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AR15.COM
4/4/2011 7:10:57 PM EDT
I've been seeing all these new Tablets hit the market lately and I've gotten my hands on a few of them. They're pretty cool, but with a $600-$800 price tag, not that cool.



I know a lot of you guys love your Kindles and eReaders and alike, but I wanted something in color, and more than just books.




So a conversation with DKing today got me thinking "What if I just bought a cheap one, and modded the hell out of it?", so I did my research.




It turns out, that the Barnes&Noble NookColor is pretty much the same thing as the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The NookColor, however, is not fully Android. It's based on Android, but B&N have stacked twelve feet of shit ontop of it to only let you do what they want you to do. Also, it's only $250.




Further into my research, I found that there's a HUGE community of people modding the NookColors. And that within minutes, I could have Windows7 Phone/Tablet, any Mac OS, or any Android OS on it and running smooth. So that sealed the deal for me.




I picked up a NookColor after work for $244.99 (coupons, bitches) and took it to a friends house. We sat down and tinkered with it out of the box. It's just like an iPad. One button on front, volume control, a lock, a 3.5mm socket, and a dock socket. The OS was slow and filled with B&N ads. So we went to work.




A few forums and cards later, I had it rooted. Then a few minutes after that I had it running 2.3, then we went for broke and tried the slightly buggy 3.0. All worked very well and looked amazing. 3.0 was too buggy, so we dropped down to 2.3 and called it a day.




I now have a $250 tablet, that's superior to a $600+ one. I can use every book app, Netflix, and a few sweet apps meant for tablets only.
4/4/2011 7:14:40 PM EDT
[#1]
lol
4/4/2011 8:07:31 PM EDT
[#2]
Or you could just buy a $199 Galaxy.
4/4/2011 8:14:19 PM EDT
[#3]
How is the media performance on the hacked Nook?  Primarily interested in video/movies/etc.  Any stuttering issues?
4/4/2011 8:26:20 PM EDT
[#4]
B&N are suppose to release a newer android upgrade for the color this month so you can use all the android apps with it.nook
4/4/2011 8:42:23 PM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
Or you could just buy a $199 Galaxy.


Don't steal his thunder, yo!
4/5/2011 4:29:56 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Or you could just buy a $199 Galaxy.


With a 2 year contract and all that goes with it.

4/5/2011 6:36:54 AM EDT
[#7]
Yeah, I rooted my Nook a while back, haven't upgraded to a new ROM yet, though.  Got Facebook, GMail, and some other apps loaded on it.  I may still get a 'real' tablet at some point because one of the main apps I run is a softball scoring application that requires a data connection, so I just run that on my phone right now.  The Galaxy 10" tablet will be coming out soon, and they're apparently trying to get the prices down to be more competitive against the iPad's.
4/5/2011 8:09:57 AM EDT
[#8]
I'm still waiting on the galaxy player 50 to be released, I want a new mp3 player that's android based, just don't wanna apple.
4/5/2011 8:24:06 AM EDT
[#9]
What the....



I'm so lost...
4/5/2011 8:24:16 AM EDT
[#10]

Dis kind of ting?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7331817&Sku=V266-3029
4/5/2011 8:41:07 AM EDT
[#11]
I went with the iPad 2. No regrets here, this thing is awesome.
4/5/2011 4:41:56 PM EDT
[#12]
I use the Kindle... to read books.

It's an amazing concept (non light emitting screen) that works well.

I don't own a smartphone nor an "ipad" device. Waste of money for a guy that has a broadband connected computer at arms reach except for an hour in the car every day.
4/5/2011 5:32:43 PM EDT
[#13]



Quoted:




Dis kind of ting?



http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7331817&Sku=V266-3029



That is what Doug wanted to get, but upon research...

 



The cheapest and so far best has been the Nook route. I over clocked it fully today. It ran 7 hours straight through work and school and still has half the battery left.
4/5/2011 5:42:43 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:

Quoted:

Dis kind of ting?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7331817&Sku=V266-3029

That is what Doug wanted to get, but upon research...  

