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Tablets - Cheap but less... Google?

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  • Google
  • Tablets
Last response: in General UK & Ireland Discussions
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November 27, 2012 9:35:06 AM

Thinking of buying a tablet as a gift (specifically an Archos Carbon, probably from the high-street), however, and this is possibly a bit of a petty one - she's not big on Google. Data privacy reasons (not that she's wrong, just that most of us have given up caring). Having personally used an Android phone for a few years now (HTC Legend, so version 2.2 or so), I'm aware of what kind of level of Google intergration I can expect (compulsory Google login, email / calendar sync). Are Ice Cream sandwich tablets (that... sounds delicious) a step up from this? And are there any real non-Google alternatives on the market at the moment that may be in my price range (£200. So no Apple...)

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November 27, 2012 9:47:08 AM

The kindle fire HD is £199 and is apparently a good tablet although I would have a nexus 7 in my opinion if google was an option.
November 27, 2012 9:48:28 AM

ICS and Jelly bean tablets especially are a huge jump and are better in every way. Try a jelly bean tablet out such as the nexus. Much smooth an faster to respond
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November 27, 2012 9:54:44 AM

Off the wall suggestion - I picked up my 64GB Blackberry Playbook the other week for £129 and really like it. Can side-load Android apps (not tried) and the software updates that should have been there on day one make it pretty much what it was promised to be at launch. Fine for films (mini-hdmi output, plenty of storage space), productivity (I use mine with a mini BT keyboard to work on Word and Excel files, SSH client perfect for my on-site requirements), browsing, games (especially if you are old enough to be an ex-Amiga fan).

Biggest downside is no 3G - relies on tethering to a 'berry phone. But if you are happy with wi-fi, then I'd seriously consider it.

Also - if data privacy is an issue, no-one takes that more seriously than BB. No manufacturer will be perfect, but they are pretty good.
November 27, 2012 10:03:15 AM

kyzarvs said:
Off the wall suggestion - I picked up my 64GB Blackberry Playbook the other week for £129 and really like it. Can side-load Android apps (not tried) and the software updates that should have been there on day one make it pretty much what it was promised to be at launch. Fine for films (mini-hdmi output, plenty of storage space), productivity (I use mine with a mini BT keyboard to work on Word and Excel files, SSH client perfect for my on-site requirements), browsing, games (especially if you are old enough to be an ex-Amiga fan).

Biggest downside is no 3G - relies on tethering to a 'berry phone. But if you are happy with wi-fi, then I'd seriously consider it.

Also - if data privacy is an issue, no-one takes that more seriously than BB. No manufacturer will be perfect, but they are pretty good.


I know the playbook's very good value for money but isn't the app ecosystem a bit barren?
November 27, 2012 10:03:57 AM

kyzarvs said:
Off the wall suggestion - I picked up my 64GB Blackberry Playbook the other week for £129 and really like it. Can side-load Android apps (not tried) and the software updates that should have been there on day one make it pretty much what it was promised to be at launch. Fine for films (mini-hdmi output, plenty of storage space), productivity (I use mine with a mini BT keyboard to work on Word and Excel files, SSH client perfect for my on-site requirements), browsing, games (especially if you are old enough to be an ex-Amiga fan).

Biggest downside is no 3G - relies on tethering to a 'berry phone. But if you are happy with wi-fi, then I'd seriously consider it.

Also - if data privacy is an issue, no-one takes that more seriously than BB. No manufacturer will be perfect, but they are pretty good.

Ah, Blackberry. I'll definitely look into this, so thank you :) 
March 29, 2013 11:23:44 PM

Hi. Beware of the extremely nasty, cheap tablets made by "Genius" (they are so horrifically ghastly it is difficult to know where to begin slagging them; they usually will not work at all, but even if they sort of do work, they are still so horrible you will have a hard time telling the difference!!!).

i ended up getting an 8" x 6" Wacom Bamboo tablet and was surprised how big the "active area" actually is (lot of arm movement to use the area); if given the choice again, would have looked for a Wacom 6" x 4".

Finally, there is an amazing American electronics outfit called "Monoprice" which sells everything electronic you can think of, and it is all very high quality stuff for amazingly low prices (i am in no way connected with them, but if you google them, you will see how people are raving about the excellent quality of their stuff) and this includes tablets that everyone says are at least as good as Wacoms.

Monoprice Website:

http://www.monoprice.com/

Monoprice Tablets Page:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_i...
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