[jj2me]

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I was able to get the valid android device for my old Nook HD that was used to buy the apps but even though it was accepted on the pages I tried it appears it's impossible to download paid app Apks to a laptop. Without another android device it's impossible to get them.

That's strange, considering this how-to blog post on using APK Downloader is very recent (November 25, 2014), and there are other similar guides claiming the same success, like this one.

I have to assume you no longer have the Nook HD, as that could be used as your app-download-and-transfer device since the Nook HD should have the Google Play Store.

Google won't let you download apps that are incompatible with the device. But since the Nook HD was the original purchasing device and downloader of the app you tried, then the only reason it shouldn't download would be if the app moved on and no longer supports the Nook HD's Android version. It's easy enough to try a second app, if you haven't already. Otherwise, I don't know what could be happening unless the device ID is not correct, but you already stated that it's valid (how did you determine that?). Note that the device ID must match Google's current view of the device ID and Google account pair, so if your Nook HD has moved along to some other owner with a different Google account, Google naturally won't allow the download using your Google account.

Originally Posted by Josieb1

And I'm still contemplating another android tablet with expandable storage.

Another option (other than my original suggestion of using adb to get the device ID) is to buy a cheap Android cell phone for use as a media player (depending, of course, on whether it would be something you would want). That option is discussed here, and approximately starting here, and also here.