Smartphone as wifi tablet only?

Pete_uk · 18-02-2012, 11:35

Ok, this kind of straddles 2 forums but I decided to plonk it in here.

I’m looking for a small light device for the home which will allow me to do simple web surfing/emails/ social media stuff without moving my somewhat large laptop about and trailing wires everywhere.

One of the ideas I was thinking of was getting a second hand smart phone and just connecting it up to wifi. I know some older phones (you know, the ones with buttons!) get funny about not having a SIM or not being on a network, would this be the case?

Any thoughts appreciated.

bob187 · 18-02-2012, 12:07

How big do you want the screen?
An ipod touch would do the trick if the size is right.

Biffo the Bear · 18-02-2012, 12:25

Most cost effective option would be to get an Advent Vega, and then spend 10 minutes modding it. Hey presto, you've got a damn good home tablet for between £150-£200.

edit - even though that's not actually a smartphone and I've just re-read the title.

Phone size.. probably a second hand Dell Streak?

paulbrock · 18-02-2012, 13:17

hmm... if you already have a smartphone what would be the advantage in a phone sized tablet?

How about one of the 7" tablets?

Pete_uk · 18-02-2012, 14:20

There are some cheap tablets on the market which I may look into. Some good ideas, such as the Advent Vega, what would I have to do to 'mod' it?

Many thanks

Biffo the Bear · 18-02-2012, 14:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_uk

There are some cheap tablets on the market which I may look into. Some good ideas, such as the Advent Vega, what would I have to do to 'mod' it?

Many thanks

Here's a guide - just follow it step by step and you can't go wrong

http://android.modaco.com/topic/3314...nline-kitchen/

m4tt24 · 18-02-2012, 16:05

I had a Dell streak for a year used it mainly for surfing the web in the house small enough so you can just take it with you and connect to other wifi's to without any problems.

alanwarwic · 18-02-2012, 20:47

Advent Vega if you can find it otherwise Asda do the Arnova 8 G2 at £109!
It has a 4/3 screen so will feel big but is probably not for games with the resistive screen.

The Monto Carlo or Samsung Galaxy Wifi 5 are options too.

finbaar · 18-02-2012, 21:39

The Hannspree Hannspad has, how shall I put it, better build quality and a better screen than the Vega with very similar specs. It is available for £170 and will last more than 5 minutes.

The Alpha Gamer · 19-02-2012, 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biffo the Bear

Most cost effective option would be to get an Advent Vega, and then spend 10 minutes modding it. Hey presto, you've got a damn good home tablet for between £150-£200.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_uk

Some good ideas, such as the Advent Vega, what would I have to do to 'mod' it?

Too expensive, research the Ainol Novo 7 Aurora

18-02-2012, 11:35	#1
Pete_uk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 1,823	Smartphone as wifi tablet only? Ok, this kind of straddles 2 forums but I decided to plonk it in here. I’m looking for a small light device for the home which will allow me to do simple web surfing/emails/ social media stuff without moving my somewhat large laptop about and trailing wires everywhere. One of the ideas I was thinking of was getting a second hand smart phone and just connecting it up to wifi. I know some older phones (you know, the ones with buttons!) get funny about not having a SIM or not being on a network, would this be the case? Any thoughts appreciated.

18-02-2012, 12:07	#2
bob187 Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,127	How big do you want the screen? An ipod touch would do the trick if the size is right.

18-02-2012, 12:25	#3
Biffo the Bear Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 24,419	Most cost effective option would be to get an Advent Vega, and then spend 10 minutes modding it. Hey presto, you've got a damn good home tablet for between £150-£200. edit - even though that's not actually a smartphone and I've just re-read the title. Phone size.. probably a second hand Dell Streak?

18-02-2012, 13:17	#4
paulbrock Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wapping, London Posts: 16,222	hmm... if you already have a smartphone what would be the advantage in a phone sized tablet? How about one of the 7" tablets?

18-02-2012, 14:20	#5
Pete_uk Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 1,823	There are some cheap tablets on the market which I may look into. Some good ideas, such as the Advent Vega, what would I have to do to 'mod' it? Many thanks

18-02-2012, 14:54	#6
Biffo the Bear Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 24,419	Quote: Originally Posted by Pete_uk There are some cheap tablets on the market which I may look into. Some good ideas, such as the Advent Vega, what would I have to do to 'mod' it? Many thanks Here's a guide - just follow it step by step and you can't go wrong http://android.modaco.com/topic/3314...nline-kitchen/

18-02-2012, 16:05	#7
m4tt24 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 772	I had a Dell streak for a year used it mainly for surfing the web in the house small enough so you can just take it with you and connect to other wifi's to without any problems.

18-02-2012, 20:47	#8
alanwarwic Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: the wild world web Posts: 28,132	Advent Vega if you can find it otherwise Asda do the Arnova 8 G2 at £109! It has a 4/3 screen so will feel big but is probably not for games with the resistive screen. The Monto Carlo or Samsung Galaxy Wifi 5 are options too.

18-02-2012, 21:39	#9
finbaar Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,921	The Hannspree Hannspad has, how shall I put it, better build quality and a better screen than the Vega with very similar specs. It is available for £170 and will last more than 5 minutes.

19-02-2012, 01:00	#10
The Alpha Gamer Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 3,075	Quote: Originally Posted by Biffo the Bear Most cost effective option would be to get an Advent Vega, and then spend 10 minutes modding it. Hey presto, you've got a damn good home tablet for between £150-£200. Quote: Originally Posted by Pete_uk Some good ideas, such as the Advent Vega, what would I have to do to 'mod' it? Too expensive, research the Ainol Novo 7 Aurora

DS Forums

Smartphone as wifi tablet only?