Tablet for mobile gaming

So.. I am looking for a tablet that is powerful enough to do anything I want it to short of running Star Citizen. I am not sure if I want to go the Android route, or the Windows 8.1 route. The Windows devices seem to be really cheap and running atom processors or quite expensive and running Core i5s.

I am leaning towards a high end Windows tablet, simply because I already have a huge catalog of steam games I can run on it. However, I am not completely opposed to an Android tablet, as I have an Android phone and some of the games are not bad. Does anyone have any experience with gaming on either of these? Also, what did you play and how was the experience?

I will tell you the devices I am looking at are the Surface 2 Pro, Razor Edge, Dell Venue 11 Pro 128GB, EVGA Tegra Note 7, Asus Transformer Pad TF701T, Nexus 7, and MAYBE and iPad.. but I really do not want an Apple product.

I feel like the Android showings in gaming capable devices are kind of meh.. the only one that really seems interesting is the Tegra Note 7.

I DO NOT want a Windows RT devices as I think that is a dead OS and will not last much longer. I am really leaning towards the Surface 2 Pro or the Venue 11.. Both have similar hardware. I am just not sure how gaming is on them.

 

I was looking in to getting a tablet/2in1 for gaming as well. The Razor looks really nice, plus on sale over at Amazon. I recommend looking for video of your desired tablet playing a game. I used Diablo 3 as my sample game. The Surface didn't look too bad running Diablo 3, but I think the Razor would be better. Battery life on the Razor is crappy though.

Let us know what you decide, I'm curious.

 

Wot 'ee said.

I am constantly demoing tablets and laptops for work or taking home the older units that get replaced. I would stay away from Atom based devices. Even with the latest ones, I think you may be disappointed with their performance for full PC (Steam) games.

One of my test games is always world of warcraft because it's LOW setting are designed to run on 10 year old hardware. If the test device in question cant even run that, it does not bode well for anything else in the last few years.

Windows RT Surface devices only run apps and will not install STEAM games, so make sure you go PRO.

But, then your are talking more expensive. $900 bucks for the Pro 2.

What is the order of your priorities? I.e. Why a tablet and not a nice notebook?

Size and weight? Apps? Keyboard/no keyboard? Price?

 

I already have a laptop from work. I want something I can carry with me wherever I go, use in bed and not have to mess with the full laptop.

I want something that is as light as possible, while still being as powerful as possible. That is what initially drew me to the Razor Edge.. the only problem is that to really get use out of it.. you need to spend about 400 more on peripherals. The controller attachment alone is 250!

Looking at convertible devices, the one that sticks out is the HP Split x2, but it seems to have quite a few bad reviews regarding hardware.

It sucks because I feel like there is a market there for high end mobile gaming to fill the gap between what an android tablet can do, and a full blown PC. Don't get me wrong I will NEVER give up my desktop.. but I would like to have something when I am not in front of it.

 

heh mouse use in bed... sigh

 

That is one of the reasons the Razor Edge looked so appealing. I am just irritated that the controller attachment adds $250. But the more and more I look at things, the edge may be the only thing out there right now that fills everything I am looking for.

 

I've thought about this, but I just don't think tablet tech is quite -there- yet. It's getting very close, but I don't want to spend a whole lot on a mobile device, unless it can do -everything- I want it to do, including peripheral devices and what have you. I like the idea of the surface, but I can just see them suffering from a lot of the same issues that the old docking stations did once upon a year.

 

Yea... and my decision may be just to wait. I am still not entirely sure yet.

The Razer seems to be the closest to what I want.. I just want to spend the money for it.. However it is on sale on Amazon for 999 for the 256GB i7 version...

 

So I have been reading and researching. It looks like my best option for PC tablet is going to be a Surface Pro 2. Alternatively I could look at a tablet OS and as much as I hate it, I think the iPad has the lead in quality games over Android. Especially in things like 4X games and board games. I cannot find any decent 4x games for Android, but there are quite a few for iPad. So I think my option is either go full bore and get the Surface Pro 2, or get an iPad.

Right now, for the things that I want to do with it.. I think the iPad is going to be a better option.

If someone has some better options, please tell me because I am not a fan of getting back into the Apple ecosystem. If someone can point me at some really good quality 4X, strategy, board or other good games on Android.. I am all ears.

I think the PC tablet is there in hardware and OS software, but there are not enough games that will play well with a touch interface. It would be awesome to have Civ5 on touch, but that alone is not enough to warrant that kind of purchase.

 

Funny you should mention this just today XCOM was released, I find that just in the last year the amount of high end games on android seems to have increased. Another game fitting the 4x genre I play a lot on my phone is Imperium Galactica II. Other games that are available that fits your criteria would be Catan and Carcassone maybe? I find that the Humble Android bundles are a great way to get access to many of these.

But to be honest, while I can't stand doing other stuff than browsing on ipads. I think the current availability of higher end games is better there,although as I mentioned it is getting better on Android as well.

 

I JUST bought the mobile humble bundle which included Carasssone. I am not a huge fan of Catan.. I played a lot of it in board game format and could never get that into it.

 

Ok.. I just looked at the prices for iPads, fuck that. Ok so really good Android tablets.

 

I just installed Enviro bear... what the fuck were those guys on when they made that game...

 

Surface Pro (1st gen) are pretty cheap now vs gen 2, and the main difference is battery life.

 

The main difference between the Pro 1 and Pro 2 is the processor and graphics. 3rd Gen i5 and Intel 4000 vs 4th gen i5 and Intel 4400. The battery life comes from the Haswell processor.

 

So I want something no smaller than 10 inches. So from that and the reading I have done, these are the options out there now, if someone has one , or has a suggestion, praise, negative comment, please share.

iPad Air 32GB - $599
iPad Air 16GB - $499
Sony Xperia Z 32GB - $510
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 32GB - 549
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 16GB - 470
Surface Pro 32GB - 449 (Out of stock)
Surface PRo 2 - 899

 

I really don't like crapple