$50 amazon fire 7" tablet ($35 sale over) Root, CM12.1

$35 On sale Thanksgiving 11/26 until 11/29.
$35 sale over. But still fairly good deal at $50. Particularly if you’re computer inclined and could follow a guide to load a custom OS.

$50  Amazon fire 7” (2015) 5th gen. Just released in September.
Arstechnica review

Specs:
Quad-core 1.3 GHz ARM Cortex A7, GPU mali 450
1 gb ram
Flash 8 gb (5gb available to user in stock OS, more in custom roms)
MicroSD up to 128 gb
7 inch 1024x600 (171 ppi)
b/g/n wifi, bluetooth 4.0 LE
back camera 2mp, front camera VGA
accelerometer yes
no gps, no gyro, no compass, no light sensor
ports: micro USB, headphone jack

Side load apps: yes
Google play app store: yes if rooted
Root: Yes!
Custom roms: Cyanogenmod 12.1 xda link, SlimLP 5.1.1 xda link
There are still bugs in both custom roms but it’s only been 2 weeks since the first rom came out. Bugs will likely be worked out.

Add qi wireless charging. Soldering required.

Great as an extra tablet (little worry about it being stolen or damaged), for kids / tweens, gifts.

amazing for $35. I need a backup as my Toshiba Excite 7.7 is getting old.

The screen resolution, ppi pixel per inch isn’t great but you’re certainly not going to get 4k at such a low price. It is an IPS display, colors are good, and viewing angles fairly good.

Is this good for reading Kindle books and looking things up on the internet? I have only used computers, and never used a smart phone, so I’m a little in the dark on these things.

Looking up stuff on the internet, yes! (as long as you have wifi)
Kindle books, screen might not be the best for extensive reading. Can’t really say, don’t have one in my hands yet. See the Ars review, link in the OP. They talk about the screen right above “But does it fast?”.

It is only $35 and you can return it. Amazon return policy Items shipped by Amazon.com between November 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015, may be returned until January 31, 2016

I just ordered one thinking that it was a cheap way to have internet access away from home and get exposure to this technology, what I forgot is that living in California meant that it wouldn’t be so cheap, in addition to the high state tax, I had to pay a $3.00 CA Electronic Waste Recycling Fee.

Thanks, my wife just ordered 2. Apparently that is the limit at this price.
I had heard awhile ago that these were offered at $50 each or $250 a half dozen. $35 beats even the half dozen price

If you want more than 2, you could make another amazon account.

Doesn’t have a microSD slot…but with streaming stuff such as Plex or Netflix it does ok…my kids have one from a long time ago…still works but better cheaper and more expandable have come out…but for $35 not a bad deal (root it though and non-bloated custom ROM such as cyanogenmod looks like a good idea)

how do you get text into it, without routing everything through Amazon?

(Haven’t yet bought any tablet, still using a Palm OS PDA, so it’s all news to me …)

It does indeed have a microSD slot!

This is the 2015 (5th gen) 7” fire. Just released in September. Completely different then any models from other years. It can be slightly confusing because amazon just calls it the “fire” without mentioning the gen.
Xda Which Amazon Fire Tablet Do I have?

and I guess rooting it makes more sense.

Don’t forget you can divert half a penny per dollar of every Amazon purchase to a charity of your choice if you log in through

http://smile.amazon.com

Don’t pay $15 for the ad free version unless you have no intention of rooting it. You can nuke the ads, remove some bloatware, install google play app store, without even moving to a custom rom.

Actually I wouldn’t pay $15 for the ad free version at checkout even if you have no intention of rooting it. You can pay the $15 and remove the ads later. See how you like it first.

Ah gotcha (if it has a microSD for expansion…then definitely a good deal!)

And I use the network and an android app called “ES File Explorer” to copy and import from my networked computers to my sd cards on my phone and tablet

Yep, the microSD plus root and custom roms are what makes it interesting to me. Those 3 are my biggest requirements for any android device.

made note.if everyone around me gets 2 i will be very busy rooting,debloating,adding hostfiles,ect…

For all us folk who are in the UK, according to the various threads on HotUKDeals these will be widely available from tomorrow at the likes of Currys, Argos, PC World, Tesco and - I suspect - Amazon UK for about £35.

People are reporting that they can buy more then 2 (on the same account). Just need to make a separate order to buy more. And it seems the amazon mobile app even lets you order more than 2 in a single order. Xda Black friday: $35 sale

There is actually a script that will do the de-bloating for you. Fire Setup Script (FSS) - Transform your Fire tablet

You can use adaway for your hosts file. It installs the host file for you, auto updates it as new things are added and combines hosts files from multiple sources (running deduplication).

List of Bloatware & other Safe to remove Apps

Good to know. I have Amaon Prime so even though I have three tablets I might give this a shot just as a media set up.