The One 'Do I Buy This', 'What Do I Buy', 'I'm Looking For' Thread

[3vaboys]

FIRST POST, NEED HELP!
I am new to the Android market but would consider myself relatively literate. I would like to buy a tablet for my son for 11 year old son for Christmas. He will use it mostly for entertainment, music, surfing the web, watching movies, reading, etc... He has an iPod but only gets Wifi in our home and nowhere else. Looking at the Google Nexus 7 or 10 but it appears to also require a data plan to access the web anywhere. I've heard enough horror stories to stay away from the Kindle Fire, but the appeal is web connectivity anywhere, right? Can someone please clarify and offer some insight?

 

[s0563764]

Buy Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Tablet, 16GB, Wi-Fi, 1.4GHz Quad-Core, GPS, 10.1-inch Display, White online at JohnLewis.com

Buy ASUS Transformer Pad, 32GB, Wi-Fi, 1.2GHz Quad-Core Tegra 3 , 10.1-inch Display, Blue online at JohnLewis.com

Hi guys,

My first post! Not really sure about tablets, but I kinda want one to play with. Within my price range I have been comparing these two. Which do you think is better? Asus TF300 has longer battery + dock and Samsung note has less internal storage but has more RAM and a faster processor. What's the better bang for buck? Samsung is doing a cash back right now which makes it seem very lucrative, but the less memory is a bit annoying.

 

[myzoo]

First of all thank you all for being out there. I am looking at the Ployer Momo 8" but have read it has spotty wifi can anyone confirm?
Is there a list some where of what Tablet does what, quality, problems, ETC I have read so much I am lost.
Looking for a 8" wifi good is a must, sd card expansion, surfing, e-mail and updating office doc's is what it will be used for the most
any recomendations
Thanking you all in advance Jaye​

 

[LNMoton]

I am looking for a cheap android tablet. I will use it mostly for entertainment and games. I am looking for a tablet in the $150 and below range. I want:

Android 4.0 or above
At least a 1 Ghz processor
1 gb ram
More than 4 gb of storage
Wifi connectivity
g sensor, accelerometer for 3D gaming
Screen size 7" and up

 

[darkriderk1200]

Having recently been through the shopping process, I will give my opinions on the Android tablet scene, since it seems there's a lot of confusion here. First off, there is a lot of junk out there, truly utter garbage! I'm not going to China bash, as both the good and bad quality products are coming from China. Second, depending on your level of knowledge regarding hardware, willingness to flash roms, etc., you may be better off buying mainstream (Asus, Samsung, Kindle Fire HD, etc.) and spending a bit more. You can still find good deals on mainstream brands, especially if you're not afraid of refurbs! Keep an eye on techbargains.com, slickdeals, and some of the other deal sites. The alternative, if you don't have the know-how or prefer a US reseller, is to go through someone like F&L Superstore, www.flsuperstore.com. No affiliation on my part, but Frank is a stand up guy, and goes above and beyond to remove Chinese bloatware and set up the most recent firmeware and roms on the lesser known brands at really good prices! You can save some money when sourcing a lesser known brand and doing the updates yourself. However, make sure you're willing to take the time and learn. It can either be a nightmare or a rewarding and positive experience. Third, regardless of which approach you take, know what your intended usage is going to be and buy the hardware to match. Your not going to do a lot of gaming or more intensive tasks on the lesser known tablets that use crappy hardware (low res. 800x480 screens, less than 1gb ddr3 memory, under 8gb hd with no micro-sd expansion, single core processors less than 1.5ghz, no 3d gpu, etc.). Don't get me wrong, lesser spec'd tablets have a place, but it's mainly going to be for web surfing. Most current iteration tablets are going to be running ICS or JB, and really it shouldn't be a show stopper based on which the tablet you like is running. However, you should be aware that Kindle, Nook, etc. are going to run proprietary interfaces over the OS and unless you're willing to root the device, you're not going to have full access to the Google Android Market/Play Store, meaning you may not be able to have ability to run all apps and/or may have to pay for what might otherwise be free. This may or may not be a deal breaker, depending on your specific intended usage, but may end up frustrating you and costing you more. Also, keep in mind things like do you need integrated Bluetooth or GPS? What screen size and/or form factor is ideal for you? How much battery life do you need? Do you need a ruggedized body or case? front and/or rear facing cameras? As you can see, it's not an easy decision which tablet to buy, and the answer will likely vary depending on your specifics.

Here are some of my favorites in the 7" Segment:

Samsung Galaxy Tab2 - can be had new for $179 or refurb for $149; although lower res than the Nexus 7, it has a brighter and better looking screen IMO, microSD expandability, front and rear facing cams, IR ability to control TVs etc. dual core TI OMAP4 processor isn't the fastest of the current gen, but still plenty fast for 3d gaming
Nexus 7 - can be had for $199 new in 16gb version or $229 - $249 for 32gb; Tegra 3 cpu/gpu combo is about as good as it gets for gaming; fragile build make it less ideal for smaller kids, and it doesn't have rear facing camera, microSD expandability, or mini HDMI out.
Ainol Novo 7 Fire/Flame - Expect to pay $160 - $175; Bang for the buck buy for an off brand, but 1280x800 IPS panel shortages mean low supply. Slightly better spec'd than the Galaxy Tab 2. No GPS, but has integrated bluetooth. Good build and support via the forum.
Onda V712 - $150, Another bang for the buck buy. Rugged aluminum chassis, and almost identical specs to the Ainol Novo 7 Fire/Flame, sans built-in bluetooth and a slightly lower spec'd battery. I bought one of these and am quite happy with it!
Pipo U1 - $150, no direct experience, but good hardware and have heard good things.

