Need tablet recommendations

[gwenhyfara]

I want to buy a tablet as a gift for someone but there are so many choices, I don't know where to start. My price range is anything under $300. I would like something with a fast processor, decent screen resolution, and at least 16 gigs of internal memory.

I appreciate any advice you have, or if you can point me towards a site where they have side by side comparisons of different tablets, that would be even better. Please don't recommend ipads because I am anti-apple.

[duckwingduck]

That's an expensive gift.  What about $30 gift? 

[Redemption]

gwenhyfara,

Other than iPads, which are over $300... the best out there are the Google's Nexus 7 tablets. They run android, so there are tons of apps for it. The Nexus 7 has a 7 inch screen (measured diagonally) and is a quad core, so it's pretty fast. It comes in 16GB and 32GB, I guess if you want value, then I'd go with the 32GB version since it's only about $40 more than the 16GB version. The 32GB version (wifi only) goes for around $270. The 16GB goes for around $230. They are great for reading, browsing the web, and gaming.

http://www.google.com/nexus/7/

[gwenhyfara]

That's an expensive gift.  What about $30 gift? 

If one has the means, why not?

[gwenhyfara]

gwenhyfara,

Other than iPads, which are over $300... the best out there are the Google's Nexus 7 tablets. They run android, so there are tons of apps for it. The Nexus 7 has a 7 inch screen (measured diagonally) and is a quad core, so it's pretty fast. It comes in 16GB and 32GB, I guess if you want value, then I'd go with the 32GB version since it's only about $40 more than the 16GB version. The 32GB version (wifi only) goes for around $270. The 16GB goes for around $230. They are great for reading, browsing the web, and gaming.

http://www.google.com/nexus/7/

Thank you, Redemption. I'll go check it out.

[slude]

I want to buy a tablet as a gift for someone but there are so many choices, I don't know where to start. My price range is anything under $300. I would like something with a fast processor, decent screen resolution, and at least 16 gigs of internal memory.

I appreciate any advice you have, or if you can point me towards a site where they have side by side comparisons of different tablets, that would be even better. Please don't recommend ipads because I am anti-apple.

for speed, resolution and price i would go with the ipad mini but since you're an anti-apple person, look at the microsoft surface family, the surface RT is on sale for $199 at microsoft site and most stores until end of the year.

depending on the usage: reading, taking notes, surfing there are diff tablets for diff tasks.

kindle fire, hd and hdx for reading and all amazon store products. is andriod but limited to the amazon app market instead of the full google play store.

samsung galaxy tablets for note taking/handwriting, comes with a fine stylus for this purpose. has full andriod google play store. the early 2.0 is slow. the latest 10" 2014 edition is the fastest and the most expensive.

microsoft surface for word and spreadsheet. the rt series is the early version, then windows 8 and now pro version. very pricey with the pro version and limited to microsoft app market.

google tablets for apps and internet and is a hybrid of smartphone and tablets. full google play market.

then there's apple.

i've owned and played with the kindle fire, samsung galaxy 2.0 7, microsoft surface rt and currently enjoying the ipad 4.

[Rockin]

If they aren't tech savy... Get IPAD. Easier to use. I know from the wife, grand ma and kids....

[gwenhyfara]

for speed, resolution and price i would go with the ipad mini but since you're an anti-apple person, look at the microsoft surface family, the surface RT is on sale for $199 at microsoft site and most stores until end of the year.

depending on the usage: reading, taking notes, surfing there are diff tablets for diff tasks.

kindle fire, hd and hdx for reading and all amazon store products. is andriod but limited to the amazon app market instead of the full google play store.

samsung galaxy tablets for note taking/handwriting, comes with a fine stylus for this purpose. has full andriod google play store. the early 2.0 is slow. the latest 10" 2014 edition is the fastest and the most expensive.

microsoft surface for word and spreadsheet. the rt series is the early version, then windows 8 and now pro version. very pricey with the pro version and limited to microsoft app market.

google tablets for apps and internet and is a hybrid of smartphone and tablets. full google play market.

then there's apple.

i've owned and played with the kindle fire, samsung galaxy 2.0 7, microsoft surface rt and currently enjoying the ipad 4.

 

Thanks for your thorough and insightful analysis. That really helped me out. After reading it I think I'll check out the samsung tablet and google tablet. Those seem the most likely to fit the needs of the recipient. Thanks once again.

[gwenhyfara]

If they aren't tech savy... Get IPAD. Easier to use. I know from the wife, grand ma and kids....

He is pretty tech savvy, which is why I want to choose a decent one. Not an ipad of course for the reasons stated prior. I told him I was only getting him a sweater for Christmas but I'm going to surprise him with the tablet and hide it underneath. Hopefully he'll like it.

[Toua]

Asus transformer