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Cheap android tablet or kindle fire?

O

OM2

Android Enthusiast
I need to buy an android tablet as a present for someone
They're going to watch youtube and nothing else! (Don't ask!)

In the UK, I can get cheap tablets from ebay for
 
I had a Kindle Fire and returned it. The Kindle Fire is great for what it does (consumption of Amazon content), but it's quite locked down unless you're willing to root it. You can't sideload apps on the stock Kindle Fire (that was a breaking point for me) and the stock web browser (Silk) suffers from crashing tabs on a regular basis.

I suppose it would be good for only watching Youtube. But, what is the owner wants to broaden its use in the future? IF the owner is only going to use it to watch videos I would recommend an Android tablet with a good CPU/GPU and battery life.. a cheap Android tablet isn't going to provide a good experience.
 
ardchoille said:
I had a Kindle Fire and returned it. The Kindle Fire is great for what it does (consumption of Amazon content), but it's quite locked down unless you're willing to root it. You can't sideload apps on the stock Kindle Fire (that was a breaking point for me) and the stock web browser (Silk) suffers from crashing tabs on a regular basis.

I suppose it would be good for only watching Youtube. But, what is the owner wants to broaden its use in the future? IF the owner is only going to use it to watch videos I would recommend an Android tablet with a good CPU/GPU and battery life.. a cheap Android tablet isn't going to provide a good experience.
Click to expand...

Oh...
I thought kindle fire was just an android but just with a few amazon stock apps?
Are you saying that I can't install apps from Google play market?
 
OM2 said:
Oh...
I thought kindle fire was just an android but just with a few amazon stock apps?
Are you saying that I can't install apps from Google play market?
Click to expand...

No, the Kindle Fire is a very stripped down Android tablet meant for the consumption of Amazon content and little else. It doesn't have GPS, or the Google Play store, and many other things found on Android tablets. And it doesn't allow sideloading of apps.. you can only install apps from the Amazon app store on the stock Kindle Fire devices.

If you just want Amazon content the Kindle Fire is a great device. Otherwise you're better off with a normal Android tablet.
 
you can get realy nice tablet for 129£. I'm not sure if Newegg. com or Frys.com ship to Europe, but they have nice selection and good sales. Also I recommend to check out fatwallet.com and slickdeals.com for deals.
 
thanks for the replies guys

unnamedny said:
you can get realy nice tablet for 129£. I'm not sure if Newegg. com or Frys.com ship to Europe, but they have nice selection and good sales. Also I recommend to check out fatwallet.com and slickdeals.com for deals.
Click to expand...
the problem is that the more well known brands think they're on par with the ipad and price their models at the same price levels

the google nexus is quite expensive (compared to the alternative of paying
 
ardchoille said:
I had a Kindle Fire and returned it. The Kindle Fire is great for what it does (consumption of Amazon content), but it's quite locked down unless you're willing to root it. You can't sideload apps on the stock Kindle Fire (that was a breaking point for me) and the stock web browser (Silk) suffers from crashing tabs on a regular basis.
Click to expand...

I bought a Kindle Fire HD awhile ago and I love it.
- I can sideload apps without rooting which means...
- you can install the browser of your choice and apps of your choice.

BUT... there are weaknesses to the Kindle.
- There is no youtube app by default- you're going to have to sideload the app. This is easy, but for a total newbie, this could be a dealbreaker
- Sideloading apps does not solve all of your problems- want gmail, gmaps, google voice, any google apps? You need root or transfer additional .apks that work behind the scenes- forget which one.
- I don't know about the UK, but I've heard that in other countries the selection of movies and all that blows compared to the US. So that's another thing to consider, since it really is a Amazon shopping tool.

The bottom line is that the Kindle Fire has a very specific purpose due to it's limitations for the average user. I still love my Kindle. But... I'd suggest a Nexus tablet. If they sell it in the UK.
 
Another vote for the Nexus 7, I'm saving for one right now. They're inexpensive compared to some of the other tablets, and they get updates fast and you don't have to worry about bloatware. Good quality, in my opinion.
 
I'm as usual a little late in this thread...BUT I pre-ordered a Kindle Fire before they even hot the market and I've been 90 percent satisfied...
As noted above it is simple to sideload apps...and I can buy aps from Google play or 1 mobile that Amazon does not offer...(most BUT NOT ALL) work fine...
My main use is a e-reader But I make heavy use of both sticher and tune in radio to listen to talk shows and podcasts .... As a prime member the amount of FREE movies/vidoes/Tv series etc extremely good..Ken Burns Documentaries alone were worth half the price i paid...

Downside for me is that I dislike the home screen and cant find a way to use a normal home screen without rooting the fire....which I understand elimnates viewng the FREE video content I purchased my wife the 8.9 inch one which she like I HATE it too big the 7 inch fire slips into my front pockets of my pants...

Th Nexus 7 is a straight android directly from google..and is a good buy but it was not on the market when I purchased mine..and even today I thinl FOR MY USE the Fire was the right choice...

Battery life...never been a problem it will play a radio show all night and stillbe above 50 percent ...I have no use for a GPS or Camera..Away frm hme I tether it to my phone..

Bob G
 
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