Please talk to me about tablets...

[StepMum2b]

Apologies if this has already been discussed...

I have two very technology focused step sons who will be 8 and 10 by Christmas. We are considering buying them a tablet but have ruled out any form of IPad despite their protests as they simple cannot look after anything.

Considering the kindle fire but I don't know much about them? They'd use the tablet for games, homework, films and music.

Is the kindle fire the best option? Any recommendations? The Samsung and google options seem equally good but more expensive? Not even sure what GB they'd need for the above activities?

Thanks in advance :o)

A tablet to share, or 1 each ? Just that I can foresee squabbles... It may also alter suggestions if they were likely to each get a tablet, esp if you put some idea of total spend being considered...

(I as because I am using an Archos 70 tablet bought for 99.99 in December 2011... At the 100 pound mark it might be possible to get one for each.

May also be worth looking at the 'Android connected to TV' idea. I paid 30 quid for an Android 4 device that has wi-fi inside and plugs into the HDMI socket (most flat screen TVs from 19" up often have them, these days).

There are some units with Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (I've used mine with a corded USB mouse, and a wireless (uses USB gizmo) mouse but didn't have a spare wireless keyboard to test. My wireless mouse is usually used with a PC... paid 3 quid on Ebay (inc delivery from China).

If you consider the Android to TV option, there may be reviews online and prices from 30 to say 60, plus 30-40 for wireless keyboard + mouse combination on top.

I did a search for "Android HDMI" and this page link was one of many (sorry, perhaps one of the more 'geeky' sites!)

I have just bought a nexus. checked out the fire etc. it is perfect for kids. the amazon will tie you in to amazon and is more limited. I love my Nexus

Thanks for the responses. Yes we are definitely looking at buying one each otherwise there most definitely will squabbles!

I think we just want to go for a hand held tablet device without any additional keyboards etc. knowing dss1 and dss2 it will be hard enough for them to look after the tablets themselves without any additional attachments.

Will look at the kindle fire, nexus and any android devices then and do some price/ offer comparisons in the next couple of months. Noticed tesco has the Nexus on offer with 1 year accident insurance cover atm.

Thanks again

I've resisted the urge to buy an iPad or Android tablet for years. That's not stopped me from reading about them "just in case".

I have read a lot about how many people are paying a premium for Apple/Amazon/Samsung/Sony etc. There seem to be a huge number of cheaper chinese alternatives. Quality of these seems to be improving too (according to the nerdy forums I read).

This one stands out as a cheap alternative that might not hurt as much if the kids wreck them but, alledgedly, provide high quality.

www.gtrelectronics.co.uk/

I am quite close to buying one for my Mum to get her on the net .....

Personally I'd advise against the Kindle Fire. They're locked into the Amazon world and I've never been that impressed by the size/screen.

I'd say for your kids an Android tablet would probably be perfect.

There are many many Android tablets out there and it's very hard to find the right one with so many choices.

I saw this one the other day in Tesco which I was pretty impressed with given the price point: Archos 80 Titanium

Main reasons are:

1. 8" screen. I find 7" too small and the extra inch makes all the difference!
2. IPS screen. Basically much higher quality. Esp. compared with the cheap chinese clones.
3. Archos isn't the biggest name but fairly reputable which means there's a better chance of it being supported in the future.
4. Get it from Tesco so if it breaks you can take it back versus random chinese warehouse in China.

OK it's £120 which isn't the cheapest but personally i think it's worth the extra.

I've got a kindle fire and while I love it as an ebook reader I'd never recommend it as a tablet DH has a nexus 7 which is impressive but they seem to have gone up in price recently.

I prefer apple but for this situation I'd be looking at an android tablet with the most up to date version of android that I could get

I have a Galaxy Tab 2 mini and I love it. however, do look at the Nexus one and also Acer have brought out a tablet for £99.99 that would be worth a look at.