I am considering to get a bigger screen to be used in landscape . What would be the best choice going the iPAD way or just getting an Android Tablet? I am a lot more familiar with Android but it will be mostly a dedicate device. So that is not the most relevant aspect. Tablets are cheaper to get I guess so if equal a plus? The long(er) term view of Eversolo is obviously very relevant too. iPAD is being developed further and faster I feel. Functionality and friendliness are the main aspects here.
I have used a dedicated iPad mini 6 for 2 years without issue. It has an excellent WiFi download speed and I use a unique SSID to avoid conflict with my other iOS devices. The iPad controls several apps that I use solely for my AV system. As I noted below, the newly redesigned iOS control app is specific for the iPad landscape mode, but you still have the original design option when using the portrait mode.
Completely agree - iPad Minis are the way to go - nice form factor and although it pains me to say it (I'm no Apple fan-boy), Apple win out every time over Android tablets - it's just a better user experience.
I went for iPad Air instead of Android tablet early this year. I find some Android apps does not work well with Tablet. The iPad is primarily used as a Roon screen as before Eversolo came, my Lumin D2 does not have a album art screen. So I use my Andriod phone to control and ipad as a screen. But b with Eversolo, I mostly used ipad for the control. My whole family has generations of Samsung phones, but for tablet, everyone goes for the iPad.
Looks like we are getting consensus here. I more or less expected this. The only thing those iPad Mini's have a real Maxi price tag. They are as expensive as the box it controls. What about using an older iPad model 2022 or even before?
I went for a secondhand iPad mini 5 for this very purpose (Oppo also have a media controller app) and it works like an absolute dream also now controlling the A6. Highly recommend. £100-£150
Older iPads work well but they tend to be somewhat slower. A new mini 6 sells for $499 in the US, vs $860 for the A6. A refurbished mini 5 is $339 and a refurbished 6 is $419, each on the Apple store. Surely someone on the forum can help you out given your experience and contributions.
I definitely wouldnt recommend going any older than an ipad mini 5. Despite it being 4yrs old now, its still fully supported by Apple for updates. The mini 5 was also a huge step up in processing power to the previous model. If it's gonna primarily be used as a controller for the A6, a 64GB model will be absolutely fine - possibly even overkill as it's incredibly snappy. Plenty on marketplace/gumtree/CEX stores. Good tip before buying is to try check the battery's capacity percentage to see how much it's been hammered. iMazing is a great little free app that helps with that. Hope this helps.
As I have written the new iPad app is a waste of space in Landscape Mode with the recent update. It is better in Portrait. The iPad is great for almost anything you can do on a laptop and is much more portable. I use mine for reading, watching, playing and working. It is expensive but it is worth every penny I think. The screen itself n the newer models is so easy on the eyes too.
You can buy a brand new 9th generation iPad for $269 on Amazon and that's all you'll ever need for streaming. That's almost half the price of the "current 10th generation"
Thanks' all for your contributions. Will be looking around for an (used) iPad and forget about tablets for this.
I wouldn't use any Apple junk if someone gave it to me. I had nothing but issues years ago using it an a Pioneer N-50, next on a Cambridge CXN. I then went to a PI with a hat using Volumio and a Samsung Android works like a charm. I just plain hate Apple and their operating system. Just my opinion!!
Jeezo, someone needs a hug! I use both iOS and Android with the A6 and find as an app controller, iOS is significantly less buggy and is more stable. Of course, that may change within time.
