is there such a thing as a < R2000 decent 3g Android tablet?

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jxharding

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i saw bucketloads of Android (ipad clone wannabe) tablets on gumtree.

most take 3g through usb modem.

i want to experience android, with a cell c 2gig sim card, and since i have a cellphone , its prob cheaper to buy a tablet than a android phone.


e.g.
http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stu...-E-Pad-3G-Compatible-R1780-W0QQAdIdZ240455063


does anybody have any sub R2000 tablet running android?
do you think android will only be supported up to e.g. 2.2 and then the tablets wont be able to upgrade?
any advice whatsoever?
 
A lot these Ipad clones / tablets are made in china, basicly they just slap android on some parts and call it a tablet.

the biggest problem is a lot of these guys dont have a clear upgrade path, and the stuff is not stable. there is little testing that happens and mostly the screens suck.

I was looking / am trying to bring in a properly developed tablet for some clients in the automotive field, but after cornering the manufacture on some aspects they kinda got shady.

Full accsess to the Android marketplace seems to be the sticking point for a lot of tablets, what use is andorid if you cant have Apps ?

if i where you i would save your money, there are some very nice systems comming out in the first quater of next year, some nice things are going to be launched at CES 2011.
 
gboy said:
Full accsess to the Android marketplace seems to be the sticking point for a lot of tablets, what use is andorid if you cant have Apps ?
Click to expand...

This isn't iOS, you don't need the official app store to get apps... although it will still suck not to have the market. I guess you could make do with slideme.org.

But yea, these tablets seems pretty crappy. Not to mention the 800x480 screen resolution is matched by a lot of phones with 3.2 to 5 inch screens. On a tablet with a 7 or more inch screen that's just going to look terrible.
Several major manufacturers are working on high quality tablets but they wont be cheap. The Samsung Galaxy Tab is out, but I don't think it's worth the price because it's little more than a giant Galaxy S phone which you could get at a lower price.

You get what you pay for.
 
even kalahari is selling a sub R1500 unit
http://www.kalahari.net/sale_normal/7-Google-Android-Touch-Pad/42665/38931911.aspx

7" Google Android Touch Pad - plus stylish protective wallet with built in keyboard.

The stylish looking eTouch tablet welcomes the new era of personal computing. Its handy tablet format means you use the eTouch inside your personal space delivering an awesome immersive experience, and lets you navigate around with a simple ick of your ngers. Ultra thin and lightweight you can take your eTouch™ anywhere to wirelessly jump on the internet, send an eMail or play music, movies and apps. Perfect for keeping in contact with the oce, keeping on top of your social networking or just surng the web.

The eTouch™ uses Google Android 1.6 operating system, an intuitive and powerful platform for touchscreen devices. Preloaded with a variety of useful apps the eTouch is one of the best ways to keep connected with friends and family and enjoying all your digital content at home or on the move.

Specifications:
Display

7” LED Touchscreen 7” diagonal- 800 x 480 pixels
Widescreen LED backlit LCD
ARM LNX Code 9 Processor 128MB RAM

Storage 2GB Flash

2GB Flash NAND
Solid State Storage Device- embedded
Software Google Android

Android 1.6 Mobile Operating System
Touch optimised OS
Embedded apps
Wireless 802.11 b/g

802.11 b/g specification
2.4GHz Wi-Fi wireless connection
Battery Power

Li-ion re-chargeable battery - 3.5 Hours Battery Life*
9V ~ 2100mA DC / 110~240V AC
Connections Ports

1 x micro USB 2.0 port, Volume + / -
3.5mm headphone port + Stereo Speakers
Micro SD Card Slot
Virtual onboard keyboard
240 X 173 X 16mm
 
I wouldn't waste money on these el-cheapo tablets. Surely you can't expect a good display with a tablet that costs less than R2000?

Like Maddmatt said, You get what you pay for. And my favorite Afrikaans saying "goedkoop koop is duur koop".
 
I know we're talking about tablets < R2000, but if you're willing to spend a bit more...

From what I've seen on the net, the best option for a decent, cheap Android tablet is the Archos 70. Expansys have it on pre-order for R2805.20. Has pretty decent specs, runs on Froyo (2.2), and I think Archos would be more reliable when it comes to upgrades. But I wouldn't get my hopes high on anything higher than 2.2:

http://www.expansys.co.za/archos-70-android-internet-tablet-8gb-203487/
 
Last edited:
The guys selling you a resistive tab for more than R1800 is ripping you off. As an importer of the tabs I can tell you that for R2000 I will be able to provide a 7/8 inch unit with full GPS access and android 2.1/2.2. For capacitive units I can recommend a unit for R2990 that has a simcard slot and android 2.2. Upgrades on firmware uploaded to a sharing site and access given to buyers.

You have the wrong idea of these devices. Sure they are not always tested well but they are selling so fast and it is up to the seller, not the manufacturer to supply the relevent support(if the manufacturer does this it will not be affordable). But a tab with a cortex processor sub R1900 is really worth the effort.

For cheaper 10 inch models you will pay around R1500 but it is not worth your effort as it has a terrible processor - 500-600 mhz and an even worse screen.

Feel free to ask questions should you have as I have been through the whole process.
 
I enjoy having a portable on the go tablet. I invested more money though - got the ViewSonic G tablet for R3999. But it is well worth it. Don't use my laptop anymore. Games are great on it. So are watching HD movies or browsing internet. And it saves my DHD battery life :)

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
 
Does the viewsonic run froyo? How does that work on the 10" screen?
Looks like an interesting product.
 
I honestly doubt that these are even worth having. I've heard of people getting them and regretting it... but maybe some of the new ones are different. Would love to hear from an owner of one of them.
 
I have a Commtiva N700. Very nice 7" with built in 3G

I'm selling because I got an iPad with 3G from employer for remote support so won't be using the Android tab anymore.
 
Commtiva also has a capacitive screen and playing games like angry birds are excellent as well as watching movies
 
I've been considering getting one of these cheap tabs myself.. I think i saw a 7" for 1.2k somewhere the other day.
But I guess I should give it a miss and return to the plan: save up for an ipad.. !
 
seedat77 said:
I know we're talking about tablets < R2000, but if you're willing to spend a bit more...

From what I've seen on the net, the best option for a decent, cheap Android tablet is the Archos 70. Expansys have it on pre-order for R2805.20. Has pretty decent specs, runs on Froyo (2.2), and I think Archos would be more reliable when it comes to upgrades. But I wouldn't get my hopes high on anything higher than 2.2:

http://www.expansys.co.za/archos-70-android-internet-tablet-8gb-203487/
Click to expand...


I don't think the Archos has access to the official Google Marketplace
 
My gtablet has Android 2.2. It works a charm. I've got the TnT lite installed. It really makes my tablet fly.

Read up on this tablet on the xda forum. I have no regrets.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
 
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