Cheap (but usable) Android Tablet for Kids?

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gpnz

80 posts

Master Geek

#93112 14-Nov-2011 20:25

Hi all,

With Christmas looming I'm wondering if there is a good cheap android tablet suitable for 10 year olds up to learn / play on. I like the idea of a cheap tablet to be used as an introduction to tablet computing and in fact also like the idea of introducing AppInventor as a way of creating for (not just using) what is probably closer to the future of computing than a PC (imho).

There are a bunch of options out there (trademe has plenty) and although I know "you get what you pay for" I dont want to shell out a couple of hundy for something that is basically unusable - which seems to be a distinct possibly in the cheap android tablet market!

Anyone got any hands on experiences / recommendations? I quite like the look of this http://www.chinavasion.com/android-tablets-phones/ingenium-23-android-23-tablet-with-7-inch-touchscreen-wifi-camera-hdmi-4gb/ but am not sure if I should pull the trigger on it.

Interested in your thoughts.

Cheers,

ferg_nz

175 posts

Master Geek

#545376 14-Nov-2011 21:34

I know its not cheap but my 3 and 6 year olds play on my Acer Iconia and also use the HP touch pad alot mainly to watch movies etc. but they did not take long to get the hang of it. My 3 year old stands at the TV trying to use it like a touch screen so im sure that you are doing the right thing getting them in to the tech as it will continue to become a large part of their life

as for going down the cheap road IMHO if the child is showing interest in something like this it might be better to jump to the higher spec'd tablet now than having to in 6 months time when they out grow the cheap one

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#545378 14-Nov-2011 21:45

If you can afford it I would go for the 'proper' tablet. My 3 year old and 10 year old both fly around an iPad like they were born with the instruction manual in their heads. I think a child will quickly reach the limitations of a cheapie tablet and will want something more.

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

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#545394 14-Nov-2011 22:23

yep. I would go with a better one if you can afford it.
otherwise, you can pick up a 2.2 or 2.3 7"android for around $200. they are all pretty rubbish though.

Linuxluver

5828 posts

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#545787 15-Nov-2011 22:06

gpnz: Hi all,

With Christmas looming I'm wondering if there is a good cheap android tablet suitable for 10 year olds up to learn / play on. I like the idea of a cheap tablet to be used as an introduction to tablet computing and in fact also like the idea of introducing AppInventor as a way of creating for (not just using) what is probably closer to the future of computing than a PC (imho).

There are a bunch of options out there (trademe has plenty) and although I know "you get what you pay for" I dont want to shell out a couple of hundy for something that is basically unusable - which seems to be a distinct possibly in the cheap android tablet market!

Anyone got any hands on experiences / recommendations? I quite like the look of this http://www.chinavasion.com/android-tablets-phones/ingenium-23-android-23-tablet-with-7-inch-touchscreen-wifi-camera-hdmi-4gb/ but am not sure if I should pull the trigger on it.

Interested in your thoughts.

Cheers,

Telecom have one for about $300 (IIRC...or maybe it was $400).

Otherwise, you get the cheaper ones from PB Tech...and even cheaper (and lower spec) from TradeMe.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#545798 15-Nov-2011 22:44

Google for rena3.

Just came out with 2.3 firmware, dual core cpu, capacitive screen, lasts longer than my motorola xoom battery wise. 7" size. I've got one in a plastic body which would be my one complaint you can get ones in a metal body but pay a few more $$
Heres one on trademe:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/laptops/laptops/other/auction-423524494.htm

but you can get them on aliexpress (choose carefully) make sure its a the latest version of it (V3).

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#545799 15-Nov-2011 22:45

Linuxluver:
gpnz: Hi all,

With Christmas looming I'm wondering if there is a good cheap android tablet suitable for 10 year olds up to learn / play on. I like the idea of a cheap tablet to be used as an introduction to tablet computing and in fact also like the idea of introducing AppInventor as a way of creating for (not just using) what is probably closer to the future of computing than a PC (imho).

There are a bunch of options out there (trademe has plenty) and although I know "you get what you pay for" I dont want to shell out a couple of hundy for something that is basically unusable - which seems to be a distinct possibly in the cheap android tablet market!

Anyone got any hands on experiences / recommendations? I quite like the look of this http://www.chinavasion.com/android-tablets-phones/ingenium-23-android-23-tablet-with-7-inch-touchscreen-wifi-camera-hdmi-4gb/ but am not sure if I should pull the trigger on it.

Interested in your thoughts.

Cheers,

Telecom have one for about $300 (IIRC...or maybe it was $400).

Otherwise, you get the cheaper ones from PB Tech...and even cheaper (and lower spec) from TradeMe.

