Have to return DD's tablet.... suggestions for a new one?

[Jenny3]

OP here...thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to return the tablet, then do some more research and most likely go with a better brand, but refurbished. I'm very new at all this and not that tech savvy so it's a bit confusing!

Are all tablets able to gets apps, music, etc from Google Play? The original tablet I got her had that so she received $60 in gift cards from family members

 

[Lewisc]

OP here...thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to return the tablet, then do some more research and most likely go with a better brand, but refurbished. I'm very new at all this and not that tech savvy so it's a bit confusing!

Are all tablets able to gets apps, music, etc from Google Play? The original tablet I got her had that so she received $60 in gift cards from family members

All Android tablets are able to get stuff from Google Play. Apple products get stuff for the iTunes store.

edited to add You might have to root the Nook before you can buy stuff from Google Play.

 

[Leajess99]

OP here...thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to return the tablet, then do some more research and most likely go with a better brand, but refurbished. I'm very new at all this and not that tech savvy so it's a bit confusing!

Are all tablets able to gets apps, music, etc from Google Play? The original tablet I got her had that so she received $60 in gift cards from family members

Be very careful with getting refurbished and look at it before giving it to your child. A father recently gave his child a refurbished Nintendo 3DS and the child saw inappropriate pictures on it. That cannot be undone.


ETA: http://gamergrub.com/blog/2012/12/pornographic-images-found-on-5yr-olds-christmas-nintendo-3ds/

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I paid only 90 for my tablet! its a nextbook 7 from amazon. I love it! I play with tons of apps, love reading on it too. Its got a great battery life too. I cant rave enough about it. Oh and its pretty rugged, my freinds kid has dropped it twice and its fine. oh it has slide me installed which has TONS of free apps. I was also able to download kobo, barnes and nobles, and Kindle apps so I can shop at any of the 3

 

[Straitlover]

Since you're returning rather than exchanging, keep an eye on Walmart's website. I got a refurbed Galaxy Tab 2 7 inch for $149 in December.

 

[Jenny3]

Since you're returning rather than exchanging, keep an eye on Walmart's website. I got a refurbed Galaxy Tab 2 7 inch for $149 in December.

That would be a great deal! Sold out online though and didn't see anything in the store. I did find a new Galaxy Tab 2 for $199 on Newegg, that sounds like a good deal (?)

Newegg had quite a bit of refurbs as well... an Lenovo IdeaPad for $130; a Vizio Tab for $140 (regularly $300), a vitalASC for $140 and a bunch of others but I don't want to make the same mistake as before. It's all so confusing, especially when you're not a techie! I feel like I could spend hours looking at tablets and still buy the wrong one, LOL

 

[Jenny3]

Sorry to keep asking questions.. but is this a decent one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834246642

 

[Shmily1]

I would also suggest the Nexus 7. DS got one for his big Christmas present and he loves it. I couldn't believe he wanted it... he's pro-Apple!

 

[timmac]

Definitely Nexus 7. Among other considerations, it's also worth noting that it's a 'pure google' experience. E.g. the android OS isn't cluttered with manufacturer specific crap. It's also virtually guaranteed to get updates more reliably and faster than any other tablet on the market.

Many of the cheaper tables, including the one linked by the OP a few posts up, are running older versions of Android (2.3/Gingerbread typically) which don't include all the features of the latest versions.

 

[phewms]

I suggest spending a bit more and getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2. My 4 yr old son got one for Christmas (he thinks it's the ipad mini) and loves it. Actually, so does DH who owns an ipad! We haven't had any problems thus far. The 7 inch is about $179.99.

 

[Straitlover]

That would be a great deal! Sold out online though and didn't see anything in the store.

Keep checking back if you can wait. It took a couple of weeks of me checking before I lucked out w/ one.

I will say that the refurbs only have a 90 day warranty. I've been meaning to check and see if i can get a square trade warranty. WM did offer an extended warranty, but i don't recall the price or what it covered.

 

[Jenny3]

Definitely Nexus 7. Among other considerations, it's also worth noting that it's a 'pure google' experience. E.g. the android OS isn't cluttered with manufacturer specific crap. It's also virtually guaranteed to get updates more reliably and faster than any other tablet on the market.

Many of the cheaper tables, including the one linked by the OP a few posts up, are running older versions of Android (2.3/Gingerbread typically) which don't include all the features of the latest versions.

This is very helpful, thank you.

I'll keep looking for a decent price / refurb Nexus 7 (or hope that $99 one comes out soon!) DD9 is pretty bummed; this was one of her Christmas gifts. Is $199 the best price I'll find?

 

[Kbella's mom]

Another vote for the Nexus 7! DS13 loves it! I shopped around and couldn't find a price better than $199 but sometimes they offer a google play credit with purchase.
We had a Nook Color and had so many problems. Fortunately we had a warranty through SquareTrade and got a full refund.

 

[PA Princess]

Another thumbs up for the Nexus 7. I did a bunch of research prior to purchasing this for my dh for Christmas. A good sign to me, whenever I mentioned my purchase to teen boys (I teach high school and we have two of our own), they all without hesitation were like, "Oh! Good choice!!"

Since Christmas my husband has greatly enjoyed the tablet, and truthfully it is in my daughters' hands (8 and 12) almost as much as his!

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Another vote for the Kindle Fire HD. My 10 yr old DD got one from Santa this year and loves it! She already has multiple games, books, and music and even a movie downloaded. I have the parental controls on so I can limit the amount of time she is spending playing on it.

I have used it for web surfing, checking my online banking, even a little Dissing!

I'm wishing Santa would have brought me one!

 

[Jenny3]

Clueless OP here again, LOL

I'm hesitant to spend the $199 on the Nexus 7 - even though the reviews are awesome. Money is tight and I work on a Christmas budget, and the extra $100 puts me over that.

If I get the refurb Kindle Fire... can she still use her Google Play gift cards? I don't have Amazon Prime - is that ok? Or worth it to get down the line? Is 8gb enough? Can you add more?

Basically she wants to play games, apps, some music, etc. Typical 9yo stuff.

 

[Kasper1014]

Clueless OP here again, LOL

I'm hesitant to spend the $199 on the Nexus 7 - even though the reviews are awesome. Money is tight and I work on a Christmas budget, and the extra $100 puts me over that.

If I get the refurb Kindle Fire... can she still use her Google Play gift cards? I don't have Amazon Prime - is that ok? Or worth it to get down the line? Is 8gb enough? Can you add more?

Basically she wants to play games, apps, some music, etc. Typical 9yo stuff.

We got our two younger kids tablets off of amazon. Tbey were about $100 each, I think the brand is Dragon Touch, and is an android platform. The tablets are not bad!!! They can listen to music, play games and the picture is good quality for movies. It also has a camera.

My DH has a kindle fire and I have an iPad, so we have been comparing all the tablets. So far, I'm still happy that I made that purchase.

 

[Jenny3]

I'm so excited, I had to share this!

OP again.. got a letter in the mail today regarding my Visa checking account card. It's a points card. The letter said they were stopping the points at the end of the month and moving to a cash back card. So I'd have to redeem my points or lose them.

To be totally honest, I didn't even realize my check card was earning points all this time

I just went online.... I had almost 54,000 points! - which equals $125 in Staples gift cards! My local Staples has the Nexus 7 for $199 so I can get that for only $75 out of pocket to replace my daughter's crappy $99 tablet!!

I needed some good news today; I'm super excited!

Off to check my DH's Visa to see if he has any points as well!

 

[TnTWalter]

She'll love it!

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I don't know much about the tablet situations, but that is awesome about the unexpected points! I love when things like that happen!