Noob here, not sure where to start or if I should return tablet

[Joe]

Hi all, I’ve just been gifted an x98 Plus from my dad and after about a week of use I’m debating whether or not to keep it. This is my first time ever using a Chinese tablet and the only comparison I have are iPads. So atm I’m not sure if the problems I have are typical and to be expected, or if I just have a faulty model.

So far the only changes I’ve made are on the Android side: deleting as many of the Chinese apps as I could, and slapping Nova Launcher over the pre-installed skin. On Windows there was only one Win10 auto-update that occurred this morning.

My problems have been mostly on Android:

• Sluggish Android response, including opening apps and opening/browsing Chrome. Scrolling and clicking through web pages often has 2-3 seconds of lag and results in a lot of misclicks.
• WiFi drops on Android when I lock the tablet, then does not pick up any networks unless I turn WiFi on and off again (which gets very annoying very fast).
• Android typing is sometimes sluggish. I’m used to having Swype on my phone so I installed it on the x98, but the lag was horrendous so I ended up deleting it and going back to stock.

Those are the big ones so far that have led me to virtually ditch Android. Are these problems typical? Is Nova Launcher to blame for the lag? But what about the WiFi drop?

Overall I really want to like this tablet, I do enjoy the big screen, good battery life, and generally enjoy using Windows. But due to the Android side I’m also considering sending it back and trying another dual boot tablet like the Chuwi Hi8.

Can anyone offer input on these issues, or maybe point me in the direction of how I can possibly fix up this tablet? (The tips and tricks thread was a little dense for me, I’m a total noob and not sure where to start with BIOS and flashing and all this stuff, or if it’ll even help in my case). Thanks in advance!

 

[Chris G]

Hi,

I’ve only used the Windows 10 version and not dual boot either by flashing or the new model. But it could be all related to this post: http://techtablets.com/forum/topic/why-x98-plus-a5c8-bios-dual-boot-works-on-ddr-1066/

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[Joe]

Hi Chris, thanks for the quick reply. I should have looked through that thread before posting, apologies if mine was redundant. So if I understand correctly, the manufacturer set certain limitations on the tablet’s capabilities? And there’s no way to change or modify that?

I’m sort of leaning towards the consensus at the end of that thread and considering switching to the Windows 10 version instead, since I don’t really seem to be using Android all that much. Still, would’ve been nice to have…!

[Anthony S. C.]

I didnt try much with android, just some youtube, twitch, azubu. And a bit browsing using chrome, I didnt notice so much lag. It seems to be normal. Btw, the first time i used android, it got an update, i did, and you? I have been more in Windows, experience is regular, i had expected a bit more for its processor, but its acceptable. The only thing is it takes so much time to install programs in the SD card.

[Anonymous]

I have the dual boot version and once i got over the problems of installing the Windows 1511 update am happy with the performance in both android and windows despite some glitches that still needs to be sorted out e.g. microsd card issues. It runs fast, smooth and stable in both android and windows. Android is nippy. Almost but not quite as fast as the Nexus 9 i have access to. I cannot run the uk tv C4 catchup app in android because the app considers the Teclast version of android as being rooted even though i have not touched it.

I do not think you cannot really compare the apple experience with that of a chinese tablet/pc. They are what they are. The former is a rigidly controlled environment, fully integrated software and hardware with the emphasis on providing a seamlessly smooth customer experience albeit at outrageously high prices. On the other hand, the chinese manufacturers strength is churning out top spec hardware at low prices but unfortunately the attention paid to software integration is woeful. I dare say in future years this situation will change but in the meantime they do the minimum and leave it to the consumers to sort out the problems. No one should purchase a chinese pc/tablet unless they actually enjoy meddling and spending time sorting out the inevitable bugs. The X98 Plus is terrific value for money but i’d happily have paid the extra for dual band wi fi and a pair of decent internal speakers.

Have you tried the android Teclast OTA app for updates? I think there has been two since i got mine.

Is the Win 10 1511 update installed? After a few problems i followed this link CLICK HERE and it worked.  Using the OTG cable and make sure the tablet is fully charged.

 

[Joe]

Anthony and Fred, thank you both for bringing up the updates, I haven’t done the Teclast OTA ones for Android and will try that tonight. Hopefully that’ll make a difference on the Android side of things, I’ll post an update when possible.

I definitely wasn’t expecting iPad levels of performance out of this tablet, especially for its price. I just wanted to give a little context as to my personal background with Chinese tablets.

Fred, I actually had no problems with the Win10 1511 update! It auto-updated smoothly just like it would on a regular desktop or laptop.

Do you guys have any starter recommendations as to what I should do in terms of modifications/tinkering? Like I mentioned above, I went through the tips and tricks thread but got lost in some of the jargon and wasn’t sure where to start.

Thanks!

 

[Emil]

I always turn off the animation scale in Android to make it feel smoother, you will find the animation scale option under developer options. if you don’t have the developer options go to about device and click on Build number 7 times to activate the developer option. For Windows I turn off shadows, etc to give best performance.

[Author]

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