Best Entry level tablet...sub $150.00

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beenz

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#189141 18-Dec-2015 01:52

Hi

Looking for an entry level tablet around the $120.00 mark and certainly no more than $150.00.
Prefer Android.
Main use will be as a Kobo reader (no I do not want to buy a Kobo reader thanks)

So good reading screen is important.
Seen a few at the Warehouse and Warehouse Stationary.

Any recommendations appreciated.

thanks

timmmay

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#1452787 18-Dec-2015 07:02

Have a look at this thread. It's about mid priced, but people posted links to low priced ones. At that price point you'll be looking at 7" I'd say, and not so fast.

e-paper is MUCH MUCH MUCH better for reading books than a tablet. I have both (paper white). Reading books on a tablet is pretty bad, with shiny screen and they're much heavier, they have much worse battery life, and the blue light they put out will prevent melatonin being released and will impact your sleep.

Batman

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#1452789 18-Dec-2015 07:12

I have a 10" Chinese clone for $150+shipping pm if you want to know more.
quad core, 1280x720 screen, 1gb ram, 16Gb rom

beenz

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#1452801 18-Dec-2015 08:04

joker97: I have a 10" Chinese clone for $150+shipping pm if you want to know more.
quad core, 1280x720 screen, 1gb ram, 16Gb rom

Over my price point.

Thanks

beenz

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#1452803 18-Dec-2015 08:10

timmmay: Have a look at this thread. It's about mid priced, but people posted links to low priced ones. At that price point you'll be looking at 7" I'd say, and not so fast.

e-paper is MUCH MUCH MUCH better for reading books than a tablet. I have both (paper white). Reading books on a tablet is pretty bad, with shiny screen and they're much heavier, they have much worse battery life, and the blue light they put out will prevent melatonin being released and will impact your sleep.

Can you tell me more about e-paper......like is it hardware or software ?

Thanks

timmmay

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#1452806 18-Dec-2015 08:14

beenz: Can you tell me more about e-paper......like is it hardware or software ? Thanks

e-paper is a screen technology. It's matt and looks more like paper than an LCD screen. It's slow to update, it might take 0.5 seconds to change all the pixels on the screen, which is fine for reading but not for video. You wouldn't surf the web on it except for a short time if you really had to. It's almost as good as reading paper.

I was an avowed paper book reader until I tried my wife's kindle. I bought my own immediately and haven't read a paper novel since. e-readers hold 1000 books, they're light, page turns are easy, they have a variable light so you can ready at night without lights on (great for in bed), and books are easy to get from multiple sources. I wouldn't go back to paper novels.

Have a read of the Kindle Paperwhite reviews on Amazon. A new one is around $200, but you may be able to find an older one second hand. Kobo might be cheaper, no idea.

vexxxboy

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#1452839 18-Dec-2015 09:00

if you just want a e reader then Dick Smith are selling the Kindle Touch WI-Fi for $119 online only. .it's not the paperwhite but still a lot better than a tablet to read books .

Common sense is not as common as you think.

reven

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#1452841 18-Dec-2015 09:07

u can pickup a 7" kindle from dse for $49 atm.

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

jonathan18

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#1452846 18-Dec-2015 09:19

As it happens, the entry-level Kobos are usually more expensive than the Kindle equivalent; I bought one of these (the Kobo Touch) for my son's birthday a couple of months back - Mighty Ape has it for $139 incl. shipping, so within your price range. (cheapest Kindle 7 is $119 from DSE).

Totally agree with timmmay regarding reading on a tablet versus an e-reader; I'd not contemplate using a tablet to read text-heavy books, given I have a Kindle; the exception, though, is anything with substantial use of images and/or colour - basic illustrations look ok on an e-reader, but things like comics or magazines are far better on a tablet.

I'd also emphasise the other thing to be mindful of is for your budget you're going to get a pretty average tablet - slow and poor resolution. If your primary (or sole) use will be e-books, then it's a no-brainer - e-reader is the answer.

Selecting Kobo versus Kindle - the main reason, I reckon, to go with a Kobo is that the format of e-books lent by NZ public libraries is compatible with them, whereas you're out of luck with the Kindle. Borrowing library e-books for the Kindle's possible, but requires each and every book to be stripped of its DRM and converted to the Kindle format before uploading to the device (so you're into dodgy territory); while the library service used with a Kobo requires the use of additional software (Adobe Digital Edition), it's relatively painless and quick - annoyingly it requires the device to be plugged in to the computer. Of course, buying books from the Kobo store can be done directly on the device (but personally I prefer browsing on a tablet/computer, then having them sent wirelessly to the device); the same for the Kindle.s). Of course, buying books from the Kobo store can be done directly on the device (but personally I prefer browsing on a tablet/computer, then having them sent wirelessly to the device); the same for the Kindle.

If you're not interested in using library-sourced e-books, then I'd recommend going with a Kindle - the range (and price) on the Amazon store is just so much superior to the Kobo store. Of course, even if you get a Kobo you can use software to convert Kindle purchases to a Kobo format (the most commonly used software is Calibre), but as mentioned above it's a hassle.

timmmay

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#1452888 18-Dec-2015 11:06

DSE has the kindles on sale, Kindle Touch 6" for $99 for "mates rates" members. You can probably sign up online and get an additional $10 off. You need to show the mates rates email in store to get that price though. The cheaper Kindle's don't have backlights, which to me are must haves.

networkn

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#1452917 18-Dec-2015 11:50

If you want reading, buy a Kindle. Nothing is as good. They are lighter, easier to read, and don't keep you awake at night messing up your melatonin.

gzt

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#1452920 18-Dec-2015 11:53

+1 backlight is must have.

jonathan18

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#1452937 18-Dec-2015 12:23

gzt: +1 backlight is must have.

I disagree that a backlight is a "must have"; mine doesn't have it and I don't feel I'm missing out on a critical component. I have no problem reading it in most situations, and if I need localised lighting (eg to not disturb my wife!) I just attach a small LED light on a stalk. Noting the OP's budget is $150 or below, this also rules out (decent) e-book readers with back-lighting.

networkn: If you want reading, buy a Kindle. Nothing is as good. They are lighter, easier to read, and don't keep you awake at night messing up your melatonin.

And as to whether it needs to be a Kindle - as I posted earlier this is affected by where the OP will source books from - if they want to buy them or get dodgy copies from torrent sites then absolutely I'd go with a Kindle but if you want to minimise costs and do so legitimately then getting e-books from a library is the most appropriate way, which would point you to a Kobo... They're still good devices, and in some areas superior (eg the entry-level Kobo offers more control over font choice etc than the equivalent Kindle).