The cheapest and so far best has been the Nook route. I over clocked it fully today. It ran 7 hours straight through work and school and still has half the battery left.


those cheap ones are cheap mainly b/c of the processor used most of the time.  and with the new android OS you need lots of processing power....I wish my phone had a dual core...
4/5/2011 8:21:15 PM EDT
[#15]



Quoted:



Quoted:




Quoted:



Dis kind of ting?



http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7331817&Sku=V266-3029



That is what Doug wanted to get, but upon research...  



The cheapest and so far best has been the Nook route. I over clocked it fully today. It ran 7 hours straight through work and school and still has half the battery left.




those cheap ones are cheap mainly b/c of the processor used most of the time.  and with the new android OS you need lots of processing power....I wish my phone had a dual core...


It's insane.

 
4/6/2011 12:24:01 PM EDT
[#16]
You could spend $200+ on a tablet that is very limited in it's capability... Or you could just get a netbook that does all that and more for the same price. Might not fit in a pocket as well, but it makes more sense to me than buying something like an overpriced 'magical' hunk of glass and aluminum that some pompous fool in a turtleneck decides what you can and cannot do with it. Or an extremely overpriced hunk of plastic that runs a decent OS. Both of these things are the price of decent, full sized laptops that can do 20x more and aren't hamstrung by senseless manufacturers that think they still own a product that you bought and paid for. It just doesn't make sense to me why people will pay all that money for an inferior product IMO.

I'll get off my now. But that's just my $.02.
4/6/2011 12:42:00 PM EDT
[#17]





Quoted:



You could spend $200+ on a tablet that is very limited in it's capability... Or you could just get a netbook that does all that and more for the same price. Might not fit in a pocket as well, but it makes more sense to me than buying something like an overpriced 'magical' hunk of glass and aluminum that some pompous fool in a turtleneck decides what you can and cannot do with it. Or an extremely overpriced hunk of plastic that runs a decent OS. Both of these things are the price of decent, full sized laptops that can do 20x more and aren't hamstrung by senseless manufacturers that think they still own a product that you bought and paid for. It just doesn't make sense to me why people will pay all that money for an inferior product IMO.





I'll get off my now. But that's just my $.02.



I have about 6 desktops, 4 laptops (2 netbooks, actually), and a few servers sitting around my desk. I have an Android phone and had an old tablet that I liked I got from a customer. The only reason I bought this is to play with. It's a toy. YOU'RE ON A FUCKING GUN FORUM for god's sake which people routinely spend a few grand for a rifle. You can buy that $1,000 Sig, but why when you can get a $150 HiPoint.






Your argument, however biased against Apple and tablets, is pointless here. I bought this to entertain myself and own plenty of things to compare it to.




 


 
4/6/2011 12:46:26 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:

I have about 6 desktops, 4 laptops (2 netbooks, actually), and a few servers sitting around my desk. I have an Android phone and had an old tablet that I liked I got from a customer. The only reason I bought this is to play with. It's a toy. YOU'RE ON A FUCKING GUN FORUM for god's sake which people routinely spend a few grand for a rifle. You can buy that $1,000 Sig, but why when you can get a $150 HiPoint.

Your argument, however biased against Apple and tablets, is pointless here. I bought this to entertain myself and own plenty of things to compare it to.
 
 


PMS'ing are we?

4/6/2011 12:47:05 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
You could spend $200+ on a tablet that is very limited in it's capability... Or you could just get a netbook that does all that and more for the same price. Might not fit in a pocket as well, but it makes more sense to me than buying something like an overpriced 'magical' hunk of glass and aluminum that some pompous fool in a turtleneck decides what you can and cannot do with it. Or an extremely overpriced hunk of plastic that runs a decent OS. Both of these things are the price of decent, full sized laptops that can do 20x more and aren't hamstrung by senseless manufacturers that think they still own a product that you bought and paid for. It just doesn't make sense to me why people will pay all that money for an inferior product IMO.

