Best Low Cost Tablets for Chess.com

I would like a recommendation on a good low cost tablet that works well with chess.com.  I'm considering the new Google Nexus 7 inch tablet but I'm worried that a 7 inch tablet is too small for my fat uncoordinated fingers.  The 10 inch tablets are nice but the cost is really high for tablets like IPad, Samsung Galaxy and Asus.

I actually bought a 10 inch Arnova tablet for just $169 at Sears but it has totally stopped working and I am going to take it back.  The other issue I found was that the Arnova tablet did not support the chess.com app found on Google Play, a major drawback.

I dig my Nexus 7 tablet. In fact it's being used this minute to write this post. While the nexus 7 is a great device - ( I used it for gaming, internet browsing, multimedia, etc) - I would not recommend using it on Chess.com or any other chess playing website for that matter. In my experience, 5 minute blitz games are often lost because of a bad placement of a piece (due to lost traction on the screen). Longer games would probably not have this same problem as there would be no rush to input a move before the timer runs out. For fast internet chess games I still favor using a regular computer screen and a good mouse. Nothing beats using a real chessboard and preferably real wood standard size chessmen. On the other hand for under $200 and a $25 google play credit you will not find a better tablet as we speak.

I too have been thinking about this lately, but it comes down to the purpose you are intending.

I have a laptop that I use at home for playing, studying, everything... :)

I have a Droid Razr phonics, Motorola Xoom (~1.5 years old) and just got the new 32gb Nexus 7 - all loaded with chess.com, Droidfish (great opponent and for study) and Scid (great for pgn databases/books such as everymanchess books) and pdf/djvu readers - as well as other non-chess stuff.  So, in short, I use my tablets/phone for chess study, not for active playing. 

IMHO, the 10-inch screen is very nice.  However, after having the Nexus 7 for a little over a week, I realy like the transporatbility of it and I too have fat fingers - the best part is that doesn't matter - you can resize the  buttons.  Though, if you're looking to play speed chess, I'd stick to IRL or something with a mouse (i.e. lap/desktop).

(Nerd alert here!)  I also have a number of chess related pdf and djvu files.  So, I find the 10-inch Xoom screen best for reading text & moves while I've got (usually) Droidfish up on Nexus so I can play through the game and variations - no lost pieces!

 

For chess.com videos, it doesn't matter - if you've got an account, they're great on all devices!  Thanks chess.com!

One caveat that may help folks is this - initially, I was stumped on how to get pgn files onto the Nexus 7 to Scid and Droidfish (can be a bit tricky), but there are ways through it - so don't be frusterated - it's a bit too much detail for here, but it's totally doable and you don't have to be a rocket scientist - pm me, it's easy, I promise.

SHORT VERSION: For a tablet on a budget for study only, get a Nexus 7 or refurb XOOM - that'll keep you in the $200-$250 range with enough memory so you won't be wanting for more.  For playing, I'd stick to a laptop/desktop.

Best of luck to all - YMMV.

ZV