Looking for an Anroid tablet for R1500

[InTheCube]

A friend has asked me to recommend a tablet PC for his 10 year old daughter. He has a semi-flexible budget of about R1500.

Requirements:
- Doesn't want to import - must be available locally
- Must run Android, preferably ICS or later (or upgradeable to ICS)
- From a reputable brand (as reputable as one can get on a cheap Android tablet), with local warranty
- preferably 3G enabled (without the need for a dongle)

I know there are many different options available, from Esquire, local retailers and etailers and even at Pick n Pay. But I have no info on these, and what is good and what I should stay away from.

Any advise will be appreciated.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

You won't get 3G for that price also your going to get something with a low res - the guys at work got burned with those cheap tablets.

(Also looked into something cheap for my son as he won't leave my Galaxy Tab alone)

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

This is about the benchmark of "cheap" in SA:

http://www.tabletworld.co.za/2812/colpad-2

acked with these special features

6 month Tabletworld Warranty
Android 4.0 ( Ice Cream Sandwich OS )
Skype Instant messaging
Standard USB Host Port
Fast CPU : Rockchips RK2918 ( 1.0GHz Cortex A )
Bright Capactive 5-Point Touch Screen
USB/3G modem required - only a few compatible modems
4 GIG internal memory, supports up to 32 GB microSD card
7inch screen size
Resolution : 7inch 800*480 16:9 Capacitive Multipacitive
RAM 512MB DDR3
Built in Camera 0.3 Megapixel
Weight 334.5grams

 

[skimread]

The best deal would be the Google Nexus 7 inch. Esquire is selling it for 3K. You can't go wrong with it.

For less than that there are lots of Android ICS 4 7" device going around but none reputable brands.
Musica is selling a Prestigo brand. A 7" 999 and an 8" for 1999.
HiFi is selling a 7" Sansui for 999 and 8" for 1999
online stores are selling other brands.

Be wary of those low end devices performance since they would have single core processors so multimedia and games would stutter. Also not all of them have Android market.

 

[Conack]

The moment you add 3g and ICS as requirements the price rockets up. That's pretty much what I've been looking for too - with 1gb RAM and atleast a 720p display.

 

[bevturn]

I have been burned by these cheaper tablets, rather go smaller like a 7-inch and find something second hand. These cheaper types from China just dont perform. With Android as fragmented as it is, its just a pain.

Find something cheap second hand that someone is getting rid of.....

 

[DJ...]

What do we have in the region of R2.5k? I'm contemplating buying them as incentives in my office...

 

[Fox1]

The Google Nexus 7 seems to be the best of the cheap tablets and can be picked up from Esquire +-R3k.

 

[ClintZA]

All these comments are the reason I am seriously considering the Ainol Novo 7 Crystal tablet. Can get it in from China for around R1.1k. Plenty reviews around and on YouTube.

This does not meet your needs of course as it needs to be imported... they do, however, offer to cover return costs for an added R8-odd.

OS: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Google Play: Pre-installed
CPU: 2nd Generation Amlogic8726-M6 Cortex-A9 Dual Core 1.5GHZ
GPU: Dual Core Mali400*2
RAM: DDR3 1G
Storage: 8GB
Screen: 7 inch Capacitive Touchscreen, 1024*600 High-resolution IPS Screen
Resolution: 1024*600 Pixels
Visible Angle: all Angle 180°
Display: IPS
Skype Yes
Camera Front camera, 2 Megapixels
Gravity Sensor Yes
Multi-Touch Yes, 5 points touch
Extend Card: Support TF card up to 32GB
Gravity Sensor: Build-in 3 axis Gravity sensor
OTG : Support(exfat，ntfs，fat32) Support (win2000/xp/vista/7)
Extend Card Support TF card up to 32GB extended
Video 1080P, AVI/MOV/MP4/RMVB/FLV/MKV…
Music MP3/WMA/WAV/APE/AAC/FLAC/OGG
WIFI: Yes, 802.11 b/g/n
Flash : Support Flash and HMTL5
HDMI: Support HDMI 1.4
Ebook UMD, TXT, PDF, HTML, RTF, FB2…
Email and Browser: Yes, built in
Battery :3700 MAh
Weight: 328g
Size: 189.3*120.93*11.2mm

 

[InTheCube]

Thanks for the replies. The 3G requirement is more of a nice-to-have, which I guess he can do without.