I'll get off my now. But that's just my $.02.


+1


(This posted from a $220 netbook connected with a Sprint data card.)
4/6/2011 12:49:11 PM EDT
[#20]





Quoted:





Quoted:





I have about 6 desktops, 4 laptops (2 netbooks, actually), and a few servers sitting around my desk. I have an Android phone and had an old tablet that I liked I got from a customer. The only reason I bought this is to play with. It's a toy. YOU'RE ON A FUCKING GUN FORUM for god's sake which people routinely spend a few grand for a rifle. You can buy that $1,000 Sig, but why when you can get a $150 HiPoint.






Your argument, however biased against Apple and tablets, is pointless here. I bought this to entertain myself and own plenty of things to compare it to.


 

 






PMS'ing are we?








Me? No. I just find that argument very ignorant.

 






I bought a toy, not something I'm gonna have to take into battle.




ETA: And venting anger from stupid customers all day. It was alittle bitchy, but I'm not changing it.

 
4/6/2011 12:50:22 PM EDT
[#21]
Quoted:
Quoted:

I have about 6 desktops, 4 laptops (2 netbooks, actually), and a few servers sitting around my desk. I have an Android phone and had an old tablet that I liked I got from a customer. The only reason I bought this is to play with. It's a toy. YOU'RE ON A FUCKING GUN FORUM for god's sake which people routinely spend a few grand for a rifle. You can buy that $1,000 Sig, but why when you can get a $150 HiPoint.

Your argument, however biased against Apple and tablets, is pointless here. I bought this to entertain myself and own plenty of things to compare it to.
 
 


PMS'ing are we?



4/6/2011 12:51:50 PM EDT
[#22]





Quoted:





Quoted:




Quoted:





I have about 6 desktops, 4 laptops (2 netbooks, actually), and a few servers sitting around my desk. I have an Android phone and had an old tablet that I liked I got from a customer. The only reason I bought this is to play with. It's a toy. YOU'RE ON A FUCKING GUN FORUM for god's sake which people routinely spend a few grand for a rifle. You can buy that $1,000 Sig, but why when you can get a $150 HiPoint.






Your argument, however biased against Apple and tablets, is pointless here. I bought this to entertain myself and own plenty of things to compare it to.


 

 






PMS'ing are we?











http://www.gorillazsouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/internet-serious-business-cat.jpg




Sprint data card with .1mbps









 
4/6/2011 12:52:41 PM EDT
[#23]
Sounds more like an opinion than a argument to me....one that I actually agreed with, not saying the anything bad, infact in the same conversation you had with DKing, I'm guessing on his facebook, I was the first one to mention the rooted nook, but I'm also the one thats still using my old ass acer aspire 1.
4/6/2011 12:58:08 PM EDT
[#24]



Quoted:


Sounds more like an opinion than a argument to me....one that I actually agreed with, not saying the anything bad, infact in the same conversation you had with DKing, I'm guessing on his facebook, I was the first one to mention the rooted nook, but I'm also the one thats still using my old ass acer aspire 1.


I have an old and "new" Aspire One. I love 'em. One doesn't work and the "new" one's too shitty for me to use for school. I beat the hell out of it.

 



You guys do whatever the hell you want, I'm having fun playing with my "overpriced 'magical' hunk of glass and aluminum that some pompous fool in a turtleneck decides what you can and cannot do with it". And that's all that really matters. If you don't agree, gtfo this thread?
4/6/2011 1:08:58 PM EDT
[#25]
This thread could get good!



4/6/2011 1:24:19 PM EDT
[#26]
Quoted:
This thread could get good!


I think it already did!

Mutki, mad props to you for unlocking the tablet... rooting, did you call it? I don't know anything about it, but it must have been impressive. I thought I was hot shit when I unlocked my Motorola V265 to get some ancient pics off of, that was a hell of a chore for me. I still don't understand hex and seem editing, but I got it eventually.
4/6/2011 1:36:19 PM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
Quoted:
This thread could get good!


