Most affordable tablet?

[LemonBee]

What are affordable tablets that people are using? Do under $100 tablets like a Kindle work?

[TheRealChipA · Accepted solution]

Hi @LemonBee  To answer your specific question, Square only works on devices that use the Apple or Android operating systems. Kindles do not. That being said, there are lots of inexpensive devices that Square will run on. Here is a link to their Hardware Compatibility page. You can check out devices you are considering there. I hope that helps 

[Candlestore]

@LemonBee ;

When I first started, I used an $89 RCA android tablet.  It worked for a year or so then it got too overloaded because that was not just for business.  Now what I have done since then is I have subsribed to a Business plan with my Cell provider.  I have my business cell on it, got a Cell Network Router and a "Free" tablet with a data plan.  My cable company was charging $25 more a month for slower unrelialiable internet then what I tried with my cell company.  Being in the mountains during Snow and Ice the cables would need repair or accidents took out my internet. When I signed for the Cell plan they informed me of the Free tabletthey would offer with a Data plan for a tablet.  They had a few I could choose from.  The first go around I went with an Android, still works today with no issues.  Since Square has more Apps for Ipads (POS and Retail) which Android only had POS app at the time to download for Android.  After 2 years I was able to upgrade for $99 to a new Ipad.  But the $99 was at no cost if you signed up for a new line and had the tablet line for the length of the contract.  So just because an Ipad or Android is selling for $300 or whatever they are now, check with your cell provider.  You might be able to get a better tablet for a deal with them.  I was using two Wifi only tablets before upgrading with my cell provider, this only helps when I need a Cell plan signal at an open air flea market or something similar, where no internet is provided with WiFi.

My WiFi only tablets are Ipads from 2019, that I bought refurbished from Ebay or Amazon to slide in my Square Stands.  Since my Store has WiFi I did not need the Cellular connection and these 2 tablets are still in use today.  These were cheaper because they did not have the ability to add a Sim card to connect to a Cell provider.   They are only for Square use, and sometimes the built in Calculator app.  

Since you mention the Kindle, I am not sure the Kindle would even work as that is more for reading and can it even download the Square app?  No Google Playstore or Apples Store. The Square App is designed for Apple and Android.... no mention of Kindle operating system.

I remember Square offering a Deal with a Cel provider but I can not find that email anymore, to know if that is still valid.  I know the major cell providers are always offereing deals to get new customers, so check with yours.  Mine has better deals for Businesses then I can even get at the store.  My account rep just called me out of the blue to see if she could sell me a new plan or save me on my current plan.  Found out I was paying $50 a month for my internet and if I got a new router with same speeds and better reliability, I could save $15 a month.  In store the plan is $60 a month for that router.  

[VanKalkerFarms]

I would be very careful buy-in budget tablets.  $60 tablets are pretty much running 5-8 year old hardware and can barely run.  A 10th gen iPad is only a little over $200 and will last you 5-10 years.

[rtfulk]

@LemonBee you can buy a refurbished iPad directly from Apple, it has the same warranty as a new iPad and looks flawless, the only difference it doesn’t arrive in the pretty iPad box, just a brown one. I buy all my Apple products through the refurb store and have never had any problems. A 9th gen iPad 256Gb starts at 279.99 in the refurb store.

Apple iPad Refurb Store 

[VanKalkerFarms]

I used to buy a lot ion the Apple Refurb, but I look and almost never buy there anymore as you can get new the same or cheaper often on sales on amazon or Walmart.  they just take a few percent off and it just doesn't seem enough.

As far as product from the refurb store I haven't had any issues.   You just gotta shop around to make sure it is the cheapest.

Apple should invest in my company for as much as we have spent on iPhones. iPads, iMacs, AirPods, etc. it is crazy when I look at my devices list in Find My.

[Summer2024]

Thank you all for your awesome answers and insight here. I have marked @TheRealChipA answer as best answer because it directs @LemonBee to all compatible hardware. You all provided such great advice on top of that, @Candlestore , @rtfulk , @VanKalkerFarms . 😁