Tablet PCs

[texasroni75]

Our younger DD is turning 12 in two weeks. She is an amazing kid, always helpful, just a sweetheart. We purchased a laptop for our oldest DD as a highschool graduation present - since we knew she'd need a good one for college. Our 12-year-old wants a laptop too now, and to tell the truth she deserves it! BUT, since we have a decent desktop computer for the family - she doesn't really NEED a computer. Plus, I really don't want to spend $300 on her birthday gift due to our upcoming trip to WDW (which is a month after her birthday).

So, my compromise is that I'm considering getting her a tablet PC. It's something she can use on the roadtrip, and something she can use once we get back home too as an e-reader.

There are SO many models and there are SO many brands. I really don't know what's good and what isn't. I want to keep it under $100 (not including a case and accessories for it). I'm trying to be frugal but at the same time I don't want to end up with something that is buggy, or too slow or breaks halfway to FL. I'm doing some research on my own, looking at reviews, etc. It needs to be able to download Google apps and have wifi, we'd like it to be 7" or 9" and a camera if possible too (although that's optional). But does anybody have any specific model and brand suggestions? Any help is much appreciated.

 

[ashley23]

A tablet under $100 likely has a serious flaw and isn't worth it. The new Google Nexus 7 will be released next week for $229. That means they are discounting the current Nexus 7. It can be found for under $200 in some places. That is the best that you can do for "real" tablets. The HP Slate is also appearing for around $150 sometimes. This is different than the fire sale HP Touchpad from 2 years ago. The Nexus 7 is significantly better than the HP, and for the price is better than the Kindle Fire.

 

[Aliceacc]

I agree; I think your price point is a bit too low.

Last year, Santa got each of my kids a Samsung Galaxy tab 2.7. They each got the student edition, which was only on sale for 2 weeks around Labor Day. It came with a keyboard.

They all absolutely adore it!!! I did a LOT of research; it came down to that model or Google's Nexus 7. But the Samsung had both a rear facing camera and the ability to expand the memory, so that's what they got.

I'm hoping it's on sale again this summer; I want to get myself one!

ETA: Here's the student edition of the 7 inch: http://blog.gsmarena.com/samsung-ga...hit-the-shelves-of-select-retailers-tomorrow/

And here's the one I plan to order myself: http://blog.gsmarena.com/samsung-announces-galaxy-tab-2-10-1-student-edition-for-350/

 

[texasroni75]

Yikes! It's awfully close in price to a laptop. I'm going to have to re-think it

 

[kellyjeanie]

What about the Nook HD+? It's on sale for $149, and now that it has access to the Google app market it's very appealing. I've been very happy with my older Nook tablet and if I had the cash I'd totally upgrade. The hardware gets great reviews.

 

[mcorbo]

What about the Nook HD+? It's on sale for $149, and now that it has access to the Google app market it's very appealing. I've been very happy with my older Nook tablet and if I had the cash I'd totally upgrade. The hardware gets great reviews.

I would suggest the Nook HD or the HD plus for your price point. Anything less is probably an off brand.

 

[sissy_ib]

What about the Nook HD+? It's on sale for $149, and now that it has access to the Google app market it's very appealing. I've been very happy with my older Nook tablet and if I had the cash I'd totally upgrade. The hardware gets great reviews.

This is what I am getting. I need it for school, but I really only need something to download slides so I can follow along in class and occasionally look something up online, all real work will be done on my desktop. It will replace my Nook Color which I love but really needs updating. The Nook HD is only $129.

 

[chrystalc77]

I also recommend the Nook HD!!! You can download books, music, movies, tv shows and apps. Also being able to download from the google play store is awesome!!! Only downside is no camera.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

My tablet was $100! its a nextbook 7 premium. I love it. I do facebook and all my internet stuff on there. I also read (kindle app, kobo and nook) and play games. Ive never had any problems. Its pretty sturdy too ( Ive let my students play games on it and its been dropped, kicked and sat on and still works fine.)

 

[vacationer1954]

Tablets are really small computers. They cost more than laptops because they are smaller so the components need to be the latest and greatest.

 

[ashley23]

Tablets are really small computers. They cost more than laptops because they are smaller so the components need to be the latest and greatest.

Tablets don't cost more than laptops. Ultrabooks and laptops have more parts (keyboard, ports, optical drives, hard drives, and memory). Ultrabooks may use the same processors and systems on a chip as a tablet, but have keyboards, additional memory, and ports compared to a tablet. Laptops have completely different processors which also require fans, adding to cost and size as well as traditional hard drives that tablets and ultrabooks don't have which use SSD.

 

[squirrel]

Try Nextbook. We (my sisters and I) bought my mom one last year. We went with the 8" screen since we thought 7" might be a bit too small (she needs glasses to read) and a larger size would be too big to take in her purse.

You can expand the memory on the Nextbooks. The resolution might not be as great as some of the newest tablets on the market but they cost a fraction of the cost. I'm sure you can get one around $100.

My BIL bought my niece a Lenovo tablet and the power button has broken twice and got repaired under warranty once and my dad was able to fix it the second time. Actually my dad has fixed the power button twice. I think it went in for Wi-Fi problems under warranty.

 

[crazelion]

Amazon.com has been having deals lately. Asus Memo Pad can found 99.00. Nook hd 7 seen for 120.00 dollars.

Here my price look for a great on amazon.com

Asus Memo Pad
Nook Hd 7
Hp Slate
Nexus 7 new version comes out today
Kindle Fire
Samsung tab that comes with ice cream sandwich.

 

[squirrel]

Don't get an HP slate7, I have one that I got a deal on since I had so much trouble with my HP computer. I paid just over $80 for it and it's a pain. Shuts down on it's own, Wi-Fi disconnects on it's own. It's really horrible. I would not buy one for $80, if there was one at that price.

 

[vacationer1954]

Tablets do cost more than laptops, when you compare them apples-to-apples. Ultrabooks also cost more than other laptops, when you compare them apples-to-apples.

 

[texasroni75]

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions! I went to several stores to see the tablets in-person. There are far fewer options in-store at under $150. Maybe 1 or two models at each store that were under $100. I've decided we are going to get a Nextbook for DD (with case and tax it's just under $100). Keeping the receipt...she will have about 4 weeks to play around with it before our trip so we can return or exchange it if it disappoints. I will be sure to post reviews once all is said and done!!

 

[HM]

Try this website for some inexpensive tablets.
http://www.icemonkey.com/?utm_source=Homepage&utm_medium=ad+stripe&utm_term=IM&utm_campaign=top

I haven't bought from them, but have purchased a few times from their sister site (DailySteals.com) and have been very happy. (two iPod Touchs, some electronic accessories).