We’ve already discussed some of the great deals we can find on smartphones over this upcoming weekend, but now it’s time to shift our focus to something a little bigger - tablets! Just like smartphones, and probably even more so, tablets make great gifts over the holidays due to the fact that A.) generally speaking, they’re cheaper and B.) (again) generally speaking, you won’t find yourself facing a 2-year contract when you purchase one. It’s because of this that I would (and have) recommend purchasing a tablet as a gift for somebody over a smartphone, but that’s just me.
With all of that in mind, there are some wicked good deals out there for tablets this year, so let’s dive right in and see what savings we can find!
Verizon Wireless
Free Ellipsis 8 Tablet: Free Ellipsis 8 Tablet with new 2yr activation req’d. Plus, Free Overnight Shipping!
Target
- iPad mini (16GB, Wi-Fi): $249 + $80 Target gift card
- iPad mini 2 (16GB, Wi-Fi): $299 + $100 Target gift card
- iPad mini 3 (16GB, Wi-Fi): $399 + $100 Target gift card
- iPad Air (16GB, Wi-Fi): $399 + $100 Target gift card
- iPad Air 2 (16GB, Wi-Fi): $499 + $140 Target gift card
- RCA 7” tablet: $39.99
- RCA 8” tablet: $69.99
Windows
- No love here. Womp, womp.
Best Buy
- iPad Mini 3 (all versions): $75 off
- iPad Air 2: $100 off
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0: $149.99
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5: $399.99
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4: $199.99
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 (Kids’ Tablet): $129.99
- Kindle Fire HD6: $79.99
- Asus Tablet Essentials (Bundle w/ case, 8GB microSD card): $99.99
- Asus Transformer Pad: $179.99
- Surface Pro 3 (128GB or larger): Save $100-$150
Wal-Mart
- iPad Mini: $199 + $30 Wal-Mart gift card
- iPad Air (original): $397 + $100 Wal-Mart gift card
- RCA Pro 10” tablet: $79
- Samsung Galaxy Tab 3: $99
- Nabi 2 (Nickelodeon Edition, Kids’ Tablet): $99
- Nextbook 8” tablet: $99
Microsoft Store
- HP Stream 7: $99
So to wrap things up, it would seem that if you’re looking for a new iPad that Target is going to have the most variety and probably the best deals if you don’t mind messing with gift cards. Otherwise, Best Buy will knock off the price immediately with no gift card hassle. Wal-Marts deals aren’t too shabby when it comes to iPads, either.
As for Androids, Best Buy is going to have the most variety but not necessarily the cheapest models. Still, Best Buy’s $100 price cut on the Galaxy Tab S is actually a pretty solid deal. For cheaper models I would suggest looking at Target or Wal-Mart, both of which have Android tablets for under $100.
Finally we come to Windows. Although there isn’t much to choose from, I would highly recommend the HP Stream above anything else. The Stream might be a smaller tablet, but it only costs $99 and comes with Office 365 Personal for free (a $69.99 value).
I’ve linked all of the ads or respective web pages for the sales. It would be a good idea to review the ad as each store has different respective opening times, and although it’s called Black Friday, most stores are going to start sales tomorrow evening. Also, many of these sales are hosted both online and in-store, so if you’re in absolutely no mood to go out shopping amidst the madness (and who could blame you, people be crazy) then you may be able to snag one of these deals from the comfort of your own home.