Sub-$300 Tablet??

dougo83

dougo83

Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
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Like the title implies, I am in the market for a tablet. I do not want an iPad. Don't suggest it. Don't ask why. I just don't. The end. So...what else is out there in that price-range? A few features that matter to me:

1. Android capable
2. Camera/maybe video
3. NOT an Apple product.
4. Of course, price is important, but I could be motivated to change it.
1. Wi-fi (yes, it is also #1)
5. NOT an Apple product.
6. E-reader

Now...I realize I could get a Kindle Fire, but I am interested in what all is on the market. Admittedly, I have not done much research and am looking into what others use(d).



Thanks Y'all
Dougo83
 
I got the Kindle Fire as a gift for Christmas and I love it. I don't know anything about the other options out there, so not much help I guess. Fire doesn't have a camera though, so might not be an option for you.
 
Your best bet is the Kindle Fire. Largest ownership group means it will always have apps and support available for it. At only $199, it is being sold at a loss in anticipation that you will buy apps, books and services for it.

Second best would be the Barnes & Noble Nook. Also very good, but just not as large of a user group.

Yeah, I work in the industry.
 
Definitely the Kindle Fire. I love mine. My wife has an Ipad and I like my Fire better. Your phone probably already has a camera that's as good or better than you're going to find on any tablet in your price range.
 
I have a Vizio VTAB1008 that I've been using for a few months now. It has pretty much replaced my little netbook. Android 2.3.2 OS, Micro SD card expansion port, came with a Nook app, under $200 at Wal Mart.
 
texas gun person said:
What you talk'n bout?



I like the Fire. Although I use it for reading much more than anything else. I still use it for email, news & weather (apps), games, and some internet browsing.
Click to expand...
If you look real close, on the upper left corner(with the power button towards you) there's a camera. Or at least that's what I think it is.
 
thatotherguy said:
If you look real close, on the upper left corner(with the power button towards you) there's a camera. Or at least that's what I think it is.
Click to expand...

It's probably a light sensor. I've read a few reports that (some?) Kindle Fires shipped with an automatic brightness control option, but the feature was disabled after a software update. Why Amazon would do such a thing is unclear.
 
If you can wait for Spring (~May), the Kindle Fire 2 will be out, better display and 5X the processing speed/power. You might want to wait for that one. Pricing should be the same.
 
Wait and see how the Playbook does with OS 2.0 (should be available next week). The hardware in those is massively undervalued right now, and it will be able to use Android apps with the update. How easily they are ported over and to what extent they are supported remains to be seen, so you would have to look into it a bit once the update is out.

Also remember that the tablet market is extremely young and has just reached a critical point in development. I can just about guarantee that a tablet from last year will be replaced within a year or two, I can't say the same for tablets that come out this year and beyond.
The hardware requirements for web browsing have barely changed over the last ten years, up until now tablets have just barely met the minimum, tablets in the next year or two will surpass the minimum by quite a bit. It's a similar situation to desktops from the early 2000's. Last year I finally parted out my ten year old computer just because I wanted more desk space, even though it ran an OS and browsed the web almost as well as the high end desktop I currently use which is at least ten times more powerful. If I didn't play games I wouldn't have bought a new computer.
I think products that come out this year (quad core with 1 Gig+ of RAM) will have much more lasting value than stuff from last year (dual core 512 megs of RAM). The difference between tablets from last year and tablets that come out this year will be night and day, I do not expect the transition from 2012 to 2013 to be nearly as drastic.

If the fluidity of web browsing isn't a huge priority then I guess it's not such a big deal though.
 
Get a playbook. It is the second best tablet available. Just remember, it is your requirements that will result in your disappointment.

Dave
 
Nook color..... Everything except the camera....... It is a basic e reader but by visiting www.xda-developers.com you can easily root this device... Install custom Rom and have the baddest tablet available... Mine is as fast as any other tablet and the options for customization are endless once rooted.... Even if you are not computer savvy the rooting process is straight forward.... Check out the website for all info... Pretty cool......$249 retail
 
I do most of my surfing on my playbook and it has two cameras on it.
Can't wait for Tuesday when the new os is suppose to be available.
I used it for this reply
 
Picked up a HeroTab C8 for around $150 and it has been perfect for my needs. Definitely a knock off, but it sports a solid Samsung chipset and has a large support/dev/mod community over at slatedroid com. Sold under a bunch of names, mine works so well out of the box I haven't even bothered with custom firmware or any mods yet. Its not the greastest tab out there, but for the $$$ it doesn't need to be... Using it now!
 
I bought a mint used Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 on Craigslist for $290. It's been reviewed as the best android tablet available, arguably with the Asus Transformer Prime.
 
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