not JUST for toilet browsing

March 22, 2011 10:13 AM

I'm looking for some sort of PDA-sized tablet for under $100 that I can use for web browsing, preferably-but-not-necessarily running some flavor of Android. I specifically want something more iPhone-sized than iPad-sized, and I'll just be using the wifi at my home or whatever other wifi hotspot I find myself in, so I don't want a smartphone, unless the best answer happens to be some sort of smartphone with the "phone" part turned off. Any suggestions?
posted by luvcraft to Technology (21 answers total)

Best answer: As you suggest, if Android phones are anything at all like iPhones, you should be able to buy one second-hand and just use its wireless antenna for browsing without activating it on a cell phone carrier.

If you aren't dead-set on Android, then an iPod touch is exactly what you're looking for.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 10:17 AM on March 22, 2011 [3 favorites]

I'm not sure that there's anything new under $100 that's worth getting. Nothing I've read or seen suggests that anything usable approaching that price point, certainly not at the size being thought of.
posted by ZeusHumms at 10:23 AM on March 22, 2011

Yeah this sounds exactly like an ipod touch. Except the android bit.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 10:24 AM on March 22, 2011 [1 favorite]

Under $100 is iffy, but you can get a refurbished iPod Touch for $149. IMHO, as of right now there are no competitive Android devices in this category but that could change in the next few months.
posted by bcwinters at 10:25 AM on March 22, 2011

See if you can import a ZTE blade for around $100 or possibly look into an Archos tablet. I think your price point is a little low, but bump it up to $150 or so and you should be fine. I have a Blade and have rooted it and upgraded it to Froyo and it is working great.
posted by koolkat at 10:36 AM on March 22, 2011

I have an iPod Touch that is only used for couch browsing while watching TV. It's pretty darn great for that use and especially because the display is great.
posted by bz at 10:38 AM on March 22, 2011

You can buy an old iPod Touch on Amazon for as low as $115 (including shipping).

Or, if you're around NYC and you can convince me to buy an iPhone, I'll sell you my iPod Touch for less than $100!
posted by John Cohen at 10:40 AM on March 22, 2011

I picked up a LG Optimus V and a $20.00 target gift card for $149.00. That was a sale price but android phones are starting to be disposable and it's hard to find a cheap android tablet that doesn't have a phone and does have a legal copy of android market.
posted by rdr at 10:48 AM on March 22, 2011

Response by poster: There are a few $100 3rd gen iPod Touches on my local CL, so at this point it looks like that's my best bet. Please keep the suggestions coming, though, in case something even better pops up! :)
posted by luvcraft at 10:50 AM on March 22, 2011

Archos 7 Internet Tablet (android 1.5) - $129.97
Velocity Microcruz Reader (android 2.0) - $129.97
posted by blue_beetle at 10:55 AM on March 22, 2011

Best answer: I'm a big fan of the Archos gen 8 tablets. Both the 32 and 43 are great but slightly over your budget. The 28 is under $100 but it's a tiny screen. See if you can try them out somewhere.
posted by quarterframer at 11:09 AM on March 22, 2011

Samsung is going to release Android-powered iPod touch competitors, which sounds like exactly what you want... unfortunately there is no release date or pricing info that I can see. (I imagine they'll be more than $100)

Here's an article on them, though: http://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-galaxy-player-2011-3
posted by alaijmw at 11:15 AM on March 22, 2011

A Palm T|X is close, if the connection you want is WiFi. they run in the $100-$150 range on eBay in good condition.
posted by bonehead at 11:16 AM on March 22, 2011

Walgreens is selling a $100 Android tablet right now.

Sold out everywhere I look, but still.
posted by unixrat at 11:22 AM on March 22, 2011

Larger than an iphone, but smaller than an ipod, the Eken M009S seems to be about the cheapest android 2.2 tablet, and under $100 in many places shipping from China if you don't get hit for customs. Never owned one myself, so I can't say if they're worth it or not. I think I'd need a capacitive screen, which jumps the price out of your range.
posted by nobeagle at 11:30 AM on March 22, 2011

Needlessly piling on to say you probably won't go wrong with a used iPod Touch. I still have my 1st generation version, and enjoy websurfing, countless games, email, facebook, AIM and other chat programs, listening to music, plus streaming Netflix movies to it. And don't ignore the iTunes store for renting movies. You do have to sync through your computer but it's worth it.
posted by The Deej at 11:42 AM on March 22, 2011

Best answer: The Archos 32 is only a little more than your range.

A used Nokia n800 or n810 would work too, but I'm pretty sure they're not supported anymore, so I'd only consider it if it were dirt cheap.
posted by Zed at 11:49 AM on March 22, 2011

Walgreens is selling a $100 Android tablet right now.

Sold out everywhere I look, but still.

This was reviewed on Ars Technica. It's something to avoid.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:50 AM on March 22, 2011

Response by poster: thanks for the suggestions! Since I plan to do some dev for both iOS and Android, I think I'll pick up a 3rd gen iPod Touch soon, and also keep my eye out for an Archos 32.
posted by luvcraft at 12:27 PM on March 22, 2011

I've come in to add my suggestion for a Nook Color. I know it's not $100, but it is a 7" android tablet. I've currently rooted mine and am running CM7 with a nightly build. IT works really well. I'm incredibly happy with it.
posted by TuxHeDoh at 10:18 AM on March 23, 2011

Best answer: Coming back here to say that the best solution turned out to be a used HTC Hero for $50 from craigslist, flashed with cyanogen. This thing is awesome! I feel like I'm living in the 21st century, or something. :)
posted by luvcraft at 9:55 AM on April 23, 2011