Database Users

Tablet Opinions ($300 or less)

I've really been looking around for a tablet. I don't want to spend any more than $300. I would like a tablet that has good dev support but is also a nice device. I don't care if I have to buy it off of ebay for me to get it in my price range. I like 7" and 10" preferably with a dual core. Any suggestions?
Edit: I would also like for it to most likely be able to run honeycomb in the future. Official or not.

The Acer Iconia A100 just came out with an MSRP of $329, I'm sure it will get a lot of attention by the development community.

At that price, the nook color is probably you're best bet.
I personally am a netbook user.
EDIT:
Nick N said:
The Acer Iconia A100 just came out with an MSRP of $329, I'm sure it will get a lot of attention by the development community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's getting pretty mediocre reviews so far.

+1 at the price mentioned, nookCOLOR running CM7

Normally I would agree with the NC, but only if trying to spend around $200. For $129 more (new vs recert), you get:
Dual core 1Ghz processor (vs NC single 800Mhz)
Mini-HDMI
Honeycomb 3.2
1GB RAM vs 512MB
Front and rear camera

Is the Nook Color rooted with CM7 worth buying? Or is it better to pony up a little more for one of the more robust tablets?

Cares said:
Is the Nook Color rooted with CM7 worth buying? Or is it better to pony up a little more for one of the more robust tablets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on what you want to do with it.
You can browse the web, play games like Angry Birds, watch Netflix, listen to Pandora or Google Music, read epub books...
I recommend buying recertified to get the most value. I bought mine from Overstock and you could not tell it was not new. $199 shipped. Ebay has them for $180 shipped.

Nook Color with CM7 is your best bet if you can live without Bluetooth. (Well technically there is an on board bluetooth chip that has been enabled in CM7 but without an antenna it's range is about 2 inches
No cameras....but the only time I have heard of a camera being used on a tablet it was a punchline in a comics joke.
Bottom line, Nook Color is the best $200 I ever spent. Only missing piece for me is bluetooth.

What about the gtab. Do you think its a good buy if I can get one for 240 with a dock?
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Asus Transformer hands down. Laptop dock, SD card slot, HDMI out, honeycomb, front and rear camera. Beautiful tablet and dirt cheap at 299
Edit: can't find it for that prize anymore but it's worth the extra 50 at Amazon or target
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App

DirtyShroomz said:
Asus Transformer hands down. Laptop dock, SD card slot, HDMI out, honeycomb, front and rear camera. Beautiful tablet and dirt cheap at 299
Edit: can't find it for that prize anymore but it's worth the extra 50 at Amazon or target
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For that price, he'd be better of going to staples.com using the 100$ rebate off tablets, then get a toshiba thrive for 329 [after 100$ off] for the 8gb model, then just use a bigger sd card, along with all the full ports.

Asus is 16gb
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA Premium App

You can get the HP touchpad right now at staples for around $325

phistyle said:
You can get the HP touchpad right now at staples for around $325
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is mighty tempting I really enjoy web os.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

I don't own any Bluetooth devices...don't even use one on my phone. No loss for me.
I think I'll look into getting a refurb Nook color.

New A500 coming out

Not sure if this is news to you lot but was chatting to my sis in-law today who works in acer here in Taiwan and she says a totally new A500 is coming out at the end of the year. She didn't have many details (not her dept) but she said there would be a lot of changes. Couldn't get anything else out of her she's a bit slow on the tech stuff so don't ask me
Just a heads up to any who knows someone thinking of purchasing, maybe hold off til the new year.

I don't doubt it. It's about teh right time for all these companies to bring out the next generation ( Like the Asus Transformer Prime)
I've just ordered by Acer as the price has plummeted now and I picked up 16gb model for £240 new and will be happy enough with it. better than waiting for new model and paying £200 more for it

furrypotato said:
I don't doubt it. It's about teh right time for all these companies to bring out the next generation ( Like the Asus Transformer Prime)
I've just ordered by Acer as the price has plummeted now and I picked up 16gb model for £240 new and will be happy enough with it. better than waiting for new model and paying £200 more for it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the price here has dropped almost $200 in the last month.

