[Closed] Which Cheap 7" Android Tablet

As a matter of interest: what phone do you have and why 7"?

I have Asus EEE Pad Transformer which is a 10 inch tablet, plus a Sony E Arc S phone and to be honest I wouldn't go smaller than 10" on a tablet, largely because my phone would do pretty much the same thing as a smaller tablet. This is especially the case as the one in your link is 'Gingerbread', which I believe is a phone OS. The tablet version of Android is Honeycombe. However, I am not too sure what difference that makes.

I apologize if i have misunderstood any of this technology terminology - I am far from an expert - but that is my experience, and all my own opinion, of course.

7" for portability and price. I don't want to spend a lot of money - I might by a 10" pad later and spend a decent amount on it. Its only for travelling, looking at photos and the like.
I have a Desire - it'll be bigger than that.

I dunno specifics but hotukdeals is good for bargins and basic info.

Lenovo A1 is going for £149 on Amazon if you want something from a more mainstream name.

You could take a punt on a BB PlayBook £169 at the moment from Currys - will be able to run Android apps when the new OS is released (there may be some limitations around this - things not clear at the moment). I have one which I use with my work Blackberry and for email and surfing it is fantastic. Apps are limited and expensive though.

7" tablets are ideal for travelling - 10" better for sofa surfing - different classes of device imo.

7" tablets are ideal for travelling

That's my point: Modern smart phones pretty much do exactly the same thing as the smaller tablets. In fact, they pretty much are more portable tablets.

I understand your point re: price. Just be aware that OS systems are moving on at a rate of knots so make sure that whatever OS the one you buy comes with will still be supported and available for updates.

If you buy a 10 inch youll end up just taking that instead of 7

Just get a good 10 and be done

I went from an asus 7 inch to an ipad 2 - like night and day for watching movies and surfing

Iphone does for the rest of the time ipad doesnt leave the house unless im going on a plane or a train

I don't want to spend too much because I feel there's going to be a lot of good Ice Cream Sandwich pads out soon - I thought I'd wait and get a good one of those.
Still I'll have a look at the price of the 10 inchers. But I don't anticipate using it much at home.

If I was getting a tablet it would be a 7" - I have a 11" notebook which would make a 10" tablet redundant.

that lenovo A1 looks a steal.

Ive been holding out for a decent 7" gingerbread unit for a while - and it MUST have android market. I also like Lenovo quality.

Hovering over buy button....

That Lenovo does look good...

I got a Tablo 7" tablet for my commute. £100 from Box. V plsd and imo 7" is ideal for the train

What's the PlayBook like? I prefer my iPhone to work BlackBerry, but my BlackBerry is a basic 8900 job, and, it's an arse reason for dismissing the PlayBook anyway.

I can't help feeling that if I bought one, that I'd have been better off waiting and getting the iPad.

I'm thinking of replacing my busted desktop with an iMac soon, if that's a reason to wait and get an iPad

My brother won't shut up about how much he loves his playbook but then he's a blackberry fanboi

Well all the cheap 10inch tablets have poor reviews or resistive screens or some other reason for not buying them. 7 inch it is. Now I'm dithering between the Lenovo and NATPC M009S. I suppose the Lenovo would sell better 2nd hand if I didn't get on with it. (This is only some more justification for buying something I don't really need - I never sell stuff I've just bought).

Samsung Galaxy Tab is probably the best of the bunch.

The s7 is getting on a bit now. Although the 3G functionality is handy if you're not able to tether

Ah stealth edit there konastoner

I'd just hang fire and wait until they start giving surf tablets away...

onda vi40 elite looks good (ICS, 10", capacitive)

or

http://ipadalternative.com/38--bmorn-v11-extreme.html

8) Stoner!

Wrong linky's, been looking for a couple of 7"ers for work (Ooh err!) Ended up buying 5 of them, quite impressed too after trialing a 10.1" Lenovo for a month.

which ones did you buy konastoner?

Don't know where they come form (corporate IT Dpeartment) but these turned up: -

[img] [/img]

[url= http://www.sale-point-online.com/product_info.php?currency=GBP&language=en&info=p13888_samsung-p6200-galaxy-tab-7-0-inch-plus-3g-wifi-android-3-2-dual-core-1-2-ghz-16gb-tablet-pc-black.html ]Samsung Galaxy Tab[/url]

Seem to do the job, I've tethered a bluetooth headset to the 3g Data / Network (Vodafone) too to utilise the phone funcion 🙂

If I was getting a tablet it would be a 7" - I have a 11" notebook which would make a 10" tablet redundant.

