Buying a Nexus 9 for my son - Nexus 9 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello everyone, I started looking into a replacement tablet for my original Asus TF101. I really don't use the tablet much so it will be primarily used by my 5 year old son for educational games, reading, etc. The TF101 is 5 years old and even though it stood up to years of abuse my two sons (3y/o and 5y/o) put it through, it still works fine today. It is simply an old Tablet with old hardware and every app just lags even after flash ROM installs.
I want something with good hardware, around $200, screen size around 10", and good dev support. I want to be able to run newest OS, as well as TWRP. Mainly because my sons will definitely break something on the OS level and I want to be able to easily reflash a nandriod copy. Is Nexus 9 my best option? Should I be looking into anything else? I see Galaxy Tabs are prices really well but don't see much support for them.
Thanks for any advice.

You should note that the Nexus 9 is approaching it's 2 year google support mark and Android Nougat will probably be the last version of android for it.
(Although there might be custom roms made for it, after google stops updating.)

Related

New Tablet User

Hey everyone. I'm a long time android phone user and brand new to the tablet world. I just picked up my first one, a 16GB TouchPad for a decent price. I didn't want to dive into a 5 or 6 hundred dollar tablet right away because, honestly, I'm not sure how much I'll use it. I just wanted one! It appears that there is a pretty stout dev community here and I wanted something I could tinker with. I plan on immediately flashing an android ROM. I know there are bigger and better tablets, but for the price, I couldn't pass it up. Did I make a good/bad decision?
Welcome! Don't worry, you made a great choice. I'm personally running the CherryKang build right now (based on CM9/ICS) and it's great. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the CM9 builds though. I did really like WebOS, but unfortunately the apps are really limiting.
MrWilliams2 said:
Hey everyone. I'm a long time android phone user and brand new to the tablet world. I just picked up my first one, a 16GB TouchPad for a decent price. I didn't want to dive into a 5 or 6 hundred dollar tablet right away because, honestly, I'm not sure how much I'll use it. I just wanted one! It appears that there is a pretty stout dev community here and I wanted something I could tinker with. I plan on immediately flashing an android ROM. I know there are bigger and better tablets, but for the price, I couldn't pass it up. Did I make a good/bad decision?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is it not a great choice?
After installing android you will have TWO operating systems to log into. So you pretty much have anything available for you to use.
Android 4.0 (ICS) runs amazing on this tablet and yet is still in its early stages of development. Much support on this site from various roms. My favorite is Classic Nerd ICS(classicnerd.net). Their forum offers the best and most support in dealing with questions and answers. Their ICS rom is so smooth but the youngest of the ICS builds available since they are building a non CyanogenMod rom.
I am currently using cm9 alpha 2 due to all video features working like Netflix. But I will likely go back to CN when they get everything working.
You cannot go wrong with either. Please visit reverndkjr's YouTube channel for all installation info...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGY4gpsDPD8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Good choice. I love my TP. Just running the stock CM 9 alpha 2 which does most everything I need.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
If you want to tinker with something, HP TOuchpad is the right choice - there are not many devices that can run multiple OSes (WebOS, ICS, Ubuntu), and with such a capable dev community.
Welcome to the community, this device is getting a TON of developer support and for the price they run vs some of the alternatives, it's a great starting tablet. What I thought would merely be a larger phone has become a true tablet in that it's not exactly a phone and not as bulky as my notebook. For most, it probably sits idle on coffee tables or nightstands but for me, it goes in my backpack with everything else and ALWAYS on person. Depending on the phone you have and whether you have a hotspot (broken or legit), having wifi access to this thing makes it so much more useful. Happy Rooting and flashing.

