Are there any tablets out there like this?

[BrownPaw]

Hey folks,

I'm looking for an Android tablet that meets a fairly specific set of specs. I will be backpacking longterm so the closer I get to the specs below, the less I have to carry around. However, it seems that everything that I find in the price range that comes close manages to bungle one or two things.

Here's what I'm looking for, ideally under $250 (I'm okay with used and refurbs!):

Processor -- at least 1ghz dual-core (not MIPS!)
RAM -- at least 1 gig
Screen -- 7-8" (10" is just too big for my uses); bright/good enough to use outside
Storage -- either 16 gig+ OR smaller is great as long as there's a microSDHC slot
Cameras -- camera on front for video calls; resolution irrelevant; don't care about back camera
Wireless -- wi-fi and Bluetooth; unlockable 3G through SIM would be a bonus but not necessary
Charger Port -- micro or mini USB (NOT a proprietary dock connector)
Battery Life -- 5-6 hours would probably be the minimum
Other -- Rootable and able to have CM9 installed; USB On-The-Go functionality either through charger port or separate full-size USB port

So like I said, everything that I've found that comes close manages to screw up just a couple things. For example, the Nook Tablet 16GB ($199 refurbed) meets all of this EXCEPT it doesn't have a camera. The Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 ($250 new) meets all of this except it has a stupid dock connector instead of a standard microUSB port. There are a number of cheap Coby brand tablets that seem to pretty much meet all of this except their screens are supposed to be awful to use in daylight. HP Touchpads are cheap and seem to meet all of this, but of course they're all 10" it seems.

Is there any tablet that I've missed? I'm fairly behind the times when it comes to Android tablets, so I may not be aware of all the major players these days.

Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[Red Storm]

Seems like the Nexus tablet is the one that perfectly fits your needs. Only problem is that it still hasn't been released yet...

 

[BrownPaw]

Hmmm quad-core, sub-$250... seems perfect! Evidently it might be coming out in a matter of weeks, so I will keep my eye on it.

 

[WelshBloke]

I think you can get a microUSB adapter for the galaxy tab.

Also USB OTG on the touchpad is a bit iffy anyway, it needs a power source over the usb connection to recognise anything.

 

[BrownPaw]

Yes there is an adapter for the Tab. But the point of not wanting a dock connector is that if the tablet has microUSB natively then it can share a power cord with some other devices that I will have. Carrying another stupid dongle is one more thing that I don't need.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Tablets use separate charging ports for a reason. It's not just the manufacturer trying to screw you, microUSB can only handle so much current. Fine for a phone, not so fine for a dual core tablet.

 

[Ns1]

I'm selling a mint tab for $200. Holla

 

[Headcase_Fargone]

Tablets use separate charging ports for a reason. It's not just the manufacturer trying to screw you, microUSB can only handle so much current. Fine for a phone, not so fine for a dual core tablet.

It would be nice to have the option, though. Perhaps a microUSB port next to the standard dock/charging port that won't charge the tablet as quickly, but will at some rate. That would be really handy for on the road.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I don't know about CM9, but this comes close to everything else on the list:

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Iconia-A1.../dp/B00548QAPC

 

[BrownPaw]

I don't know about CM9, but this comes close to everything else on the list:

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-Iconia-A1.../dp/B00548QAPC

I ran across that one, but it's a little higher in price than I'd like. I think I'm going to hold out to see how this Nexus Tablet looks, since it will supposedly be announced by the end of the month with a quad-core processor and sub-$250 price.

In the meantime, the only other one that I have found that seems to fit everything that I'm asking for is the Ainol Novo 7 Elf II and the Novo 7 Aurora II. Both are 1.5ghz dual core, 1GB memory, microSD card, front-facing camera, etc plus other goodies like HDMI-out. The Elf II can be had for about $150 or the Aurora II for about $190 -- the only difference between the two is that the Aurora uses an IPS display. Sounds like a no-name Chinese manufacturer but the few hands-on reviews so far indicate they're actually pretty good, and especially so considering the price.