I think it already did!

Mutki, mad props to you for unlocking the tablet... rooting, did you call it? I don't know anything about it, but it must have been impressive. I thought I was hot shit when I unlocked my Motorola V265 to get some ancient pics off of, that was a hell of a chore for me. I still don't understand hex and seem editing, but I got it eventually.



I'd say it already got good too

I'm considering getting a tablet.  Now I really effing confused.  Rooting appears to be way the hell over my head and quite controversial, or maybe just entertaining to read about, i think, $600 seems pricey, I liked the $150 option stimpson posted, but question if it's even worth the $150. Netbooks don't have sexy touch screens.  I just want to surf arfcom to be able to read threads like this

Mutki, I must ask.... are all those computers in your mom's basement?
4/6/2011 1:37:53 PM EDT
[#28]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
This thread could get good!


I think it already did!

Mutki, mad props to you for unlocking the tablet... rooting, did you call it? I don't know anything about it, but it must have been impressive. I thought I was hot shit when I unlocked my Motorola V265 to get some ancient pics off of, that was a hell of a chore for me. I still don't understand hex and seem editing, but I got it eventually.



I'd say it already got good too

I'm considering getting a tablet.  Now I really effing confused.  Rooting appears to be way the hell over my head and quite controversial, or maybe just entertaining to read about, i think, $600 seems pricey, I liked the $150 option stimpson posted, but question if it's even worth the $150. Netbooks don't have sexy touch screens.  I just want to surf arfcom to be able to read threads like this

Mutki, I must ask.... are all those computers in your mom's basement?


IN FOR ANSWER!!!!!!
4/6/2011 1:45:19 PM EDT
[#29]



Quoted:





You can buy that $1,000 Sig, but why when you can get a $150 HiPoint.






 
 


..........

 



Because You CAN'T buy a Hi-Point.
4/6/2011 2:19:07 PM EDT
[#30]
Quoted:
Quoted:
This thread could get good!


I think it already did!

Mutki, mad props to you for unlocking the tablet... rooting, did you call it? I don't know anything about it, but it must have been impressive. I thought I was hot shit when I unlocked my Motorola V265 to get some ancient pics off of, that was a hell of a chore for me. I still don't understand hex and seem editing, but I got it eventually.


Think I may have been told to GTFO, but if you want to know more about rooting the Nook Color, check out this site...http://www.androidcentral.com/nook-color-tablet-you
4/6/2011 3:44:14 PM EDT
[#31]
Thanks for the link, I'm looking into it. If I am ever in the market for a tablet, I will probably be trying this, looks pretty awesome.
4/6/2011 4:57:05 PM EDT
[#32]
Quoted:

Quoted:
You could spend $200+ on a tablet that is very limited in it's capability... Or you could just get a netbook that does all that and more for the same price. Might not fit in a pocket as well, but it makes more sense to me than buying something like an overpriced 'magical' hunk of glass and aluminum that some pompous fool in a turtleneck decides what you can and cannot do with it. Or an extremely overpriced hunk of plastic that runs a decent OS. Both of these things are the price of decent, full sized laptops that can do 20x more and aren't hamstrung by senseless manufacturers that think they still own a product that you bought and paid for. It just doesn't make sense to me why people will pay all that money for an inferior product IMO.

I'll get off my now. But that's just my $.02.

I have about 6 desktops, 4 laptops (2 netbooks, actually), and a few servers sitting around my desk. I have an Android phone and had an old tablet that I liked I got from a customer. The only reason I bought this is to play with. It's a toy. YOU'RE ON A FUCKING GUN FORUM for god's sake which people routinely spend a few grand for a rifle. You can buy that $1,000 Sig, but why when you can get a $150 HiPoint.

Your argument, however biased against Apple and tablets, is pointless here. I bought this to entertain myself and own plenty of things to compare it to.
 
