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Great way to get a good Android tablet cheap

A

Alfuh

macrumors regular
Original poster
This could be interesting to people looking to get an Android tablet experience without breaking the bank.

Pretty much every retailer (B&N, Target, Walmart, etc) has the Nook HD+ on sale for $149 for the 16gb version.

Specs are at:
8.9" display
1080p
1920 x 1280 @ 256ppi
1.5GHz dual core processor
1GB RAM
and it has a micro SD so no need to get the 32GB version

Two reasons why this is an awesome deal:
1. The Nook just got the Google Play store
And WAY better
2. You can install CyanogenMod 10.1 on it 🙂

Took me less than an hour to get this setup and that was only because I had to repurpose a microSD to boot from
IMG_20130611_182938.jpg


This is definitely one of the best values going for a starter Android tablet right now.
 
Last edited:
Alfuh said:
This could be interesting to people looking to get an Android tablet experience without breaking the bank.

Pretty much every retailer (B&N, Target, Walmart, etc) has the Nook HD+ on sale for $149 for the 16gb version.

Specs are at:
8.9" display
1080p
1920 x 1280 @ 256ppi
1.5GHz dual core processor
1GB RAM
and it has a micro SD so no need to get the 32GB version

Two reasons why this is an awesome deal:
1. The Nook just got the Google Play store
And WAY better
2. You can install CyanogenMod 10.1 on it 🙂

Took me less than an hour to get this setup and that was only because I had to repurpose a microSD to boot from
Image

This is definitely one of the best values going for a starter Android tablet right now.
Click to expand...

Yeah I saw that deal. I have an iPad 3, but it's so heavy. I was thinking of picking up one of these for light web browsing and reading articles. Seems like a great deal with the specs. Is it pretty fast?
 
cualexander said:
Yeah I saw that deal. I have an iPad 3, but it's so heavy. I was thinking of picking up one of these for light web browsing and reading articles. Seems like a great deal with the specs. Is it pretty fast?
Click to expand...

I think its worth it to spend the extra 50 bucks and get a nexus 7 and have the promise of the latest android updates and stock android. Cyanagenmod is literally perfect on the nexus 7 while on devices like the nook hd you are likely to have minor stability issues and half working hardware features. The nook seems pretty decent on stability with CM but the nexus will just be more stable no matter what since it doesn't need workarounds to get aosp running.
 
Last edited:
blackhand1001 said:
I think its worth it to spend the extra 50 bucks and get a nexus 7 and have the promise of the latest android updates and stock android. Cyanagenmod is literally perfect on the nexus 7 while on devices like the nook hd you are likely to have minor stability issues and half working hardware features. The nook seems pretty decent on stability with CM but the nexus will just be more stable no matter what since it doesn't need workarounds to get aosp running.
Click to expand...

Yeah but $50 more for a smaller, lower resolution screen doesn't seem like that much of a deal. I mainly just want Flipboard and Chrome. It depends on what you want I suppose, not looking to replace the iPad completely, just a cheap web browsing device. This seems like a pretty good value for that context.
 
cualexander said:
Yeah but $50 more for a smaller, lower resolution screen doesn't seem like that much of a deal. I mainly just want Flipboard and Chrome. It depends on what you want I suppose, not looking to replace the iPad completely, just a cheap web browsing device. This seems like a pretty good value for that context.
Click to expand...

Just a week ago i got a brand new N7 at Office depot for $159. Just happened to have it 20 percent off and it was my Sons birthday is why i was looking. Your can also get new ones or near new ones cheaper on eBay.
 
cualexander said:
Yeah I saw that deal. I have an iPad 3, but it's so heavy. I was thinking of picking up one of these for light web browsing and reading articles. Seems like a great deal with the specs. Is it pretty fast?
Click to expand...

Before getting the hd+ I had only had an iPad 2, compared to that it seems about the same with speed for browsing and other light apps. I will say that the OS isn't quite as smooth and can get some jitters, but the display is great and I have been enjoying Netflix, Flipboard, browsing and a bunch of games on it.

I had considered the Nexus 7 instead of this, but it is a great sale and the larger and higher res display sold me. I should be able to sell this and pick up a new Nexus 7 later this year if it looks like a big enough improvement and worth moving to smaller screen.
 
I am pretty sure today is the last one for Nooks on the sale price. So if you want one grab it. And it is easier to return at Target or Best Buy than B&N if it is not to your liking.
 
For a smaller form factor, the Hisense Sero Pro is getting some good reviews from owners. Quad Core and pretty much loaded to tell the truth for $149.

The bar is rising but the prices of some good devices sure are as well and at launch.
 
For people going for a Nexus 7, aren't you concerned with possible lag after a few months as the tegra3 or the eMMC chipset inside it supposedly starts to degrade considerably over time.

It is the reason why i am holding off on a N7 purchase and looking forward to a refresh which will possibly have a snapdragon inside. Also ASUS seems to have many issues with their transformers series too.
 
sentinelsx said:
For people going for a Nexus 7, aren't you concerned with possible lag after a few months as the tegra3 or the eMMC chipset inside it supposedly starts to degrade considerably over time.

It is the reason why i am holding off on a N7 purchase and looking forward to a refresh which will possibly have a snapdragon inside. Also ASUS seems to have many issues with their transformers series too.
Click to expand...

Thats the first ive heard of that. We have two N7's...one since Dec and the other for 1.5 months. Both are running good.
 
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