Which tablet do I want?

[A.Nonymous]

I really want an Android tablet. My plan is use it as a media consumption device. I want to read e-books on it with Kindle, stream media (video and audio) to it from my computer, listen to audio/video that resides on the device, surf the web (w/Flash), and do email and chat. I also want to use it as a casual gaming platform. I'm not going to sit down and play Angry Birds for 18 hours straight, but I might play it for 10-15 mins here and there. I also want to use it for things like displaying recipes when I cook. I'm sure I'll come up with other uses for it along the way. I don't need 3G as I have wifi in my house and if I'm out of the house travelling or something I won't be using it to surf the web and will probably be using it more to read or play media residing on the device than anything. I don't want the extra 3G bill to pay every month when I'll be using it primarily at home where I have wifi. I have no need at the moment for things like a BT keyboard/mouse.

Anyway, these are the devices I'm looking at and I'm not sure which one is the best for me and some thoughts I have on it.

Nook Color ($250) - Have to hack it to make it into a tablet.
Archos 70 ($280) - Also have to hack it to put GApps on it. Has only 256 mb of ram and only runs 2.1 it looks like. The 10 inch screen is only $20 more, but I'm not sure I want to spend that much.
Motorola Xoom - I don't think pricing has been announced. It looks like it's a 3G only tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab - Wifi version comes out sometime early this year. Pricing isn't out though.

Which one of these do I want? The Nook strikes me as a good deal due to the price, but the Archos looks like a good candidate as well. I do kind of like the Nook interface when I played with it in the store. Which one is best for what I need/want to do?

 

[gamul1]

Of the ones you listed, you probably want the Archos. The nook won't do it for you and the Xoom is going to cost a lot more than the Archos. The Archos will be good too because it has the kick stand - good for your recipe use.

On the other hand, the Adam would be much better still. A little more expensive than the Archos and no kick stand, but overall it will be a superior device. And it will cost half the Xoom.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Of the ones you listed, you probably want the Archos. The nook won't do it for you and the Xoom is going to cost a lot more than the Archos. The Archos will be good too because it has the kick stand - good for your recipe use.

On the other hand, the Adam would be much better still. A little more expensive than the Archos and no kick stand, but overall it will be a superior device. And it will cost half the Xoom.

I don't want to spend much more than the Archos. The Archos is really at the very top of the scale on what I want to spend.

Why do I want the Archos over the Nook color? A kickstand isn't a killer feature really. I can get a cheap book stand for $5 and prop the Nook up in that. What's the killer feature the Archos has that the Nook doesn't

 

[xmr405o]

Awww man...I just got done responding to your post at the Nook forum. Your specifications have slightly change, Anonymous. Or maybe it's more detailed I should say. If you for sure don't want to spend more than what you'll pay for the Archos, then I think you can safely remove waiting for the Xoom and Galaxy tab on your list. I'm almost positive those devices will be at least $400.

Based on this post, I would suggest the Archos. The reason being that it already does all of those things that you described. It runs Android 2.2 so flash works but I heard it's a little choppy. It streams media, the android market can be added by simply loading an APK which means you can download Kindle or the Nook app for e-reading. It works well with casual gaming and even though you don't have a current need, BT KB and Mouse is possible on the Archos.

The things I like about the Nook is the display, the build quality and the 512mb RAM.

I think you should write down what is most important to you and pick from the Archos or Nook. I think they are the best options for affordable 7inch Android devices.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Can you tell me what the main advantages/disadvantages are of each one? I know I'll have to hack either one to enable google apps, market place, etc.... They're even there. The NC seems better priced to me especially if I can pick it up for around $200. Are the only advantages of the Archos the better speakers and the kick stand?

 

[xmr405o]

Can you tell me what the main advantages/disadvantages are of each one? I know I'll have to hack either one to enable google apps, market place, etc.... They're even there. The NC seems better priced to me especially if I can pick it up for around $200. Are the only advantages of the Archos the better speakers and the kick stand?

You will need to do less with the Archos to get it to do want you want. Android 2.2 is already functional on the Archos but the nook's 2.2 equivalent (nookie froyo) is still being worked out. Installing google apps on the Archos is literally sideloading a regular app. It's really easy. So if you want your tablet to start performing out of the box, then the Archos is the clear winner. Though you won't be using it or don't see a need, the camera, the ability to play more video types, USB, BT and HDMI out are pretty convenient. It just opens up options just in case you do decide to use it later on.

The nook display is really nice. Which makes the videos and text look great from almost every angle. I'm not sure where you get your cooking videos from but if they are youtube vids, then you are good to go on the nook. But of course, the biggest pro of the nook is the price if you say you can get it for around $200 then that's an awesome deal.

 

[A.Nonymous]

Well, I found a guy who will sell me a NC for $190 shipped. I'm just waiting for his Paypal information. I can't pass up a deal like that. Even if I hate it, I can always sell it for what I bought it for I think.

 

[dlike]

Why not the Viewsonic G-Gtab?