And I'd be prepared to bet that after a short while the pad would replace the notebook for virtually everything you do.

It took long enough for somebody to bite. How much is the bet for?

I [i]HAVE[/i] to maintain a netbook for Excel. Apart from MSExcel I just have chrome on here (using it now in kitchen). Thats why for me a tablet wouldnt replace it, but a 7" would be ace on the train.

It still means owning 4 computers:
Android phone 3.5"
Android Tablet 7"
W7 netbook 10"
W7 desktop Monstrous"

So much for convergence eh? 😉

This looks tidy [url= http://ipadalternative.com/37-herotab-c8.html ]http://ipadalternative.com/37-herotab-c8.html[/url]

Ive just had a useful type chat with the support guy on ipadalternative.com about the Bmorn V11, the Onda Vi40 and the Novo.

Although the the V11 doesnt come with Ice Cream Sandwich it does support android market out of the box - Vital if you want to syn with a google account.

However, the Onda and the Novo Aurora can be fixed with a root to give you android market access. Downloads easily findable online.
EDIT - In fact just now, "James" has just added the root fix to the product page. http://ipadalternative.com/40-ainol-novo-7-aurora-6946795800767.html

The expectation is that the V11 ought to get ICS sometime soon, but it's your gamble.

I like the idea of touch buttons on the front over physical push buttons on the front/rim so that gives the aurora and v11 the edge I think.

There's a 30day returns to China policy with a 20% reimbursement deduction for inconvenience if it's for a non-technical issue.

EDIT2: He's also just put a cpuple more pics up on the V11 product page> http://ipadalternative.com/38--bmorn-v11-extreme.html
/p>

[img] [/img]
[i]from left to right I can see a speaker, microsd slot, charger, microUSB, HDMI, headphone jack, microphone[/i]

Its like the chinese equivalent of Brant 😉 *

* woopwoop Brant vanity search alert *

Q: 7" tablets does 800x480 pixel wide screen on Growie's link effect usability over 1024x600 on the Lenovo or Playbook?

Thanks for all the info. I went for the Lenovo A1 in the end. I'll let you know how it goes in a few days. Installing the latest firmware is a must, I'm lead to believe.

hmm was thinking ipad2 but this got me thinking, i have an android phone and think its good even for an older model.
the cost of these android tablets are over half that of ipads, so what will i be loosing out on if i get an andoid tab instead of an ipad? never had a iphone btw

Dobo in truth - not alot

Although spec list worries me in that it doesnt tell you battery life

This topic just made me hungry.

Gowrie - definitely do a boxfresh review when you get it. Id be really interested as I can hold off pressing go for a few days yet.

I have a work Asus transformer (for android app dev) and a personal iPad.

Android tablets suck in comparison.

had a fondle with my brother's Playbook this lunchtime. If you're used to Blackberries then its probably teh awsum. As it was it was very nice, slick, bright, almost intuitive in a blackberry kind of way. Nice slim metal case, but bloody heavy. Not for me as not an android, but might suit some in here.

Ive decided to plum for the Ainol Novo 7 Aurora.
http://gadgetfreakz.co.uk/ainol-novo-7-aurora-android-4-0-7-ips-tablet.html

ordered on pre order, should get it on the 13th of feb.
Bit of a gamble, but gadget freak will update the firmware, install Android Market with a full key and generally give it a bit of a check over at their UK base before shipping out to punters. Saves me having to run the firmware fix scripts myself.

Reviews so far have been extremely positive about quite the breakthrough chipset and the IPS multitouch screen is the same tech as in ipad2.

Will review for you when I get my hands on it.

That appears to be a pretty impressive spec for the price - shall await your review with interest.

So...which 10" that is:

- good for watching BBC iPlayer
- can be set up to use a proxy easily
- good for streaming content over wifi from a Windows desktop
- can be used for reading eBooks
- can accept SD cards or memory sticks for playing movies on planes etc
- probably not an iPad because they're so expensive

- any android with gingerbread 2.3+ can run flash 11 and therefore iPlayer.
- Dont see why not, but not tried to set up a proxy connection
- I hadnt set up a stream before, but have just set up [url= http://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/index.php/2009/06/28/streaming-content-from-windows-media-center-with-an-g1-android-phone/ ]Andromote[/url] in 5 minutes and its streaming music from my PC with no client needed on the PC, just the App. Amazing!
- [url= http://arstechnica.com/open-source/reviews/2010/09/hands-on-reading-e-books-on-android-with-aldiko.ars ]Aldiko is a good book reader with some nice features and a large free library as well as the ability to import ePub[/url]
- just about all Android devices have microsd card slots, and many also have a USB port that can be used to mount USB sticks to.

