Sub $100 tablet ideas - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 12:06:46 am
content: Originally intrigued by the $79 USD Nook HD tablets that came out for Black Friday (which are now mostly sold out). I'm trying to find something comparable in price and specs. Basically this will be a gift for me from someone else and we're not a high dollar gift family and this gift might include more than one person pitching in. So in the event the Nook HD isn't available I've made a list of specs that should be doable in a sub $100 tablet that should avoid the junk tablets (single core, 512mb, resistive touch etc)Must haves:7+ Inch screenDual Core or Quad Core1.2GHz or higher1GB or 2GB RAM (not 512MB)Min 8GB StorageMicroSD SlotBluetoothWifiCapacitive touch (doesn't require a stylus)Android 4.0 or higher1024x600Nice to have but not requiredCamera(s)GPS1280x720 or higherHDMIUSB In.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 12:21:46 am
content: Often the best deals to be had is if you can find a retail shop that is getting rid of previous model stock. E.g. I just picked up a the previous model of Nexus 7 for <50% of it's previous retail price.A couple of points of note.Bluetooth, you'll want it if you want to communicate with anything via serial, however it's the first thing that gets left out on cheap tablets, so it's probably the first spec to look for.MicroSD slot. It's seems to be getting less and less common as tablets are getting significant internal storage. So maybe it shouldn't be on the Must Have's list (assuming it's got reasonable internal storage.)

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 12:25:23 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on December 02, 2013, 12:06:46 amIPS screen improves angle viewability and clarity16GB storage (8GB fills up limiting what you can do)GPS, HDMI, Cameras, 16GB memory, 1GB or 2GB RAM (not 512MB), dual or quad core, bluetooth, that ain't sub $100 territory

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 12:27:59 am
content: Quote from: Harvs on December 02, 2013, 12:21:46 amI want BT for interfacing with my OBD-II diagnostic device on my car and also possibly the software that one person in the forum is working on for wireless data acquisition from multimeters.I consider MicroSD a must have because I have a phone with no MicroSD slot right now and I really miss it. I've got a 64GB MicroSD card but none of my devices seem to want to support it other than a USB adapter that I have.I based my specs mostly around the Nook HD and what I saw could be had in other sub $100 tablets.

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 12:30:09 am
content: Quote from: Harvs on December 02, 2013, 12:21:46 amMicroSD slot is indispensable, as well as a mini USB which can also read MicroSD through a mini card readercan transfer/read huge amounts of data to and from a Desktop/Laptop computer to the tablet via the MicroSD(for example, I can bit torrent DVDs to the tablet and transfer them to the computer just by pulling out the MicroSD card and transfer to the computer. Can't to that without a MicroSD slot)

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 01:37:33 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on December 02, 2013, 12:27:59 amYes, that's me. And that's be biggest problem when shopping for cheap tablets for the lab. A lack of BT.QuoteFair enough. That's totally a personal choice. I don't watch movies on my tablets which is probably why I don't miss it, but I know a lot of people out there do.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 01:59:31 am
content: The best deal out there seems to be the Sero 7 Pro. This is basically a 2012 Nexus 7 with added SD slot and HDMI. We have 8 at work for testing our Android app.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 07:13:22 am
content: Quote from: sacherjj on December 02, 2013, 01:59:31 amHmm 149 is a bit much for me to ask. I'm not saying it isn't a good deal but more than what I know they'd normally spend.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 07:28:05 am
content: <$100 won't get you much; there's a lot more in the $100 ~ 200 range with those features.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 02:32:31 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on December 02, 2013, 07:13:22 amThey have been available for right at $100 with black friday type deals. Spending $60 for a tablet is only slightly better than burning $60. We have played with MANY pieces of Chinese junk in this price point. They are a waste of money.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2013, 07:47:15 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on December 02, 2013, 07:28:05 amYeah, basically I wanted the Nook HD @ $79 because it can be rooted and reloaded with a base Android install. Since the limited possibility of getting it now, I've had to look at different options.Initially I had mentioned the Nook HD but they said they'd need to split the cost with another family member.Last year they combined got me an Arduino Uno, a Seeedstudio arduino accessory kit, a Raspberry Pi and a few other small things.