Help me buy a tablet!

[damndave]

Well, I am in the market for a tablet. While the ipad is nice, I do not see spending a minimum of $500 for one feasible. The Kindle Fire was on top of the list until I saw it doesn't have an expandable SD slot. I do not need it to be one of those expensive name brands.

I will only be using it for watching movies, few games and web browsing.

What can I get in this price range with these specs?

$200-300
7-10" screen size
Expandable SD/Micro SD slot (If it has 16gb+ then no need)
Preferably Android
Must be available from amazon.com as I have about $150 in gift cards from there.

I don't need things such a camera, bluetooth, mic etc etc.

[softscrubb]

With that price point you really limit yourself. If you had more money to use, I would suggest a Motorola Xoom. If you are really restricted to price and have some familiarity with Android and 'rooting' a device.... Nook Color or Viewsonic GTab.

Nook Color can be rooted to operate as a fully-functional Android Tablet with Wifi, the Viewsonic GTab can be rooted and it gives you a great 10in tablet (I owned one until a few days before Christmas when I sold it-got an Ipad2 from work).

happy hunting!

[mark2203]

I never thought I would appreciate an iPad, but got one for free on a sales spiff. Prior to getting it, I said I would never pay good money for an iPad especially since I'm not a huge fan of Apple in general. I think the apple store is a total joke. I have several notebooks, including my work notebook that's pretty bad-*** (tons of memory, SSD, win7 pro, etc). I tell you what, my iPad is my go-to device for instant internet, e-mail and entertainment gratification. As a matter of fact, my entire family gravitates to it. Don't get the 3G version. Either the 16 or 32GB non-3G work fine, especially if you can tether internet from another device (i.e. a jailbroken iphone). I still wouldn't set foot in an apple store to get one though. Just order it on-line. You can get free freight and no tax from places like amazon or newegg.

[Disgruntled Gunny]

+1 for the iPad. I have had numerous tablets over the past 15 years, starting with a 2-color Fujitsu Stylistic. I would 100% recommend an iPad. While I'm not an apple fanboy, the device is fast, and does everything it needs to do.

[damndave]

The ipad is nice, but like everything from Apple it is way over priced. the only thing from Apple I own is a old school ipod i got as a gift and some stocks

[damndave]

Very interested in checking out the Le Pan II when it is released.

[damndave]

I never thought I would appreciate an iPad, but got one for free on a sales spiff. Prior to getting it, I said I would never pay good money for an iPad especially since I'm not a huge fan of Apple in general. I think the apple store is a total joke. I have several notebooks, including my work notebook that's pretty bad-*** (tons of memory, SSD, win7 pro, etc). I tell you what, my iPad is my go-to device for instant internet, e-mail and entertainment gratification. As a matter of fact, my entire family gravitates to it. Don't get the 3G version. Either the 16 or 32GB non-3G work fine, especially if you can tether internet from another device (i.e. a jailbroken iphone). I still wouldn't set foot in an apple store to get one though. Just order it on-line. You can get free freight and no tax from places like amazon or newegg.

I am actually quite familiar rooting android devices. I did my EVO 4G and a few friend's phones. I like the Nook Color, but am wondering if a 7" screen is big enough to watch some movies comfortably.

[softscrubb]

if you root.. you should know about xdadevelopers.com that is the best forum, imho, that discusses rooting/roms and tablets.

I went through info on about 30 different tablets before going with the GTAB. The support, roms and info from XDA is great.

[gorn5150]

iPads are 10% off for the next 2 days at NewEgg. Check out the Acer iconia a500 on amazon. You won't get a better deal than that and it has the same components as the high end/price droid tabs out there now.

[626Tony]

u can get a ipad open box special at bestbuy and get 100 off ! they had some here in Pasadena 16GB wifi

[rplusplus]

I got the Acer Iconia A500 10 inch wifi. They had it on sale a while back $399 with a $100 Best Buy gift card at Best Buy. As for availability on Amazon not sure but as for a review it is a great tablet and I use it a few hours each day since I bought it months ago. They also now have a 7 inch A100 but from what I have seen it's only $50 cheaper.

Edit. Just Checked they do have it on Amazon $350 for the 10 inch. Oh and I have used the Apple Ipad I and they basically work the same. Apple a bit lighter but with less memory and no expansion. YMMV.

[Dark Paladin]

What can I get in this price range with these specs?

$200-300
7-10" screen size
Expandable SD/Micro SD slot (If it has 16gb+ then no need)
Preferably Android

I have been doing some research for a tablet as the company I work for is piloting remote access using Android/Apple devices. . . and those were the same specs I was looking into.

What I found that matched closest was the Zenithink C91 (ZT-280). It can be found in the low $200 range, 1Ghz CPU, 10" capacitive multi-touch, expandable to 32GB microSD, and preloaded with Android 2.3 and Android Marketplace.

Correction: Amazon does carry this under a different name - http://www.amazon.com/ZEPAD-Android-...5195750&sr=8-2

[Deucer]

iPads are 10% off for the next 2 days at NewEgg. Check out the Acer iconia a500 on amazon. You won't get a better deal than that and it has the same components as the high end/price droid tabs out there now.

Where are you getting the 10% off?

[keenkeen]

Sorry to pile on but I have to agree with most on this thread...

The iPad is just better than the rest at this point...I tried to save by getting a kindle fire last month...decent but not near the unit the iPad is. Back it went...step up and get the iPad even if it's just the gen 1.

[kernoonus]

I have an iPad and I LOVE it! But, if I can come up with some extra cash, I might be looking at an Iconia. Just over your budget, but amazing specs and a good brand.

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Iconia-A500-08S08u-10-1-Inch-Computer/dp/B0064GC9SU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325196319&sr=8-1