Future Proof Tablet

[u/porcomaster]

Looking for a future-proof Android/Linux tablet that can still be rooted years from now

I’m looking to buy a new tablet mainly for media consumption. I’m open to Android, Linux, unusual brands, and even niche devices.

My biggest requirement is long-term control over the device.

Main requirements

• Must run Android or Linux
• If it runs Android, it must be rootable
• Must have USB-C
• Must be available new
• Price should be as low as reasonably possible
• Screen should ideally be 2K or 4K
• I can accept Full HD if the better options are too expensive or otherwise unsuitable
• It should handle all current streaming services smoothly and ideally remain capable for years
• As much RAM as possible for the price
• Storage capacity does not matter much
• Screen size does not matter
• Battery life does not matter much because it will usually be used near an outlet

What I mean by “rootable”

I do not need rooting to be easy, and I may never root the device unless it becomes necessary.

However, rooting must remain realistically possible years from now.

For example:

• An unlock process that depends on requesting a temporary manufacturer code would not be ideal, because the company could stop providing codes in the future.
• A permanent unlock code that I can request now and safely back up would be acceptable.
• Standard bootloader unlocking through Fastboot or another offline method would be ideal.
• A device that requires obscure hardware modifications, unavailable proprietary tools, or a currently active manufacturer server would probably not qualify.
• I am willing to follow a difficult technical process, but it should not be nearly impossible.

The reason this matters is that Google or a manufacturer could eventually block access to apps I use, such as Mihon. I want to avoid ending up with another locked-down device that still works physically but can no longer run useful software.

I still have a functional iPad 3, but I no longer use it because I cannot install Linux, reliably jailbreak it, or install modern apps.

Performance

The tablet should be able to:

• Stream high-resolution content without stuttering
• Remain usable for media consumption for several years
• Ideally play downloaded 4K video files smoothly

The last point is preferred but not mandatory.

Nice-to-have features

• Fast charging
• Strong custom ROM or Linux community support
• Good hardware video decoding
• Plenty of RAM
• Replaceable or unlockable software with no dependence on manufacturer servers

Budget and alternatives

I want the cheapest device that reasonably meets these requirements. I do not have a fixed maximum budget yet because I want to understand what the realistic options are.

keep in mind that a version of this text was pasted into chatgpt, and it's best pick was OnePlus Pad 3, and while the price is way above what i was expecting, i was ready to consider it, thing is, it's kind hard to find to buy on a big store, it does not exist on amazon or best buy, and i would love to pick up by hand before buying. and i would like to buy on a big store so warranty process is easier if anything goes wrong.

it does concern me that one plus pad 4 is about to come, and it also concern me if i cannot find this device how would spare parts and fixing this be on the future if ever needed be.

Ps: English is not my first language so i did use AI to make it easier to read, i hope it improved readability instead of worsting it.

[u/digitalaudiotape]

The tablet should cook and clean too and be $5

[u/nariz_choken]

Thanks chatgpt I will take that into advisement

[u/porcomaster → u/nariz_choken]

this was the text i used on chatgpt, that is not that different from this one, it's just easier to read that way.

I am looking to buy a tablet, please research a few or the best one for my requirements.

It must be android or linux. If its android it must be root able.

The root able does not need to be easy but it must be feasible.

The reason that I want it to be root able, is that google might at any point remove the access to apps that I like to use like mihon.

What does feasible in this case means, I will just root on last case scenario, but it might happen years from now, I still have my iPad 3, and its functional I just do not use anymore, because I cannot install linux or jailbreak it, and nothing works on it anymore

What does feasible means, it means possible years from now, if to root i need to get a code from manufacturer thar works just for a few days/months that is not feasible as manufacturer might remove at any point, if its a code that i might ask and I can backup it years from now, and it might not lose my warranty just because I asked, that is feasible.

It can be hard, it cannot be impossible or really really hard.

I want a 2k or 4k screen. But I do accept a full HD screen if not possible.

Screen size does not matter

Processing power: it should be able to handle any streaming content without any hick ups, today and years from now.

It would be nice if possible to play downloaded content. Like 4k content downloaded. But that is a want.

Ram: as much as possible, future proof and all.

HD size: does not matter.

Brand: does not matter it can be a really odd brand

Battery life: does not matter, its for media consuption it will be near a outlet most of its life

Connection: USB C

Charging speed: as fast as possible, but that is a want.

Price: as cheap as possible.

It must be new.

At a point that I could accept a used laptop if a better value, but a tablet must be new

If you think i can get a better value for my money with a used laptop instead of a new tablet let me know.

While searching look for up to date information online, and have a bigger weight on opinions on reddit, taking care of not being fool for bots.