I've been lusting for a tablet but don't want to pay the price for one. The new Kindle Fire and Nook Color look like good alternatives. Anybody have one or have played with one (or preferably both)?

While I'll use it for books, etc., I really want something that is a reasonable alternative for keeping up on email and web-surfing. While I can do both with my Android, a 7" screen would be nice.

I've been reading reviews but would love to hear from any of you who might have first-hand knowledge.

I played with the KF at work this last week. Geeky employee was showing it off. When I showed him Lenovo Ideapad A1 he almost cried. It's not a catchy name like Kindle Fire or Nook, but for $20 more you get exact same configuration but also 2 cams. $40 more and you get 16GB storage native. Enhance featured versions come in cute colors. My sproggs have a pink and blue in delivery.

My biggest "kudos" to the review is the Lenovo isn't married to either book houses yet has access to both through Android Market.

However if you are stuck on those. Kindle Fire. The kid at work said he get a paid app free everyday.

Note: Feels like I just repeated myself for some reason though.

Nope, not stuck on them at all. Would rather have an Android tablet without all the layers on top of it at a price I can afford. The Lenovo looks very interesting. I'd be curious to hear how the sproggs like it, and what you think of it, after they receive it.

It's deja vu all over again. Doing the due diligence. My main concern is trying to ascertain exactly for what it would be used. It seems a reader is the main, if not ultimate desire. The lenovo and the fire both appear to be pretty damn expensive readers. They are both pretty great at a bells and whistles electronic apparatus. But, an expensive reader.

If you want a test drive we can work something out. This review is imo only I could be wrong. Maybe Madicarus can find a CCR on it.

I know. Shortly after I responded to your inquiry I figured I would follow up imo review on the eReader level. Doesn't Jewels have a Kindle? Maybe she'll give a review.

We bought our 18 year old an Archos 101 16gb as a graduation present. So far so good - he loves it.

I can't find the 'deja vu' conversation Stash is referring to above.

I have two plain ol' e-ink version Kindle's (and know there are other owners here on the board) ... but am not sure what type of a review is being requested. Mine are 1 and 2yrs old, I am considering getting the touch version this year... we'll see what Santa has to say about that, though.

I don't want it for an e-reader. I'm looking for something that can do what my Android phone can do with a bigger screen. Except make calls, of course.

I've actually spent quite a bit of time today reading around and think I'll just stick with my phone unless I hear a compelling reason why I should shell out the bucks. It was a passing fancy, I guess. At times, a bigger screen would be nice but not really a necessity.

I played with a KF this weekend and it seems pretty solid. I had some issues with the touch screen but I haven't read anything about that in any reviews so I'll chalk that up to the beat up floor model i was playing with. I have an eink kindle and love it this one is quite a bit heavier in comparison but its a full color touch screen so that's to be expected. I would like to have a front and back camera because I skype with out of town friends and family often but for $199 you cant expect everything.

I'm not 100% sold on tablets yet. The price of laptops and netbooks have come down so much that for just a little more you can get a full on computer.

If you are looking for a small device that will be used 100% for consuming content and playing the games we all know and love this one might be it and for $200 you really cant go wrong.

I will most likely preoder the Kindle Fire 2 and pass on this one since I can do everything this does on my cell phone, but I couldn't drag my wife away from it so santa may accidentally throw one under the tree.