Cheap Android tablet?

[Girevik]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for a very basic, cheap Android tablet for one or more of my kids for Christmas. My oldest want's an e-reader, and I was thinking that if I could get a very basic Android for the same price or less that might be the way to go. I don't want anything fancy, basically just wi-fi, the ability to but e-reader softeare (probably Nook, since that's what I have but Kindle would be fine too), and the ability to watch videos would be nice. We have AT&T Uverse, so it would also be nice to get the Uverse ap so he could download shows.

I've seen some Pandigital e-readers that I understand can be flashed to a basic Android format, but my understanding is that they won't have the Market. Could I get the Amazon Market on something like this (it's Android 2.0)? And are there any other better options. I'm looking for something around (or under $100).

 

[chanchan05]

Have you checked out how much a Kindle Fire or a used Galaxy Tab P1000 would be in your case?

 

[R0M]

Im looking to get something similar for my GF. Ive been looking at the Novo 7 Advanced. Im in the UK, and i can buy from a UK site, for

 

[mikabuc]

Kindle Fire! $199 shipped.
My buddy just got one and he brought it over last night and I played around on it for a bit... That thing is killer!
I'm not even in the market for a tablet, but getting to demo it like I did, I just might end up getting one
8GB internal, but it's got Cloud, so basically whatever storage you need.

I'd give that a look if I were you, sounds like it covers all the features you are looking for too.

 

[Girevik]

Have you checked out how much a Kindle Fire or a used Galaxy Tab P1000 would be in your case?

I haven't, but I'll give it a look. I have a couple concerns about used though; a) even thought it's too one of my kids, it IS a gift, and b) Since it is for a kid it might get rougher than average treatment....I'm thinking a waranty of some kind might be nice.

 

[chrlswltrs]

For the price you can't beat the Kindle Fire. You are going to have to spend at least double to move up to something better.

 

[Girevik]

For the price you can't beat the Kindle Fire. You are going to have to spend at least double to move up to something better.

I'm sure that's true, but I'm not looking for something better. In fact I'm loking for something very basic closer to the $100 price range. This is for an 11 year old boy (and possibly his 7 year old brother). The don't need anything really fancy.

 

[morpheustheone]

I am also thinking of going for the Kindle Fire although I wished to go for a 10" one with an HDMI output but I guess I would have to fork out a lot of money. Also if anyone has ever bought any type of electronics gadgets from Dubai I would like to know if it will be a good idea to buy it from there because I heard that they would be much cheaper.

 

[chanchan05]

I'm sure that's true, but I'm not looking for something better. In fact I'm loking for something very basic closer to the $100 price range. This is for an 11 year old boy (and possibly his 7 year old brother). The don't need anything really fancy.

The problem with going too cheap (even for an 11 year old) is that the really cheap tablets don't have Android Market validations, so they dont have access. You'll have trouble getting apps and games.

That said, I see 11 year olds running around with iPod Touches, so I'd think they'd be able to take care of 7inch tablets anyway. Still its your call if its too much of a damage risk. You're the one who knows the kids habits and all.

 

[Girevik]

I'm really more concerned about the price. We've got most of his Christmas stuff done, and weren't really looking to spend another $200. All he's asked for is an e-reader, but I was just checking to see if I could get an Android tablet with a bit more functionality to close to the same price as the Kindle ($79).

 

[mikabuc]

I've seen some Pandigital e-readers that I understand can be flashed to a basic Android formatQUOTE]


heyhey!!
I just got an ad in the Sunday paper from "Big Lots" for a 7" Pandigital 2GB tablet that is already running Android for $59!!
It says that it is a Factory refurb. but that sounds like it is totally what you are looking for. If you don't have any locally, I wonder if they have an online store. Hope that'll help ya out!

EDIT- And it looks like the internal mem is expandable with an SD card too!

 

[Girevik]

Yeah, we had a similar ad in our paper and I've also seen them on Amazon. My concern with those is that it's an pretty old version of Android, and there's no Market (I don't know if the Amazon market would work or not).

 

[mikabuc]

Sounds like for the price and features you are looking for, you're going to have to steal one.

EDIT - (Obviously kidding, that would be a horrible idea)

 

[Girevik]

Ok, I thought what I was looking for would be the very basic features that might be available on one of the PanDigital or Coby tablets (something like this Amazon.com: Coby Kyros 7-Inch*Android 2.3 4 GB Internet Touchscreen Tablet - MID7012-4G (Black): Computers & Accessories)
that are in that price range. That's why I asked.


EDIT - I converted that link to a tinyurl. Don't know why it's expanded it out.

 

[rui-no-onna]

Refurb Nook Color + CM7 on SD: ~$150.

 

[koralitech]

I have bought one of those cheap tabs called SuperPad and I have no complaint! works great for me.

 

[Mayhem]

I bought a Wonderpad from lightinthebox for $99. Comes with ICS and can access the market.

The downside is that it doesn't support Facebook or Youtube, but I was able to get around that by downloading the individual .apks.

 

[350X]

http://androidforums.com/general-tablet-talk/545118-quality-android-pc-tablet-china.html