[Q] does the prime still worth to be bought today?

hello everybody
i 'll try to add some precision to my question
i know that a lot of you are very proficient in rom, root, tweak and all of that so your point of view may not be the same than the one of someone with very lighter skills
i have the possibility to get a prime. (not one bought from asus, an occasion that is still in good shape)
i'm well aware of the camera issues and the potential poor wifi problem
i see you managed to put this old tablet up to date (kitkat) so i bet you know the beast a lot better than many i could ask for advise
so in the end, does this old model worth the money, the time and the tweak i would have to invest in it or is it a better thing to go for a newer model.
i have a note 3, a gaming laptop , the tablette would mainly be used by my girlfriend for watching tv/movie, cheking mail and a some skype.
she is far from being a tech addict and i would just be enough for her (compared to a true laptop)
i don't want to put 500 buck so if i went for a model of these year it would be a middle quality item at best (10" though, everything else is just to small)
that's why i thought that this prime could do the trick but, i'm testing it since 2 days (android stock, 4.1 no root, nothing) and i find it slow i just surf on the net and i fear it would reach it's limit very soon even with kitkat (the touch screen seems sometime capricious too)
well to sum up, if i were your friend, what would be your advice?
take it or go for a less old thing?
thanks a lot for you help and sorry if my english is bad, it's not one of my specialities ^^'
I have been using a prime for 2 and a half years now and the custom ROMs from sdbags, CromiX 5.4 and his KK version are the best that I have tried for this tablet especial CromiX 5.4, it runs very well web browsing, watching videos, etc.
So it all depends on the price your picking the 2nd hand prime up for, if cheap then yes go for it as the keyboard makes it worth while investment
Sent from my TF300T using XDA Premium HD app

Android for the iPad 1

Been a while but I'm back. Howdy folks
Yes, yes, I know, iOS works just fine on the iPad, why change it?
Why buy an apple device only to run android on it?
In short, it doesn't and I didn't.
In long form, iPad 1 runs no higher than iOS 5.1.1, meaning that I can literally download maybe 1 in 10 apps that I want. Most support only iOS 8.1 and up etc. Even jail broken, the only jail I've broken out of is my cell, but I'm still locked on my cell block.
The iPad's in question I purchased 7 years ago as gifts. One for my daughter, the other my brother in law. Both gave them back recently since there's little apps available for them and have upgraded to other android tablets. Being 7 years old however should NOT render a device useless, when physically it still works great. I have a 9 year old laptop running windows 7 which still works fine. Sure it can't run new games and software designed for newer, high end machines but its still very very usable. Like wise I have an old Galaxy tab 2 7.0, which Samsung never updated past 4.0.4 (still usable) but I run 4.4 kitkat on it thanks to none other than you lot at XDA.
Being able to run android on these old iPads would make them usable again. I know there has been some interest in this, iopenboot etc etc. I have not seen any XDA development on this, and given this is by far the hub of android development, I would love to find folks here interested in this project. I'm going to start digging around, see what this will entail. If anyone is interested in this project, let me know.
Much love.
Did you have any success with installing android on the Ipad 1 ?
The reason to try androd in such an old tab is just to support youtube...