 

[Bateluer]

There are a number of cheap Coby brand tablets that seem to pretty much meet all of this except their screens are supposed to be awful to use in daylight. HP Touchpads are cheap and seem to meet all of this, but of course they're all 10" it seems.

The Coby devices and the TouchPad are in the 'Avoid like the plague' category. The Coby units are poorly build junk and the TouchPad has been dead for a long time. It only exists on community driven life support.

 

[WelshBloke]

The Coby devices and the TouchPad are in the 'Avoid like the plague' category. The Coby units are poorly build junk and the TouchPad has been dead for a long time. It only exists on community driven life support.

Touchpad actually has some nice Android ROMs for it now. So it'll run anything any other Android tablet will.

They are the wrong size, have no camera and no microSD slot though so don't meet the ops demands.

 

[AstroManLuca]

My advice - suck it up and deal with the dock connector on the Galaxy Tab 7, it's a great device in every other way. Or just wait for better tablets to become available. Technology always marches on.

 

[Ns1]

My advice - suck it up and deal with the dock connector on the Galaxy Tab 7, it's a great device in every other way. Or just wait for better tablets to become available. Technology always marches on.

listen to this man and buy mine (or anyone else who wants a gTab)

 

[BrownPaw]

listen to this man and buy mine (or anyone else who wants a gTab)

I'll keep you in mind, but going to wait to see this Nexus Tablet first...

 

[Ns1]

I'll keep you in mind, but going to wait to see this Nexus Tablet first...

my tablet is now, nexus tablet is who teh f- knows.

buy buy buy.

 

[BrownPaw]

my tablet is now, nexus tablet is who teh f- knows.

buy buy buy.

Hah! Supposedly by the end of the month... I think you're just scared that you're going to have to drop your price once it comes out.

 

[wirednuts]

the galaxy tab is a frontrunner in the quest for my next car computer... i ditched my head unit completely, and got rid of the 35lbs of crap that was my custom windows car computer. its being replaced by a 7" tablet with a preamp/equalizer box feeding directly to my amps. so much more simple, so much cheaper, and so much better.

 

[Ns1]

^^

That's a great fucking idea. Like, seriously epic. I wonder how I can monetize this...I have a car that I'm not currently using with a full sound system...and I have a samsung tab...

Hah! Supposedly by the end of the month... I think you're just scared that you're going to have to drop your price once it comes out.

that's not my driving factor, I have other things that I want more that cost $200 =P Thanks for the heads up though, I'll be sure to dump the 7.0 by then.

 

[wirednuts]

something like this to control volume and switch between inputs- http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_23671_Precision-Power-PPI-E.DZ.html

and its not epic until SOMEBODY makes a REAL car mode for android. something robust and customizable. something that plays well with i/o controllers and pay attention to sleep modes properly.

but even as it is now, android is a great touch os. and the bright side of just using the os without a front end is you never have to worry about updates. my god, trying to keep a windows carpc running is just awful. youre always tinkering, always updating.

and i also have an hd radio unit that comes with its own little lcd controller. ill keep that so i wont lose fm and am radio, plus it gains me hd stations. http://www.amazon.com/Car-Connect-HD.../dp/B000MLPIZY. ill just put the lcd controller up top above my rearview mirror, out of the way.

 

[BUTCH1]

Tablets use separate charging ports for a reason. It's not just the manufacturer trying to screw you, microUSB can only handle so much current. Fine for a phone, not so fine for a dual core tablet.

I can run my tablet off USB, (single cortex A10, MALI-400) but it won't charge much while running, if it's off it will recharge in about 5-6 hours vs 1.5 from it's wall wort. Dual-core and multi GPU's might be enough to overdraw a USB though, we need a new USB standard that can crank out 4 amps or so..