I'm looking for recommendations for an Android tablet for my brother-in-law. My sister is talking about getting him one for his upcoming birthday. Sister is very Mac based but he doesn't care and will use either. He travels worldwide so the smaller format (7 inch ?) would be a better size for travel. Also cheaper device would be less of a loss if stolen or damaged. Primary use would be e-reader for books, maybe some movies while traveling, email / wifi access.

I was talking to my neighbor last night and he just got the Google Nexus. I played around with it for about 30 minutes. Graphics were nice, e-reader text (downloaded PDF magazine) was clear and easy to read. Seemed to be nicely made for the money (seem to be $250 or so) Wifi was fine and we were outside 75' to 100' from router. He could not tell me much about content management because he just got it.

Any suggestions welcomed

TIA

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From what I've read, that one is the one to get. Even if you had said a larger tablet, the 7" Nexus seems the only anti-iPad worth a damn. But when's his birthday? A 7.85" iPad is a strong rumor.

Nexus 7 would be my top choice too.

no SD slot on the Nexus could be a non-starter for a person who travels frequently and uses it to watch content.

His birthday is this weekend so not really willing to wait for new iPad (and wait and wait) The price on the Nexus 7 is probably well below where the iPad will come in at. I don't think the lack of SD slot will matter as he's currently carrying a few movies on his iPhone but he also carries a couple books. The tablet would let him consolidate and maybe have a few more choices on reading material. He travels internationally a couple times a year but they are long 2 to 3 week trips - usually to Asia. Also travels domestically but shorter trips. He'll be returning from a Thailand/Vietnam trip on his birthday, so he will get a 36hr birthday as he travels through the time zones.

<edit>

I didn't realize that these were such a hot item. Reading stories online of the 16GB being sold out and Google underestimating demand. Appears to be plenty of 8GB models.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2012 08:13AM by lafinfil.

Can't beat the Retina Display. Unless the Nexus has something as good.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

I like my kindle fire with a custom rom (cyanogen7) based on ginger bread but I haven't spent much time with any other tablet. It was $130 refurbed from Amazon (basically new) and came with a month of free prime membership. My kids want to use it all day so I have to keep it away from them. The battery life is great. I have a cheap case that doubles as a stand.

However I wouldn't recommend it unless you are willing to root and custom rom it, which is a little nerdy but well worth it. The stock OS is a kludge version of Android and there just aren't enough apps available (just the major ones) and very few free games/apps.

Would I get another? Not likely since I'd like to have an SD card slot and volume rocker so if I could add those for a few $20 or $30 more, I'd do it. I might look into the Nook Color or Tablet and a subsequent custom rom. Remember, the Kindle and Nook are selling for below cost because Amazon and BN are hoping to upsell you on content.

Thanks Wailer but my bro-in-law is not the type to want to deal with the rooting and tinkering. It needs to be an out of the box solution. Looking online the 16GB seems to be backordered everywhere so I guess this may be a no go.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2012 09:16AM by lafinfil.

Sony Tablet(s)

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Quote
onthedownlow
Sony Tablet(s)

Any particular model ?

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Get the Nexus. It's the best out there and it'll continue to get software updates for years, unlike the "non-Google" Android tablets.

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MGS_forgot_password
Get the Nexus. It's the best out there and it'll continue to get software updates for years, unlike the "non-Google" Android tablets.

Google is depending on everyone using their Dropbox alternative, Google Drive. But they only give you 5gb. When I bought my HTC Evo 4G LTE, I got a 25gb Dropbox upgrade for free, which it uses seamlessly. I think the Nexus 7 is really nice but I doubt it will be able to handle an Android OS upgrade say 3 years from now.

If its back ordered, just give him an IOU showing that she ordered it and it is on the way, eventually. He should understand.

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Alpharetta, GA (Atlanta suburb)

Quote
deckeda
From what I've read, that one is the one to get. Even if you had said a larger tablet, the 7" Nexus seems the only anti-iPad worth a damn. But when's his birthday? A 7.85" iPad is a strong rumor.

Apple would sell a BILLION of these.

FYI the 16 GB Google Nexus is available at Microcenter according to Slickdeals.net link

Refurb iPad2 prices at OWC makes that a viable alternative for less than $100 more.

I love my iPad to traveling, but even 16GB is modest storage if you have any music or movie library.

Here's the link:
[eshop.macsales.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2012 02:30PM by sekker.

Quote
lafinfil

Quote
onthedownlow
Sony Tablet(s)

Any particular model ?

Sony S (the 'P' is pretty dang cool, too, so you might check it out - special pricing going on):
[store.sony.com]

...you can find them cheaper than from Sony - just a direct link to Sony's site for description ease.

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PS if I wanted an android tablet, the nexus is the best out there right now.

If I want an ereader, the nook simple touch is awesome. Get the backlight.

Quote
vision63
I think the Nexus 7 is really nice but I doubt it will be able to handle an Android OS upgrade say 3 years from now.

Same applies to the iPads.

Thanks again for all the info. I will pass it along to my sister.

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