Kindle Fire HD vs Android Tablet - Amazon Prime Videos only advantage for Kindle?

[stuman74]

I'm comparing the very well spec'd and economical Kindle Fire HD (2013 version, not HDX) to some Android tablets with Kit Kat like the Samsung Tab 4. While the Samsung is slightly more expensive, it has the full Google Play store and Android OS vs the Kindle's modified version and custom store.

From what I have researched, you can read Kindle books and play Amazon music on the Tab 4, but I don't see an app for Prime Videos. Aside from that, s there anything else though that the Kindle Fire HD can do that the Galaxy Tab can't do? Thanks!

 

[s44]

The Tab 4 has a low res screen... There are some good deals on the much better Tab Pro 10.1 since the Tab S (same as Pro but AMOLED screen) came out, so that's the better comparison.

You can play Prime videos through a browser, but it's obviously not as straightforward as an app. The app is rumored to be coming soon though.

 

[stuman74]

The Tab 4 has a low res screen... There are some good deals on the much better Tab Pro 10.1 since the Tab S (same as Pro but AMOLED screen) came out, so that's the better comparison.

You can play Prime videos through a browser, but it's obviously not as straightforward as an app. The app is rumored to be coming soon though.

Per the specs, the Tab 4 and Kindle Fire HD both have a 7" 1280 x 800 screen. HDX and some others of course are higher, but 216 ppi is fine for my son.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Neither one of these are any good. Fire HD 2013 is using a TI OMAP 4470, TI doesn't even make mobile processors anymore, that's how old this is now. Meanwhile Samsung scrapped the bottom of the barrel to find the quad A7 Marvell SoC for their tablet, hard to say if it'll even be better than the much old dual A9 TI OMAP 4.

Ideally spend a few dollars more and get Nexus 7.

If not, look at the ASUS Memo Pad 7 with the Intel Atom (avoid the older model with the same name). It'll have a much faster processor than these two. Comes in black or white. And even seems to be on sale at Amazon right now.
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-ME176CX-A...dp/B00KD5SER8/

 

[Sattern]

I still prefer Apple for tablets because the interface is much more smoother in my opinion.

If I had to pick between an Amazon Kindle and an Android Tablet I would pick Android any day of the week. All a Kindle does is promote their arsenal of tools rather than focusing on bringing developers to their marketplace to make some pretty neat applications.

 

[infoiltrator]

For ebook and prime play, some games, the kindle is fine. I like the HD much better than the original.
I have a Dell Venue 8 Pro, which runs very well on the latest atom, 3?xx whatever. There is an android version of this.

 

[Commodus]

My rule: unless you absolutely want to live in Amazon's ecosystem, go for a regular Android tablet. The entire interface is designed around pushing you toward Amazon content, even if you do have access to rival services. It's not worth limiting yourself that way (especially since Amazon has a smaller app selection) just in the name of saving some cash.

 

[stuman74]

Thanks for the feedback. Since this is for my 10 year old son, he doesn't really need the best, but good would be nice As for me, I have an iPad Mini Retina which I love and does everything.

I found this "cheapie" online...lower resolution of course, but Android with a quad-core processor and 8" screen (same I think as an original iPad Mini). $79 at Walmart. Think it could do?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/E-FUN-Next...-Blue/38275771

 

[tsupersonic]

Just a heads up, Amazon Prime Instant Video app is coming to non-Amazon Android devices! Finally.

 

[s44]

I found this "cheapie" online...lower resolution of course, but Android with a quad-core processor and 8" screen (same I think as an original iPad Mini). $79 at Walmart. Think it could do?

http://www.walmart.com/ip/E-FUN-Next...-Blue/38275771

TN screen!
http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/tablets/efun-nextbook-8hd.aspx

Newegg has the 7" HDX on sale for $153... or you could see if the $120AR Nexus 7 comes back in stock.

edit - Bay Trail-based Asus MemoPad 7 for $130:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=9082097
(oops, already linked from Amazon above)

 

[stuman74]

TN screen!
http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/tablets/efun-nextbook-8hd.aspx

Newegg has the 7" HDX on sale for $153... or you could see if the $120AR Nexus 7 comes back in stock.

That link is to the 2013 version. The link to Walmart is the 2014 version. However, the screen may be identical.
http://www.tabletpcreview.com/tabletreview/e-fun-nextbook-8-2014-review/

 

[stuman74]

Just a heads up, Amazon Prime Instant Video app is coming to non-Amazon Android devices! Finally.

That's great! I think a "deal-maker" now for the Android over a Kindle.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Toshiba has an Atom KitKat tablet for $110 - TOSHIBA Excite Go AT7 Android Tablet 7" - Intel Quad Core CPU 1GB Memory 8GB Android 4.4 (Excite Go AT7-C8)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-801-_-Product

 

[stuman74]

Well, I bought 2 "cheap" Android tablets yesterday for my son to try out.

$79
http://www.walmart.com/ip/E-FUN-Next...-Blue/38275771

$99
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia...blet&cp=1&lp=2

Both had the same processor specs and screen size/ratio/resolution. Was hoping the Nextbook would be the winner (since it was almost the exact same size as my iPad Mini and was $20 less) but the display sucked badly. Had to look at it almost exactly straight on. And some areas of the screen required multiple taps on the screen. Nextbook will be going back to Walmart.