Thinking About Getting a Nexus 9

My mom is in the market for a new tablet since the last one is officially ancient. I was considering getting a nexus 9 for her because it fairly affordable in the aftermarket. I was wondering if you guys had any testimonies or experiences you wanted to share about the tablet. Looking forward to reading them.... Thanks!
l_4Fhit_l said:
My mom is in the market for a new tablet since the last one is officially ancient. I was considering getting a nexus 9 for her because it fairly affordable in the aftermarket. I was wondering if you guys had any testimonies or experiences you wanted to share about the tablet. Looking forward to reading them.... Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My advice: don't! Your chances of getting a dud are higher than ever. I've had mine for over 2 yrs. It requires regular (every 6 weeks) wipes due to slow-downs and freezes (used to bootloop, too). It's very likely I'm older than your mom (69, in fact), but Android is a hobby so I just do what has to be done to keep my N9 working. Can she maintain it if it's a dud, too? Although a lot of N9 owners who've posted in these forums never had any issues, many of us have. I don't know if she's Apple-familiar, but the newest iPad is actually a pretty good deal. Otherwise, I can't help. I still keep my N9 because nothing else has come along to entice me. I bought it for the larger display, and that has never disappointed me. It's not only large but very clear and crisp. In the end, I will say that I will NEVER buy another HTC product despite how may "great" devices they may have put on the market. JMO.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
DON'T
Edit: I should not have been so terse. I would not recommend the Nexus 9 to anyone.
Do not purchase this tablet. Purchase a pixel tablet if you want to have a better experience
l_4Fhit_l said:
My mom is in the market for a new tablet since the last one is officially ancient. I was considering getting a nexus 9 for her because it fairly affordable in the aftermarket. I was wondering if you guys had any testimonies or experiences you wanted to share about the tablet. Looking forward to reading them.... Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, l_4Fhit_l...
I echo the sentiments of the previous posters and their comments.
DO NOT BUY A NEXUS 9 unless you can get one for a ridiculously cheap price AND you're technically capable of dealing with it when things go wrong...
As they sometimes do...
For example, I've just had another (yep, not the first time) hard and spectacular crash on my own Nexus 9, whilst doing something no more taxing on the hardware than performing a simple Google search via the persistant search bar in Nova launcher, and which resulted in a pixellated mess on the screen and a screeching cacophony emanating from the speakers. (See attached photo.)
It required two 'forced' power-downs (long press on the power button) and reboots to get the device up and running again .
I was thinking (after the second failure to boot) I'd have to reflash the thing from scratch. Which is something I've done many times before, but it's a time consuming chore - fortunately the device rebooted without issues the second time I forced powered it down.
The Nexus 9 is OK (not 'great', but 'OK') when it works... A pain-in-the-fundament when it doesn't!
---------------------------------------
So... I recommend you look elsewhere for a tablet. One of the above posters recommended an iPad. My mum (she's 75) has one and has absolutely no problems with it.
Rgrds,
Ged.
There seems to be consensus I guess ... Thank you all for your input. I wanted to get my mom something that was cheap and that ran or could run stock android because that is what she is familiar with. Any recommendations?
l_4Fhit_l said:
There seems to be consensus I guess ... Thank you all for your input. I wanted to get my mom something that was cheap and that ran or could run stock android because that is what she is familiar with. Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Size? Stock Android could be an issue unless you want something you can root. Samsung has some nice tablets (tab A, for one) that don't cost the entire bank but they do run Samsung software over Android. Amazon fire tablets come in a wide variety of sizes, features, with matching prices. I've never had one so can't speak to the software.
Take a look here http://www.androidauthority.com/cheap-android-tablets-268082/ and here http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/best-cheap-tablets-top-budget-options-1314545
I have no idea where you live, but if you are or you know someone who is a Costco member, they have the 8" Tab A for $130.+ $10. Shipping for the next few weeks. I don't know if the price is same in store.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
Oh, come on. It's not that bad. It's fine with 7.1.
If I bought a tablet today, I would buy N9. (Not Pixel C, it's big and heavy.)
I love it, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone ever though.
Unrooted, stock, came home today and the OS is toast, going to have to re-flash and set up again. This is the second or third time in two years. The thing literally does nothing for me other than run a book reader app and has bombed doing nothing.
It also sometimes decides not to charge. Not a bad connection, not a bad charger, it just decides it's going to run the battery to past dead and then once you unplug and plug it back in - bam, oh hey you wanted to charge? yeah gimme a couple hours before you get anything on the screen.
Meanwhile rocking multiple HTC products (who also manufactured the Nexus 9) and have only once since 2013 had the experiences I've had multiple times with the 9 since 2016.
Plus if you suspect the battery is at fault, well, good luck finding one.
mutlucan96 said:
Oh, come on. It's not that bad. It's fine with 7.1.