The Ainol Novo 7 Crystal tablet looks ideal, it has awesome specs for the price, but it has to be imported. Are there no local suppliers?

I am trying to convince him to cough up more and get the Nexus 7, but I don't think he can afford it, or wants to spend so much on something that his daughter (and her younger siblings) will likely end up breaking.

I can probably convince him to spend R2k and get a 2nd hand device, but then again, I hate 2nd-hand devices.

 

[ClintZA]

Thanks for the replies. The 3G requirement is more of a nice-to-have, which I guess he can do without.

The Ainol Novo 7 Crystal tablet looks ideal, it has awesome specs for the price, but it has to be imported. Are there no local suppliers?

I have seen a few on BoB but then you often don't get much of a warranty, if any, on there either.

 

[InTheCube]

What's the cheapest I can get the Asus Nexus 7 at?

 

[Conack]

From what I've been able to find: (Wireless only, not 3g)

Nexus 7 : R2995

 

[muzee]

There are a few, but none 3G at that price

Archos childpad (nice for kids) - Android from Look & Listen R1699
Sansui - Android R1499 at Hifi Corp

Also ceck Guzzle for specials at major retailers.

 

[The_Ogre]

All these comments are the reason I am seriously considering the Ainol Novo 7 Crystal tablet. Can get it in from China for around R1.1k. Plenty reviews around and on YouTube.

This does not meet your needs of course as it needs to be imported... they do, however, offer to cover return costs for an added R8-odd.

OS: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Google Play: Pre-installed
CPU: 2nd Generation Amlogic8726-M6 Cortex-A9 Dual Core 1.5GHZ
GPU: Dual Core Mali400*2
RAM: DDR3 1G
Storage: 8GB
Screen: 7 inch Capacitive Touchscreen, 1024*600 High-resolution IPS Screen
Resolution: 1024*600 Pixels
Visible Angle: all Angle 180°
Display: IPS
Skype Yes
Camera Front camera, 2 Megapixels
Gravity Sensor Yes
Multi-Touch Yes, 5 points touch
Extend Card: Support TF card up to 32GB
Gravity Sensor: Build-in 3 axis Gravity sensor
OTG : Support(exfat，ntfs，fat32) Support (win2000/xp/vista/7)
Extend Card Support TF card up to 32GB extended
Video 1080P, AVI/MOV/MP4/RMVB/FLV/MKV…
Music MP3/WMA/WAV/APE/AAC/FLAC/OGG
WIFI: Yes, 802.11 b/g/n
Flash : Support Flash and HMTL5
HDMI: Support HDMI 1.4
Ebook UMD, TXT, PDF, HTML, RTF, FB2…
Email and Browser: Yes, built in
Battery :3700 MAh
Weight: 328g
Size: 189.3*120.93*11.2mm

The only reason I've not gotten one yet is because of its name. Yes, I'm serious

 

[akescpt]

can get an early ipad for that price. just look....may even get 3g..

 

[ClintZA]

The only reason I've not gotten one yet is because of its name. Yes, I'm serious

It's a great talking point

 

[Esquire]

We have 500 x 7" Geeko Junior Tablet PC's arriving next week price will be around R 999.00 excl vat but might be cheaper
Geeko Junior Specs
Display : 7" 800*480, 5 point Capacitive Multi-touch
CPU：All winner A13 Cortex A8 1.2GHz
OS :Android 4.0
Internal Storage：4GB
Internal Memory：512MB DDR3
Wi-Fi：802.11B/G
Webcam：Front 0.3 MP
Battery：Lithium 3.7V 2800mA/h
No 3G
Graphic：Mali-400 OPNE GL VE 2.0

I/O Ports:
1*MIC
1*DC-IN
1*Mini USB
1*MicroSD Card Slot (Max. 32GB)
1*3.5mm Stereo earphone slot

These are aimed at the kidz market- Watch out for the specials once they are here

 

[IceQB]

Wait for our GeeKo Junior, GeeKo Premium and GeeKo Smart Tablet PC ‘s range

How about the specs for the premium & smart tablets as well Esquire.

 

[cerebus]

I just always advise those considering to get one of these cheap tablets - don't. Get a Wii or an XBOX or something ELSE, or go 2ndhand if you can find a nice deal. The compromise results in a piece of cheap feeling and looking junk.