Barnes & Noble NOOK BN-RTV250-16GB-K Tablet TI OMAP4430 1.00GHz 7" 1GB Memory 16GB PowerVR SGX540

Pros: easy to root with Android 2 Nook program--more versatile than Samsung Tab 2--contrary to popular belief, can use standard micro USB--easy to find accessories--heavier than Tab 2 weight can be a plus--$100, can't go wrong

Cons: no bluetooth, no GPS, no camera--but for what I need it for, that's okay

Other Thoughts: I tried the newest Samsung Tab 2 with JB but the T2 is restricted to the Samsung UI which makes it almost impossible to utilize the Tab 2 to read over 20 GB of nautical charts from external microSD, as well as thousands of free books I've loaded on external micro SD. It's a real issue for those of us who want(ed) to use the Sammy Tab 2 as means to hold lots of media other than movies and music. The Nook tablet works great for its intended purpose.

Pros: good tablet for beginners, sturdy, expandable via micro sdhc, dual core processor decent RAM

Cons: propietary charger, (14.99 for just the cable if you ever have to replace one) the UI is a crippled android system like the kindle fire, see below, no camera

Other Thoughts: this CAN be modified/rooted to run Gingerbread or even Jellybean with the aid of a micro sd card. This alone makes up for the no camera and crippled OS, just do a web search for "Jellybean (or Gingerbread) SD Card image for Nook Tablet" follow the directions they usually entail of you having to download 1 to 4 files and "burn" an image to the SD card then maybe copy over a few files depending on which version of Andriod you are using, then popping the card in your nook and powering it on. These do not copy any files to the Nook's memory EVERYTHING stays on the card so no warranty issues, and you can get back to the regular Nook OS by rebooting the nook or power it off and remove the sd card it's really the best of both worlds. it takes anywhere from 15-45 min to get it from "stock" to "rooted" even though it's not really "rooted" it's just running off the sd card. Just be aware there are ways to actually root one of these and if you aren't absolutely sure what you are doing you can destroy/brick these that's why I just go with the "bootable SD" method you are in a sandbox. If you mess up in this you just reformat the SD card and start over

Pros: First & foremost this is a great reader for Nook books
As a tablet it is limited by limited number of apps
Very good for many non - Geeks
Tablet -Reader very well designed
Tech support by Barnes & Noble

Cons: If you desire a tablet only this may not be your best choice
Not the best for techies / Geeks

Other Thoughts: Over all a very good Reader - Tablet does very basic
Things web surf, social networking, e- mail, reads PDF files.