Mid range 10" tablet for use by children - please recommend

Forums › Laptops and mobile computers › Mid range 10" tablet for use by children - please recommend - July 2017

automaton

66 posts

Master Geek

#216627 5-Jul-2017 14:46

Hello to all!

We want to buy a 10" tablet for the kids to use. We would like to avoid shelling out c$500+ for a Samsung or iPad, especially given there is a reasonably likelihood the kids will somehow break it.

Can anyone recommend a basic but decent 10" tablet for say under $400?

It will be used for:

1. Netflix

2. Kids games

3. Videos the kids make and play back

4. Youtube.

Low priced tablets have a reputation for being unreliable and we want to avoid a clanger. We have been looking at the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 2016 10.1" WiFi White, but are interested if there is a decent lower price alternative.

Recommendations welcome!

networkn

Networkn
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#1813257 5-Jul-2017 14:54

My suggestion is a decent tablet and a bloody good case :)

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1813268 5-Jul-2017 15:29

networkn:

My suggestion is a decent tablet and a bloody good case :)

This ^^

A few pennies saved now will be regretted later. Get an iPad mini and chuck a damn good case on it. Never had a problem and one of my kids is a walking tornado. If they are old enough you could even get them to chip in some $$$ so they have some personal liability.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

networkn

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#1813271 5-Jul-2017 15:32

We were in Singapore lookin at cases for my wifes laptop. She looked at a case made by some armour company, guy was super confident of it's ability to protect her phone he grabbed one for his s8+ and then 3 times threw it across the room and hard against the ground, and it was fine.

I was pretty impressed, but I won't be doing it. The case was thick and cost $49.

Sam91

620 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1813286 5-Jul-2017 15:42

I'd get a second-hand iPad. In my opinion the iPad Air is still perfectly fine, and if you're worried about future proofing, the iPad Air 2 is another option. You can get an iPad Air for around the $300 mark and iPad Air 2 for around $400. The key is finding a good seller, as the TradeMe can be a minefield.

This one is looks to be a good deal. Might need to convince them to ship it though.

JayADee

2148 posts

Uber Geek

#1813348 5-Jul-2017 16:44

Yes an iPad mini and one of those kid-proof rubber cases from I can't remember if it's Noel Leeming or Harvey Norman. I think it's Noel Leeming. The one with a handle doubles as a stand. I think this is it, I've seen them in pink and blue. One of the primary schools uses them and the five and ups haven't broken an iPad yet (over 3 years now). https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/computers-tablets/tablets/tablet-accessories/ipad-covers-and-cases/omp-m8255k-shockproof-eva-foam-tablet-ipad-air-case-black/prod134344.html

Shoes2468

785 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1813366 5-Jul-2017 17:30

JayADee:

Yes an iPad mini and one of those kid-proof rubber cases from I can't remember if it's Noel Leeming or Harvey Norman. I think it's Noel Leeming. The one with a handle doubles as a stand. I think this is it, I've seen them in pink and blue. One of the primary schools uses them and the five and ups haven't broken an iPad yet (over 3 years now). https://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/computers-tablets/tablets/tablet-accessories/ipad-covers-and-cases/omp-m8255k-shockproof-eva-foam-tablet-ipad-air-case-black/prod134344.html

Crikey, thats expensive for those cases, try PBtech, trademe or if you can wait a while Aliexpress, these cases can be had for alot less than that.

I would recommend:

Ipad - depending on your child consider the screen size carefully, we have a 4 and 6 yo and we have one 10 inch and a mini. In terms of usability the smaller size is much more manageable, especially if they are going to be mobile when using, e.g pokemon go. Refubished Ipads can be had from here: https://www.apple.com/nz/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad/ipad_mini_2/wi_fi

A rugged case, either Otter box or the one mentioned above.

If you want something android, I would recommend Galaxy tab s2, or galaxy tab A https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/TABSAM5501/Samsung-Galaxy-Tab-A-97-WiFi--White-This-Model-wit?type=ex-demo

The tablet market is an interesting one, really is quite hard to suggest anything 10 inch sub $400, if you look second hand you really are not making a lot of savings either. If you stray too far from Ipad and Samsung then good cases become hard to come by. Check you can get good cases before purchasing!

automaton

66 posts

Master Geek

#1819366 11-Jul-2017 09:01

Thanks for the tips! We got a Tab A and 64GB memory card from PB Tech, and a rugged case on TM.