The value 10" I was looking at was the Onda Vi40 which also has the IPS multitouch screen (a real + ) http://ipadalternative.com/42-onda-vi40-elite-16gb-android-40-tablet.html £170
cheaper but with a lower spec screen is the V99 http://ipadalternative.com/41-bmorn-v99-android-40-ics.html £150

Aldiko is a good book reader

The Kindle app is free, too.

oh yes. Forgot that. TBH I dont use a reader yet, but might do on the 7", as I have too many Books Ver1.0 to read first 😉

Any news Stoner?
Has the Ainol turned up?
Any chance of a review?
I'm after a 7" tablet for my son to be able to Skype/ play games on and this looks to be the ticket but it seems to be on pre-order everywhere with no actual stock showing so I'm keen to find out what it's like in the real world.
The other tablets I like are the Bmorn v99 and Onda Vi40 (though I know they are 10") - has anyone got thier hands on one yet?

shipping has been delayed until this week I think due to some manufacturing problems. But theyre going to throw in some goodies when they do ship.

Will post as soon as I have my paws on it.

lots of review stuff here http://www.slatedroid.com/forum/280-ainol-novo-7-aurora/

Cheers for that Stoner,
As you seem to know your tablets, do you have any recomendations for tablets available now?
I need one by the end of feb and the two that seem universally recommended (the Ainol aurora and the Onda Vi40) aren't yet out.

those two have the IPS screen. Dont underestimate what a bonus that is. (FFwd to 2:45)

I dont think you can skype on the playbook, so maybe the Lenovo A1 might work for you.

Screen looks good but...not as responsive as an iPad...

true, although apprently gingerbread 2.3.5 flies on it, and until Ainol nail their ICS firmware that may be the way to go.

TBH I think that's the killer for me, if I have a table I have to be able to type on it, cheap android phones have caught up with apple products, but it seems tablets are a way off still.

I use swiftkey on my gingerbread phone and it works brilliantly - cant see why it wouldnt work well on the tablet.

TBH Im guessing that ICS is a) not too laggy anyway, and b) Ainol are very good at improving their firmware way beyond launch date.

Soz...WTF is ICS?

Ice Cream Sandwich = Android 4.0.n

Specifically designed for tablets as opposed to phones. But both will run on a tablet.

It's sweet:
http://www.android.com/about/ice-cream-sandwich/

I hear there's a special version 4.1a for Scotland - Deep-fried-ice-cream pizza-bab?

That sounds like some serious bloatware....

It does clog up pathways

magowen - just had another update email - dispatch delayed until next week. Ainol have a back log due to a manufacturing issue and arent taking any more preorders until that has cleared. Seems theres a LOT of interest in them

Ainol, has had a delay in manufacturing the Ainol Novo 7 Aurora’s, this was due to a case fault that occurred in the first original run on a mass production scale. This has now been addressed and we can confirm mass production has started and the devices are starting to leave the factory early this week. Please note this has effected all retailers worldwide in pushing back pre-order dates.

Thanks for the update Stoner.
I'll keep an eye out for your thoughts when it arrives.

After reading this thread and taking a look around I've bought one of the Cube U9gt2's from the ipadalternative website, I hope it turns out well, if I don't get on with it then I'm sure I'll be able to turn it back around on somewhere like Ebay or here 🙂

I just couldn't stomach paying for £400 for the majority of the ipadalikes out there and figured this at less than half the price could be a good punt, I reckon most of the hardware inside will be standard issue so here goes...

Archos G9 8" & 10" new spec 1.5Ghz CPU 1GB RAM ICS Android 4.0 from £219.99 Pre-Order @ Amazon

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/archos-g9-8-10-new-spec-1-5ghz-cpu-1gb-ram-ics-android-4-0-from-219-99-pre-order-1144034#comments

Ooh and

HTC Flyer 16GB £189.95 +£7.95pnp @ IBOOD

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/htc-flyer-16gb-189-95-7-95pnp-ibood-1144325#comments

That Archos G9 10" looks like it could be just what I'm after.....

Caution ; no android market

iPad 1 16gB wifi £249!

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad

The Cube I've bought has Android market, It was one of the things I needed as I'm not that geeky!

magowen - just received an email (1am) saying that gadgetfreakz have just received a limited stock of 16Gb Auroras (Id pre-ordered a 8Gb one) and offered a discounted upgrade for pre-order customers on a first come first served basis for £+14. Thanks to early child alarm this fine sunday morning, Im hopefully one of those first customers. And they say they will start shipping tomorrow.

