Five great Android tablets you can buy today instead of waiting for the iPad Mini
Summary: Just because Apple appears to be releasing the iPad Mini is no reason to ignore the Android tablets that forced Apple to enter the 7" tablet space.
I like iPads. I own one and often use it. That said, I never cared for its size; Apple's locked-in, proprietary software ecosystem; and lately Apple's iOS updates have been including a lot of sloppy mistakes. So it is that more often than not I've been using a variety of 7" Android-powered tablets instead of my iPad. And, you know what? Just because it seems almost certain there will soon be an iPad Mini, I don't see any reason to be rushing out to buy one.
Why not? From the top: Price. Whatever Apple ends up charging for the Mini, it's a safe bet it's going to be more than the 7" Android tablets. Apple's never been anyone's idea of an affordable brand.
Next, I really don't appreciate Apple's Big Brother approach to third-party software. For example, the reason you can't watch most Website videos on an iPad is that Steve Jobs decided he didn't want Adobe Flash on iDevices. I also really don't like Apple's patent lawsuit happy ways.
Last, and to the point, over the last few months, Android and its hardware vendors have finally gotten their tablet act together. In 2010, Android tablets weren't competitive at all with the mark one iPad. In 2011, the Barnes & Nobles' Nook Color, while still primarily an e-reader, became a reasonable Android tablet. In late 2011, the small, 7" Android tablet took off with the introduction of Amazon's Kindle Fire. Then, as far as I'm concerned, the first Android tablet came along that was actually better than an iPad: the Nexus 7.
Heck, ZDNet's own Jason D. O'Grady , an Apple fan even said there was only one thing wrong with the Nexus 7: it's lack of an Apple logo. Me? I can live without an Apple logo.
So, what are the best alternatives to the forthcoming iPad Mini. Here's my list from least to most attractive:
5) Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7
Gosh, the Samsung 7.7's AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) display is pretty. As pretty as an iPad 3's Active Matrix? No, probably, but it is eye-catching.
Under the pretty screen, you'll find a 1.4GHz dual core processor with 16GBs of storage and a GB of RAM. It started with Android 3.2, Honeycomb, but it was updated in July to Android 4.04, Ice Cream Sandwich. It also supports, with the right contract of course, 4G.
I only have one problem with it: the price tag. At $400, it's a little much for a 7" tablet.
4) Amazon Kindle Fire (2012)
You can't beat the new model Kindle Fire's price: $159. It also comes tied at the hip with Amazon goodies. That's both a virtue and a vice.
I like Amazon, but I'd rather not have them as both my software gateway and, thanks to its Silk Web browser, my portal to the greater Internet. I also really, really don't like being forced fed ads if I don't cough up an extra $15.
The hardware is OK for the price. It uses a dual-core 1.2GHz OMAP 4430 CPU, a GB of RAM, and comes with 16GBs of storage. For its operating system, the Kindle Fire uses a highly customized version of Ice Cream Sandwich. On the other hand, it still doesn't have HD video support... or a camera, … or storage expansion slot... or physical volume buttons.
All that said, it's still a good tablet for the price. If I wanted to buy a tablet for a relative or friend this holiday who just wanted to read books and watch movies, I'd seriously consider the updated Kindle Fire.
3) Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet (2011)
The next generation of the Nook Tablet won't show for a few more weeks, but that's OK, because I'm still fond of last year's Nook Tablet at $179.
It uses a TI OMAP 4 dual-core 1 GHz processor along with 8GBs of storage, a GB of RAM and can handle addition storage with its microSD slot. Like the Kindle it uses a modified version of Android. In the Nook's case that's Android 2.3, GingerBread.
Older hardware and software and all, I still prefer the old Nook Tablet to the new Kindle Fire and I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on the 2012 Nook. Why? Because it just works better. It delivers smoother performance and I find its interface to be easier to use. Now, if only Barnes & Noble and Amazon both would make it easier for us to get fuller access to Android programs I'd be even happier.
2) Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
It's not quite as good as its big brother, the Galaxy Tab 7.7, but at $350 I can live with the newly 4G LTE-enabled Galaxy Tab 2.
It comes with a a 1.2GHz dual-core OMAP 4430 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage. And, like the Tab 7.7, it uses Android 4.04. It is, as you would have guessed, slower and less full-featured than its high-priced relative. The most noticeable difference is that it has a front-facing VGA camera instead of a 2 megapixel front facing camera.
If you decide this is the tablet for you, check to make sure that you're getting the model you want. The earlier Galaxy Tab only Wi-Fi model is still available at a price of about $250. It's a trifle slower than the new model and of course doesn't support LTE, but it's otherwise a winner.
1) Nexus 7
And, I've saved the best for last. The Nexus 7, at $199, is simply the best tablet out there. It runs like a dream and it's become my go-to tablet.
With a quad-core Tegra 3 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and 8GBs of storage the Nexus 7 runs very, very fast. How fast? Faster than any of its competitors. It's also the only one currently running Android 4.1, JellyBean. This is easily the best version of Android to date.
The result is an outstanding tablet. If I could only have one tablet, it would be a Nexus 7.
Mini iPad? I'm sure it will be nice, but nicer than these? Maybe. In the same price-range as them? I can't see that. And, as for being nicer and more afforable than the Nexus 7? I don't think so.
The tablet wars are now on in earnest.
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Talkback
Nook Tablet is under-rated.
If the iPad mini is priced between the iPod Touch and the iPad, it may be a tough sale...
That was my view also until ...
All I have for now is the Nook Color running CM 7.2, but it has been a very positive introduction to tablets, so I will head back into the market for a second and better one soon.
Nexus 7....
What's your point?
I completely disagree with your statement above. I would not pay a premium for a device that just "works" because we obviously have different definitions of what that means. If you're only talking about it working well within the Apple distortion field, then I agree.
However, if you're referring to real world usability, you're completely off track. Simply issues like not having a built-in HDMI, USB, and SD affect workability/usability of the device. I should be able to move any file I want onto my device and off of it without having to be connected to the internet. In Apple's case they even restrict the TYPE of files you can transfer to your device via a dongle, and on the iPad you need a dongle for a whole host of things. Is that better? No, it's not.
Did you have the built-in keyboard dock with your Prime or Infinity? Apple or third party vendors don't have anything even close to that. All those bluetooth keyboards for iPad are a joke. Why? Mainly because the iPad is incapable of reproducing a pointing cursor in it's system. iPads have never been mice compatible and as such you can't use game controllers either or trackpads. All things the Prime and Infinity can do either wirelessly or wired.
So what platform "works" best? For me, it's the Android platform. The iOS platform limits the type of "work" I can do and how I can do it.
The reason for the fans "wars" is because people are tired of Apple always holding itself up at THE choice in mobile devices. It's not, and it's imperative that we let the world know it.
BTW, Steve Jobs is the one that started this war of words so if there is any blame on why people feel so passionate, look in Apple's direction. Jobs and Apple did the same thing with respect to MacOS vs Windows too. Remember those flame wars?
RE: What's your point?
Care to point out where he said that you specifically would be willing to pay a premium? He said that to buy Apple products in general you pay a premium with isn’t always the case.
“If you're only talking about it working well within the Apple distortion field, then I agree.”
Man, it’s really sad when you have to fall back on such old talking points.
“Simply issues like not having a built-in HDMI, USB, and SD affect workability/usability of the device.”
No, actually it doesn’t for everyone. If you are incapable of being fully productive with the multitude of options that remove the need for the addition ports that’s your issue not the devices.
Your requirement for a mouse compatibility does not make the numerous keyboard options for the iPad a joke. It simply means it’s not a fit for you. Of course somebody that has the least bit of maturity realizes that just because something doesn’t fit their particular wants/needs doesn’t make it a bad product, just something that isn’t a good fit for them.
“The reason for the fans "wars" is because people are tired of Apple always holding itself up at THE choice in mobile devices.”