Last I looked all the cheap pbtech ones were resistive screens.

allan

2043 posts

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#545813 15-Nov-2011 23:51

firstin have several models of the Acer Iconia on a one day special today
http://www.firstin.co.nz/sale/acer-iconia-sale-15112011/

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Linuxluver

5828 posts

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#545883 16-Nov-2011 09:47

rphenix:
Linuxluver:
gpnz: Hi all,

With Christmas looming I'm wondering if there is a good cheap android tablet suitable for 10 year olds up to learn / play on. I like the idea of a cheap tablet to be used as an introduction to tablet computing and in fact also like the idea of introducing AppInventor as a way of creating for (not just using) what is probably closer to the future of computing than a PC (imho).

There are a bunch of options out there (trademe has plenty) and although I know "you get what you pay for" I dont want to shell out a couple of hundy for something that is basically unusable - which seems to be a distinct possibly in the cheap android tablet market!

Anyone got any hands on experiences / recommendations? I quite like the look of this http://www.chinavasion.com/android-tablets-phones/ingenium-23-android-23-tablet-with-7-inch-touchscreen-wifi-camera-hdmi-4gb/ but am not sure if I should pull the trigger on it.

Interested in your thoughts.

Cheers,

Telecom have one for about $300 (IIRC...or maybe it was $400).

Otherwise, you get the cheaper ones from PB Tech...and even cheaper (and lower spec) from TradeMe.

Last I looked all the cheap pbtech ones were resistive screens.

Yes. If you want capacitive on a big, tablet-sized screen you're doubling the price right there.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#545968 16-Nov-2011 12:27

http://www.techtoys2go.com/herotab-mid816

Important to choose the 5-point mult-touch capacitive option.

I had the 2 point capacitive version of this tablet and was happy with it in most respects. I destroyed it trying to fix one of the issues that I believe has been addressed now, so I've been considering buying again.
Its a 4:3 aspect ratio (8" rather than 7") and I can tell you, its a hell of a lot better for web browsing than a 7".

Its worth getting trackable courier at the best of times, but it goes without saying at this time of year, you'd be an absolute fool to go with the free shipping option if you are importing a tablet.

rphenix

985 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#545993 16-Nov-2011 13:06

fahrenheit: http://www.techtoys2go.com/herotab-mid816

Important to choose the 5-point mult-touch capacitive option.

I had the 2 point capacitive version of this tablet and was happy with it in most respects. I destroyed it trying to fix one of the issues that I believe has been addressed now, so I've been considering buying again.
Its a 4:3 aspect ratio (8" rather than 7") and I can tell you, its a hell of a lot better for web browsing than a 7".

Its worth getting trackable courier at the best of times, but it goes without saying at this time of year, you'd be an absolute fool to go with the free shipping option if you are importing a tablet.

I have a 10" which is a lot bigger, but the 7" I also use is just fine for web pages never found a site it doesn't render in very well, and is a heck of a lot lighter making it easy to hold up in your hands rather than having to rest it (Great for bed for example).

I've used the herotab, I prefer the rena (mainly because it feels a bit more responsive with its dual core cpu). But they are both pretty good, correct me if I'm wrong the hero still lacks bluetooth etc.. which can be handy. The fact you can get 5 point multi touch now for the hero is great.

When you say you broke it what did you do? Brick it?

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#546006 16-Nov-2011 13:22

rphenix:

I've used the herotab, I prefer the rena (mainly because it feels a bit more responsive with its dual core cpu). But they are both pretty good, correct me if I'm wrong the hero still lacks bluetooth etc.. which can be handy. The fact you can get 5 point multi touch now for the hero is great.

When you say you broke it what did you do? Brick it?

Bluetooth USB adaptor worked fine with mine (althought it takes the USB port). I believe there is a model with it now built in.

The MID816 and R2 have an issue with one of the boards pressing against the LCD screen which causes a water droplet affect. It never damaged the screen but it was annoying. I also wanted to add a volume slider which was strangley missing from the R2, even though the mainboard has the switch for it. If you start a youtube video and its too loud or too quiet, you have to quite playback, adjust volume with the onscreen volume controls, then return to youtube....Pain in the...
.
So I wanted to kill two birds with one stone. Unfortunately I killed the tablet instead. When I resoldered the battery back in, smoke came out of one of the little SMD inductors and it was game over.

allan

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#546296 17-Nov-2011 09:15

If this is "for the kids", Grouponz have a 7" Android 2.3 device on a one day deal today
http://www.grouponnz.co.nz/deals/national-deal/-dino-direct-/715902279

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#546306 17-Nov-2011 09:21

Here is a discussion about a tablet for $199 at The Warehouse.