 

[Dawnstar]

I'm ok spending up to $400.

When you say cheaper, what recommendations do you have? One of the Shanzhai ones like the Herotab?

If you spend only $28.00 more of that $400.00 price range you can get a real Apple mini Ipad at $428.41

 

[zipflint]

From the specs I've read just from quick googling, the Ainol Novo 10 Captain seems to be THE tablet to beat if you want good hardware at an affordable (sub $300 for me) price.
Any idea on when it will be available? I intend to wait until it's in stock at flsuperstore. I haven't bought anything there yet but the positive word-of-mouth has me sold
on their practices.

This will be my first "real" Android tablet, because I don't count the dinky 1st gen Vizio as much of anything. Just using that thing is an exercise in frustration.
I need a tablet that will handle lots of HD video content (viewed on the tablet AND sent to a 1080P TV), some gaming, and possibly extensive photo editing and
audio creation/editing. I'm just assuming there are some good Android apps for this. I haven't started looking for apps....I guess I should get on that, heh.

 

[mel431]

Ok I need help. I am looking to buy a starter tablet for my in-laws, in their mid 60s. they will do the basics of internet searching, my MIL will do recipe searches, Read a lot of books, play some games ie solitiar, crosswords, trivia, brainteasers, etc. Some netflix, some ESPN type apps. Nothing fancy. I am so confused on all these reviews. We are looking to spend around $90 to $125 range. I already bought and returned a Nextbook, internet did not load. We plan on setting it up with apps for them prior to gifting. I have a Kindle Fire, which I love, but since I dont know if they will use it often I just dont want to spend the $160. Please someone, tell me what to buy!!!! Craig? Coby? Agptek?

 

[vampirefo.]

Ok I need help. I am looking to buy a starter tablet for my in-laws, in their mid 60s. they will do the basics of internet searching, my MIL will do recipe searches, Read a lot of books, play some games ie solitiar, crosswords, trivia, brainteasers, etc. Some netflix, some ESPN type apps. Nothing fancy. I am so confused on all these reviews. We are looking to spend around $90 to $125 range. I already bought and returned a Nextbook, internet did not load. We plan on setting it up with apps for them prior to gifting. I have a Kindle Fire, which I love, but since I dont know if they will use it often I just dont want to spend the $160. Please someone, tell me what to buy!!!! Craig? Coby? Agptek?

I like coby tablets a coby 8048 will work nicely for what you are wanting.

 

[vampirefo.]

From the specs I've read just from quick googling, the Ainol Novo 10 Captain seems to be THE tablet to beat if you want good hardware at an affordable (sub $300 for me) price.
Any idea on when it will be available? I intend to wait until it's in stock at flsuperstore. I haven't bought anything there yet but the positive word-of-mouth has me sold
on their practices.

This will be my first "real" Android tablet, because I don't count the dinky 1st gen Vizio as much of anything. Just using that thing is an exercise in frustration.
I need a tablet that will handle lots of HD video content (viewed on the tablet AND sent to a 1080P TV), some gaming, and possibly extensive photo editing and
audio creation/editing. I'm just assuming there are some good Android apps for this. I haven't started looking for apps....I guess I should get on that, heh.

I plan on getting the Ainol Novo 10 Captain, when it's released.

 

[zipflint]

That's a seal of approval if ever there was one! I'm seeing lots of speculation on pricing, everything between $170 and $300.
If it's $300 or under, I think I'm sold. Also, I get the impression that its release is right around the corner. As in, any day now.
What do you think?

I plan on getting the Ainol Novo 10 Captain, when it's released.

 

[cifroes]

Hi,


I want a 10'' table with high resolution (higher than 1280x800).
Currently the only one I found is Nexus 10 but that isn't yet available in my country.


Do you know other tablets with nice screens and high resolution?

 

[vampirefo.]

That's a seal of approval if ever there was one! I'm seeing lots of speculation on pricing, everything between $170 and $300.
If it's $300 or under, I think I'm sold. Also, I get the impression that its release is right around the corner. As in, any day now.
What do you think?

Price around $250
Release a month or more away.

 

[idontknow]

Hi,

I want a 10'' table with high resolution (higher than 1280x800).
Currently the only one I found is Nexus 10 but that isn't yet available in my country.

Do you know other tablets with nice screens and high resolution?

It would help to know what country is your country!

 

[idontknow]

If you spend only $28.00 more of that $400.00 price range you can get a real Apple mini Ipad at $428.41

Dawnstar, if the guy wanted to buy an iPad, I guess it wouldn't be here in an Android forum to ask for help....just saying! Besides ,he said he want flash.