Nook tab vs. Kindle Fire vs. Samsung tab

[.snow.white.]

Son (9) says he wants a Kindle Fire for his birthday. He says it's because he tried it at Barnes and Noble (I know, that's a Nook) and likes the chess game. His school is getting iPads for studies this year (I know, he's 9) but I don't think he'll be able to download any games to the system.

So my question to the experts is this...if he's trying to get a reader for the tablet-like qualities because he knows an iPad is out of the question, would I be better off spending an extra $50 for a Samsung Galaxy Tab? If so, am I missing additional expenses involved (not downloads, thinking monthly service, we have wifi in the house). I was just thinking that the Galaxy with camera and video components might be a better purchase.

And are the downloads/apps on these three systems comparable to an iPad in quality and price?

Thank you.

 

[RitaE]

When is his birthday? Amazon is announcing a new Kindle Fire on September 6th and it is rumored to have a camera. I have the existing Kindle Fire but I use so very few apps on it I'm just not the best one to ask. I stream Pandora, play some movies, and play Angry Birds.

I prefer the iPAD for PDF files or surfing the internet and that kind of stuff.

I honestly know extremely little about the newest Nook Tablet. The Samsung has been getting awesome reviews.

 

[cruisers5]

Go with the Samsung Galaxy Tablet. For the extra few dollars you get to do so much more than just use it as as "fancy book". You can use it with wi-fi and unless you decide to get 3G service on it - you don't pay extra for montlhy service. I love mine and take it on vacation with us when we go to Disney - we have 3G service on it - so was able to use it in rooms that didn't have free internet a few years ago, but will not pay for that extra service when our contract is up in November.

 

[.snow.white.]

His birthday is this week so I wouldn't wait for the new release (bummer) but expect the cost of the new Kindle Fire would probably be more than the Samsung. Any idea what the price point is expected to be?

 

[loveysbydesign]

His birthday is this week so I wouldn't wait for the new release (bummer) but expect the cost of the new Kindle Fire would probably be more than the Samsung. Any idea what the price point is expected to be?

Rumor has it will be $199 and the original Kindle Fire will drop in price. My 13 y.o. son has been waiting since May so spend his bday money on the KF2.

 

[Disneefun]

Of course, if you can wait even longer, the heavily rumored iPad mini is supposed to be announced in October. It's supposed to be about the size of the Fire, with similar pricing.

Being an Apple geek, that's what I'm holding out for.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

His birthday is this week so I wouldn't wait for the new release (bummer) but expect the cost of the new Kindle Fire would probably be more than the Samsung. Any idea what the price point is expected to be?

Why not wait? If you want to go with the old Fire, the price will likely go down when the new version is released, or get the new version. Just give him a certificate to trade for the item when it comes out. A nine year old should be able to wait.

As far as the camera features, have you ever taken video or photos with a tablet? It's a pain and seems like a 9 year old would have trouble holding it steady.

 

[Ephany]

I recently replaced my Fire with a Galaxy Tab 2. I got the student bundle, it included a keyboard, a USB connector and a tablet for $249. If you search Amazon for 'samsung galaxy tab 2 student' it'll appear. I bought mine at Best Buy 'cause I had gift cards to use up, but I'm not sure if they still have it as it was advertised last week. The only difference is that it's white, not black but I was planning on skinning it with decalgirl anyway.

I was very tired of having a limited amount of room for apps. My Fire had memory left, but there was only a certain amount dedicated for apps. The rest of the memory was for Amazon content. I was constantly getting a message to delete apps even though I only had installed the ones I actually use. Since changing to the Galaxy Tab I've been able to expand the memory using a micro sd card which is great. I've had no problem downloading apps that I bought for the Fire from Amazon and transferring to the Galaxy Tab; as long as they were compatible and the webpage at Amazon tells you if the app is or not. I've also downloaded apps from the Google Play Store without any issues. They're just now releasing Google Play Store cards like Amazon or Itunes cards, so you don't have to input a credit card. There's more apps available from Itunes I believe, but we've been able to find all the major ones like Angry Birds, Plants vs. Zombies, Temple Run and card games. The only one I haven't found is Bejeweled Blitz for Android, but overall I'm happy with the selection.

