[HALP] About to buy a $38 tablet... Worth it?

[TurtleCrusher]

http://www.amazon.com/Coby-Kyros-7-I.../dp/B0075W8C4M
http://www.cowboom.com/product/1314792

Cowboom has this Android 4.0 tablet for $38 at the moment. I want one so I can comfortably surf the internet while my wife and I are in a coffee shop, as well as play a few light games here and there. I've got netflix and e-books are also something I'd like to get into. It would appear to be much faster and better than my iPhone 3GS and the larger screen is nice. My wife also just wants a super portable mobile internet device, and apparently my netbook is a little too big for her liking.

Would you also feel comfortable with paying $5 for a years warranty?

Thanks in advance!

 

[KeithTalent]

http://forums.anandtech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=37

KT

 

[NikolaeVarius]

Why not. At that price its basically throwaway

 

[Mixolydian]

For $38 you don't have much to lose. It's interesting how there's nearly as many 1-star reviews as there are 5-star reviews, though.

 

[Nemesis13]

get the warranty , had to replace a few charger pots on the pos

 

[lxskllr]

It's a $38 tablet. It's hard to go wrong. Just realize you aren't getting an ipad. You may have small issues with usability and design, but you're almost certain to get $38 of use out of it. Fuck extended warranties.

 

[SAWYER]

You seriously hang out in a coffee shop that much? I would pass a cheap tablet like this because you will eventually get sick of it and want something more

 

[ImpulsE69]

I finally found a use for a tablet and grabbed a cheap ($80) Chinese one yesterday (1.6gz dual core). For what I need it for it should be perfect and if it gets destroyed (which is possible with what I'm using it for) I won't feel too bad. I actually think it might be overkill for my purposes, but I know my wife will use it to browse around when I'm not using it.

I would be interested to hear how this one works for you, as that's dirt cheap.

There's nothing wrong with testing the water with a cheap-o tablet. If you decide you like them, you can always spring for a nicer one later. If not, you aren't out much money.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

You seriously hang out in a coffee shop that much? I would pass a cheap tablet like this because you will eventually get sick of it and want something more

In fact, I do. When my wife wants to just go out and read for an hour to an hour and a half with a coffee (and me), I'm typically on my phone surfing. This is a very normal thing to do around here...

 

[Rakehellion]

Why no Google Play?

 

[TurtleCrusher]

I'm on the fence still. I might have to convene with the lady first. $38 for a like new tablet is crazy cheap, but I'll have to get a custom rom for the google play store. I have no experience with android. I'm not completely inept, however, as I can mod a wii and get everything going by memory. I just don't want to fuck it up.

 

[SAWYER]

Dont let a crappy cheap tablet ruin you on Android.

 

[vshah]

Why no Google Play?

this almost certainly would fail google's certification process.

 

[ImDonly1]

You get what you pay for on these cheap tablets, but for $38 you might as well try it.

I personally wouldn't bother with it.

Amazon says they sell two versions of the tablet, one with capacitive screen and one with resistive. They still sell stuff with resistance touch screens? I thought they stopped making stuff with that 5 years ago when windows mobile 6 and palm pilots were on the way out. If you do buy it, do not get one with a resistance touch screen. They register finger presses based on pressure applied. It is kind of an annoying and old way of making a touch screen.

Newegg had a nexus 7 for $120-130 a few days ago refurbished. I would rather pay the extra $80 and get that. It was in the hot deals section.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I would pass a cheap tablet like this because you will eventually get sick of it and want something more

This is my feeling too. Sure it's super cheap for a tablet. But the specs are terrible and I think you'll probably be unhappy with the experience and either not use it much or end up buying another tablet. $40 down the drain that would have been better put to a used Nexus 7 or something, which I think are around $150 or maybe even a little less.

 

[SKORPI0]

Review (spanish) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj5CauG9dYY
Looks like a decent disposable tablet (800x480) for the price you're paying. ^_^

 

[Bateluer]

These ultra cheap junk tablets should be avoided at all costs. They're underpowered with corners cut at every possible opportunity.

If you want a decent Android tablet, start with a Nexus 7. You'll pay more, obviously, but the N7 is several orders of magnitude better than that crap.

 

[ponyo]

I would spend $38 to buy some food. Maybe pack of ribeye steaks from Costco.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Garbage

 

[Fardringle]

My 12-year-old daughter has a Coby Kyros (received as a gift) and while she loves it mostly because it's entirely hers, I have tried to use it a few times and can't stand it. It's horribly slow, extremely limited (can't use the Google Play app store), and the screen is painful to look at and to use. For $38 it's actually not bad to give to a kid but I wouldn't want one myself.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

You guys might have talked me out of it. Would the nook color at $69 be much better? I don't really need super fast speed...

 

[gorcorps]

You guys might have talked me out of it. Would the nook color at $69 be much better? I don't really need super fast speed...

Not really. I know some people thought it made a decent tablet but I thought it sucked. Nothing about browsing the web will be "comfortable" on that as you asked in the OP.

 

[Chocu1a]

Spend the extra & get a tablet that won't leave you full of regret. Get a Nexus 7.
Seriously. Check your local Craigslist. You might be able to pick one up up for 125-150 range.
If you are an iOS user, you will just be depressed & infuriated at how clunky & slow those cheapo tablets are.
I just did a quick search on Portland Craigslist & found several nexus 7's & a nice lenovo 7.
It is your money, but be warned, the cheap cheap tablets are cheap cheap for a reason.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Not really. I know some people thought it made a decent tablet but I thought it sucked. Nothing about browsing the web will be "comfortable" on that as you asked in the OP.

I don't hate mine, I still use it for movie (divx) viewing and basic web browsing almost daily. With Opera Mobile and an overclock the web browsing isn't terrible. Not great by any means, but not terrible.

Honestly if I was looking for a cheap tablet, I would get one of those Mali 400 Chinese tablets.

 

[TuxDave]

I would spend $38 to buy some food. Maybe pack of ribeye steaks from Costco.

^^
That's my opinion regarding "throwaway purchases". It's small and you won't miss that $38 much, but I would better use it elsewhere. Steaks, donations, whatever. Buy a new keyboard or mouse.