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Question

Tablet Computer Under $100

Nov 9, 2012 8:08AM PST

Hey guys. I'm currently looking for a tablet touchscreen computer with wi-fi under $100 that has good reviews and is stable. Thank you in advance! Happy Screen size at least 7" minimum.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
$100? I think you will be struggling
Nov 9, 2012 8:15PM PST

Hi,
I'd be surprised if you could find a mainstream tablet (the ones that are likely to have been reviewed) at your price point.If you don't mind dealing direct with China, you could try DinoDirect.cpm or AliExpress.com (part of Alibaba) but while they might meet your target, they would likely be brands you've never heard of.

Alternatively, you could try Ebay - you may find a decent second user machine, for example an older model iPad from a fan upgrading to the latest model but unlikely for $100.

If you can stretch (double) the budget, a Kindle Fire might be a good choice.

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Answer
how about this?
Nov 10, 2012 12:36AM PST

I was looking for a cheap tablet but one that had decent reviews and support. I ended up buying a Skytex, Skypad Alpha 2 (SX-SP715A) for less than $100. Sometimes you can find it even cheaper. Right now, you can find it for around $110. It's a 7' android tablet with ICS. It's low on features and not exactly high end, but it works surprisingly well considering the price. It takes micro SD cards, has USB, and HDMI out. It has wi-fi but no bluetooth. No GPS either. No rear-facing camera. Marginal front-facing camera. Google, and you can find reviews on it, mostly good. It's well represented in a number of forums for support / discussion. You can also call Skytex tech support in the USA and speak to someone who speaks English. I have been very happy with it. I bought two, so my kids could have something to play with without spending $1000+, but I also use it to check email, for casual web browsing, etc. I've been without power in New York after hurricane Sandy, and it's really helped me (Thank you, Mcdonalds, Burger King, and every other supplier of free wi-fi!) If I had one minor issue, it's that the wi-fi sometimes seems a little slower than it should be, but for the money, I can't complain.

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hdmi out
Nov 10, 2012 11:56AM PST

I have been trying to find one for under $100 that will be able to do HDMI out to my tv. Have you tried that with the Skytex.? Hope you get your power back soon.

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Yes, HDMI works fine
Nov 11, 2012 4:30AM PST

Thanks. I just got power back yesterday, after nearly two weeks. Yes, I did try the HDMI out. It worked well. I don't think it looked as good as, say, a blu-ray disk, but the source file might not have been that great to begin with. The specs say it supports up to 1080p. I did have to buy a mini (micro?) HDMI to full size HDMI adapter, not included, but I got one on Ebay for two or three dollars.

If you want to see some reviews, check out Amazon, Newegg, androidforums, and, of course, even Cnet. Also, the forum at androidtabletzone has a lot of useful stuff. I found most of the reviews, plus and minus, to be pretty accurate. It has some nice features, including decent processor and capacitive touchscreen but it does have limitations. The only other thing I really wish it had was bluetooth. I haven't been able to get it to work with a bluetooth dongle either. Regardless, for the $95 I spent, I couldn't be happier.

It has an ok app market, but the tablet comes pre-rooted and it's easy to load stuff from pretty much anywhere.

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from computer to tablet to tv?
Nov 11, 2012 10:06AM PST

Thank you. I just want to make sure that I asked the right question. Can I connect this to my home wireless network and stream internet tv to it. And then connect it the micro HDMI to HDMI cable to my HDMI intake on my T V.
I know this is very basic, but I have been reading so much that I have managed to confuse the issue. Glad you have power and hope the Occupy folks continue to help the ill and elderly.

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should be ok depending on just what you're using
Nov 13, 2012 6:20AM PST

Through HDMI, I have only watched videos stored on the tablet, but you should be able to do what you want.
Be sure your wireless connection is fast enough. You'll need some sort of Android app or browser-based streaming service. The Alpha 2 uses Android 4.0 (ICS).

Do beware, a lot of video services are not tablet-friendly. For example, you can watch Hulu for free on your desktop, but they purposely disable it on tablets. To watch on an I-pad or Android tablet, you have pay a monthly fee to buy the Hulu-plus service. There were hacks to get around this, but Hulu keeps evolving to defeat the hacks.

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(NT) great clarification-ty NT
Nov 13, 2012 10:43AM PST