Best tablet for under £200

[T_J_G]

Right,

I really fancy a tablet for web browsing, photo viewing, and general stuff whilst at home or out and about.

I would love an iPad but can't justify outlaying £400 at the moment. Seen the Blackberry playbook on eBay for £299 but that's still more than I'd ant to spend really.

Any suggestions?

[Ridg]

Archos 80 G9

http://www.archos.com/products/gen9/archos_80g9/index.html?country=gb&lang=en

not the best build quality but it's running the new ti dual core chip (faster than tegra), option to add on 3G if you want at a later date, runs 1080p h.264 movies (including mkv) smoothly (via a £13 plugin (most other tablets will struggle wont play mkv))) honeycomb 3.2, micro sd and usb host for more memory, 4:3 screen ration so idea for photo viewing and as an ereader, yours for £199.99

Your only other option is the samsung 7 which will command a premium of at least an extra £100 over the archos, for a slightly better build and probably gorilla glass.

[Jay]

Archos have been in the tablet game for yonks, they do make good device at good prices - I would look into them for sure.

The Galaxy Tab 7incher is just over your price band but it is a nice device and as Ridg said Gorilla Glass which has been proven to be awesome, there was a video on youtube of someone shooting a brand new Galaxy Tab 7 when they came out with an AirRifle and not 1 scratch on it! 

There are other options, the Andy Pad Pro for £179 sounds like a decent alternative with HDMI out etc
http://www.andypad.co.uk/products/5-andy-pad-pro.aspx

Either way, let us know what you get and what you think of it.

[DubFan]

You could wait for Amazon's Kindle Fire, that promises to be decent and will supposedly be under £150.

Because the tablet device is so dependant on the feel of both the physical thing and the user interface, you need to go and try some.
I found that a big HMV in Central London (Toccadero) had a selection of tablets to try, including the Archos, Samsung and a few others I can't remember, alongside the obvious iPad.

Play.com are having a sale, here's an Archos for £230.

[Ridg]

pre-order price on the samsung 7" is $399 for the 16GB, so probably £399, can only see the kindle fire being good if it's literally to consume media as it's a very stripped down tablet and 8GB isn't really enough with the option to expand

[bobotheclown]

Rim's playbook has come down in price if you like the look of the thing. I think you need a Blackberry to surf the internet though.

http://www.reghardware.com/2011/10/20/pc_world_currys_knock_150_pounds_off_rim_blackberry_playbook_tablet/

[Jay]

and no email as there is no built in email client program

Most laughable tablet so far.



Another one would be the HP touchpad, the came down to around £80 ! Selling on ebay at £200+ now

[T_J_G]

Right, decided on this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Advent-Vega-Refurbished-Internet-Tablet-/120799059414?pt=UK_iPad_Tablet_Accessories&hash=item1c202f5dd6#ht_1838wt_1199&clk_rvr_id=276489559305&afsrc=1

£230 in PC world.

Then going to put a new ROM on, I've heard vegacomb is good. However I'm totally clueless about ROM's etc!

[Jay]

The Vega's were good for the money when they came out @ £250, I bet it's even more value for money now at that price

Some did have an issue where the screen wasn't as sensitive on side of the charger port whilst it was charging, maybe they fixed it with these refurbs.

[T_J_G]

Should be good with vegacomb if I can get my head around rooting it...

For £130 it should do everything I want.