Hope I don't regret my new android purchase - Hi everyone!

kennerd

Member
Jun 24, 2013
2
1
About a week ago, I decided I needed a pocket PC of some kind. I didn't consider android tablets at all to start with, but was looking on ebay at old PDAs like Palm Pilots at first, then HP iPAQs with wifi (almost bought one, glad I didn't) until yesterday I came across a Polaroid 4.3" tablet running Ice Cream Sandwich on ebay for only $50 and it was like opening a new door.

I was aware of how cool the Android tablets were but never dreamed they were available at such a low price. I did some more researching and finally decided today on a Mach Speed Trio 4.3" from Walmart with the expectation I could go to the store and pick it up the following day, as indicated in the online order. It's bought and paid for but a couple hours later I get an email saying it's not available for store pickup until next week. Grrr!

OK fine, I can wait but as I was researching for info I found this great site, and searched for my model but came up with zero hits on the 4.3" model. This makes me a bit nervous. I have plenty of time to cancel my order and change it. I'd rather not get a 7" screen at this time, seems a bit on the big size for fitting into a pocket.

I found out after the fact that Google Play Store isn't supported, it uses the Amazon Appstore instead. I can live with that I think. My requirements aren't very demanding, I don't play games much, only need basic utility apps for the most part. Heck, I was using an old Palm Pilot to keep notes and was almost happy with that until the batteries went dead yesterday so a little Android tablet will be a hundred times more useful to me.

I am a self-employed handyman and need a tablet for keeping records & taking notes while out & about, most of my clients have wifi in their homes or I can get it a the occasional cafe or restaurant. I've never had a cell phone and would rather not have one. Most of my communication is email or Facebook messaging, but if I can use my tablet for occasional voice on Google or FB that would be cool.

I don't have much interest in rooting or other geek stuff but that can change :) I just want something that works and fits in my pocket!
 

edap

Senior Member
Dec 12, 2012
1,120
106
Hi kennerd. Welcome to the forum. If you're handy with a needle and thread, you could stitch yourself some bigger pockets, lol. But seriously, 7" seems to be the new starting point for mini-tablets. Even cellphone screens are increasing in size. That's so manufacturer's can charge more.
Ed
 

littlejaye

Member
Mar 28, 2013
7
2
You sound like me a year ago and now I have 3 tablets lol. I have learned so much in the last year. Don't be surprised if you can't get enough android over time. I hope you love your new toy.
About a week ago, I decided I needed a pocket PC of some kind. I didn't consider android tablets at all to start with, but was looking on ebay at old PDAs like Palm Pilots at first, then HP iPAQs with wifi (almost bought one, glad I didn't) until yesterday I came across a Polaroid 4.3" tablet running Ice Cream Sandwich on ebay for only $50 and it was like opening a new door.

I was aware of how cool the Android tablets were but never dreamed they were available at such a low price. I did some more researching and finally decided today on a Mach Speed Trio 4.3" from Walmart with the expectation I could go to the store and pick it up the following day, as indicated in the online order. It's bought and paid for but a couple hours later I get an email saying it's not available for store pickup until next week. Grrr!

OK fine, I can wait but as I was researching for info I found this great site, and searched for my model but came up with zero hits on the 4.3" model. This makes me a bit nervous. I have plenty of time to cancel my order and change it. I'd rather not get a 7" screen at this time, seems a bit on the big size for fitting into a pocket.

I found out after the fact that Google Play Store isn't supported, it uses the Amazon Appstore instead. I can live with that I think. My requirements aren't very demanding, I don't play games much, only need basic utility apps for the most part. Heck, I was using an old Palm Pilot to keep notes and was almost happy with that until the batteries went dead yesterday so a little Android tablet will be a hundred times more useful to me.

I am a self-employed handyman and need a tablet for keeping records & taking notes while out & about, most of my clients have wifi in their homes or I can get it a the occasional cafe or restaurant. I've never had a cell phone and would rather not have one. Most of my communication is email or Facebook messaging, but if I can use my tablet for occasional voice on Google or FB that would be cool.

