Best Value Opinions - Windows 10 Tablet/Laptop Sub $250

Hello,
It is time to dump my old Android tablet and replace. I would like the device to be small (say 10 - 11" Screen), fast-ish, running Windows 10. I've seen some small laptops which seemed okay going for $179. It is mainly to replace the in home use of my Windows 10 phone as a handy, around the living room device, for under $250.
Another big one and not meant to be a point of contention or discussion but I do not wish to purchase products produced in China or Chinese owned companies elsewhere. I know this is kind of difficult to identify easily but that is a major consideration.
Thanks for any assistance
glennc

Don't even know if it is possible!!

Walmart has the Nextbook Flexx 10.1 windows 10 2-in-1 for $129.00. It has quite good reviews. Nextbook is a California based company.

Hello Cooler44,
Thank you for your suggestion! I will certainly look into it and it's specs.
Best,
glennc

I have an older, Windows 8 version of the Flexx 10. It has since been upgraded to Windows 10. I really like it except I do have three problems with it.

The cameras are extremely difficult to get both to work (software, it may be a Win 8.1 to Win 10 problem). I never use the cameras so I don't care.

The connection to the keyboard when it is connected is very iffy. It likes to disconnect/reconnect a lot. So you get a lot of the USB disconnect/reconnect sounds and it makes it virtually impossible to use the USB ports on the keyboard. If I want to use a flash drive, I use a micro-USB flash drive connected to the tablet itself.

The power connection between the charger and the table became loose. A new $10 power supply from ebay fixed it.

Given all that, I would buy another Nextbook Windows 10 tablet from Walmart, it's been great except for the above problems.

Hello NavyLCDR,
Thanks for the experienced reply. It will probably be sitting in my lap so the disconnection problem might really be an issue. I have been also directed to a Lenovo N22 Winbook for the same price. No touchscreen though. So much to think about............
Regards
glennc

glennc said:

I do not wish to purchase products produced in China or Chinese owned companies elsewhere. I know this is kind of difficult to identify easily but that is a major consideration.

You will not find that, at all. Even more so at your budget. Everything you are going to find is going to made in China. Even the expensive Apple products are made in China. Not going to debate your reasons, just informing you that you will likely not reach that lofty goal.

For product recommendations....I have none, all my stuff is expensive tech.

Hello logicearth,
Informed consumerism is a meaningful tool for change, lofty or not. So far I have yet to find anything that matches my exact criteria. Wish I could afford all expensive tech.
glennc

Any further thoughts on the Lenovo N22?
Thanks again
glennc

glennc said:

Any further thoughts on the Lenovo N22?
Thanks again
glennc

On paper - seems to have better specs than most units in this price range. Specifically, 4 GB of RAM rather than 2, and 64 GB of storage rather than 32 (essential for doing Windows updates without having to plug in a flash drive to make extra space). Note that the storage is eMMC (like a fast flash drive) and not a solid state drive. It will have less latency than a spinning HDD but be much slower, especially on writes, than a "real" SSD.

Keyboard quality on Lenovo units of this class is not a strong point. Many have inadequate chassis support and so the middle of the keyboard panel may bow inward if you are push down while typing.

Also if you're looking to boot from an external flash drive (Linux, etc) I've read that on some cheap Lenovo models the BIOS is deliberately crippled, to eliminate "compatability mode" and non-secure boot which may be critical to that task.

Frankly, though, for the price ... couldn't complain. If they made something like that in the ~13 inch range for, say, $100 more, I'd jump at it too.

Howdy mike s,
Thank you for the great evaluation. For my puttering around it, it seems like it would be a great upgrade for a 5 year old android tablet at a good price. Much appreciated
Best,
glennc