It will probably have a keyboard built in like asus following their footsteps for sure. If I can go back I would buy 10" laptop for the price and I can do a lot more with that then a tablet.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

dito33 said:
It will probably have a keyboard built in like asus following their footsteps for sure. If I can go back I would buy 10" laptop for the price and I can do a lot more with that then a tablet.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought the same thing and bought an Acer Aspire 10 inch netbook with 2 gigs of ram and a 320 gig hard drive.
But the screen resolution does not compare if you want to watch movies and the android is faster.
I bought it thinking it was less expensive since it had a keyboard and I could install windows programs.
I already had one tablet.
I use the tablet 95 % of the time.
I was wrong in thinking the netbook was a better buy for the money.
I did however purchase it as a special deal for $350. and got over $150. back because it took so long to come. Shipping kept changing the delivery date so I kept complaining. So it was a good buy.

dito33 said:
It will probably have a keyboard built in like asus following their footsteps for sure. If I can go back I would buy 10" laptop for the price and I can do a lot more with that then a tablet.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A netbook is not going to do more than a tablet, infact it does less. A fullsize laptop however is a different story.

irishmoe said:
Not sure if this is news to you lot but was chatting to my sis in-law today who works in acer here in Taiwan and she says a totally new A500 is coming out at the end of the year. She didn't have many details (not her dept) but she said there would be a lot of changes. Couldn't get anything else out of her she's a bit slow on the tech stuff so don't ask me
Just a heads up to any who knows someone thinking of purchasing, maybe hold off til the new year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This might possibly be the A200 we have a leaked ROM of over in the A100 section... AFAIK, it's a cut down version of the A500, but that's all i know about it.

FloatingFatMan said:
This might possibly be the A200 we have a leaked ROM of over in the A100 section... AFAIK, it's a cut down version of the A500, but that's all i know about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
She was pretty positive it was the a500. But thats obviously another possibility.

As far as netbooks they suck.I found the best of both worlds.I bought a 11.6 inch HP dm1 with the new and APU. I never usemy desktop no morehas all the power for anything.and can get 7 hours on a charge for average use. Web browsing and word processing. 4-5 hours video stuff.This vision CPU with fusion tech Rocks.8 gig ram 500 gig hard diskand all the other kewl stuff Chics love well geeky ones.
With that said I love the tablet while traveling waiting at doc offices and sitting on couch surfing/reading.my spouse lol at me laying on couch with laptop on my legs and tablet on the laptop well notebook keyboard.
Tablets with a slide out keyboard I think would be to bulky and hard to hold.especially 10 inches. 10 inches is to much for my hands without the keyboard extra.
I stop rambling now.
giggles

The whole thing about using a tablet is that it's instant-on/instant-off. Press the power switch, your app loads and you're ready to go in seconds. Netbooks and laptops can do more ... but press the power button, wait for it to boot, maybe unsuspend, wait for your browser to load, network to connect, and so on. I use my A500 a LOT simply becuase I can quick do something and then be done with it and move on with life. I'm using me netbook a LOT less since I got my A500.
Sent from my A500 using Tapatalk

should i buy a xoom or wait

I sold my Ipad 2 cause it was gettin boring. I've had android phones for the past 3 years. I now have the SGS2E4GT. Should I get a Xoom or wait for something better? Or is there something better out there right now?
thanks for the advice.

The Xoom is a good buy if you can get it at the right price.
I've had iphone, ipad etc and really like my new Xoom
it feels like YOUR tablet unlike ipad which has too many restraints put on it by apple
you can set it up just as you like it
I too got bored of the whole apple thing a while ago.
I bought a transformer prime on release in December but returned it as it had issues and for £500 I wasn't willing to accept that
My Xoom was only £249 and as yet everything works perfect
I changed my Xoom to the US version to get ICS early and its great
Its true there will be better tablets out but at a premium cost
For now the Xoom is awesome value
Sent from my LG-P920 using xda premium

Well I will tell you why I went Xoom despite my love of the transformer design and the knowledge that the 4 Proc Prime was on the way....
It basically came down to the "Google Experience"!
The Xoom is basically the unit that was used as the showpiece for HC and Android Tablet and thankfully to have that priviledge Google insisted that the Bootloader be unlocked which was a new thing for anyone familiar with Motorola! ( I have a D2G and don't get me started on Locked Bootloaders there! LOL)
In the end it was a tossup between waiting for the Prime and Keyboard combo or going with the slightly cheaper Xoom 4G and the fact that the transformer had a locked bootloader was the final nail in the transformer coffin!
The 4 Core was very tempting but most of the apps and games don't take advantage and no point in paying a premium until they do! By then those units will be cheaper so maybe then I will upgrade but I have to say I have ZERO regrets going Xoom!
In fact I have been very pleasantly surprised at just how versatile and comprehensive the unit is!
I can read USB Hard drives even those in NTFS format, USB Flash memory keys even use a wired USB Ethernet adapter!
I doubt any iPad can do that!
The fact that the community can patch the Kernal at will means even more magic is possible!
You can never go wrong with a "Google Experience" device be it pad or phone!
My only hope is that Moto will unlock the Droid4 as well cause if they do I will stay Moto for the forseeable future.
They make great Hardware their problems have always been on the software side!
Unlocked bootloader makes that situation go away!

