Best sub US$150 tablet? (or sub US$100 even?)

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dman

942 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 120878 16-Jun-2013 23:57

Am looking for any tablet that will give me the best value for about US$150 or less.

My purposes would be watching videos, reading books which are large image heavy PDF files, and web browsing (which I tend to open many tabs for at once).

This one looks tempting, ICOO iCou8GT:

http://www.pandawill.com/icoo-icou8gt-quad-core-a31-tablet-pc-8-inch-android-41-2g-ram-4k-video-white-p72822.html

In its favour:
Quad Core A31
Android 4.1
2gig Ram
8 Inch
1024 x 768px screen
4500mAh battery
Only US$125.99

Onda V812 seems to be similar specced, but somewhat more expensive at US$163.99
http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-Onda-V812-Allwinner-A31-Quad-Core-8-Inch-IPS-Android-4_1-16GB-Tablet-p-60539.html

Alternatively I wonder if any of these sub US$100 tablets would be "good enough" for my purposes, then I can save a bit of cash:

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Arrival-Free-Shipping-Ainol-Crystal-II-Quad-Core-ATM7029-1-5GHZ-7-Inch-HD-Screen/812728239.html
http://www.banggood.com/AllFine-Fine7-Genius-ATM7029-Quad-Core-1_5GHz-7-Inch-IPS-8GB-Tablet-p-71843.html

Which of these, or other suggestions?

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

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942 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 837873 17-Jun-2013 00:54

Hmmm.... after dwelling on it a little longer, I wonder if I should be looking at the quadcore tablets, as I doubt if it will really give me that much benefit? So I might as well go cheap and just get a decent dual core 7" tablet such as the Pipo S1s:

http://www.banggood.com/PIPO-S1s-Dual-Core-A9-1_6GHz-7-Inch-Android-4_1-Tablet-p-74016.html

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

kiwijunglist

2812 posts

Uber Geek

# 837874 17-Jun-2013 01:03

New Nexus7 I think is not too far away, might see the old ones come close to $200 if lucky.

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dman

942 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 837885 17-Jun-2013 03:18

Yes the next version of the Nexus 7 coming out soon is a point in favour for getting the Pipo S1s for only US$90, as I guess there is no point spending anything more of the Nexus 7 mk2 is something amazing which convinces me to shell out extra for.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

timmmay

15205 posts

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# 837903 17-Jun-2013 07:31

You won't be browsing with heaps of tabs on a tablet. Also don't figure on doing any significant input without a keyboard.

Kindle is far far better for reading, though PDFs don't work that well.

hairy1

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# 837905 17-Jun-2013 08:01

How about an HP Slate 7 in the meantime? Pretty good value and comes with NZ warranty.

http://www8.hp.com/nz/en/ad/slate-7/tablet.html?jumpid=reg_r1002_nzen_c-001_title_r0002

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

dman

942 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 838078 17-Jun-2013 13:52

NZ warranties I don't really value greatly, as consumer electronics is pretty much disposable anyway.

timmmay: You won't be browsing with heaps of tabs on a tablet. Also don't figure on doing any significant input without a keyboard.

Kindle is far far better for reading, though PDFs don't work that well.

Well by "heaps" I probably typically mean only a dozen or less, which the first early Chinese cheapo clones couldn't cope with.

Being able to read large colour PDF ebooks is my primary purpose, as that is something my Kindle can't do well.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

wasabi2k

2091 posts

Uber Geek

# 838081 17-Jun-2013 13:58

HP Slate 7 has an awful screen.
Don't know what the resolution is on those cheap ones - but it won't be as high as a Nexus 7.
DO these cheapies have access to Google Play Store?
Any accessories available?
How often are they updated?

I suggest you save up a bit longer and get a Nexus mk2, the screen will be significantly better than anything on those cheap ones for not a lot extra, plus it will be first in line for OS updates.

vexxxboy

2902 posts

Uber Geek

# 838084 17-Jun-2013 14:07

wasabi2k: HP Slate 7 has an awful screen.
Don't know what the resolution is on those cheap ones - but it won't be as high as a Nexus 7.
DO these cheapies have access to Google Play Store?
Any accessories available?
How often are they updated?

