As of right now, 8 Feb., 2011, the only Android tablet in the US with the Android (Google Official) Market is the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Why? Because Google only allows devices with phone capabilities to download from the market. Even if you point your tablet browser to the new official web market (market.android.com), you will not be able to download to your device, (I am not talking to a rooted device. This is for people that do not know or care to tinker with their tablet).
The reason that Samsung can is that in Europe the Galaxy Tab operates also as a phone, a capability that they disabled in the U.S. But still allows the Tab access to the Market. This is for all te people asking and complaining that their Android tablets do not have the market. Do not blame the maker of the tablet, blame Google if you want to blame someone! That is why there are sites outside the Market that allow you to download Apps, like the Cruz Market, AndAppMarket, Android freeware, etc. They don't have all the apps, but at least you can get a lot of them. And no, Angry Birds will not run on your tablet even though you will be able to download it from some site.
Now, consider the price you pay for a generic color tablet, at the most $199, with some as low as $99, compare that to the Galaxy Tab, which yes, is a lot better, but will cost you$499 with a phone contract or $699 without. Add the monthly phone fee for the 3G (which you will use, maybe, 10% of your time) and you will pay over $1,000.00 for the Tab in two years. Does that help you decide?
Also, you could buy an Apple Ipad from Apple, refurbished, wifi only, 16GB for $429.00 and no contract. Let's face it, the Ipad is gorgeous but still pricey at $429. That, to me, is a better deal than the Samsung. I have no problems buying an Apple like some of the Android supporters do. I try to get the best deal around for my money.
Now, let's talk about the Nexbook Next3. I received a Pandigital Novel as a gift for Christmas. Works great for what it is, a nice reader, a place to check email, the web, play some music, videos, etc. Most of the things that people want a tablet for, but it is not, and you should never say the two words together, an Ipad, neither is a Galaxy Tab. Just look at the prices. The Novel works fine for me, no problems. It has a 7 inch resistive screen. I started looking for something a little bigger, I thought that my prefered size would be between 8 to 9 inches. The Ipad is 9.7 and the Tab is 7 inches.
Then I came across the Nexbook Next3 by accident while reading an ad for he Next2. Here I am reading about the Next3, with an 8.4 inch screen, still a resisitive one, but with everything else I needed, at the size I thought was perfect for reading, emailing, and the web on the go. The thing is not easy to get. Most sellers are out, and the one that still have them have prices all over the place. When I bought mine prices were from a low of $151 to a high of $299. So search for the best prices online to get a good deal. I bought mine for $151 and I have had it for about two weeks, running 24 hours a day (always do that with electronics. It's like your own personal burn-in period), so far no problems. The screen froze on me once and I used a pin to reset it and all back to working again.
You hear a lot about dead Next3. Especially for people posting in the December time frame. I don't know, but it could be that they fixed that bug. Mine is working fine. Many people post the wrong specs for this thing. The screen is 800x600 not 800x480, which is not that bad for an 8.4 inch device. Would I prefer a higher resolution? Of course, but I have opted to pay around $150 so that is what you get and get over it!
The display looks good, it is bright, I love the size, it comes with some basic apps that will get you running right away, web browser, email, file explorer, etc. Some people have complained about this tablet (and the Pandigital also) having problems connecting to their wifi, I haven't. Both of mine connect right away and very smooth. The Next3 comes with the Borders reading app, but you can download the Kindle and the Nook reading apps for more buying choices. The Next3 is the easiest tablet I have used for transferring files from your external SD card to your internal memory.
I am getting about 5 to 6 hours of web browsing, playing games, etc. Around 8 just reading and with the wifi off.
Overall, anybody that want to buy a bigger (8.4 vs. 7) tablet to do basic things, the Next3 is a great buy if you find it below $200. Just remember, first of all, all these things are "readers", so read the manuals inside and out and you will learn a lot before you start asking questions that are answered in the manuals. I am a Windows PC owner. This is not Windows, so there is a little learning curve. Do not expect computer type of power out of these tablets. You want computer , buy one!
Lastly, do no compare these cheap (price) tablets with others costing three times as much. What do you drive a Kia or a BMW? See what I mean!
The Next3 comes with a very nice leather looking cover included. It has a tiny stylus that I find myself using all the time. With resistive screens, a stylus is very handy, and with it you do not get the screen full of finger marks. Oh yes, I have read so-called reviewers of different tablets complaint about how dirty they get with fingerprints, what the heck do they expect? We all have oils in our fingers and it will transfer to the tablet, so once in a while you have to clean it if you care that much. Even my wife Ipad has to be cleaned almost daily. Anything you use with your fingers will get dirty, so profesional reviewers, that should not even be a topic in any review.
Enjoy your Next3, you will have fun with it and the size is just right. It is not the fastest, neither is the slowest, but a nice little tablet that you can carry with you easily on your travels and while you wait time.
