Cheap Tween Tablets in 2014

I love the impact a few years of use can have on a technology medium, especially when I'm shopping for my tweens. The iPad definitely struck a cord at the time of its release, but as smartphone action has taught us, wait a couple of years, and pricing will equalize. You may still have to pay a pretty penny for the latest option, but you can get an acceptable older version at a fraction of its original price. This year's best cheap tween tablets in 2014 are not merely inferior versions of the primo tablets, they are high-quality variations or earlier versions of popular brands' offerings.

iPad Mini

With the iPad mini now priced in the $250 range, it is a manageable alternative to the traditional cheap laptop and much more desired than the netbook of many years ago. If you have the funding, this is an excellent option for the tween who loves a variety of content, who has a significant collection of iTunes content, and who has a creative spirit. Put that tween to work making videos, photo collages, and music samples with iMovie, various photo apps, and Garage Band. Movies, books, and music abound. Free game apps are fantastic money savers over the life of a system, making this a great alternative to a handheld gaming system with just one or two games.


Kindle Fire HD 6

I picked one of these up right away. I've been wanting a cheap but quality tablet for the kids to use for reinforcing educational concepts. They have taken to the device easily, and it is very easy to navigate and understand. The unit feels sturdy, but I do recommend a protection plan for kid-related tech tools so that you don't end up having an unfortunate loss of function due to a drop or spill. Also, protective gear is wise.

I like the ease of browsing the Amazon app store online and being able to load content to the Kindle Fire. The size of the unit is not harsh on the eyes like an iPod or smartphone. The kids love being able to take turns, and I love the ability to integrate content through Kindle Free Time. If you want to invest in a bigger tablet, the larger Fire tablets for tweens are great choices.  Check out the full line of Kindle tablets here, and remember to keep your eyes out during Black Friday activities and through the holiday season as special deals seem to come throughout the season.

Best Tablets for Tweens in 2013

The 2012 tablet season was rather exciting, especially with the expansion of the Kindle Fire family and the development of the iPad mini.  As 2013 unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the big players in the tablet market continue in their struggle for dominance.

My observations based on 2012 trends include the fact that the Kindle family really makes the touchscreen technology accessible to the family.  I find friends and their children using various elements of the collection for everything from reading to game playing.  I love Amazon's content, and the ability to take that material with me to different devices.  Child's play is a smart concept for managing use, and will save lots of frustration in keeping track of whose turn it is.

For the tween, the low-cost tablet market is expanding with a host of under $100 options.  My teenagers talk about a cheap tablet being a doorprize at a holiday party they attended.  The winner of the prize put his tablet quickly to use.  I fully expect to see more options in the low-cost range by the time the holidays arrive.

Expect to see some of the same tendencies of recent years continue with major tablet and ereader models.  I can't imagine the Kindle family not having major advances, probably announcing their plans in late August or early September.  That's just intuition speaking, of course.  iPad will no doubt see some updates as well.  Also, watch for more combinations of laptops and tablets.

Which of these will be the best tablet for your tween in 2013?  If budget is your main constraint, look at ratings in the below $100 category.  If you want a more upscale model, look for both iPad and Kindle Fire options to be some of the best tween-friendly tablets.  Regardless of the model you select, keep in mind the tendency of a tween toward mishaps.  One of my husband's coworkers is dealing with the need to replace a tablet damaged by his son.  It was used to block a football.  Don't skip the protection plan!

Benefits of a tablet for a tween?  I love the hands on interaction and the availability of so many types of apps.    The access to a huge library of reading material is a plus, and Kindle has really expanded the reading opportunities for my teens and tweens in a small town with a limited library.




Check out these tablets that are less than $100 as examples of some quality and trendy choices:

Chromo Inc. 4GB 7" Tablet

Zeepad 7.0 4GB Tablet

Zeepad Pink

Coby Kyros 7-Inch Tablet 4GB

Best Tween Tablet Choice in 2011?

There are many possible tween tablet choices for the 2011 Christmas season, and if a tablet computer is on your tween's wishlist, your priorities will be important in the decision process.  The iPad 2 is an outstanding choice, due to its compatibility with many tween activities, especially the managing of their music via iPod.  If an iPad is in your grasp, from a budget perspective, it's worth it. 

If your budget doesn't quite manage the $499 price tag of the most basic iPad 2 model, however, the Kindle Fire is appearing to be a promising tween tablet, based on function and price.  Promoted as a multimedia device which will include streaming of on demand video from Amazon's instant video, digital music playing, ebook reading of Kindle materials, web browsing, and popular apps through Amazon's android store, the $199 color tablet is outstanding in it's range of uses, contrasted with its cost, which is 60% less than that of an iPad. 

Kindle Fire will be available beginning November 15, and is already making an appearance in many leaked Black Friday ads, at that same $199 price.  Amazon's free shipping makes it a great deal through the popular retailer.