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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
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    aspen xtreme/hakuba
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    428

    cheap wi-fi only 7in tablet for email/skype?

    I just learned there are actually 7 inch tablets under $100 with Android 4.0or better which I would only keep in the car and use for email/skype/web surf in restaurants with wi-fi.
    I do not need a smartphone,and I for sure do not want to pay $70 a month for it with required data plan.I have a laptop for everything that needs bigger screen/apps/video/music etc and a cheap prepaid phone for $100/year for the rare emergency phone call I might need to make while on the road.(I made maybe 8 calls all year on it)
    Am I wrong?
    Does the brand matter much?
    “THE EDGE, there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.” HST

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Wooded enclave
    Posts
    1,769
    I went down this path and bought an Ainol Novo from newegg.com. Unfortunately the screen broke during shipping and the Mrs. decided she wanted a 10" screen. Ended up with a refurb Samsung Galaxy 2 tablet that I stumbled upon.

    But yeah, I am convinced you can get a cheapo no-name Chinese tablet that will run Android just fine for ~$100.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    In the shadow of the moon
    Posts
    2,696
    I have a Kindle Fire hacked to the Android OS through Team Kang.

    It is a great tool.
    edit: no camera, no skype

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Among Greatness All Around
    Posts
    6,628
    If the unit does not break then the biggest issue will be how often and if the tablet would have software updates. The better known name brand companies tablets are likely to be offered upgrades to the OS, or have 3rd party upgrades that could be used to gain some more features. The lesser known companies are probably just slapping their name and logo on a unit and have little or no knowledge of the Android OS development.

    I see the 7" tablets for less than $100 retail and on sale at much less than that. 7" is probably just fine for email and basic surfing. However if you are surfing on public unsecure WIfi make sure you protect yourself by using the secure login (https) versions of web sites and never trust plain text login and password.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    51°03′N 114°04′W
    Posts
    360
    I bought a cheap Aigopad 7" tablet in Bangkok for ~$100 and had nothing but issues with the piece of crap. The tablet would constantly freeze, reboot, or do other wierd things. Then trying to get support from the company was a huge headache because their north american office wasn't really set up for support yet. I did manage to get new firmware eventually but it only marginally helped things.

    Personally I would stay away from the uber cheap tablets after my experiences.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Posts
    32
    I have a Nexus 7, well worth the price, rarely even turn on my laptop anymore. Just got a new Android update Sunday and the thing runs even better now. Customer service makes up for added cost

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    the big dirty
    Posts
    725
    32GB playbook from Thesource.ca in Canada for $150

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Portland by way of Bozeman
    Posts
    4,279
    Quote Originally Posted by Clerkick View Post
    I have a Nexus 7, well worth the price, rarely even turn on my laptop anymore. Just got a new Android update Sunday and the thing runs even better now. Customer service makes up for added cost
    I too have one of these. Unless I absolutely need my MacBook when I travel, I take this. It is money.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    1,788
    Quote Originally Posted by Bobcat Sig View Post
    I too have one of these. Unless I absolutely need my MacBook when I travel, I take this. It is money.
    +2

    abcdefg

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Montucky
    Posts
    2,004
    I bought the Nexus 7 and I think $199 is a great deal. The updates in the last 3 months have been consistently helpful, and I've noticed a speed increase. Graphics are very impressive.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    20 steps from the hot tub
    Posts
    3,773
    Quote Originally Posted by skiitsbetter View Post
    32GB playbook from Thesource.ca in Canada for $150
    $118 at Staples right now, but I don't think they have Skype for the Playbook's OS.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    The CH
    Posts
    1,465
    My buddy has the Nexus 7 and loves it.

    I just saw this lenovo A2107 for $149. It's a name brand so it shouldn't be total junk like mystery cheap units and it has GPS built it - I'm not sure where the GPS gets maps from.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-pla-_-NA-_-NA

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    NorCal
    Posts
    530
    Quote Originally Posted by Clerkick View Post
    I have a Nexus 7, well worth the price, rarely even turn on my laptop anymore. Just got a new Android update Sunday and the thing runs even better now. Customer service makes up for added cost
    I was going to buy a tablet although I don't 'need' one. I want one more for convenience and letting my kids play some learning games (occasionally, until the learn not to destroy everything, which may take until they turn 18 and we ship them out). I didn't want to drop more than ~$200 and came across this Android in a 9.7" (preferred size):
    http://www.flsuperstore.com/tablets/...ablet-ics.html

    anyone have any insight on these or other 'no-brand' Androids? Any idea if these update ala Nexus tablets? I suspect at this price I have to update manually.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    SF
    Posts
    53
    I suspect that going with a no-name brand would result in few/no updates since there's really no incentive for them to do it. Fortunately the update situation with Tablets is better than android phones since there's no carrier bullshit middleman, but if you want the latest updates going with the Nexus is the best bet.

    I have a Nexus 7 and love it - it's totally replaced my old shitty laptop for everything that doesn't involve typing a lot. Would definitely recommend it and it's a pretty damn good deal especially when compared to the iPad mini.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    NorCal
    Posts
    530
    Quote Originally Posted by Arcsim View Post
    I suspect that going with a no-name brand would result in few/no updates since there's really no incentive for them to do it. Fortunately the update situation with Tablets is better than android phones since there's no carrier bullshit middleman, but if you want the latest updates going with the Nexus is the best bet.

    I have a Nexus 7 and love it - it's totally replaced my old shitty laptop for everything that doesn't involve typing a lot. Would definitely recommend it and it's a pretty damn good deal especially when compared to the iPad mini.
    I've been thinking about the updates more & more; I really never update my laptop running Windows 7 Pro, why would I update the Tablet any more? The tablet can be updated but I need to go the the manu website for d/loads and do it myself.

    I did look hard at the Nexus 7, but decide that it was too small. I wanted something bigger. I'd take the Nexus 10 in a heartbeat, but way too expensive.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    1,788
    Updates are great. 4.2 was a huge improvement over 4.1, mainly because of the swipe keyboard but also a bunch of other things, and on the N7 you got it straight away.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Calgary/Fernie
    Posts
    1,417
    Another vote here for the N7 - bought one for my father-in-law for xmas and he is really happy with it

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