[Kitty_Boy]

Hello. Seriously considering getting an Android tablet, primarily for web browsing, social networking and watching videos etc. Having looked at what's out there front runner is the Archos 80 G9: seems to balance a decent spec with a reasonable price (£200). Some concerns over build quality and RAM but it is cheap in comparison to the Galaxy Tab or Xoom so there's going to have to be some compromise.

I think these are just out so I don't expect anyone will have one but anyone got an alternative they'd recommend or been looking themselves? Other option is the Kindle Fire - likely to be cheaper still but I'm put off by the fact its based on Android 2.3. Plus there's no release date for the UK.

[Mr X]

Kitty_Boy, on 09 November 2011 - 15:04, said:

Hello. Seriously considering getting an Android tablet, primarily for web browsing, social networking and watching videos etc. Having looked at what's out there front runner is the Archos 80 G9: seems to balance a decent spec with a reasonable price (£200). Some concerns over build quality and RAM but it is cheap in comparison to the Galaxy Tab or Xoom so there's going to have to be some compromise.

I think these are just out so I don't expect anyone will have one but anyone got an alternative they'd recommend or been looking themselves? Other option is the Kindle Fire - likely to be cheaper still but I'm put off by the fact its based on Android 2.3. Plus there's no release date for the UK.

The main compromise on that one is the screen size. Its only 8", whereas the likes of the Tab and Xoom are 10.

Im not convinced by the Fire. Not only is it Android 2.3 but, as far as I know, its a stripped down version of it with limited marketplace access.

This post has been edited by Mr X: 09 November 2011 - 15:18

[Kitty_Boy]

Mr X, on 09 November 2011 - 15:18, said:

The main compromise on that one is the screen size. Its only 8", whereas the likes of the Tab and Xoom are 10.

Im not convinced by the Fire. Not only is it Android 2.3 but, as far as I know, its a stripped down version of it with limited marketplace access.

Aye, I'm not sure if I'd prefer the extra portability (and smaller price tag) of the smaller size or not. 10.1" version is an extra £70. Probably a case of getting a hands-on in the shop.

I think, ultimately, the Fire would disappoint. It's more of a souped-up e-reader than a budget tablet, if that makes sense.

[Polomoney]

I was looking into this recently and a viewsonic tablet came to the top of my list. it had a 10" screen and was significantly cheaper than the rest. Only downside was that you would have to be prepared to mod it as the installed os was no good. Apparently was lightning fast once gingerbread etc were installed.

[Mr X]

Polomoney, on 10 November 2011 - 01:12, said:

I was looking into this recently and a viewsonic tablet came to the top of my list. it had a 10" screen and was significantly cheaper than the rest. Only downside was that you would have to be prepared to mod it as the installed os was no good. Apparently was lightning fast once gingerbread etc were installed.

Got a link to it?

Thats whats put me off buying a cheaper tablet. Id want one with an active mod community.

[saint dave]

Mr X, on 10 November 2011 - 12:43, said:

Got a link to it?

Thats whats put me off buying a cheaper tablet. Id want one with an active mod community.

http://www.arctablet.com/blog/

Just released a mod for android market.

[flyingscot]

Mr X, on 10 November 2011 - 12:43, said:

Got a link to it?

Thats whats put me off buying a cheaper tablet. Id want one with an active mod community.

The Advent Vega has one of the most active mod communities out there for a cheap tablet. Basic specs are good for the Android 2.2 version without market. Simple mods will have market on it, whilst following simple steps gets a version of honeycomb on it which is very good to be honest.

[Polomoney]

Mr X, on 10 November 2011 - 12:43, said:

Got a link to it?

Thats whats put me off buying a cheaper tablet. Id want one with an active mod community.

http://www.viewsonic.com/gtablet/

There is loads of information on rooting it if you google gpad for dummies.

[Mr X]

flyingscot, on 10 November 2011 - 22:22, said:

The Advent Vega has one of the most active mod communities out there for a cheap tablet. Basic specs are good for the Android 2.2 version without market. Simple mods will have market on it, whilst following simple steps gets a version of honeycomb on it which is very good to be honest.

Polomoney, on 11 November 2011 - 01:15, said:

http://www.viewsonic.com/gtablet/

There is loads of information on rooting it if you google gpad for dummies.

Both of those are still over £200 though. I was thinking more of the real budget end stuff. Some of them are dirt cheap, but I wouldnt buy one unless I knew someone was modding it. I know where to look for mod stuff, its just not always easy to actually work out what works on what tablet, when you move away from the bigger brands

[flyingscot]

Mr X, on 11 November 2011 - 10:04, said:

Both of those are still over £200 though. I was thinking more of the real budget end stuff. Some of them are dirt cheap, but I wouldnt buy one unless I knew someone was modding it. I know where to look for mod stuff, its just not always easy to actually work out what works on what tablet, when you move away from the bigger brands

Problem is a lot of the dirt cheap tablets are really lacking spec wise which limits those wanting to mod a bit, esp if they are using resistive touch screens or not got Tegra installed.

[Mr X]

flyingscot, on 11 November 2011 - 22:25, said:

Problem is a lot of the dirt cheap tablets are really lacking spec wise which limits those wanting to mod a bit, esp if they are using resistive touch screens or not got Tegra installed.

