Want to buy a tablet $200 max

[peejaygee]

Guys & Gals.

Ok, I've searched Google, I've watched various CNET videos, had many a 'vs' search in google and I'm just not sure what I want to buy.

So I've got $200 to spend, I would like to stick at that value, I know there is the 32gb Nexus 7 for $250, but I don't want to go down the, adding more money, before I know it, I'll be at $300

I know the Nexus7, isn't expandable, I know some tablets don't have 3g, I don't really need 3g, as I would be using it at home mainly, but if I do go on the road, my Samsung S2 can act as a wifi hotspot.

I will mainly be watching streamed movies, using the Xfinity player and/or tfx .avi file over to the device.

I will be using it for surfing whilst I'm running a game on my laptop full screen and I don't want to ALT-Tab. I have heard some, because of Jelly bean, don't have Flash now.

I've seen dual cores, quad cores, 1.0ghz, 1.2 ghz, all these facts and figures I understand.

I'm seeing Asus, Kindle, Google, Samsung, Corby and various others..

For $200, what would be best option to buy for my needs? I don't know what else I can say to save asking me any questions, but if you ask, I'll reply.

Obviously, if it's less than $200, that a bonus, does anybody know if a newer model/version may be coming out and something may be dropping in price in the next month for example, if so, I'll hold out..

Hope someone can help me.
Regards
Paul.

 

[Rush]

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[h4x0rj3ff]

the 16g nexus wifi only before they introduced the 32gb (in my state - michigan) was $263 and some change with taxes. now the 32gb wifi only is $250 at walmart (and the play store)... or the 16gb nexus 7 wifi only is 199 on the play store you might even be able to find it local...

 

[Bnice]

HP has a tablet coming soon for under $200.

HP Announces Its First Android Tablet, the Slate 7 for $169 – Droid Life

 

[bob60626]

Asus had something before the Nexus 7 that looked interesting. I don't remember the name unfortunately. I believe it had an SD slot, a rear camera, and was less than two hundred.
That HP is interesting. Hope it has some sort of hdmi capabilities!

 

[Marc_G]

If interested in a 10" screen, check Craigslist for a used Samsung Galaxy Tab2 10.1.

 

[ouch1976]

There are plenty of 7" devices for sale at, or below, $200 for a new device. But the Nexus 7 seems to be the best one available right now. While it lacks expandable storage and a forward facing camera, it's got a great design, great screen, fast processor, and stock android. So it should have the best longevity of any devices available right now.

Other than the Nexus, any of the "brand name" companies have 7" devices in your price range. Samsung has the Galaxy Tab 2 7" which often goes on sale for $180. The Tab 2 will get you a forward facing camera & sd card slot, but it has a slower chip, less storage, worse screen, etc. Lenovo has a 7" device as well that sells for around $150, but the specs are pretty weak. And as BNICE said, HP is coming out with a device for around $170.

I suggest staying away from any of the off-brand devices because they typically are junk.

Amazon has the Kindle devices and Barnes & Noble has the Nook line, but those run a totally different operating system. If you aren't going to root the devices, I would stay away from them as well.

In the 10" space, you are pretty much priced out of the new market. But you can probably find a great deal on craigslist if you shop around.

 

[rui-no-onna]

There are plenty of 7" devices for sale at, or below, $200 for a new device. But the Nexus 7 seems to be the best one available right now. While it lacks expandable storage and a forward facing camera, it's got a great design, great screen, fast processor, and stock android. So it should have the best longevity of any devices available right now.

I'm pretty sure my Nexus 7 has a front facing camera (for Skype, etc). What it lacks is a rear facing one.

Amazon has the Kindle devices and Barnes & Noble has the Nook line, but those run a totally different operating system. If you aren't going to root the devices, I would stay away from them as well.

Technically, those devices do run Android so they're not using a totally different operating system. They are, however, running highly customized and locked-down builds so only get one if planning to root or install a custom ROM.

Manufacturers are coming out with tablets in the sub-$200 range (Asus ME172V, Acer, HP Slate 7, etc). However, it's hard to beat the Nexus 7 for its mix of price, performance, features and community support. Imho, its primary limitation is the lack of expansion slot (USB OTG is not a particularly elegant or convenient alternative). If you don't require large internal storage or expandable memory and only need it for streaming, really, it's the best tablet to be had (at the moment). Newer and cheaper tech will always come out so you have to decide to buy at one point or you'll just be playing the waiting game forever.

