Less expensive Ipad alternative.

**marty 17** · 31-10-13, 02:52 PM

Daughter asked me what is an good tablet with similar features to an Ipad.

She suggested one of these for $169 but I do not have a wrap on Thompson products.

I know nothing about tablets so any one with any info would be great thanks.

**viewer** · 31-10-13, 03:07 PM

Marty,

Have a read through the Portable Devices section in Austech...plenty of information there.

I bought a 10" cheapo chinese tablet via aliexpress, but the functionality is not as good as higher priced tablets available in Au.

These links are two I am considering for a Xmas present for the wife, albeit they are much dearer than you are thinking of.

You need to look at specs like RAM, GB storage, additional card slot to give more GB, resolution, ability to upgrade software to the latest android one's.

Don't get too sucked into the cheapo's, they cost you in the end.Also remember, if your daughter has a foxtel sub, then there are certain android tablets that will allow her to view Foxtel on one...cheapo's won't do this without rooting involved.
Also, there is a host of further info on whirlpool, but the more we can gather here, the better it is for the forum members.

Good luck

**marty 17** · 31-10-13, 03:10 PM

Thanks viewer and actually the tablets are for her 6 and 8yo daughters.

**viewer** · 31-10-13, 03:14 PM

I guess though, as she is comparing to an Ipad, then the prices of the two examples are probably on a par. Ipad apps are harder to see specialised apps from, compared to GooglePay etc

**JasonC** · 05-11-13, 09:53 AM

real cheapies are ainol tablets
unusual name but quite cheap
they run android

not sure where the best place in Aus to buy them

**loanrangiel** · 06-11-13, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by marty 17

Thanks viewer and actually the tablets are for her 6 and 8yo daughters.

We bought a cheap 7" tablet for my 9yo at the time from kmart for $86, it runs Android 4.0 and i think about 4gig storage.
We took it to Bali with us and used it to Skype my parents with , worked really well and is fast enough to do most web browsing and youtube viewing.
HN usually have the Amicroe brand for around the same price which looks identical, i got my 6yo a cheaper MID brand tablet which although works ok its not on par with the other one.

**marty 17** · 06-11-13, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by loanrangiel

We bought a cheap 7" tablet for my 9yo at the time from kmart for $86, it runs Android 4.0 and i think about 4gig storage.
We took it to Bali with us and used it to Skype my parents with , worked really well and is fast enough to do most web browsing and youtube viewing.
HN usually have the Amicroe brand for around the same price which looks identical, i got my 6yo a cheaper MID brand tablet which although works ok its not on par with the other one.

Just wondering what brand the KMart one was as daughter had looked at a Thompson and an Audiosonic one's and I bagged them a bit but if yours worked OK she can look at one of those if she wishes.

**loanrangiel** · 06-11-13, 05:14 PM

The one we got was Audiosonic and it works very well.

**marty 17** · 06-11-13, 05:38 PM

Hmm and I think they have gone off special now.

Thanks loanrangiel

**Guiseppe** · 09-11-13, 10:12 AM

Did a search on Audiosonic kmart and the first hit was

**mkhannah** · 09-11-13, 12:00 PM

Before I dropped it from about one foot and watched the screen shatter before my eyes, I did enjoy the 7" audiosonic from Kmart for the price. I was able to root it and watch foxtel, as well as netflix. The trick with the cheapies is not to overload them with too many apps, games etc. Great first tablet, I had a lot of fun with it.
Now have an ainol 7", got the cheapest one with hdmi out that I could find. Works well in the man cave for streaming stuff and putting it up on the tv via hdmi. Won't run live foxtel for some reason, only catchup, or netflix.
They are all a mixed bag the cheapies, they are not all the same. Keeping that in mind, I would recommend the cheapest ( audiosonic) as a first basic tablet for young kids.

**marty 17** · 09-11-13, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by mkhannah

I did enjoy the 7" audiosonic from Kmart for the price. .

Did you watch Youtube stuff?

**mkhannah** · 09-11-13, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by marty 17

Did you watch Youtube stuff?

I'm sure I did at some stage, I cannot remember anything it wouldn't play anyway. I think there is a new quad core out, I had the first model. My ainol is quad core and I don't notice much of a difference so I'd get the old one if they still have stock. Probably cheaper and you know everything that I mentioned before works.

**budz** · 09-11-13, 06:04 PM

I bought a acer iconia a1-810 for my 3yo boy. (The wife wanted me to get an ipad, but that was too much for such a young boy.)
My wife and I also use it and find it quite surprising. (I got redbull kart racer (free) on it and play that lots and have heaps of fun with it.) I thought being an acer it wouldn't be very flash, but I'll eat my words.
It has Android 4.2.2, quad core 1.2 cpu's, 1gb ram, 16gb internal memory expandable up to 32gb via microsd, hdmi,gps, Bluetooth, front and rear cameras, wifi, mic, micro usb, plus more which i prob haven't used yet.
For the $179 i outlaid then minus the $29 cash back we got from acer, it was a bargain compared to other tablets of its size and also to mention its an 8", and some 7" tablets were more expensive.
One think to also keep in mind is how the cheapies react to your touch when navigating thru different screens and functions. Some are slow to react once you touch them but the acer is great and reacts quite quickly, almost as quick as an ipad. My son also streams you tube on it with no problem at all. The contrast/clarity of the picture is very good as well.

These acers have come down to around $150 now and that is in the shops in Australia. I got mine from jb hi-fi. We have ordered a rotating cover off ebay and we should see that soon. Plenty of covers to choose from as well as (free) apps from Google play.

Check this unit out; for the price its jam packed full of features.

**woot223** · 14-11-13, 11:27 PM

I own a Ainol Novo 10 - a pretty cheap chinese tablet. Great quality for something that inexpensive ($159). The battery holds for at least 7-8 hours, the touch-screen is very sensitive and detects even the slightest tap which in my opinion is a huge plus. I can easily watch high quality movies on it, but for some reason the quality of YouTube videos is very poor, maybe I'm just using a bad browser. If you're looking for a cheap iPad knock-off I definitely suggest taking a look at Ainol products.

**Limezero** · 17-11-13, 10:13 AM

My experience with budget Android tablets has been pretty unfortunate so far. Most of them are very basic in terms of hardware and display, use extremely cheap components, and run older versions of the OS. Even the ones that are ICS/JB typically have issues with compatibility, and most apps/games I use are reported as "incompatible" with the device in the Play Store (not to mention things like CyanogenMod, which almost never have working ports).

The Nexus 7 or the Galaxy tab are probably your best options for cheap-ish tablets that actually work comparably to an iPad. Or just get one refurbished.