Tablet vs Kindle Fire vs Nook Color

[clanmcculloch]

Please help me figure out which device best suits my DD11's needs. She wants a device with a screen that's at least 7 inches though she'd prefer bigger if I'm willing to pay for bigger (cost is a factor in whether or not I'll go bigger). She wants a device that she can read on, surf with and download apps to. Watching movies would be a plus. She doesn't want to be carrying this around to school or other places out and about but would definitely want to use it for travel or maybe going to friends' houses. She shot down ipod touches because they're too small (I saw a great deal yesterday on a 4.3" Archos tablet that seems to have all the features of an itouch and she was glad I didn't get it because she definitely wants something bigger). She has a video camera and small portable mp3 player so ability to take video or pictures is not a must and portability is not a factor (again, she wants bigger and doesn't care about portable).

I have an old style e-ink Nook though only a few books that she'd be interested in. I know there are apps for being able to download library books or bn or kindle books onto various types of tablets.

We don't have a bunch of apple products (in our house there's 1 ipod nano and that's it) though we also don't have any android products either. Basically, we have several windows based pcs/laptops and no hand-held smart devices so no brand dependency and no need to repurchase anything that's already been bought if we go with another platform.

I'm cheap. Really cheap. Least expensive option that will do what she wants is really what I'm hoping for.

So, with what I've said, any thoughts?

 

[HM]

I'd go with a tablet of some type if she wants to surf the web and watch movies. I don't know how well the new Kindle Fire will do these things...but it might be an option. I know the current kindles are not good for web browsing....though you can do it.

 

[RitaE]

Barnes and Noble has a new product announcement coming up on November 7th which is most likely the nook color 2. If you're considering a nook color, I'd suggest waiting to see what that is like and what the price point will be. As of right now, the Barnes and Noble App availability (unless you root it) is far weaker than the Amazon App store but if they give access to the Google Android Marketplace it will improve vastly.

The current eInk Kindles are primarily reading devices that have an internet connection the Kindle Fire (and tablets/nook color etc) are primarily entertainment devices. The are designed to surf, watch movies, listen to music, and then they have reading apps too.

 

[d1sneyf4n]

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...DC696842DCD16814BD79634CB472&menu-id=products


This is what we might be buying for my daughter for Christmas. The only thing that may deter my DH about this is it has the Android 2.3 where has he would prefer it to have the "honeycomb" DH=computer geek!

Price is not bad though and we are a ThinkPad family so this may win.

 

[crazelion]

http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/...DC696842DCD16814BD79634CB472&menu-id=products


This is what we might be buying for my daughter for Christmas. The only thing that may deter my DH about this is it has the Android 2.3 where has he would prefer it to have the "honeycomb" DH=computer geek!

Price is not bad though and we are a ThinkPad family so this may win.

Tell him he can put custom rom custom honeycomb.

 

[Disneys#1fan]

I was having the same problem when deciding what to buy my kids. Then I stumbled across the Vizio 8" tablet at BJ's on sale for $189.99. The original price was $298. Although it runs the same Android 2.3 and not the Honeycomb, I think it will be sufficient for the kids. They want to be able to get Apps (mainly Pocket Frogs), watch YouTube, Facebook and things like that. We decided that the iPod Touch was too small and these tablets seem to to fit the bill.

 

[d1sneyf4n]

Tell him he can put custom rom custom honeycomb.

Will do..........thanks

 

[clanmcculloch]

Thank you everybody!! You guys have given me a lot to think about. Great thoughts everybody!! I'll take a look at the recommendations and figure out what the heck honeycomb is. You know, for a computer professional, I really know nothing about personal computing devices. I guess it's time to join the 21st century.

I'm open to more ideas if anybody has any.

 

[newdeal]

A 7" screen is too small to do anything on comfortably. I have an ipad and a nook color and the nook is only good for books imo. I would not get anything small so to me the only real option is to get an ipad (there are others but imo ipad is the leader currently). To save some cash get it refurbished from apple. Their website has a refurb section and you can save some money. You cant tell the differance between a refurb and new and they come with the same warranty that a new model has. If you buy something really cheap you are flushing your money. Better to spend slightly more and get something that will be around for years and have plenty of support

 

[formill]

16 year old daughter has an ematic glide from Wal Mart- around $100-she loves it- has a 7 inch screen/wi-fi -- can take anywhere- watch videos, read e-books, takes pictures-has facebook and youtube apps and can download many more. I am the opposite to the one poster in the spend more will last for years- I find everything computer wise does not last years-it is outdated fast or broken when used by (my) kids- so we go cheap (or would have to do without) and so far have been very pleased with this tablet/e-reader for the price. She does not seem to mind the 7 inch screen at all as I often see her on it for facebook with the bigger lap top right beside her.

We also have a Pandigital Novel and Next2 e-reader/tablets in the house- they are all really good but the ematic wins on features. All are well used though for books and videos and checking emails etc.

 

[crazelion]

Thank you everybody!! You guys have given me a lot to think about. Great thoughts everybody!! I'll take a look at the recommendations and figure out what the heck honeycomb is. You know, for a computer professional, I really know nothing about personal computing devices. I guess it's time to join the 21st century.

I'm open to more ideas if anybody has any.

Need i mention ice cream sandwich is after honeycomb. Google name there operating systems is funny