This has got to be one of the lamest statements I have read in some time. What company does not present their products as “THE choice”? Are your beloved Android products advertised as “We might not be THE choice in mobile devices but buy us instead”? No they are not. They are marketed just like every other product as being the device you should buy, or as you put it “THE choice”.
“BTW, Steve Jobs is the one that started this war of words so if there is any blame on why people feel so passionate, look in Apple's direction.”
Yet another BS statement. Actually probably better described as your vision through your Apple hating blinders. There have been iOS/iPhone/iPad haters running their mouths since day one. Jobs might have fanned the flames with statements like Android is a stolen product but he didn’t start it. BTW, that is how he felt and if you don’t think it’s valid for him to speak his feelings on the topic then you should not be able to either. For every Apple Fanboy on this site there are 5-10 haters just due to the nature of the site and with all their BS flying around (both the fanboys and haters) those of us with an open mind get drowned out by the FUD and lies.
Another option
Tablets For the Holidays
Who Says I'm Waiting For An Ipad Mini ?
Get their latest "rip the customer off" scam here:
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/10/apple-revising-mfi-program-to-limit-third-party-lightning-accessories/
Your kidding ?
Not Familiar with Fire?
For one, there's the "free paid app a day" - one name brand app each day (for one day only), which costs money on my iPad or my son's Nexus 7, at not cost. (Actually, to my annoyance, many of the apps that regularly charge nothing on the N7 require payment on my iPad. I'm not sure why, to be honest, since Apple's store is generally regarded as a higher volume channel.)
There's also the lending library. Many of the books my wife reads cost nothing a'tall, and she can take as long as she likes to read them on her Fire.
She can also stream movies and music, of course, but the shopping convenience with free 2nd day delivery has really changed our buying patterns. For example, we discovered a new brand of K-Cups a couple of weeks ago while visiting a friend in another state. My wife ordered a case while we sat there chatting and drinking our coffee, and it was waiting for us when we returned. This was actually less expensive than buying locally, since it's a speciality item and the shipping was free.
This is (IMHO) an excellent value for a $200 tablet and $79 Prime membership - especially since we were *already* Prime members before she bought the Fire, having calculated around a break-even on shipping costs compared to our previous year of shipping charges from Amazon. The Fire changed our "let's not worry about shipping charges" break-even convenience to a true bargain.
She's never complained about ads, but perhaps we're both just used to them by now. If we had the option to pay $15 to remove them, as today, I doubt we'd pay it, though I recognize that some good folks like you probably would. Delightful to have the choice.
I like my iPad, don't get me wrong, but if my company hadn't paid for it, I would have been quite happy with a Fire. Of course, my son's Nexus 7 is just in a class by itself.
All IMHO, of course. ;-)
not exactly
How long has that Fire been lit?
Amazon Prime isn't really a benefit of the Fire
Speak with your wallet
Who decides the value of a product?
Can't watch MOST website videos on iOS tablets? MOST?
Must be an election year and Steve is practicing the fine art of political hyperbole.
It's true: you can't watch MOST website videos on iOS tablets.
Any video that uses SpringBoard, Vimeo, etc. is just inaccessible on the iPad.
To be fair, you lose more than just most video -- you lose most of the interactive content on the web as well if you're an iPad user.
Tablets like RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook and many Android tablets can handle video and other interactive content from just about every source.
the end of Flash video?
Flash works on Android 4.1
Unfortunately, you can't simply download the flash player from Google Play because it will detect your OS version and the flash player won't show. The flashplayer is not registered in Google Play with Android 4.1 but that doesn't mean the APK file won't work.
If you obtain the APK file, either by downloading from elsewhere, or downloading using another Android device. Use Titanium Backup or Astro File Manager and back up the flash player as an APK. You can simply sideload the latest APK and flash will work perfectly, except in Chrome. It works with the standard Android browser and Opera Mobile.
You can also mod your Jellybean to report an earlier version of Android so Google Play will let you download but that is not recommended.
Really, a work around to make flash work?