In the market for a tablet for $200 or under

[sneakyspider]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I thought you said that you wanted more of an "Android Experience", rather than a customised UI like the Fire? Isn't the nook just as "customised" as the Fire?

I had wanted more of an android experience, but I think I was sort of kidding myself because most of the quality tablets out there really are above my price range. In the end, I decided that, since I wanted it mainly for surfing the net and reading ebooks, that I could settle for the Nook Color. The customization doesn't bother me - I just didn't want to be locked into one bookstore, but I figured that since most of my ebooks are all "personal documents" that it didn't really matter, since all I had to do was sideload them. I think someday I might try a true Android tablet, but right now I think I will be satisfied with the Nook.

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by Byrdie

Similar situation here, can you recommend anything sold in Canada? I tried to get a Nook HD when they were on for $149 only to discover they wouldn't ship it to me. Kinda puts me off buying any of their books too, after that. :-(

If you really want to have the Nook HD or any other gadget, that's not shipped to locations outside of the US:
http://www.myus.com or similar shipping services will solve that for you.
Uplift typically will be around 10% to 15% of the price for the gadget and some minor uplift on the shipment.
I've ordered the Nook HD+ via them. I've ended up (including shipment, uplift, VAT and import fees) about 25% above the list price. For me in Germany, this means I pay about the same amount in Euro as someone in the US would have to pay in $ US.
Of course, warranty and such would be a bit tricky, but I take the risk at least 3 to 5 times per year for the last 3 or 4 years and only had a single problem: Nook HD did have low build quality, but the buying price wasn't worth the effort and costs to send it back overseas...

[mgmueller]

Originally Posted by HarryT

...Isn't the nook just as "customised" as the Fire?

It depends on the point of view: Is it about the (slightly different) user interface? Or is it about the apps, the open file system and such?

You can use Google Play on Nook HD and HD+, without root and any hassle at all.
The UI is slightly different, but you can use more or less all Android apps. And the differences in UI aren't that big anyway...
On the Kindle Fire HD tablets, it's slightly more complicated. On Nooks, you simply update and get Google Play additionally. On Kindles, you have to do that step manually. But then you can use Google Play and you can sideload apps anyway...
On the "original" Nook and Fire tablets, it's a bit more bothersome, but manageable.
So, basically even on those "customised" tablets you (more or less) can have the "full" Android experience.

[Lunaon]

You can take some Brands such as Huawei, ZTE, etc, these Brand tablet less than $200.

[faithbw]

If you still want an Android tablet, there are a lot of tablets for under $200.00. The previous model Nexus 7 has been reduced at Office Max and Office Depot. The 16GB model is $199.99. It has some nice specs and pure Android. Plus, you'll be sure of getting the latest version of Android when Google releases it. If you're willing to go a little above $200 then you can get the latest Nexus & for $229. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 is a nice tablet too. The screen resolution isn't great but it has a microSD slot, a Android ICS and some good specs for the price. I would check out CNET. They have a list of tablets under $200 as well as some pretty good reviews.