cheaper ipad/tablet alternative? - Page 1 - Computers, Gadgets & Stuff

Saturday 17th December 2011

Anybody purchased a decent and cheaper ipad/tablet alternative? I know they wont be as slick as the apple but anybody recommend a decent one?

Seen some odd brand 10 inch screen models for around the £140 mark

Thanks

Cathar

309 posts

237 months

Saturday 17th December 2011

I bought the wife an Ipad2, couldn't afford a 2nd one so got myself a Samsung 7" Galaxy Tab, decent enough for reading PH, evo and ebooks, and watching a movie now and then. The Wifi-only version is pretty cheap now.

1,968 posts

208 months

Saturday 17th December 2011

Earlier this year I bought a Chinese Android Tablet from Amazon. Cost £165

Good processing power, capacitive screen (so multitouch) etc. It seemed OK at first ........

....... but it ended up little used and I am now typing this on an IPad 2.

The cheap one was a waste of money.

If you really want a pad get a good one. If spending £200 mark a decent netbook will get more use IMO

Cheeky Jim

1,276 posts

302 months

Monday 19th December 2011

I've just ordered one of these for the wife for Christmas...

She isn't fussed about ipads and just wants one to sit on the sofa and surf, watch the odd movie and for general use...

Reviews seem very good!

Cambridge Sciences

1,968 posts

208 months

Monday 19th December 2011

Cheeky Jim said:

That's basically the same case, screen etc as the one I got.

It's fine really - powerful enough but deceptively heavy if holding it for a long time (not a problem sat in front of the TV).

I found mine got a bit glitchy when I upgraded to the latest version of Android Market so stick with the version it comes with. It wouldn't install some apps claiming the pad wasn't compatible but the older version of Market avoided the problem.

For a YouTube video showing it in action see

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA2tBHt9l-g&fea...

She'll have no problems using it for Facebook, Twitter, Browsing (get the Opera browser IMO), email etc.

Cheeky Jim

1,276 posts

302 months

Tuesday 20th December 2011

Thanks Spitfire, good advice. I had the choice of Android 2.3 or the latest 3... I assume I may be able to upgrade at a later date if required and took the 2.3 option.

But you hit the nail on the head when it comes to use cases.... thats exactly what it will be used for!

It's just with 3 kids... the laptop and kids PC is always in use and the upstairs PC is a bit crap...hence hints for something else!

Cupramax

10,904 posts

274 months

Tuesday 20th December 2011

Archos have released a 7" tablet, wondered if these were any good myself...

http://www.archos.com/products/ta/archos_70it/inde...

1,968 posts

208 months

Tuesday 20th December 2011

Cheeky Jim said:

The merimobiles YouTube site has a video which shows how to update the firmware. Keep an eye out and I'm sure he will do one on the upgrade to version 3

gingerpaul

2,929 posts

265 months

Tuesday 20th December 2011

What are the panels like in the alternatives? I'm not a huge fan of the iPad but the screen in it is beautiful. I can see putting a cheap panel in would be an easy way of making them cheaper but it would really spoil the experience for me.

1,968 posts

208 months

Tuesday 20th December 2011

Resolution on the cheap generic Chinese Android pads is OK but less than a 7 inch Samsung Tab.

Does the job fine but doesn't stack up once you are used to the lovely screen on the top end stuff.

gingerpaul

2,929 posts

265 months

Tuesday 20th December 2011

It's more the quality of the picture rather than the resolution that interests me. The colour reproduction on the iPad really is something special.

1,968 posts

208 months

Tuesday 20th December 2011

gingerpaul said:

It's more the quality of the picture rather than the resolution that interests me. The colour reproduction on the iPad really is something special.

my cheap generic is blown away by my iPad when it comes to pic quality.

S8QUATTRO

Original Poster

939 posts

172 months