I can tell you this much - I absolutely love my Xoom. I have been going "Android crazy" over the last couple of months. It started black friday with Best Buy's Dell Streak 7 dump ($159) - gave that one to my daughter.
Picked up a Lenovo K1 at Office Depot around Xmas for only $299, which was a steal, but the tablet is not "pure" enough Android for me, and is buggy (it is on eBay now
Then, I found a very nice, barely used Xoom locally for $240. It was manufactured in March, so I was a little worried, but it was absolutely mint, and, like he said barely used. I was NOT disappointed.
Fast forward to last week, my Transformer Prime finally arrived. It is OK, but I am telling you, I like the Xoom better at this point. The Xoom's 1/18 ICS update went so smooth, and the Xoom is quick and stable. The Prime is not as solid right now, and I will honest with you - feels no faster than the Xoom with ICS in normal use (even though benchmarking proves it to be nearly 2x as fast).
I am going to keep both the Prime and the Xoom but the Xoom is a top notch machine. It is pure Android (even the prime has many customizations, though nothing as obtrusive as the Lenovo's).
I would say, yes - if you can get one for a good deal, go for it!!!
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk

I've had both the ipad 2 and the motorola xoom.
To be honest I prefer the ipad 2, its much lighter and has a better interface.
I use the xoom for recipes in the kitchen but I wouldn't want to carry it around all day
I would wait for the new thinner version

Staples had the Xoom for something like $250 if you look on this forum you can find the thread. I guess it all depends on what you're looking to do with it. I passed on the Transformer Prime as the Xoom does what I need, I really don't need quadcore.
The 10" xyboard isn't an option for me as it is too expensive and doesn't offer enough to make me trade in my xoom. The ability to write notes is certainly something I'd like but I'd rather stick with a GED tablet and have the microsd memory slot.
ipad3 is due out in March if you believe the rumors and the hi resolution android tablets should be out between February on June. If I wanted a tablet now, the $250 Xoom at Staples is probably the best buy out there now. ICS reviews on the xoom have been very good, I haven't received it yet as I'm using a LTE xoom.

Plan to buy the transformer

Hello everybody,
Recently i have been looking at a load of tablets as I am interested in buying one soon. Now I al interested in the iPad 2, the Sony tablet s and the Asus transformer + WiFi.
I want to have a tablet to watch movies, play games, read books and make notes. And I just like the look and specs of this tablet as far as I could have seen and read.
I would like to know from you guys if there are things you dislike about the device or totally love. I have used the Sony tablet s and the ipad 2 but can't get my hands on this device. So Any feedback from you guys is welcome.
Regards
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using XDA

I love it. But only thing that i dislike is the Frame around the glass. It makes some sound if you "bend" it and stuff.. But nothing else to complain and the Prize $ is just great..
Also one problem is light bleed that i only have in 1 corner and its small and i really cant see it but in dark and when im watching movie but i doesnt bother me anymore at all : P
And eaven tf101 only has 2 cores its amazing fast afted ICS : P
-This is just My opinion.....

I bought myself a Transformer Prime for Christmas. Returned it after the GPS and wifi problems, bought a Lenovo K1 at a deal. It was slow and buggy and Lenovo's arrogance was overwhelming, with support totally lacking, so I returned it. I bought a barely used mint Transformer TF101 32GB with keyboard, locally for $325. It has no light bleed or any other problems and I love it!
The Prime was my biggest disappointment. But the original Transformer has restored my faith in Asus!

Wow.. my story is pretty much exactly the same as thomslik's.. except I payed $350.. grrr..
Anyway, I'm loving my TF101 and, for me, the ICS update has been problem free.
I would NOT recommend getting the iPad 2, it's much more limited than Android tablets.. especially with the keyboard dock on the Transformer.

The transformer is great not a problem out of it. I was gonna get the ipad 3rd generation but I don't want a big ipod that's all it is.

I like it. Good screen and fast. I wouldn't pay more then 300 for it at this point tho.

Best device i have ever brought myself so far i have a tiny bit of light bleed but everything else is perfect.
Its fast and does all the things you want to use it for also very very customisable i use a custom launcher themes apps system and kernel all to my preference
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium

tweaked said:
I like it. Good screen and fast. I wouldn't pay more then 300 for it at this point tho.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It still sells just about everywhere for 399 brand new. Why do you feel the price isn't justified now? Any reason besides having been out for a while? I think for what it offers compared to other tabs it has held its value quite well.

