the settings, it's actually on Android 5.1 or summat.

[anonymous-user]

bhstewie said:

TonyRPH said:

I'm intrigued by statements like this.

When one considers how many mobile phones Chinese companies must sell worldwide - how many tablets etc....

I wonder how they process all this data, as there must be millions and millions of devices out there, all apparently sending data which has to be stored and then datamined.

But for what...?

And it may be paranoia on my part but there are enough branded devices available where I just wouldn't have that concern.

I'd liken it to whether you'd login to your online banking on a totally random computer.

What exactly do you think China wants to know about you, and why would they be interested?

[bitchstewie]

JimSuperSix said:

What exactly do you think China wants to know about you, and why would they be interested?

You could easily ask what might China want to know about someone on a random business trip but most companies have guidance around staff taking clean "burner" devices with as little as possible on them if you visit China.

It's a thoroughly untrustworthy place in that sense IMO.

On an individual level I actually agree with you that it may sound a bit tin foil hat but I just prefer not to take that chance for the small uplift to a reputable and known brand.

[davek_964]

Isn't the S6 Lite about the same price as the no-name one? Why wouldn't you choose that?

[Griffith4ever]

My mate tried a couple of Chinese no name tabs due to being cheap. They both ended up in the bin.

Lenovo are a good benchmark for cheap but good in my experience.

[sunbeam alpine]

Griffith4ever said:

Lenovo are a good benchmark for cheap but good in my experience.

As long as you don't need to use their warranty, in which case they totally suck.

[Riley Blue]

sunbeam alpine said:

Griffith4ever said:

Lenovo are a good benchmark for cheap but good in my experience.

As long as you don't need to use their warranty, in which case they totally suck.

Lenovo is at the top of my 'serious' list. My 2017 laptop from them has been spot-on since new, no performance issues at at though I had to have the hinges fixed once.

[8bit]

Good timing, I was about to post a thread on this very subject as I want to replace the kids' Amazon Fire Kids Edition contraptions. That Costco price on the 9th gen iPads is tempting (cheaper than refurbished ones from Apple direct) but I'm still balking at paying double for them compared to the likes of Lenovo items.

[bitchstewie]

Perhaps worth remembering that Apple tend to support their devices with security and software updates for quite a long time often 5-6 years so an "expensive" iPad might last 2-3 times longer than a cheaper tablet.

Of course your kids might just break it or you might not care if it's just for playing games on so you might not see any point spending any more than you have to but you take the point

[8bit]

bhstewie said:

Perhaps worth remembering that Apple tend to support their devices with security and software updates for quite a long time often 5-6 years so an "expensive" iPad might last 2-3 times longer than a cheaper tablet.

Of course your kids might just break it or you might not care if it's just for playing games on so you might not see any point spending any more than you have to but you take the point

Fair point. That said though, with those being the 9th gen model won't they already be some way along their support lifecycle?