Are the cheap Android 4 tablets OK or junk?

Forums › Android › Are the cheap Android 4 tablets OK or junk?

Asmodeus

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#106881 2-Aug-2012 07:57

Should these be avoided at all costs? Saw this one on Groupon (can't even tell brand)

http://www.grouponnz.co.nz/deals/groupon-getaways/BDirect/716237867?nlp=&CID=NZ_CRM_1_0_0_215&a=715828028

Wondered if they are OK for kids or non-tech people or are they just complete junk? Is 512MB memory just going to kill any experience you have with it? Camera is also crappy but for $189 can you really go wrong for kids, etc?

EDIT: Here are the specs

Specifications
1) Display: 7.0 inch capacitive touch screen, Resolution: 800 x 480
2) Operation system: Android 4 (Support Flash 10.3)
3) CPU: Allwinner A10, 1.5GHz
4) Memory: DDR3 512MB
5) Hard drive: 4GB
6) Support TF card up to 32GB
7) Support WiFi: 802.11b/g
8) Camera: 1.3 Mega pixels
9) Interface: DC IN, TF card slot, 3.5mm Headphone jack, Mini 5-pin USB, Mini HDMI
10) Support G-sensor, 360 degree menu rotate
11) Full HD video decoding: 2160P, 1080P, 720P, 480P
12) Video file format: AVI, WMV, RM, RMVB, MKV, 3GP, MP4, ASF, VOB, PG, TS, TP, DIVX, MOV
13) Audio file format: MP3, WMA, MP2, OGG, AAC, M4A, MA4, FLAC, APE, WAV
14) Image file format: JPEG, BMP, GIF, PNG
15) Support E-book format: TXT, HTML, WORD, EXCEL, PPT, PDF
16) Power Adapter: 100-240V Input, DC 5V, 2A output
17) Lithium Battery: 5V/2400mAh
18) Dimension: 269*171*11.4MM
19) Weight: 380g (Included battery)

Package Includes USB Cable, OTG USB cable, User Manual, Travel Charger

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#665863 2-Aug-2012 08:18

avoid those tablets / junks

get this 7' android from jb hifi / noel - asus 7' (always up-to-date)

Asmodeus

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#665873 2-Aug-2012 08:42

nakedmolerat: avoid those tablets / junks

get this 7' android from jb hifi / noel - asus 7' (always up-to-date)

Well yeah obviously that's better kit and I may get one for myself :) But Im wondering about one for a kid

Just wondered if those cheap no-name chinese ones are utter crud or not? I figured they were...

Why should they be avoided in particular?

nakedmolerat

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#665875 2-Aug-2012 08:49

i have seen one in action (she bought from trademe for her son)

the screen is just horrible. they mostly use resistive screen. some of them you are not allowed to use google store.

timmmay

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#665878 2-Aug-2012 08:55

A friend of mine got a really cheap one for his 18 month old son (to avoid him hitting things with the expensive one). The resistive screen's pretty horrible, and it's slow. That one you linked to is slightly higher spec.

Jaxson

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#665879 2-Aug-2012 08:56

Yeah the key points are:

Can it access the google play store easily, thus avoiding the effort to side load stuff etc.
Are the screens any good, both in terms of being capacitive and not resistive, but also a decent resolution. I know Android is supposed to scale apps etc, but you don't want any headaches that mean apps are deemed to not be compatible etc.

Battery life can be a bit hit and miss depending on what gear actually gets installed.

An ipad for instance has the better IPS screen and this contributes a lot to why it looks so good, so take a look at the screen first if you can, to see if the viewing angles on a non IPS screen are ok. I guess that comes into it a lot really, see if you can try one first. Warehouse Stationary often have one low end unit actually powered up for instance.

pgs2050

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#665887 2-Aug-2012 09:21

In addition to watching the specs of these cheap tablets, the most important factor to consider is build quality. It appears that there are numerous manufacturers of these unknown name/no-name brand tablets. - but not many can produce a device that has good build quality. Research of the device in the various use support forums is a must if you are buying from a source that does not allow simple returns.

it is possible to get good cheap tablets with an active use support (not necessarily manufaturer supported). I've been using an Ainol (Alwwinner A10 chip) device for about 8 months with no major issues aside from a screen that does not sit neatly.

