In the Sunday paper I came across a Big Lots (a close-out store) ad for a Android Nextbook™ 7" Tablet & eBook Reader for $89 . I want to try a tablet but I'm cheap (plus might need to replace a pc soon ) and don't see me paying several hundred in the near future though everyone I talk to says they are worth it. That said, I'm willing to risk a $100 and recognize I won't have all the cool features or the latest technology. Basically I'm looking for something to browse the web, read PDFs, and generally experience what it is like to use/carry around a tablet before committing bigger bucks. So back to the one in question. I think the ad is wrong b/c it states the model is a "NEXT2" running "Android OS 2.1" but per Nextbook's site that model runs Android OS 1.5 and the next (pardon the pun) version up, the "NEXT3", is the one that runs 2.1. Given the price I'm thinking it is the NEXT2 and the OS listing is wrong. I plan to stop by my local store (item is "In Store Only") tomorrow to see if they have it so I can confirm the OS. Any thoughts/experience with this brand/model? TIA
Avoid that thing at all costs. I'd wait until you've got the splash to grab at least an Asus Eee Pad Transformer. Sure, the Eee Pad is $399, but it's a vastly superior device to any of the cheapo toys out there. Also, back to school sales are starting, so you might be able to grab one with some discount.
Thanks for the reply; do you have experience with the brand or just a general opinion on "cheapo toys"? A few of the customer reviews I read were of the "you get what you pay for variety" which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement. As for sales, I'm hoping there are some serious "Black Friday" deals. I'm thinking a few new makes/models should be out for the Christmas season so the old ones, i.e. today's models, will be heavily discounted in a few months. Dear Santa...
Not with that brand, but anything with that price is not going to be worth buying. Load up Youtube and try to dig up a review on that device and other cheapo units and you'll see what I'm talking about. Also, I believe Nvidia is set to release a new quad core mobile chipset this October, so units with the current Tegra 2 will be discounted at least by then, and for sure in time for Xmas.
Actually a youtube video review is what brought to my attention the OS discrepancy. I need to finish watching the video though; I stopped to lookup the OS. What is this gibberish you speak of? Nevermind, I'll just take your word for it that better and cheaper, err less expensive, things are on the horizon.
My local Big Lots didn't receive the ad tablet and 2 others nearby sold out on Sunday. However, one of the others did have a Sylvania 7" Mini Tablet running Android 2.2 for $100, which I bought. I've been playing with it for a few days and generally agree "you get what you pay for", i.e. don't expect $500 performance for $100. The touch screen is a bit iffy at times and the battery life goes fast. If viewed primarily as an ereader with browsing capability it is probably a good deal. A good deal for someone too that doesn't need a tablet to be a "productivity" tool. Still TBD if I'll keep it, but it certainly didn't decrease my desire for a tablet.