 

[Rxpert83]

The nex 7 does have a front facing camera

 

[ouch1976]

Yeah, my terminology is off...forward-facing, front-facing, rear-facing...whatever it's called, the Nexus 7 only has one camera that can be used for apps like Skype/Tango...and it doesn't even come with a pre-installed app to access that camera if you just want to snap a picture (you'll need to download it when you get the device)...most other 7" have the regular camera...and I actually miss that more than the other shortcoming, ie the expandable storage...

And yes, technically the Nook and Kindle run Android, but they're so skinned/customized that they shouldn't be considered as Android tablets. My opinion is that if it doesn't come with Google Play pre-loaded, then for the common person, I don't think they should be confused by saying it's an Android product.

But as I said before, the Nexus 7 is the best one available right now.

 

[Mostly Harmless]

FYI, Nexus 32GB for $200....


ASUS Google Nexus 7 Internet Tablet - Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, 7 10-finger Multi-Touch, NVIDIA Tegra 3 1.2GHz, 1GB Memory, 32GB Storage, WiFi, Webcam (RB-RRASUNEX7-32G-K) (Refurbished) at TigerDirect.com

 

[ouch1976]

For the same price, I would rather buy a new 16gb rather than a refurb 32gb...

 

[the700level]

I suggest staying away from any of the off-brand devices because they typically are junk.

Amazon has the Kindle devices and Barnes & Noble has the Nook line, but those run a totally different operating system. If you aren't going to root the devices, I would stay away from them as well.

Hey man - I've narrowed down my choices to a couple (sorry to hijack thread but i'm on the same topic), and for basically watching movies and the occasional internet use, would you recommend staying away from these? I'm on a $100 budget

Off brand, but 1080p and expandable memory:

7" Agptek WiFi Android 4 0 8GB Tablet PC 1080p for Netflix 3D Games eBook Reader | eBay


Or the kindle fire:

Amazon Kindle Fire Special offers Tablet with 8GB Memory 7" B0085ZFHNW 0848719003765 | eBay

 

[h4x0rj3ff]

Hey man - I've narrowed down my choices to a couple (sorry to hijack thread but i'm on the same topic), and for basically watching movies and the occasional internet use, would you recommend staying away from these? I'm on a $100 budget

Off brand, but 1080p and expandable memory:

7" Agptek WiFi Android 4 0 8GB Tablet PC 1080p for Netflix 3D Games eBook Reader | eBay


Or the kindle fire:

Amazon Kindle Fire Special offers Tablet with 8GB Memory 7" B0085ZFHNW 0848719003765 | eBay

my buddy just got that agptek tablet. it seems like a nice system but it feels cheap and lightweight (not in a good way) and the screen looks and feel like its a soft plastic like plexiglass or lexan in stead of glass... the kindle fire hands down just because of the name in this instance.

 

[ouch1976]

Ironically my nephew has a agptek and it is pretty bad. I second the vote for the Kindle, but you can't have high expectations for a $100 tablet.

 

[the700level]

Ironically my nephew has a agptek and it is pretty bad. I second the vote for the Kindle, but you can't have high expectations for a $100 tablet.

why do you say it's pretty bad?

I would say the kindle fire has everything i need right? There's a nexus 7 on craigslist for $140 but the hassle of driving/meeting up makes me just want to buy the kindle for $100

 

[ouch1976]

Although the device my nephew had isn't the same one as the link, I can tell you that the screen was garbage, it was terribly slow, froze alot, and felt like cheap plastic.

The device you're looking at says it has a an A13 chip, which sounds unusual to me...I'm familiar with A9s and A15s, but I don't know any architecture that is cortex-A13. Also 512mb of RAM is barely enough to run any decent apps these days. And it's only running ICS which will probably not receive any updates in the future. And a 2600 mah battery is barely better than some high end phones...

So, all in all, I would stay away from the agptek device.

The Fire probably isn't much better, but at least you're getting a name brand device with amazing customer support.

Just my opinion.

 

[h4x0rj3ff]

why do you say it's pretty bad?

I would say the kindle fire has everything i need right? There's a nexus 7 on craigslist for $140 but the hassle of driving/meeting up makes me just want to buy the kindle for $100

$40 is worth the drive and hassle if its not too far.