 


Oh I know, but I'm one of those people that likes to have a good argument every now and then. Though this WAS just an opinion.

Dropping a grand on a rifle is something I'll gladly do because it's more than just a toy and it's something that will do everything I want for the money I spend on it. If you have the money to spend on a tablet toy, more power to you. I was just saying that I didn't see a point to them and the people that think that they're the be all end all of computing.

And yes, I am biased against Apple, but I did also take a shot at the Xoom, albeit more subtly since I really haven't had much of a chance to play with one. /shrug

ETA: The 'magical hunk of aluminum and glass' was just poking fun at Jobs' fanciful description of his own product
4/6/2011 7:08:17 PM EDT
[#33]

Buying technology and making it do more than it was meant to is what being technical is all about.

It is definitional to my way of thinking.  Everything can be made better.

The steps are simple and universal:

1-acquire technology
2-learn how it works (not the same as how to use it)
3-modify as necessary
4-rinse and repeat

This does require a lot more effort.  One could argue that effort isn't worth the 'savings'.

I couldn't...but SOME one might be able to.
4/6/2011 7:59:28 PM EDT
[#34]
Mikey - It's not that hard. Honestly. You just have to know enough about what you're doing so you don't brick your device (Make it unusable). I would gladly help if you're close or walk you through if not.



Infringed - The $150 has the computing power of a shoe. Once you put apps on it, it'll run slow as shit and your chinese warranty doesn't really cover that. Those are actually in my room, thank you very much. The number of computers in my mother's basement is somewhere in the hundreds.




Jeff - Shut up.




bgcoop - That article goes over what it does, but doesn't go into any details. There's a few good one's on the XDA Forums.




M82 - ...




Stimpson - Great post. There was little to no effort involved for me (it took 10 minutes to find a damn micro SD card though). So the benefits outweigh the cost. It was quite comical to have Mac OS X running on my phone and on that tablet.






4/7/2011 7:38:57 AM EDT
[#35]
Quoted:

Everything can be made better.


I felt obligated after rereading this to qualify this one statement.

Every THING can be made better.

People, however, CANNOT be made better.  They can CHOOSE to become better...or not.

Yeah...I quoted myself...sue me.
4/13/2011 1:33:04 AM EDT
[#36]
Hundred Dollar Nook,



Today only




4/13/2011 2:46:14 AM EDT
[#37]
I just got two refurb wi-fi only nooks from B&N through their ebay store for $78 each with free shipping.  They have a full 1 year warranty.  I don't know if they can be rooted to be used like the color one can.  The web browser that comes on them sucks.
4/13/2011 3:00:28 AM EDT
[#38]
Quoted:
Hundred Dollar Nook,

Today only



Damn, beat me to the LOL.
4/13/2011 4:11:48 AM EDT
[#39]



Quoted:


Hundred Dollar Nook,



Today only




Can you root the black and white version? And what would be the point of putting android on a black and white screen?



 
4/13/2011 4:17:12 AM EDT
[#40]







Quoted:
Quoted:



Hundred Dollar Nook,









Today only










Can you root the black and white version? And what would be the point of putting android on a black and white screen?



 
I don't know...









Looks like color to me...says color







ETA: OH! Color controls...got it...



Guess there wouldn't be that cool then B&W. Be like that old 94 Gateway my dad gave me to play Quake on back in preschool.
 


 
4/13/2011 10:37:04 AM EDT
[#41]
Quoted:
Yeah, I rooted my Nook a while back, haven't upgraded to a new ROM yet, though.  Got Facebook, GMail, and some other apps loaded on it.  I may still get a 'real' tablet at some point because one of the main apps I run is a softball scoring application that requires a data connection, so I just run that on my phone right now.  The Galaxy 10" tablet will be coming out soon, and they're apparently trying to get the prices down to be more competitive against the iPad's.


Same with my Nook.  Angry Birds FTW!
4/13/2011 4:10:38 PM EDT
[#42]
Is it good or sad that i know what this thread is about?