As with all things, you must consider what you want out of the device and how long you want it to last before making your decision to purchase.

The device linked by the OP should be good for an 18 month old to play simple games and watch videos. It has an Allwinner A10 chip (capable of 1.5 GHz but most likely running at 1.0 GHz); 512 MB RAM (which is good for the cheaper tablets) and a capacitative screen. However, screen resolution at 800x480 for a 7 inch device is very much on the low end and may hinder loading of many applications off the market.

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menabassily

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#665906 2-Aug-2012 09:51

I have tested one of them, a poor quality device, very cheap indeed, but didn't annoy as much as its touch screen sensitivity, you have to PUSH harder against the screen to get it to respond.

For a touch screen based device, I won't use any of them for failing to be touch friendly, I have got myself a Samsung Galaxy tab 7 Plus for $303 NZD from expansys while the 3G version of it sells for $759+ in NZ, so you can get them really cheap if you shop around.

gzt

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#666286 2-Aug-2012 15:16

Friends of mine have purchased similar cheap devices. Beyond audio and video playback and very light non-serious web-browsing they have very limited use. Usually need to be jailbroken to get access to the Google store. Even after that there are problems.

pgs2050: The device linked by the OP should be good for an 18 month old to play simple games and watch videos.

Are you really sure the quality and responsiveness of the touch sensitivity on these things is enough to keep an 18 month old engaged? - I don't know the answer, just asking.

pgs2050

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#666322 2-Aug-2012 15:59

Are you really sure the quality and responsiveness of the touch sensitivity on these things is enough to keep an 18 month old engaged? - I don't know the answer, just asking.

I have not used this specific device. My initial statement was based on the fact that this device has a capacitative screen which I think will be good enough for young child. As the child grows and fine hand skills improve, the cheaper devices may be an issue. On the other hand, children are much more tolerant of problem hardware since the focus is more on using rather than refinement of the device.

mattwnz

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#666333 2-Aug-2012 16:08

Apparently apple may release a mini ipad, so that may give these cheap smaller tablets a run for their money.

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

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#666338 2-Aug-2012 16:12

mattwnz: Apparently apple may release a mini ipad, so that may give these cheap smaller tablets a run for their money.

You mean the Nexus 7 right? My guess for the iPad mini is a 7.7 inch display (rumours) with the new iPad 2 internals with the chipset on the newer manufacturing process (my guess). It will be cheaper than the iPad 2, perhaps a 500 to 550 asking price

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gzt

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#666418 2-Aug-2012 17:49

mattwnz: Apparently apple may release a mini ipad, so that may give these cheap smaller tablets a run for their money.

P1n3apqlExpr3ss:You mean the Nexus 7 right? My guess for the iPad mini is a 7.7 inch display (rumours) with the new iPad 2 internals with the chipset on the newer manufacturing process (my guess). It will be cheaper than the iPad 2, perhaps a 500 to 550 asking price

Can't see a smaller iPad coming. It's just not Apple's style to fragment their own ecosystem. Are you guys in Auckland? Loser buys the coffee and cake, or the sushi and miso depending on diet preferences

Wade

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#666432 2-Aug-2012 18:13

Ipad mini is rumored to be same resolution as ipad 1 & 2 so throw in the dual core proc and fragmentation is a none issue, small screen but same resolution

vexxxboy

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#666438 2-Aug-2012 18:37

This Tablet is getting good reviews and its cheap.

http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/36760-review-the-ainol-aurora-ii-tablet-on-budget-china-nexus-7/

Common sense is not as common as you think.

jeffnz

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#666444 2-Aug-2012 18:50

given the price and the specs no one has really given you a better alternative for the price. As its for a child I wouldn't think half the points brought up would be a bother. Maybe we are all judging through our eyes.

Think the advice of going to warehouse stationary to try out a cheappie is valid, if you are in Auckland PBtech have a couple of cheap ones you could try as well.

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