The Insignia, while having a bulkier frame, has a much nicer screen. It's no Retina, but that wasn't the expectation. In actuality, it is the same size/resolution as the original iPad Mini to tolerable at least. I'm now hoping it might go back on sale (I guess I missed the boat a couple weeks back) for $79 as well.

I am kinda new to Android, but the most disappointing thing on both of these that I tried was to download a few apps that say they are not compatible with my device. Really??? I mean, they are pretty recent tablets with quad-core processors and the latest KitKat OS. The apps are the Weather Channel, MLB at Bat, Ookla Speedtest, and Yahoo Weather. At least his Clash of Clans, Kindle reader, and Marvel Unlimited worked fine. But is this typical of the Android apps with some incompatibility for some reason?

 

[Super56K]

You bought the Bestbuy equivalent of a no-name Chinese tablet. I don't know what you expected. If you keep it you'll likely spend every penny you saved in troubleshooting time, and then some, versus the ease of use of a popular tablet with a common chipset that's widely supported by app devs.

 

[stuman74]

You bought the Bestbuy equivalent of a no-name Chinese tablet. I don't know what you expected. If you keep it you'll likely spend every penny you saved in troubleshooting time, and then some, versus the ease of use of a popular tablet with a common chipset that's widely supported by app devs.

Aren't ALL tablets made in China?

I've seen that even some other new tablets aren't compatible with all apps. For example, the only tablet that works with MLB at Bat (per the MLB site) is the Nexus 7. Seems silly (if still true). This is why iPads (while more costly) are more adopted than the Android tablets.

 

[Super56K]

Aren't ALL tablets made in China?

I've seen that even some other new tablets aren't compatible with all apps. For example, the only tablet that works with MLB at Bat (per the MLB site) is the Nexus 7. Seems silly (if still true). This is why iPads (while more costly) are more adopted than the Android tablets.

You're ignoring the 'no-name' portion. There's a reason those are so cheap and it's rarely a good idea to buy one (I personally don't think it's ever a good idea). A N7 2013 would only cost $30-60 more on sale or used if you went that route. Samsung has budget tablets. Amazon as well.

You really shouldn't turn this into an iOS vs Android thing. You bought an Insignia tablet with a Rockchip in it, of course you'll run into compatibility issues. You could maybe ROM it and then try to spoof the device so that it looks like a like a Samsung or whatever to the Play store, but what's the point? The money saved up front isn't worth the trouble you'll have later.

 

[Ravynmagi]

Your compatibility issues are most likely because of the Rockchip, this processor isn't used much, it might be missing features these apps need or simply Android just was never optimized for it. MLB at Bat is compatible with all my Android tablets, even my Nook HD+ with CM11. And the other apps are all big names that will be compatible with most tablets.

Rockchip, Mediatek, and Allwinner are probably processors you'll want to avoid. Though if your tablet budget is under $100, then it might be impossible to avoid these. I am seeing Intel Atoms in an increasing number of low budget (like $100-150) tablets and these are very powerful processors for their price range (Intel is trying to break into this market, so giving out great deals it seems). So ideally if you are looking for a cheap tablet, trying to get one with an Intel Atom would be a good choice.

Like the ASUS Memo Pad 7 with Intel Atom was recently $130 on Amazon. This isn't much more expensive and would be vastly better than the $100 Insigna.
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-ME176CX-A...dp/B00KD5SER8/

 

[s44]

OP, there's a reason everyone else in this thread was looking up name-brand tablet deals while you were trawling for murky no-name junk. There's a threshold for quality and, against our advice, you decided to go below it. Good thing about Best Buy is that you can return it... so return it and consider your lesson learned.

And buy that Asus linked above.

 

[stuman74]

Like the ASUS Memo Pad 7 with Intel Atom was recently $130 on Amazon. This isn't much more expensive and would be vastly better than the $100 Insigna.
http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-ME176CX-A...dp/B00KD5SER8/

I actually put a question on that item yesterday asking about the MLB app. Hoping for an answer and if its a go, I may order it. Looks like a nice tablet...was hoping to keep at ~$100 for my kid.

 

[infoiltrator]

As I understand it, the most disappointing aspect of no name tablets is quality control, compatibility, and actual warranty.
So for the price, and considering these are Walmart and Beat Buy, should be fine

My greatest criticism of cheap tablets (despite android OS seems to use memory more efficiently in each generation) is the 1GB or less memory.

Choosing memory cards is also a nuisance, tablet speeds are limited. So do I buy "good enough" or something that might be good in a future use.
On sale I've bought Class6, C10, and C10 UHS, 16, 32, and 64 GB.
Samsung is rumored to usually outperform listing, unless old stock, but expensive.
Usually I see what is on sale at newegg then check amazon.
Some kids are like seeing what they can make it do, some want more.
Some kids can live happy with 8GB, some save video and a lot.
Good luck.

 

[stuman74]

I wound up getting the Asus MeMO 7" tablet for my son the other day. Pretty nice and a good value! While slightly smaller, way better display than the Insignia 8".

As for the MLB.tv app, while the app installs and loads fine on this MeMO, it crashes every time I try to stream a live game. I have a MLB.tv account and it works fine on my iPad, daughter's Kindle HD, Apple TV, TiVo, etc.