I don't have much interest in rooting or other geek stuff but that can change :) I just want something that works and fits in my pocket!



Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
 

Spider

Administrator
Staff member
Mar 24, 2011
15,785
1,813
Hi kennerd, welcome to the forum. Glad you decided to join us here at Android Tablets. The best place on the forum for "shopping" information and recommendations is the Android Tablet Discussions section. I'm going to move your thread over there for you so folks can discuss your tablet requirements with you and hopefully make some suggestions. Good luck!
 

kennerd

Member
Jun 24, 2013
2
1
I think I'll give that Mach Speed Trio 4.3" from Walmart a go, even though it will be hard to wait. I realize I can expect some issues with a cheap Chinese tablet, for example the multitouch needing a harder tap than normal, and I feel confident in Walmart's return policy should it not work out.

Thanks for the warm welcome!
 

ArkMikaela

Member
Jul 12, 2013
6
1
i got a mach speed 4.3 at christmas from walmart. It is good for learning about android. It should fit your needs. Some things i have learned: not all apps will run on it, but there are alot of apps available on the net so findings one that does isn't a problem. Google play store can be set up to run, but it is a hassle and not really worth the time. I have streamed videos to it and downloaded movies to watch however you will run into some problems with flash videos running depending on which web browser you decide to use. The stock one is pretty good, but i have moved to the Dolphin one. It will take a little time to learn all the ins and outs of it. One other thing Mach Speed support is almost nonexsistent, best place is rightr here on these forums.
 

edap

Senior Member
Dec 12, 2012
1,120
106
About a week ago, I decided I needed a pocket PC of some kind. I didn't consider android tablets at all to start with, but was looking on ebay at old PDAs like Palm Pilots at first, then HP iPAQs with wifi (almost bought one, glad I didn't) until yesterday I came across a Polaroid 4.3" tablet running Ice Cream Sandwich on ebay for only $50 and it was like opening a new door.

I was aware of how cool the Android tablets were but never dreamed they were available at such a low price. I did some more researching and finally decided today on a Mach Speed Trio 4.3" from Walmart with the expectation I could go to the store and pick it up the following day, as indicated in the online order. It's bought and paid for but a couple hours later I get an email saying it's not available for store pickup until next week. Grrr!

OK fine, I can wait but as I was researching for info I found this great site, and searched for my model but came up with zero hits on the 4.3" model. This makes me a bit nervous. I have plenty of time to cancel my order and change it. I'd rather not get a 7" screen at this time, seems a bit on the big size for fitting into a pocket.

I found out after the fact that Google Play Store isn't supported, it uses the Amazon Appstore instead. I can live with that I think. My requirements aren't very demanding, I don't play games much, only need basic utility apps for the most part. Heck, I was using an old Palm Pilot to keep notes and was almost happy with that until the batteries went dead yesterday so a little Android tablet will be a hundred times more useful to me.

I am a self-employed handyman and need a tablet for keeping records & taking notes while out & about, most of my clients have wifi in their homes or I can get it a the occasional cafe or restaurant. I've never had a cell phone and would rather not have one. Most of my communication is email or Facebook messaging, but if I can use my tablet for occasional voice on Google or FB that would be cool.

I don't have much interest in rooting or other geek stuff but that can change :) I just want something that works and fits in my pocket!

Hello, kennerd.

I came across the following post, yesterday, and I believe the poster is referring to you.

Kindle Touch as a PDA

I can't find the post this morning. Yesterday someone was looking for a PDA kind of device that he could use in business to store data. A suggestion occurred to me last night. I have a simple Kindle Touch which I bought for about $70. With free apps from the Amazon store I use it to keep phone numbers, number lists, passwords. It has a calculator, a timer/stopwatch, a good calendar. It's very small, light and efficient without too much fancy stuff. It doesn't access the internet well (except to download books and apps), but it plays games and audio files. It's a great and undemanding tablet.
 
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