Best tablet under $500.

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TyroneB

126 posts

Master Geek

#177149 23-Jul-2015 21:42

Looking to pick up a cheap tablet.

Would prefer to have windows 8 and more than 1gb ram but I'm not too sure on how tablets are priced.

Thank you.

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417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1350987 24-Jul-2015 09:31

You can get a windows tablet for 100-150 ish with 1gb of ram (7 inch), and I have seen some hybrid models with 4gb for around 500 (maybe slightly more than 500)

You'll defo be able to get 2gb anyway.

What kind of size are you after, what do you plan on using it for? What you need out of it is kind the key, portability, ports/options, what kind of software you want to run etc.

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nathan

5695 posts

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#1350994 24-Jul-2015 09:46

screen size and preferred CPU? those are your 2 big ticket items in the BOM cost

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#1351015 24-Jul-2015 10:05

Don't discount the 1gb W8.1 with Bing jobbies as they work surprisingly well

I'm fairly demanding on devices but find my little HP Stream8 more than sufficient for tablet/general computing duties, i'm not sure spending twice as much would yield me twice the tablet

Dreal

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1351034 24-Jul-2015 10:21

It's not a bad device. 1gb does work okay for touch apps/tiles mode and it comes with 3g and 32gb of storage.

You could spend less than the steam 8 (230?) and get 2gbs (albiet without the 3g) though.

But your right in general, that if one wants a portable, or one-handed type windows tablet, you can go a lot cheaper than 500.

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rb99

3422 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1351072 24-Jul-2015 11:10

Bought a Stream 8 at NL for $160 a few months ago and think I've seen them for $190ish at Warehouse Stationary quite recently. NL also have Stream 7 for 99.99 at the moment.

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rb99

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#1351073 24-Jul-2015 11:12

They are a bit short of connectors though - no HDMI out, can't charge and use USB at the same time (as far as I know anyway)

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

rb99

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#1351075 24-Jul-2015 11:14

On the other other hand, works fine with Netflix and (for us) Emby for DVD 'files'.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

rb99

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noroad

949 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1351077 24-Jul-2015 11:17

I got Nextbook's for the kids to use at school and they love them, $300 with the keyboard thrown in. They are better than my ASUS that I paid twice the amount for. I got mine from PBTech but I thin they are sold out. I saw them on special at $299 at the Warehouse yesterday though.

http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Nextbook-Windows-8-Tablet-M1012BCP-10-inch-with-Keyboard?SKU=1920669

nathan

5695 posts

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Inactive user

#1351082 24-Jul-2015 11:21

noroad: I got Nextbook's for the kids to use at school and they love them, $300 with the keyboard thrown in. They are better than my ASUS that I paid twice the amount for. I got mine from PBTech but I thin they are sold out. I saw them on special at $299 at the Warehouse yesterday though.

http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Nextbook-Windows-8-Tablet-M1012BCP-10-inch-with-Keyboard?SKU=1920669

If it's the Asus T100 vs the Nextbook 10" 2n1, I think the Asus is better. Whether it's worth twice the price though is highly debatable

nathan

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#1351083 24-Jul-2015 11:22

rb99: They are a bit short of connectors though - no HDMI out, can't charge and use USB at the same time (as far as I know anyway)

You can build or buy your own USB synch and charge cable.

askelon

876 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1351107 24-Jul-2015 11:51

Cube i6 Air

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#1351111 24-Jul-2015 12:08

As far as charging and USB hub this adaptor is the one that people have reported as working fine with the HP Stream

www.aliexpress.com/Universal-usb-OTG-Charger-HUB-cable

I would only sink decent money into a windows tablet if it had a minimum of USB3 and full HD, a $500 8" surface 3 would be ideal imo :P

TyroneB

126 posts

Master Geek

#1351446 25-Jul-2015 04:51

I'm looking for something full HD(1080p)

Mostly for media consumption and office.

Would prefer something 10" ~

nathan

5695 posts

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#1351478 25-Jul-2015 10:22

Wade: As far as charging and USB hub this adaptor is the one that people have reported as working fine with the HP Stream

www.aliexpress.com/Universal-usb-OTG-Charger-HUB-cable

I would only sink decent money into a windows tablet if it had a minimum of USB3 and full HD, a $500 8" surface 3 would be ideal imo :P

Is there another link, that is 404

Noted that you would like a Surface Mini :)

Dreal

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1351582 25-Jul-2015 13:44

TyroneB: I'm looking for something full HD(1080p)

Mostly for media consumption and office.

Would prefer something 10" ~

Note that 10.1 inch is wide screen, and not actually more total screen surface than 9.7.

Perhaps something like the VoyoPad A6, might suit you then. I'm planning on getting some in for my store, but next stock order might be awhile away. But it's roughly that price, has a slightly faster than average processor, proper keyboard dock, 2gb of ram. It's not however 1080P. Also, the Cube i10, is a 10.6 inch tablet, that is cheaper. (Cube is a good brand IMO)

I am pretty sure you won't find a widescreen hybrid type device w/ 1080P for $500, unless you nix the keyboard. If you did, you might be able to get something like the cube i7, which has 4gb, core-M processor, full usb ports and 1080P. Dunno if you can get that below 500 though or not.

I am not super familiar with the surface range, but perhaps one of the lowest models, or the last range might suit?

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