If I bought a tablet today, I would buy N9. (Not Pixel C, it's big and heavy.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So glad you got one of the good ones.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
mutlucan96 said:
Oh, come on. It's not that bad. It's fine with 7.1.
If I bought a tablet today, I would buy N9. (Not Pixel C, it's big and heavy.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ritchea said:
So glad you got one of the good ones.
Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with him!
But like you said Im one if the lucky ones.
The only major thing the N9 got wrong is the ram size.
2GB 64bit lol
ohh jeez. i just joing this forum cause i purchase one a few hours ago. on facebook ad for $60 could pass the deal for this tablet. so far is running great and looks brand new. but most u are talking long term. in a few week or a month. lets see how that goes. cause my nexus 7 2013 is also working rock solid.
eduardmc said:
ohh jeez. i just joing this forum cause i purchase one a few hours ago. on facebook ad for $60 could pass the deal for this tablet. so far is running great and looks brand new. but most u are talking long term. in a few week or a month. lets see how that goes. cause my nexus 7 2013 is also working rock solid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome!! :highfive:
I just bought a Nvidia shield tablet from eBay for $200. It was between the Nexus 9 and the shield tablet... Wish I had bought the shield a few weeks ago when Nvidia was still selling them. Or even a year ago.. its a two year old tablet and still the best.. They are really hard to find now, sold out on swappa and pulled from all storefronts. I checked eBay every few hours for a day and found one in pristine condition... It's still in the mail. All the rest of them on there are priced well over $200... It would have been the perfect tablet for her if you could find one. It's got front facing speakers, same cpu/gpu as the Nexus 9. Better build quality. Nearly stock Android. Sd card slot. Hdmi output to easily plug into tv. The shield K1 literally has it all, only beaten by the pixel c with the x1 cpu.. which is over priced and too big for my tastes, doesn't have a sd card slot and doesn't support adapters to HDMI.
Regardless I'd suggest the Pixel C, it's the best tablet if you don't mind it's price, size/weight and lack of sdcard slot as they only sell the 32gb varient now for $600. It's pure Android and will receive all the latest updates before any non pixel device. Or just take the gamble and get a Nexus 9... They are selling for 290 for the 32gb black varient atm which was tempting to me... But I've read nothing but troubles with that devices hardware that I've decided to stay away.
So far the tablet is wonderfull. Fast and good bild quality. Problems are only the backlight (im use to amoled gs8 plus). And the sound is good but i heard it was much better before the last few update which is the question i want to ask.
We probably wont get anymore update since it is official this table is not getting 7.1.2. Should i root? It says installing a new kernel fix the audio problem.
Other than that. Best $60 i have ever spend. Dont go spending $200. U can find it so low on craiglist, offerup, facebook ad. I had 3 guy say yes to $70. And this one i got was $60 but he was a few miles from my house.
just an update.
i unlocked bootloaded,
installed lineage os
elemental X kernel
root
underclock cpu to 2ghz
underclock gpu to 650mhz
using mini bowser instead of chrome
this tablet is amazing. fast. does not heat up, getting around 10 hour SOT. gaming even underclock perform incrediable. rigtide 2 runs at 60fps max resoultion. no hicup just like my ipad pro.
my only concern right now is not even the ram. is only having 4gb left storage. 16gb model is just not enough. 64gb would have been sweet.
l_4Fhit_l said:
There seems to be consensus I guess ... Thank you all for your input. I wanted to get my mom something that was cheap and that ran or could run stock android because that is what she is familiar with. Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh wow,
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Nexus 7 (2013)!!
If your mother doesn't mind a smaller 7" tablet, it's the perfect choice!
Same amount of RAM as N9, it's rock solid, still gets support in XDA (You could set it up for your mother, and check up on it once a month or something.)
I had a great N9, owned it for nearly 2 years...not one glitch.
Then it was stolen
Now my GF bought me a new one last xmas, and it just isn't the same...very slow and laggy.
So I can confirm what people have said, some units aren't up to standard.

Instead of collecting dust

It's been years since I rooted this thing, so don't remember what can or can't be done. If it's possible I would like to use Android 8, 9, or a version of chrome OS. This tablet worked for me in so many fashions I would really hate for it to end up collecting dust on a shelf. I would like to possibly use it as an educational tool for my kid to learn his letters.
What are you guys and gals doing with these old Nexus devices?
Almost everything what 2020 Android devices do.
I picked up a 32 gb unit alongside my original 16gb which I keep stock 5.1 on. The 32gb unit I test out newer ROMs on. At the moment I have it running 7.1 and it minus the camera thing does everything I want. I personally use this for ebooks, watching youtube and other forms of social media. Prime Video does work but lags at times. I only wish I could take reliable notes with it. I have an Adonit Dash 3 stylus that works semi fairly but it doesn't have the same feeling as say the Apple Pencil on my friend's iPad Pro.
I picked up a third 16gb unit to give to one of my parents as a "trainer tablet" which also runs 5.1. It does everything they possibly want it to do.
Rooting
Does anyone have the files needed to unlock the bootloader and change the rom for the nexus 10? I just recently started using mine agian and it's stuck on lollipop.

Categories

Resources