Good value android tablet?

toby2111

Looking for xmas present for the wife, was going to get a kindle cos she reads quite a bit but would also like the ability to do general browsing on the net.Saw an ad for a Yarvik 7" tablet in tesco for €149, its got a capacitive screen which I believe are better than the resistive screen.Is it a decent buy? Basically looking for something that she can use as an e reader and a bit of surfing.Feel free to suggest alternatives!

Zonda999

I;m guessing you know about the Kindle Fire yeah? Thats from amazon and will do a bit of surfing, a bit locked down as far as an andorid tablet goes though, could fit the bill however

You could look at a HP Touchpad and port android onto it. The firesale was back in August but you will still get on Ebay for about €200 for a 32gb model. It really is a very nice device, not sure as to what limitations there are with having android on it though. Otherwise, for a small bit more(probably) the first generation motorola xoom shouldnt be much more than €200/250. The Hannspree Hannspad probably is still knocking around too, about €200 for that one too. The two i mentioned there are 10" tablets as oppossed to 7" btw

Tbh, it think the more established ones make more sense than that Yarvik tablet, you don't see to many recommendations around here for cheaper tablets like that, theres a reason for that ultimately. As a cheap yoke it'd probably do okay(€150 is far from the cheapest android tablets) but its stuck with 2.3 forever, forget about Icecream sandwich on it. If it was €50 or €70 more for an established brand, it'd be well worth it IMHO

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005HA9KCW/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1/279-0098526-2637374?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_r=1GMNWGAQJSVX2EY24TT9&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_i=B005A98WWO

toby2111

Thanks zonda999-I don't know much about the kindle fire or tablets in general really.It doesn't have to run android, I just figured android tablets would be cheaper than others.So am open to all suggestions.
I'll look into those ones you suggested, thanks for the advice

Kev.

Any more suggestions?

echosound

I just picked up an archos 101 16gb tablet, wanted it for much the same reasons as your wife - browsing/reading etc. It's my birthday/xmas pressie too, but of course i couldn't wait til then to use it :-) Mainly wanted a tablet as i'm doing a distance course that's predominantly online material, and wanted to be able to study my material without having to always sit with a laptop as i get backpain slouched over a laptop for hours on end.

It runs froyo, has a capacitative screen, has a usb port so if your wife has e-books already stored (or photos/music/films etc) she can just plug the stick in with her stuff on it. 10.1 inch screen, wi-fi (but not 3G, you can tether it to a mobile if you want tho). Didn't want to spend a fortune so this fell just in budget at 199 euro. So far it does everything i want and more (I'm not overly bothered about the fact it probably won't run gingerbread/ice cream sandwich down the line etc). Can expand the memory with an sd card if you want to run a lot of apps.

I spent a good while reading reviews and comparing specs of all the tablets in this pricerange (didn't see either the hanspree or the xoom for less than 250-300 tho) and tbh i kept coming back to the archos. Couldn't fnd another tablet under 200 that seemed to have everything I was looking for. Of course i'm only using it the past few days so I can't tell you if any issues crop up over the course of it's lifetime, but take a look at archosfans forums to gauge how others have been finding it (I spentsome time reading up on various threads there too to see how others were fareing out with it).

So there's another suggestion for you. The hanspree one looked good too for 50-odd extra euro, didn't hear great things about the arnova. Other tablets i've heard good things about are the asus transformer (pricier again tho), and opinion seems split 50/50 as to the acer iconia -some love it, some hate it. I'd say you'll be waiting a while for the kindle fire to make it's way across the atlantic, no sign of a release date as of yet.

drunkmonkey

HP Touchpad, best bang for your buck and easy load android on it.

LukeS_

Advent Vega. If you know how to root it and flash custom ROM's then you can have a very good tablet for a cheap price. There are tons of tutorials on YouTube explaining how to root etc.

I've messed around with the Eee Pad Transformer, Sony Tablet S and Xoom for quite a while, and once the vega is on honeycomb with hardware acceleration, it's just as good as those tablets, for less too!

pickarooney

I'll be blunt and say ignore all the hoo-ha about flashing ROMs and Ice Cream Sandwich as the odds are your wife will not give a damn about any of that as long as it does the basic things well (and trust me, you really don't want to go down the road of bricking her device the same day you give it to her, which has of course never ever happened to me not even once).

That Yarvik looks pretty decent to me, if you think 7" is the right format for her.

toby2111

So,I take it its not possible to upgrade these tablets to the newest version of android?
As pickarooney says,the wife wont really mind what its running,once it can do the basics of surfing,mailing,watching youtube maybe even skype(although I presume that will require a built in camera which will be more expensive?).Also 7" would do but obviously I'd go for a bigger screen for an extra few euro,in or under €200 maybe.