So I will have paid £130 + £14 for it which looks like a pretty good price.

Hopefully I will have it in my hands mid week.

Regarding the blackberry playbook its not just a tablet. You need a blackberry handheld which bridges to the playbook. It's a glorified dumb terminal but the new OS and newer playbooks realised later this year will be better. Many have predicted it's death though as the ipad3 will be realised later this year also.

I am working on a mobile data project i have evaluated the galaxy tab 10.1, playbook and ipad2. The galaxy tab wins it for me as a personal device its really easy to work with. Business wise citrix works a treat on the ipad and tab. The playbook has potenial infact i would prefer a playbook corporate wise so i can manage it from the BES but RIM have failed to deliver so far. I was at RIMs hq in slough there is a lot more to come from them but can't help think they are some what lagging, falling behind.

The samsung galaxy tab is well worth looking at, should be some in pc wally world available to demo handson.

Video of typing please stoner.

when it lands, al, when it lands...

magowen - woohoo dispatch email in, on its way!

Stoner - I'll look forward to the write up when you've had a play with it. 🙂
I've ordered the Onda Vi40 Elite 16gb from GF so I'll review that when it gets here (hopefully next week).
Cheers!

Stoner - Member
Caution ; no android market

With Adobe® Flash® 10.3 support for the true web experience and the constantly growing number of apps in Android Market™, as well as Google’s suite of Mobile applications your ARCHOS 101 G9 is your versatile tool for your connected life.

sorry druidh - quite right, Archos has the AM, its The "Archos" budget brand "Arnova" that doesnt.

I've ordered the Onda Vi40 Elite 16gb from GF so I'll review that when it gets here (hopefully next week).

that'd be interesting too, magowen.

I have a tracking shipment number but I imagine the Aurora has only just been picked up from GF. Hopefully arrive tomorrow, but maybe weds.

Your order from Gadget Freakz Ltd is out for delivery today by Andy your Interlink Express driver and is due to be delivered between 09:43-10:43.

*jiggles*

ohhh, has it turned up then stoner?

mine arrived this morning exactly same spec as stoners, first tablet iv'e used & dont have a smart phone, first impression very swish & various extra apps put on by vendor (gadgetfreakz),just needs blue tooth sorting!! overall for the money bargain!!

*pulls up a chair*

*waits for the reviews...*

mine arrived this morning, but I had to go out and lay some concrete for dad 🙄

Ive had a play now and these are first findings:

Nice weight and solid feel. Robust.
Will charge over USB as long as it's not sitting at the end of an overcrowded hub
Mounts and hosts easily
ICS (Android 4.0.x) is OK, but not IMO an amazing jump from gingerbread.
There's still a bit of bloat installed from Gadgetfreak which needs taking off
It comes with 4.0.3 on it
Rockplayer lite works fine and mp4 plays beautifully. Unfortunately windows DVR-MS files are a little sluggish, but just means I have to do the extra Handbrake conversion of my TV recordings - but Ive been doing that for my phone for a while anyway
typing is very good. keyboard easy to hit and responds well, even without using a special ap, but I shall be trying Swiftkey in a bit
Doesnt seem to support google calendar sync in this build, but working on it.
Android market works out of the box, as does gmail sync and google talk
The native browser is awful. But I use opera which seems fine.

Overall the tablet is good. I think it would be excellent with rolled back to a gingerbread build which is what I shall do later this evening I think as an experiment. Ive got a copy of the 4.0.3 firmware I can reflash later if I want to...will see how it goes.

For the money, it's a really good bit of kit. Bit of lag using the novolauncher, but Im just about to fiddle with that.

Mrs S is screaming to be fed, so I have to go away, but I'll post up a bit more later.

been playing more on it and ICS is actually growing on me. As long as you dont use the native browser its actually fine.

Still a problem with google calendar sync not working in this firmware so will need to flash a fixed version at some point if it's a problem (which TBH it isnt as my phone has my calendar on anyway)

party trick of the night though: have got it to serve media from my PC over wifi to my TV via HDMI cable. Bit buffery, but the wifi connection near the TV is poor until I fit some homeplugs I have on the way.

The more I use it the more Im liking it, and Im finding not much to complain about. Just need to find a way of launching opera bookmarks from the desktop so as to bypass the native browser and I'll be happy. then its on to readers and magazine viewers. back later

Stoner - Member
then its on to readers [s]and[/s] wives magazine viewers. back later

FTFY

Cheers for the reiview Stoner - out of interest does it work with Skype?
I'm thinking of trying to get hold of one for travelling with but the deal breaker would be skype functionality.