Kadin said:
It still sells just about everywhere for 399 brand new. Why do you feel the price isn't justified now? Any reason besides having been out for a while? I think for what it offers compared to other tabs it has held its value quite well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it will become outdated pretty soon. It's almost at the end of the one year cycle.
If anyone, living in the USA, buys a TF101 for $399 at this point, they have some terrible shopping skills. Refurbs are at $300 or lower. Even brand new 16GB ones are around $350.
I got mine "Used - Like new" from Amazon for like $240 a couple months ago.

horndroid said:
Because it will become outdated pretty soon. It's almost at the end of the one year cycle.
If anyone, living in the USA, buys a TF101 for $399 at this point, they have some terrible shopping skills. Refurbs are at $300 or lower. Even brand new 16GB ones are around $350.
I got mine "Used - Like new" from Amazon for like $240 a couple months ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought mine on the 17th from Fry's as they price matched an online site that was selling it for $349 w/ free shipping. I will say this site (bhphotovideo.com) was the only site I could find that was that cheap and not a refurb. Every other one I found short of eBay, who I refuse to use, was right around $399.
And not to split hairs but to that point, $350>$300 which is what I was originally quoting. My point is old or not, if the product still currently sits well compared to what's out now, I think it's worth it.
I'm just trying to determine whether to hold onto mine at this point but that's for another discussion...

Kadin said:
I bought mine on the 17th from Fry's as they price matched an online site that was selling it for $349 w/ free shipping. I will say this site (bhphotovideo.com) was the only site I could find that was that cheap and not a refurb. Every other one I found short of eBay, who I refuse to use, was right around $399.
And not to split hairs but to that point, $350>$300 which is what I was originally quoting. My point is old or not, if the product still currently sits well compared to what's out now, I think it's worth it.
I'm just trying to determine whether to hold onto mine at this point but that's for another discussion...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you paid $350 + tax, which is around $380.
Not worth it in my opinion. You probably don't realize it now because you just got it and it feels new to you.

horndroid said:
So you paid $350 + tax, which is around $380.
Not worth it in my opinion. You probably don't realize it now because you just got it and it feels new to you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. My only other option it seemed right now was either a Galaxy Tab or iPad 2 and the latter option is really not a consideration, but it was within the price range.
I'm digging the unit but as you said, it's all new to me. I'd love to see something solid on the near horizon as it might convince me to return this and wait but so far it's all just rumors and speculation.

Acer's quad core tablet is on presale for $449.99
In 2-3 months you will see 7 inch quad cores for $250.
Android 5.0 coming out in Fall.
So it depends on how badly you want a tablet right now.

Thanks everybody, I just ordered the 101 version without 3g, it is 400 euro in holland. But for the same price you get the ipad 2 or the Sony tablet. So I think its worth the price.
Sent from my HTC Sensation XE with Beats Audio using XDA

the iPad 2 is really nice but with the transformer you can install roms like nintendo 64, ps2, etc and play for hours on end. the whole stretch thing is pretty retarded with the iPad 2 and after a while really annoying.
I love both but if I could only have one it'd definitely be the transformer.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717

Who will be gettin the TF700 ?

Should be in stores July 16th. Amazon is offering up to $250 credit for TF101 in good condition ... tempting.
Hoping Microcenter near me will have one in stock to play with, see if it is that much better than the TF101 (2 of which) I have

rashid11 said:
Should be in stores July 16th. Amazon is offering up to $250 credit for TF101 in good condition ... tempting.
Hoping Microcenter near me will have one in stock to play with, see if it is that much better than the TF101 (2 of which) I have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be getting one for sure... Is the July 16th date official? I haven't seen any official release dates yet... What about pre-orders?
Thanks.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

I have decided that since I already have two 10" tf101s, I really want to get the Nexus 7 right now to replace my tf101 as my "on-the-go" tablet.
I read the iconia 700 review, and it seems the Tegra3 is still a bit weak for driving the 1920x1200 screen as smoothly as the 1280x800 tablets.. so I will hold off on getting a new 10" tablet until the next round of 1920x1200 (or maybe 2560x1600??) comes out with beefier GPUs. I'd gladly take one with the new MALI405 GPU and a Cortex A15 based CPU.

