If you know my posts on hexes, I am someone who really doesn't like Android for my high end devices. No need to go into the whys and where's, but it's not my OS of choice for a high end device.
I have also started developing Flex/AIR apps for my Blackberry Playbook recently which is a lot of fun (albeit with action script, so it's definitely lazy development rather than programming!), but it would be great to get more reach with my apps..so I kinda do need to make an Android version. Super easy with Flex, but needed a device to test with.
Enter FocalPrice and their mega cheap £45 tablets. Did a bit of research 2 weeks ago and one drunk night ordered one..and today it turned up. I ordered a 7" Ainol Novo 7 Tornado, which is a 4.0.3 tablet with a 1ghz Chip, 1GB ram and 8GB storage.
I am actually quite impressed! I still don't like Android (lets keep that clear), but considering that this thing cost only £45, it's a decent bit of hardware. The screen isn't great, but it's sensitive and works well. everything remains responsive, the sound is loud enough, and it handles high bitrate 1080p sample videos perfectly smoothly..and they actually look pretty good even with the fairly poor screen.
Full access to google play store is there, and Angry birds + Fruit ninja both work really well..amazingly smooth considering. I have to keep reminding myself that this is only a £45 tablet..screen aside it's really impressive.
I might get around to doing a review at some point - but the main point I am making here is that these dirt cheap chines tablets can actually be scarily good value for money. It's 1/3 the price of a nexus 7, and OK it really needs a better screen, but for what I want it for (dev) or even if I had kids and wanted something for them, its pretty amazing.
Don't write off the cheap tablets if you just want something to play with - I wouldn't pay any more than 45-50£ for one of these, but at that price, it's a steal! Good news is that this is getting 4.1 too since the official source code has just been released, and some custom roms are already out. Surprising but a good thing to hear