I'll look into all the other recommendations,were's the best place to look?Bricks and mortar store or online i.e amazon,ebay,pixmania,komplett?

mark2409

Any of you a500 owners out know if the device you have now will be upgradable to 4.0 (ice cream sandwich) in jan, or would i be better of waiting for the pre packaged unit in Jan? By the way doing this on an ipad which i can not wait to get rid of. Apple lack of flash and cross compatabilty does my head in.

pickarooney

Skype is one thing that will require a recent version of Android, at least 3.0 I think; someone with a honeycomb tablet can probably confirm. In that case you're instantly looking at almost double the budget.

A big screen may not necessarily be better. It would be my personal preference but people with smaller hands who intend to do a lot of e-reading might appreciate a lighter, smaller model.

I would strongly recommend a device that you can actually touch and hold before making the purchase as no amount of reading about a tablet will really tell you what it's like to use. Once you're happy with your choice you can then shop around for the best deal.

toby2111

Forget Skype so,we have a laptop that we can use for that.
I'll pop into Currys and PC World and see what they have but their selection could be well beyond my budget.
I've friends coming home from USA in a few weeks,was half thinking of getting them to bring home the Kindle Fire(as mentioned above,did a bit of research this morn and it looks decent),but not sure if it fully works here.Still might do the job if she can surf and download books but.Any opinions on that?

pickarooney

The Fire looks very nice but I imagine there could be big issues with content access. Have a good read around.

toby2111

Yeh,I'd love to know if anyone here has one and if its worth getting from the US

pickarooney

Going by the comments on this review it could be impossible to buy any content for the Fire if you're not located in the US. As it has no external SD or USB ports this would make it nigh on impossible to actually put any books or paid apps on it. Bit of a poisoned chalice for an Irish user's Christmas I fear.

More here.

toby2111

So the Android Market app wont work on it?

pickarooney

Nope, nor the Amazon cloud.

toby2111

Back to the drawing board so!Pity cos it seems like a fine piece of kit.
HP Touchpad looks interesting,must do a bit of research on it.

toby2111

Just having a quick browse on amazon,came across this-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tabtech-A816-now-added-Bluetooth/dp/B005CWUXVW/ref=sr_1_15?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1322773706&sr=1-15

Seems decent enough to me but then again I'm no techie expert!Anyone got any opinions on this one?

Or this-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/NATPC-M7-L-Gingerbread-Responsive-Capacitive/dp/B006DCDHMW/ref=sr_1_5?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1322775728&sr=1-5

pickarooney

The first one is a resistive screen, other than that it sounds nice. They do mention in brackets that it's the best resistive screen they've tested but it's still going to be less usable than a capacitive.

The second one has a capacitive screen and is a smaller 7". It has no full USB port, which is standard for that size tablet but the rest of the specs sound excellent, almost too good to be true. For that price I'd be tempted to gamble on it.

k123456

Without Bluetooth or USB, what options are there to transfer file from laptop to tablet,

Is is possible using Android to get to a share (\\share)on your Win laptop ?

Dropbox would work, but there must be a better way to share/transfer files

pickarooney

MicroSDcard (with a USB adapter for the laptop if it has no built in reader) would be the most common way I'd say.

You can access shared drives on the laptop as well but I've always found it extremely slow to copy via samba shares. There's probably some way to speed it up that I've not looked at.

toby2111

pickarooney wrote: »

The second one has a capacitive screen and is a smaller 7". It has no full USB port, which is standard for that size tablet but the rest of the specs sound excellent, almost too good to be true. For that price I'd be tempted to gamble on it.

Yeh,thought that second one looked half decent.What does "no full USB port" mean?Is there none at all?For example,could I transfer pictures from a camera onto that tablet?If not,is there a way how I could?

pickarooney

There's a mini USB port so although you can't connect a USB stick right into it you may be able to connect a camera if that camera has a cable with mini USB connectors on both ends. (do those exist?)

I have to be honest and say I don't really know the limitations of a mini USB port but with a microSD slot on the tablet you have that option for transferring the files (assuming again your camera will read microSD with or without an adaptor).

In practice, I tend to just the pictures on Picasa from my PC and access them that way from the tablet.

toby2111

I'm tempted to get that second one above,only has 1 review on amazon(even though its very positive!)
Would I be better looking at 10" tablets or are 7" ones sufficient?

Krusty_Clown

echosound wrote: »

opinion seems split 50/50 as to the acer iconia -some love it, some hate it. I'd say you'll be waiting a while for the kindle fire to make it's way across the atlantic, no sign of a release date as of yet.

