Tablet without strings?

I am considering gifting a tablet computing device to someone who is "off the grid." Is it possible to even use one of these things without setting up an account linked to a credit card? Can you set it up anonymously and fund with a gift card?

In reply to 1988RedT2:

I would think so. I've used gift cards to buy stuff on my Kindle.

I've got an iPad that we only use with wireless, not cellular. You would have to set up an Apple ID with a free email address, but that does not require a credit card. Then you can load cash-bought iTunes gift cards onto that ID and use them to add any apps you might want.

Also, there is a big difference between "off the grid" and "hiding out from the law / mob". Does the person just not use credit cards, or are they seriously trying to stay lost?

Buy a Kindle with a gift card and use Amazon gift cards to purchase apps/movies/books, etc.

You can run an Android device like this:

http://www.itworld.com/article/2832391/mobile/can-an-android-phone-run-without-google-.html

(Not enough if law enforcement is seeking you and you're trying to hide...)

Duke wrote: ..Then you can load cash-bought iTunes gift cards onto that ID and use them to add any apps you might want...

You will need to load that card BEFORE you try and download anything from the Apple Appstore. Otherwise it will require you to enter CC info to download anything (even free stuff).

I have not actually tried this, but it should work. The requirement to have CC on file to download free stuff is pretty silly.

my tablet isn't linked to a credit card... i get to teh internets via my wifi router, but a couple of neighbors were also kind enough to not secure their routers so i have other options, as well..

aircooled wrote:

Duke wrote: ..Then you can load cash-bought iTunes gift cards onto that ID and use them to add any apps you might want...

You will need to load that card BEFORE you try and download anything from the Apple Appstore. Otherwise it will require you to enter CC info to download anything (even free stuff). I have not actually tried this, but it should work. The requirement to have CC on file to download free stuff is pretty silly.

This is true, you need to load the gift card first. And my understanding of needing the CC on file for free apps is to cover any in-app purchases you may make.

No, no. Not hiding from the law. Just an honest Joe who doesn't like the idea of a company having his CC number on file. Probably won't be an apple product, mostly because I'm too cheap to spend that kind of money. It'll likely be an Android tablet, maybe a Kindle Fire (also Android, IIRC) or other product like Asus Memo. I'm guessing that's an Android too. Haven't got to any real shopping yet. Anything stand out between $100 and $200?

With the widespread data hacking and identity theft that's already happened in the world, and the likelihood it will continue into the future, its probably a smart move to at least look into providing the least amount of personal and/or financial data possible when buying something or obtaining a service.

The Samsung Galaxy 7 inch tablets are cheap and high quality. My family has been abusing our tab 3 for a year now and it's holding up great. Also used via wifi, not cellular.

Virgin Mobile has Android smartphones that can be funded with gift cards entirely - not sure if they have full sized tablets.

Cone_Junkie wrote: Buy a Kindle with a gift card and use Amazon gift cards to purchase apps/movies/books, etc.

I have to say the Kindle Fire is a frontrunner at this point. How bad are the ads I'm hearing about?

Get him a Nexus 7. It's the best tablet in your price range.

I've got a Asus Memo pad. You use a gmail account for the play store and can just ignore their plea for a payment method and use play store cards you can buy just about anywhere. Google Play doesn't require a payment method on file to be able to dl free apps. The Amazon app store requires a card on file before you can dl anything including free apps.

Although you're not really "off-grid" if you have wifi and a tablet. Just cautious about how much data you give the great Google overlords.

In reply to moparman76_69:

Same here but an LG android. No payment info is in the system.