tablets

Get a Kindle Fire HD 8.9 tablet for $239

I would argue that Amazon's Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is already a steal at $269. Thus, today's deal practically amounts to theft.

For a limited time, and while supplies last, Staples has the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 with Special Offers tablet for $239 shipped (plus sales tax). That's after applying coupon code 46097 at checkout.

But wait, there's more. Staples is offering a $40 gift card by mail when you purchase this model. It's not quite as good as a check or debit card, but I suspect you could burn through $40 at … Read more

HTC nixes plans for 12-inch Windows RT tablet, report says

Remember late last year when there was a rumor that HTC would be getting into the Windows RT tablet game with 7- and 12-inch versions? Well, Bloomberg is reporting that the 12-inch slate has been scrapped.

Bloomberg's source disclosed that the tablet would have cost HTC too much and the weak demand for RT tablets meant that the company had to be more selective about the products it brings to the market.

Instead, the focus will be on two 7-inch tablets -- one running RT, and the other Android. Both devices will be launched at the same time in … Read more

Android poised to overtake Apple in tablets, ABI says

Apple's iPad has dominated the tablet market since it first launched, but that's going to change.

Apple exited the first quarter of the year with 50 percent share of all tablet shipments, but Android is poised to overtake iOS in tablets, ABI Research said Thursday. The tech research firm didn't provide a timeline for the shift but said the big variable for Android is China.

The country is "passionate about the Apple brand," ABI said, but smaller, 7-inch Android tablets grown in popularity. A push for low-cost tablets, generally less than $200, keeps Android relevant … Read more

New cases hint at iPad 5 with thinner bezel

Apple's next iPad has been rumored for months, and leaks about possible cases suggest some design changes are coming.

Vietnamese site Tinhte today posted a video showing what it claims is a case designed for the next iPad. The case's height is slightly shorter and its width is notably thinner when compared to the current, big-screen iPad.

The case design lends credence to reports that the company's next big-screen slate will have a much thinner bezel. Apple's iPad Mini, which reports suggest the next large iPad's design will be based on, comes with a thin … Read more

FCC tips Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 with support for AT&T

AT&T may soon offer a 4G LTE variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, if recent FCC documents are to be believed.

Engadget spied the 8.0-inch SGH-I467 tablet wandering the virtual halls of the FCC with support for 850/1900 GSM and LTE Bands 2, 4, 5, and 17. In other words, all the necessary radios to work with AT&T's burgeoning 4G LTE network.

No new details were provided for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, so it's assumed everything else remains the same as the Wi-Fi model. As a reminder, the … Read more

Amazon Kindle reportedly destined for China on June 7

Amazon may finally open up shop for its Kindle devices in China.

Citing information from "multiple sources," blog site Sina Tech said today that the Kindle Fire tablet and Kindle e-readers will officially launch in China on June 7. Amazon will reportedly sell the devices through Chinese online retailer Suning.

The Kindle Fire HD (either the 7-inch or 8.9-inch version) will sell for 1400 to 1500 yuan ($228 to $244), while the Kindle Paperwhite Wi-Fi e-reader will go for 849 yuan ($138), according to Sina Tech.

Amazon has slowly been moving into the Chinese market. Last December, … Read more

Microsoft's 256GB Surface Pro tablet to land in Japan on June 7

A 256GB version of Microsoft's Surface Pro will be available to Japanese consumers, starting June 7.

Microsoft's Japanese Surface Web site already lists the tablet with the 256GB version selling for 119,800 yen ($1,171) and the 128GB version going for 99,800 yen ($975). The 256GB edition will make its debut in Japan, while the 64GB model apparently won't be sold in the country at all.

Both versions come with Windows 8 Pro and Office Home and Business 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook). The Surface Pro tablet will also treat Japanese buyers to … Read more

Get a Lenovo convertible laptop for $463.50 shipped

For those of you who might be new to the Cheapskate blog, allow me to refer you to the Cheapskate FAQ, which answers a lot of common questions -- like "why I sent you an e-mail for a deal that was already sold out." (Spoiler: It wasn't sold out when I sent it.)

I mention that example because today's deal may also sell out quickly. (At this writing, Lenovo shows 498 units still in stock.) For a limited time, and while supplies last, Lenovo has the ThinkPad Twist S230u convertible laptop for $463.50 shipped. (Sales … Read more

Tablet shipments to surpass all PCs by 2015, IDC says

The tablet market should top all laptop shipments this year and the entire PC market by 2015, according to a report released Tuesday.

Market researcher IDC estimated that tablet shipments will grow 59 percent this year to 229.3 million units. That's higher than IDC's estimate for notebook shipments this year. Topping that, IDC predicts tablet shipments will surpass the total number of notebook and desktop PC shipments in 2015.

"Tablets surpassing portables in 2013, and total PCs in 2015, marks a significant change in consumer attitudes about compute devices and the applications and ecosystems that power … Read more