5 Tablets you can get for Under £300

The best tablets don’t have the best prices. They usually cost more than £300. Take the new iPad for example. It starts at around £500 and that’s just for a 16GB, WiFi-only model. Competitors like the 10-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 are relatively cheaper but not necessarily affordable. If you can’t afford the best, you can still buy the next best tablet. They’re cheaper, more affordable, and just as functional. Here are a few budget-friendly tablets you can get for under £300.

Google Nexus 7

The sleek 7-inch tablet is powered by a quad-core processor best known for its speedy performance and smooth graphics – the NVIDIA Tegra 3. And because it has Android 4.1 Jelly Bean installed, you can expect it to be really slick. Google Nexus 7 boasts a full HD display protected by a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass. Its rubber and somewhat leathery back makes it comfortable to hold.

Nexus 7 has WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The 1.2MP front-facing camera means you can use it for video calls, self-portraits, and small group shots. Internal memory options are limited to 8GB and 16GB. Sadly, it lacks expandable storage, a rear camera, and HDMI support.

Amazon Kindle Fire HD

Fresh out of the market, Amazon Kindle Fire HD is meant to compete against the Nexus 7. It’s certainly impressive and has an impeccable sound quality. The redesigned software interface is also of note as it is now stunning and more elegant. Unfortunately, it can be sluggish at times. Even though it’s optional, you have to pay an additional £15 to remove ads. Another drawback with this slate is the pre-installed app store which has limited applications.

The only distinguishing feature about its design is the plastic shell surrounding the bezel. This protects the sides from bumps. Unlike the Nexus 7 however, it has a micro-HDMI output and dual speakers for loud sound. You can choose from 16GB and 32GB models. Other specs include an HD display with anti-glare feature, a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, WiFi, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Amazon Kindle Fire (2012)

One of the cheapest there is, the 2012 Kindle Fire is an improvement of the 2011 model. It features a redesigned interface and faster performance for a significantly lower price. Changes are limited to software and hardware as it still has the same thick, heavy, and boxy design. It also lacks a camera, HDMI, expandable storage, and HD video playback. What it has is a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, 1GB RAM, and WiFi.

Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet

Nook has one spec which Kindle Fire is missing – a microSD slot with up to 32GB of expandable storage. Despite this, video rental options are unavailable which makes the extra storage pretty much useless. It also lacks full access to Google Play and has no camera, Bluetooth, or GPS. On the bright side, you do have access to Nook Store and its growing number of apps, books, and magazines.

The 7-inch tablet is optimized for Hulu Plus and Netflix for optimal video playback. It has a 1GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, and 4GB user-available memory. It basically matches up to the 2012 Kindle Fire with the addition of external memory.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7”

The 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab is one of the best tablets you can get for a bargain. It’s built for all-around use with its dual cameras, expandable storage, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, and stereo speakers. You can even use it as a remote control for your TV. It has Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich pre-installed but will be updated to 4.1 Jelly Bean. Under the hood is a 1GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM.

It’s missing an HDMI port so you can’t play videos from the tablet to a TV. The screen is also lacklustre in comparison to PLS display.

This article was written by Judene Macariola. Jude is interested in writing articles about mobile platforms and the latest gadgets. He currently works at Broadband Expert, a consultation firm that helps home owners and businesses discover location-based internet options.

About Jakk: Jakk Ogden is a professional self-employed blogger and the founder / owner of Technology Blogged. 22, with a love for good writing, you'll find me playing 'Drag Racing' on my HTC One X and rocking a pair of Grado headphones. If you love technology, be sure to subscribe to my feed for unique editorials. Find me on Google+. View author profile.