Was looking at picking up an Acer Iconia in the US next week. Any idea what people don't like about it?
$249 for a 7" with 8GB, doesn't seem too bad. Seems to have pretty good connectivity too.

daveob007

i got one of those yarvik tablets from tesco last week and very happy with it,4gb memory but takes micro sd also..it has usb connection and internet just a bit slow but works fine,great for playing angry birds or watching movies,,did some research on the net and it gets great ratings.
well worth 150.
try youtube for reviews before you buy anything but the yarvik is great for the money,,

Ste-

daveob007 wrote: »

i got one of those yarvik tablets from tesco last week and very happy with it,4gb memory but takes micro sd also..it has usb connection and internet just a bit slow but works fine,great for playing angry birds or watching movies,,did some research on the net and it gets great ratings.
well worth 150.
try youtube for reviews before you buy anything but the yarvik is great for the money,,

What model number is it ?

daveob007

Ste- wrote: »

What model number is it ?

its the tab250

megapixel

I got one of these for my niece.
Was hoping to put kindle and flash on it, any ideas?

toby2111

Ok,its decision time.I've narrowed it down to 3
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yarvik-TAB250-7-inch-Tablet/dp/B005HA9KCW
or
http://www.amazon.co.uk/NATPC-M7-L-Gingerbread-Responsive-Capacitive/dp/B006DCDHMW/ref=sr_1_6?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1322924372&sr=1-6

Possibly leaning towards the second one.Then I saw this over on Bargain Alerts from buyincoins
http://www.buyincoins.com/7-epad-apad-wifi-2gb-camera-android-2-2-mid-tablet-pc-product-3429.html
Its a very low price and seems to run well when rooted(which I haven't a clue how to do but seems doable).For what the wife will be using it for,it seems grand.Or is it too good to be true?Plus I dont think I'll get it in time for Xmas if I order from them?

Which one would you pick?Or am I missing out on a bargain elsewhere?!!Thanks in advance!

pickarooney

The first one has a battery life of only three hours and I'd bet the third one is a resistive screen. The second one looks by far the best to me.

toby2111

Yeh,3rd one is resistive but its also touchscreen.Theres a youtube clip on that bargain alerts thread and it looks decent enough.

So its either the cheap one for €45 or the other one for €150ish.Big difference in price,just wondering is the cheap one worth a shot?

pickarooney

Is it worth the gamble on not getting it in time for Christmas?

toby2111

pickarooney-can you see if that NATPC tablet will take a broadband dongle?
Just after seeing a thread on the stealth x hydro tablet which seems like a decent tablet and it can take a dongle.

Edit-Now I've seen this-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270854575169?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Getting confused!!

pickarooney

toby2111 wrote: »

pickarooney-can you see if that NATPC tablet will take a broadband dongle?

In the specs:

3G : Requires HUAWEI E1750 Dongle available separately

It sounds quite specific as regards the model but there's a fair chance others are supported natively or with a custom ROM.

Edit-Now I've seen this-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270854575169?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

The Zenithink has a fairly large user base so there should be ROMs and support readily available online. This is the first capacitive screen I've seen from them. The main issue with this is if anything goes wrong the returns procedure is fairly lengthy - I think you'd need to pay to ship it to China as well.

toby2111

Thanks.Yeh the Zenithink has gotten pretty decent reviews online.You seem to be pretty knowledgeable on these things so......which one would you pick-The Zenithink or that other NATPC M7-L??
Kinda leaning towards the Zenithink cos its 10" and it can take dongle,think its full USB.But I'd appreciate your opinion cos you know what you're talking about!

pickarooney

If I was buying for myself, probably the Zenithink or the similar Flytouch 4 (I have a Flytouch 3 myself which is similar to the Zenithink 180) as I much prefer a larger screen and would be keen on fiddling about with it.

As a gift for someone who's not necessarily going to want to do that and would be more likely to read and surf with it, I'd lean more towards the slimmer, more elegant NATPC with the Amazon marketplace guarantee. In the link to the Zenithink I didn't see a full USB port mentioned, by the way, only mini-USB. Personally, I'd have little to no use for 3G on a tablet but everyone's use varies and this is really the key point in making a decision.

toby2111

Thanks pickarooney.I'm getting more confused by the hour because I came across a site called mcbub.com and spotted a few more.Not sure were these are coming from and if they'd arrive by Xmas,think its China.

7"
-http://www.mcbub.com/item/Ainol-Novo-7-Basic---8GB-Android-3-2-Honeycomb-XBurst-Gameloft-7--5-Point-Capacitive-Tablet-Dual-Camera--CN108898--142447/
Kinda liking this one,runs 3.2,think it supports Skype video calling and I can order a cool leather case with USB keyboard!!