Very true. Dont get me wrong, it wasnt a dig at the modding community, just an observation on my crappy investigative skills

[saint dave]

Got an arnova 7 g2 for £130 from HMV , it runs flash player 11, dolphin hd browser and runs net, movies and games well, only lacks the android Market but it's on the way. The aptoide Market thing throws up some good apps too. Seems to have quite a good mod community, although I'm a bit of a noob where this is concerned and learning on the go.

http://arnovatech.co...ntry=gb&lang=en

[Polomoney]

Interesting. I'm not a huge fan of the 7" screen tablets- if I was I'd get the kindle fire which comes out over here in the states on Monday I think.

I had a brief look at an Archos (sp) 10" tablet today which was going for $270 (ie very cheap). Anyone know anything about it?

[saint dave]

Polomoney, on 13 November 2011 - 01:55, said:

Interesting. I'm not a huge fan of the 7" screen tablets- if I was I'd get the kindle fire which comes out over here in the states on Monday I think.

I had a brief look at an Archos (sp) 10" tablet today which was going for $270 (ie very cheap). Anyone know anything about it?

The 10 g2 has just had a mod put online for the android Market. The guys on here do a YouTube unboxing and review

http://www.arctablet.com/blog/

[Polomoney]

Well I purchased the viewsonic gtab. Couldn't resist really as I got it for $250 (about 150 pounds). I was happy with it out of the box, but the lack of android market access and no Netflix made up my mind to root it. I managed to brick it on the first attempt which scared the crap out of me, but it was easily recovered, and second time around I flashed a different rom which worked perfectly. All I can say is wow. This thing is now lightning fast, has full android market accessibility, Netflix works great. I can't believe I got this for less than half the price of other devices that it can now match or better! I'm extremely happy to say the least.

[MotownClic]

I've been looking at this

A1CS X220 TABLET 10.2" ANDROID 2.2, WIFI, MIFI, HDMI, 1080P, GPS WITH CAM
for a prezzy for the wife. Any thoughts?

[nomoreheroes]

MotownClic, on 20 November 2011 - 20:23, said:

I've been looking at this

A1CS X220 TABLET 10.2" ANDROID 2.2, WIFI, MIFI, HDMI, 1080P, GPS WITH CAM
for a prezzy for the wife. Any thoughts?

Giving this one serious consideration as well. It gets very good reviews on Amazon link here and comes in at around £150 for a 10 inch screen.

Worth a shot surely?

[Mr X]

nomoreheroes, on 28 November 2011 - 00:42, said:

Giving this one serious consideration as well. It gets very good reviews on Amazon link here and comes in at around £150 for a 10 inch screen.

Worth a shot surely?

Its main downside is that it doesnt have a capacitive touch screen - which the likes of the Galaxy Tab or Ipad do. Means the screen is less responsive and, IIRC, means you cant do multi touch (Im not sure on this bit, so worth checking)

Of course, thats why its so cheap!

[Kitty_Boy]

nomoreheroes, on 28 November 2011 - 00:42, said:

Giving this one serious consideration as well. It gets very good reviews on Amazon link here and comes in at around £150 for a 10 inch screen.

Worth a shot surely?

Yeah, as Mr X says the resistive screen would put me off. For around the same price the Archos 101 or Arnova 10 G2 might be worth looking at.

[doulikefish]

Ive got the archos 101,bought it about a year ago and use it lots as im on the move a lot..Looked at an ipad but i still wont buy one unless they add a usb port
Get around 7 hrs battery life even when using it to watch movies and connects to the internet no probs in wifi spots,For me a tablet is a weight saver and also in some dodgy countries that i go to taking a decent laptop is not recommended as i can just chuck my tablet in a small manbag instead of having a tempting laptop bag on show

This post has been edited by doulikefish: 28 November 2011 - 14:05

[flyingscot]

doulikefish, on 28 November 2011 - 14:05, said:

Ive got the archos 101,bought it about a year ago and use it lots as im on the move a lot..Looked at an ipad but i still wont buy one unless they add a usb port
Get around 7 hrs battery life even when using it to watch movies and connects to the internet no probs in wifi spots,For me a tablet is a weight saver and also in some dodgy countries that i go to taking a decent laptop is not recommended as i can just chuck my tablet in a small manbag instead of having a tempting laptop bag on show

Anyone else think this sounds and looks very impressive?

http://www.youtube.c...e&v=p0D-mXIzlKc

[pantene proV]

flyingscot, on 29 November 2011 - 01:23, said:

Anyone else think this sounds and looks very impressive?

http://www.youtube.c...e&v=p0D-mXIzlKc

Thats the one I would recommend. Asus make some good gear.

[doulikefish]

flyingscot, on 29 November 2011 - 01:23, said:

Anyone else think this sounds and looks very impressive?

http://www.youtube.c...e&v=p0D-mXIzlKc

looks good but no usb port

[flyingscot]

doulikefish, on 29 November 2011 - 12:01, said:

looks good but no usb port

USBs are on the keyboard dock. My tablet has a USB can't say I've used it much.

[pantene proV]

doulikefish, on 29 November 2011 - 12:01, said:

looks good but no usb port

Struggling to think why someone would want usb on a tablet. The thinner the better as far as portability is concerned so difficult to fit one in an ergonomic sense unless it was microUSB. If its memory thats the problem then the microSD slot has it covered, and in any case Android tablets' natural partnership is with the cloud.

I was going to get an iPad 2 because of the range of apps but if I can get the transformer prime cheaper with a faster processor & ICS then I'd put up with a more limited app selection. It'd connect better with my phone anyway and the micro HDMI port would be great for joining up to ma telly!