Best Cheap Tablets under $100 (2014 Update)
Can you find a good cheap tablet for under $100?
Yes! I originally wrote this article a couple of years ago, at
which time all of the cheap tablets were of questionable quality.
But now, as we approach the 2014 Christmas season, there are
tablets around the $100 price mark that are worth considering.
It's simply a good time to buy a cheap tablet because technology
has improved and older models have become discounted. Also
tablet sales are slowing this year, which means manufacturers
might have to slash prices. Tablet sales are only supposed to
increase by 11% this year, compared to a 55% increase last
year.
Often, when I use my tablet while relaxing on the couch, I
reflect on how much technology has changed. When I was a
teenager I was using a clunky Windows 95 computer with a dial
up modem. Now, super thin and speedy tablets are ubiquitous.
In a sense, the future has arrived. The high resolution touch
screens and intuitive interface make tablets easy for all ages to
enjoy.
Dell Venue 7 16 GB Tablet (Android)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite
Buy now or wait?
Is that your dilemma? I like to watch prices and while prices have dropped over the past year, I don't know if they will continue to drop. On one hand, there always will be new technology coming out, and older technology should probably decrease in price, but you might have to buy refurbished or used to get the savings. Refurbished is not necessarily a bad deal - it may mean that they fixed whatever problem their was - but always check the warranty policy because sometimes refurbished items have a much shorter warranty period.
Also, beware of who you are buying from. Always look at who is selling the item on Amazon and if it's not directly from Amazon, check out their feedback. Unscrupulous dealers may list used items as refurbished.
One way to look for a deal is to check out Amazon's Daily Deals page. They offer deeply discounted merchandise year-round, not just on Black Friday or Cyber Monday!
Also, remember if you wait to buy, you can not enjoy the technology you don't own! If the price drops $20 in 3 months, would you have rather waited, or had the use of the tablet during that 3 month period?
If you are buying a tablet as a gift, you are purchasing something that many other people are also likely to buy as a gift, so right before a big holiday, like Christmas, demand might spike. So I wouldn't wait until last minute to buy. If you can, buy when others aren't. There really is something to shopping early and often. It's the best way to catch a deal.