New Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet (2024 Release) - 8 Inch HD Display, 3GB RAM, 32GB Storage - Portable Entertainment Device - Black | Perfect for Streaming, Reading & Travel

I've had some high dollar tablets over the years, then as cell phones grew larger and larger, I forgot about them. This one caught my attention due to its Black Friday pricing.Pros:Lightweight, SD card expansion, quick at web-browsing/emailing/media consumption, 3 GB of RAM for responsive multi-tasking, decent screen clarity with perfectly usable brightness, speakers that don't completely suck, headphone jack (wow!), surprisingly good battery life.Cons: Amazon bloatware is pre-installed and non-removable (maybe it can be rooted, but it seems hardly worth the effort for this low-cost device), screen is a fingerprint magnet (easily remedied with a screen protector), lacks Google Play Store (no alternative browser can be installed for example, nor can the usual music services), not at all suitable for gaming (but who games on android???).Hidden talents: A quick web search will reveal how to install Google Play Services, which turns this already decent tablet into an outright bargain since that gives you access to the full library of Android apps; install this at your own risk (of course).Final verdict: For the money, this thing is very good. It's hard to believe it's so cheap considering that even just half a decade ago this would have been considered a superb 8" tablet. Even though it's weak for gaming (honestly, who cares?), it's highly responsive where it counts, i.e., web-browsing, media consumption and email duties. Recommended if those are the things you intend to do with a tablet.P.S. This is the perfect bedside table companion when in a hotel, to fall asleep to Youtube, Netflix or Amazon videos over WiFi, and to wake you up in the morning with its included "clock" app.