I want one but can't afford it
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium

I'd like to have one, but it will be a tough sell getting my wife to agree to it.

a.mcdear said:
I read the iconia 700 review, and it seems the Tegra3 is still a bit weak for driving the 1920x1200 screen as smoothly as the 1280x800 tablets.. so I will hold off on getting a new 10" tablet until the next round of 1920x1200 (or maybe 2560x1600??) comes out with beefier GPUs. I'd gladly take one with the new MALI405 GPU and a Cortex A15 based CPU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really want one, but I have the same concerns about the GPU. There is a reason why Apple (not that I like Apple) is using dual core, instead of quad, with a huge GPU in their new tablet. I was not at all impressed with the Tegra 2 GPU, and while the the Tegra 3 is better, it's not good enough to push that high resolution. Since the Tegra 4 will both have new CPU and GPU architecture, I may just wait. I'm only buying the Tf700 for the resolution, and I'll need a good GPU to push that.

I like hi-tech stuffs and have no problem affording the TF700. Currently having 1GTablet, 2x TF101s, 1x Nook Color, 1x Galaxy Player 4. I have enough Android fun ! I am waiting to try the next Asus Windows RT device.
My favorite TF101 has satisfied all my real needs.

I'll be selling my TF101 for the Nexus 7, I want to get a good taste of google-driven goodness for once, and this one actually looks like something I'd buy, unlike the earlier Nexus devices.

rashid11 said:
Should be in stores July 16th. Amazon is offering up to $250 credit for TF101 in good condition ... tempting.
Hoping Microcenter near me will have one in stock to play with, see if it is that much better than the TF101 (2 of which) I have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are you seeing that trade in value? All i see is 209 in like new, 175 for good.

Get the nexus 7. Its a great priced tablet with a lot of power. I love mine.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

MC153 said:
Get the nexus 7. Its a great priced tablet with a lot of power. I love mine.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Nexus 7 is on order. Originally I was gong to get the 700 and eBay my TF101, but decided to keep the TF and get a N7. Tegra 3 just doesn't impress me enough especially when combined with the high resolution of the 700's screen, to replace my TF.

just lou said:
My Nexus 7 is on order. Originally I was gong to get the 700 and eBay my TF101, but decided to keep the TF and get a N7. Tegra 3 just doesn't impress me enough especially when combined with the high resolution of the 700's screen, to replace my TF.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you still waiting for it from Play? I just went to Sam's club and bought mine yesterday. I'm going to give the one I ordered from the play store to my sister (When it comes). Google really has a problem shipping devices. I was mad when I found out GameStop and Sam's Club was selling the tablet before Play Store shipped theirs.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

MC153 said:
Are you still waiting for it from Play? I just went to Sam's club and bought mine yesterday. I'm going to give the one I ordered from the play store to my sister (When it comes). Google really has a problem shipping devices. I was mad when I found out GameStop and Sam's Club was selling the tablet before Play Store shipped theirs.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I ordered from the Play Store and I'm waiting. But I ordered it after the release, not a pre-order. It's not a big deal. I'm not in a hurry. I own 2 other tablets, and 4 PC's. The N7 is just another toy.

FYI - I was already able to order both the TF700 and the TF700 dock from a big name retailer! Won't be delivered until Wednesday though. Yes - I know that it will be officially released on Monday, but...
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

Well people selling their 101, hit me up. I'm in the market for one.
ReZound

I WISH I was gonna buy the TF700... I'm lucky enough as it is to have this TF101. I've only had it for a couple months and I was honestly kind of surprised it still had such a large userbase still, as in my mind it seems pretty low powered (though I may be incorrect...)

rashid11 said:
Should be in stores July 16th. Amazon is offering up to $250 credit for TF101 in good condition ... tempting.
Hoping Microcenter near me will have one in stock to play with, see if it is that much better than the TF101 (2 of which) I have
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a link for that trade in credit?
I just searched amazon and can't even find the TF700T Infinity on it. Only the tF101, 201, and 300.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium

fone_fanatic said:
Do you have a link for that trade in credit?
I just searched amazon and can't even find the TF700T Infinity on it. Only the tF101, 201, and 300.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_0?rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A!13900851%2Cn%3A!513014%2Cn%3A2226766011%2Ck%3Atf101%2Cn%3A541966&bbn=2226766011&keywords=tf101&ie=UTF8&qid=1342357062&rnid=493964
The 700 isn't on their site yet.

just lou said:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_0?rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A!13900851%2Cn%3A!513014%2Cn%3A2226766011%2Ck%3Atf101%2Cn%3A541966&bbn=2226766011&keywords=tf101&ie=UTF8&qid=1342357062&rnid=493964
The 700 isn't on their site yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think like me, he's asking for the trade in link that offers 250 dollars for a 101 in good condition.

gottahavit said:
I think like me, he's asking for the trade in link that offers 250 dollars for a 101 in good condition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it exists. The current trade-in value is up to $209. I don't know where the OP got $250.