Tablet questions/options?

[frugaldrummer]

My boyfriend thinks he NEEDS a tablet.  It would be handy for his business, as he does a lot of work from his phone when out and about.  He has a lot of problems with his smartphone (not sure if it's operator error, or he just has a lemon) but also, to be fair, the smartphone is not good as an e-reader etc.

He's got a too-expensive phone plan with Sprint, but is locked into his contract as he is still paying for his phone.  Unfortunately, adding a tablet to his plan would cost another $35 a month.

Any suggestions?  I know there are some inexpensive tablets out there for $100-150  (and I imagine maybe used ones for less?).  Any way to work around the Sprint fee?

He would be using the tablet to read books, read and write documents that he is sending back and forth between clients, browse the internet.

[frugaldrummer]

And P.S., I don't even have a smartphone, so plain English answers would be appreciated!

[Daley]

Odds are, the much too expensive Sprint plan allows for hotspot/device tethering on that smartphone of his. Use that to the advantage for data access. Last year's model Nexus 7 should be overkill if the purchase can be justified at all and shouldn't cost more than $180 new/$125 used.

Beyond that, might I suggest giving the Superguide a read, and recommend doing the math on the ETF fees and consider switching to Ting given he's on Sprint already.

[seattlecyclone]

Is a cellular network connection an absolute requirement? Tablets with that connectivity option tend to cost more up front than WiFi-only models (the iPad, for example, costs $130 more with a cellular radio inside). Of course there's the monthly cost to worry about as well with that option. I personally think it's overkill for most people to carry around two separate devices that can surf the web through the cell phone network. My advice is to use the phone for anything that requires Internet access right away, and connect the tablet to the network when you can find a WiFi signal. You can still read books and write documents when you have no network access.

[mgreczyn]

I work with a guy who's a gadget geek.  He hacks everything he owns, as well and used to run an ISP back when you could do that sort of thing out of your apartment.  So he's credible.  He just got a Sero 7 Pro from Hisense for $150 at Wal Mart and swears it's the best 7 inch tablet available. 

[Daley]

I work with a guy who's a gadget geek.  He hacks everything he owns, as well and used to run an ISP back when you could do that sort of thing out of your apartment.  So he's credible.  He just got a Sero 7 Pro from Hisense for $150 at Wal Mart and swears it's the best 7 inch tablet available. 

The Sero 7 has basically the same core hardware as the 2012 Nexus 7 model with a lower-end display, touchscreen and slightly flimsier build quality. Before the '12 N7 went end of life and the price got discounted to clear stock, it was a pretty great deal in comparison... but when you're talking about a $25-30 price difference between the two instead of $50 at new, the case for it gets a bit strained.

[livetogive]

I use a tablet at work for privacy and other reasons and would reccomend either a used 2012 Nexus 7 or a new 2013 one.  Office max has a print out coupon for 20% off if you bring it in store.  I think it expires Saturday.

He can use his phone for connectivity or I suggest Freedompop.

[davisgang90]

I have a kindle fire hd and love it for reading. Lots of free books (sign up for bookgorilla.com for daily lists of free/cheap book deals on amazon).  I didn't pay for the data option.  Wifi works just fine.