I suggest you save up a bit longer and get a Nexus mk2, the screen will be significantly better than anything on those cheap ones for not a lot extra, plus it will be first in line for OS updates.

The Ainol Venus Quad core has a 1280 x 800 screen resolution same as the Nexus 7 and is only $129 us

http://www.mp4nation.net/tablets/ainol-tablets/ainol-novo-7-venus-7-quad-core-android-4-1-tablet-16gb-black

Common sense is not as common as you think.

timmmay

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# 838090 17-Jun-2013 14:14

One person supports this post

Ainol tablet. Hehe.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

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Vocus

# 838092 17-Jun-2013 14:17

At least they didn't pick a different planet to name it after...

wasabi2k

2091 posts

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# 838120 17-Jun-2013 14:51

vexxxboy:
wasabi2k: HP Slate 7 has an awful screen.
Don't know what the resolution is on those cheap ones - but it won't be as high as a Nexus 7.
DO these cheapies have access to Google Play Store?
Any accessories available?
How often are they updated?

I suggest you save up a bit longer and get a Nexus mk2, the screen will be significantly better than anything on those cheap ones for not a lot extra, plus it will be first in line for OS updates.

The Ainol Venus Quad core has a 1280 x 800 screen resolution same as the Nexus 7 and is only $129 us

http://www.mp4nation.net/tablets/ainol-tablets/ainol-novo-7-venus-7-quad-core-android-4-1-tablet-16gb-black

that's pretty amazing for the price.

Any idea on market access and os updates?

Rumour mill has Nexus 7 at higher res, for $70 more ($199) with market + os updates.

vexxxboy

2902 posts

Uber Geek

# 838125 17-Jun-2013 15:00

Any idea on market access and os updates?

i have had a venus for 4-5 months and everything still works if i need help there's always
http://www.slatedroid.com. Havent needed to upgrade yet.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

dman

942 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 838447 18-Jun-2013 00:16

wasabi2k: HP Slate 7 has an awful screen.
Don't know what the resolution is on those cheap ones - but it won't be as high as a Nexus 7.
DO these cheapies have access to Google Play Store?
Any accessories available?
How often are they updated?

Close enough to yes on all those, or is "sufficient", or doesn't matter to me.

wasabi2k:
I suggest you save up a bit longer and get a Nexus mk2, the screen will be significantly better than anything on those cheap ones for not a lot extra, plus it will be first in line for OS updates.

Isn't really a case of me saving up, just wanting to be cheap as possible ;-) That I can get away with (there is even US$40 tablets out there!! :-o But nah, that is too much rubbishy for me) A dollar saved here is a dollar I can spend elsewhere :-P

vexxxboy:
The Ainol Venus Quad core has a 1280 x 800 screen resolution same as the Nexus 7 and is only $129 us

http://www.mp4nation.net/tablets/ainol-tablets/ainol-novo-7-venus-7-quad-core-android-4-1-tablet-16gb-black

nah, it says it is an A9 CPU but it really is A5 cores. I'd be sceptical if it is hardly upgrade worthy from the $90 one that I linked to above. As the Ainol Venus Quad core is I think barely worthy of being called a quad core.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

linw

2042 posts

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# 838476 18-Jun-2013 08:23

Mmmm, 7" tablets. I've had one but now have an 8.9 one. Wouldn't go back to a 7 - just too small, especially for 12 browser tabs open.

For me, the 8.9 is not a bad sweet spot size wise. Size does matter!!

mrbbi

131 posts

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# 838654 18-Jun-2013 13:05

Out of the 3 you listed I'd go with the Onda V812(for importing). Onda is definitely one of the better brands with great support on Slatedroid.

If you prefer to purchase an Icoo Icou 8GT locally then try www.jonnys.co.nz at $190(nz) +P&P. He also sells Icoo tablets on trademe but at a slightly higher price.

Chuwi V88(1g or 2g model) is a great option but ~$15-$20us more then your budget. It also has great Slatedroid support.

The above are all quad cores but but unless you really want to play the latest games then a older dual core will do just fine.

EDIT: Typo

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