I don't want my stuff stored in 'the cloud'. I want to have it available with me when I want it and I'm too cheap to pay for 3G or 4G so I have the wifi only version. The camera isn't awesome, but my DD9 has a lot of fun with it. I haven't found all the nifty swirly functions that allow you to alter pics but it's adequate for what I need. Honestly, I'm more likely to take a picture with a real camera anyway. It is a little awkward to hold steady, but so is my DH's iPad. It feels lighter than my Fire, but I have it in a much less bulky case than my Fire. So far there hasn't been any additional costs as we had an extra sd card lying around. I believe it'll take up to a 32gb card, but there are smaller (cheaper) options available.

That might be more info than you need, but if you have any questions let me know!

 

[ariel71]

Can you even buy a Galaxy right now with the Apple injunction? Don't know much about it except that it's been in the headlines.

 

[solana131]

I bought a Fire in May and I love it for reading, watching movies, checking Facebook, and playing the limited games they allow on the Fire. I absolutely love Amazon's customer service, and the Amazon Prime is wonderful. But I wish I had done a little more research before buying. The battery life is horrible, I am recharging everyday almost with just reading and maybe watching a tv episode every other day. The apps are very limited. I assumed it had Android, so any Google Play app would work....nope. I can't download the DIS app on my Fire And trying to DIS online on the Fire is horrible....too small a screen. It is heavy, I think a 9 year old would get tired of holding it quickly.

I do love my Fire and I'm glad I bought it, but there are much better options out there. Just depends on what you can afford and what you will use it for the most. Hope I helped a little....I don't know much about the other two tablets you asked about, but that's my take on the Fire.

 

[.snow.white.]

...I ordered the kindle fire but am still considering the Galaxy.

For the Galaxy users, I'm glad to know that I can avoid a monthly data package. I don't see the accessories packaged anywhere so I'm wondering how important is the keyboard and USB connector. I'm used to Apple environments, and expect the Kindle/Amazon relationship to be similar, but if I'm using the Samsung are my apps/purchases/accounts managed through Google?

It will be a few more years before I'll give him a certificate on his birthday. I want him to be able to play right away.

 

[crackerjack21]

Just be prepared, I bought a fire for my 10 year old son last year and linked it to my Amazon account. The first week he bought the entire season of Family Guy so he could stream it! He paid me back and I quickly figured out the parental controls. He also loves to stream minecraft on it which slows our internet down a ton. I have had to limit when he can stream as it makes it hard for me to check email etc.

On the good side he does read from it and has school books on it and it's very handy when we are in the car or anywhere he may get bored. Plus he doesn't have to keep borrowing my laptop.

 

[.snow.white.]

Thanks, crackerjack. We had a similar situation so it's good to be reminded about parental controls.

@ariel71 As I understand it, Apple is only going after the phones, but it did occur to me that the company could be in jeopardy if their appeal doesn't fall in their favor.

 

[Rosiekins]

I absolutely ADORE my Nook Tablet! I bought it as an E reader first then a Tablet. But I love the tablet stuff it can do. I am an avid reader so that is why I chose the Nook over Kindle. Barnes and Noble is more centric for readers I think. You can take the Nook to the store and read a ton of books free for an hour each a day on it. So great for studying! I love the size cause it is just like a book. Plus I like supporting a brick and mortar store over anything internet based.

However as much as I love love love my Nook. If you are looking for an actual tablet you might be better with the Samsung. The tablet functions on the Nook are great but I do have mine as an E reader first as I said before. Like the Kindle the Nook runs on it's own Android based market. There are lots of games and other apps but not as many as just android. Though that may be a benefit to you as you don't have to worry about what your son is stumbling across as so far I have seen no "naughty" apps on the Nook. Where as in the android market they seem to pop with almost everything I look up.
Whatever you choose I am sure your son will love it!

 

[DOOM1001]

Of course, if you can wait even longer, the heavily rumored iPad mini is supposed to be announced in October. It's supposed to be about the size of the Fire, with similar pricing.

Being an Apple geek, that's what I'm holding out for.

They price that around $200,I can't think of a better option.Google also has a new tablet,does anybody know anything about that one.

 

[Dizzytime]

All I need to do, besides work, I can do on my Kindle Fire, so it's hard for me to imagine a child would need more.. especially a nine year old. I was able to get a $50 gift card when I bought mine, and it's turned out the best $150 I've ever spent.
For adults, Amazon prime really makes it shine for books,movies and TV.....

Good luck, .snow.white. !