8"
http://www.mcbub.com/item/8-inch-Android-2-3-Vimicro-VC882-HaiPad-M8-Wopad-V8-1-3GHz-1GB-DDR3-RAM---8GB-Storage-1280-768-HD-Capacitive-Multi-Touch--CN103116--137127/

And these 10" inch ones-
http://www.mcbub.com/item/10-2-inch-A9-Android-2-3-Tablet-PC-Zenithink-Z102--Flytouch-5--2-Points-Touch-GPS-WiFi-HDMI-CN106313--139796/
http://www.mcbub.com/item/10-2-inch-Wopad-V10--Flytouch-6--Android-2-3-Vimicro-VC882-512MB-16GB-WiFi-HDMI-GPS-Tablet-PC-CN107371--141535/

I was just thinking that it would be handy if she could use Skype video chat to chat with her bother in Oz but I'm not sure if any of these(apart from 7" one) can handle video chat?
Its not essential that tablet can take dongle(have wireless in house) but thought it might be handy to use while out and about.

So 7",8" or 10"??I'm done searching so its going to be the Zenithink or one of the above.......help??!!Sorry about all the links but just wanna get the right one.Thanks in advance

pickarooney

The 7" is upgradable to Ice cream sandwich, which is nice. I don't particularly like the look of it - it seems sort of chunky with a massive bezel.

One of those 10" devices is the Zenithink and the Wopad is a (quite possibly fake clone) Flytouch. You can get lucky with the clones and have a perfect device or not so lucky and end up with really dodgy batteries. I'd be a little wary of it and anyone who sells it to be honest. I quite like the look of the 8" one - it's a size that would suit a lot of people and I'm surprised there aren't more 8-9 inch tablets about yet.

You could keep looking (and waiting) forever and never make a decision and if it's a Christmas present you need to get moving. No pressure like

toby2111

pickarooney wrote: »

The 7" is upgradable to Ice cream sandwich, which is nice. I don't particularly like the look of it - it seems sort of chunky with a massive bezel.

Whats a bezel? Appearance not really important.Its looking like the 7 or 8 inch.Whichever is the quickest, smoothest, allows skype video calling and possibly be able to use a dongle on, thats the one I'll go for.Thanks for your help so far pickarooney.

pickarooney

toby2111 wrote: »

Whats a bezel? Appearance not really important.Its looking like the 7 or 8 inch.Whichever is the quickest, smoothest, allows skype video calling and possibly be able to use a dongle on, thats the one I'll go for.Thanks for your help so far pickarooney.

In this case you've no choice but to go for a device with Android 3.0/4.0 so the 7-inch is the only option.

The bezel is the black border around the screen.

toby2111

pickarooney wrote: »

In this case you've no choice but to go for a device with Android 3.0/4.0 so the 7-inch is the only option.

I mailed that mcbub crowd last night asking about skype video chat, they replied this morning saying that the 7",8" and zenithink tablet all support skype video chat.They said they tested them all.Are they just bluffing me?

pickarooney

I could be wrong. I thought the first Android version that supported it was 2.3.5 and only on selected devices but there are a few google results for Zenithink skype chat which seem to indicate otherwise.

toby2111

pickarooney wrote: »

I could be wrong. I thought the first Android version that supported it was 2.3.5 and only on selected devices but there are a few google results for Zenithink skype chat which seem to indicate otherwise.

Can I upgrade the os on these tablets or do I have to root them first?

pickarooney

You'd need to check the support forums for each device. Occasionally the manufacturer will roll out OS upgrades but it tends to be well after unofficial ROMS are made by users (and this requires rooting). There's a limit to how far they can upgrade them so I reckon anything you buy with 2.x will not be eligible for ICS.

toby2111

pickarooney wrote: »

There's a limit to how far they can upgrade them so I reckon anything you buy with 2.x will not be eligible for ICS.

I thought once a phone/tablet was rooted you could upgrade to whatever OS you wanted?

Right,gonna order tomorrow,its the 7" Ainol Novo,8" Haipad or 10" Zenithink.Which is best value for money?Which would offer best all round tablet experience for a tablet newbie?!

Ardennes1944

id say the zenithink 280. battery aside its alot of tablet for the money, and is much cheaper on ebay.

toby2111

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

id say the zenithink 280. battery aside its alot of tablet for the money, and is much cheaper on ebay.

Its £132 on ebay and $209 dollars on mcbub which works out at roughly the same €155.If you can find it cheaper,put up a link please,cheers.

Ardennes1944

Nope 132e is the cheapest ive found. I dont know how much customs would be though, any idea yourself?

toby2111

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

Nope 132e is the cheapest ive found. I dont know how much customs would be though, any idea yourself?

£132 not €132.Not sure about customs,it depends.I've bought stuff before from China and not paid any.With a bit of luck,you'll get away with it!You gonna get one of those Zenithinks?