^^ my digital TV subscription lets me watch the same channels that i have on my ipad.. Its really handy when my gf watches x factor or something like that and i want to watch sports but i want to be on the same couch as her..

And to be honest.. I take my tablet with me when taking a dump.. Yes tablets are awesome..

If the most important factor is price, then I'd say go for the Kindle Fire. I own one and while I do like it, I admit it is very basic. It only supports whatever is on the Amazon App Store, which isn't a lot (Unless you root it and install the latest version of Android like I did :D). However, if this is being used solely as a convenient portable web-browser and eBook reader, then I'd say its definitely worth getting.

Another cheap option would be the Google Nexus, which has the latest Android installed out of the box. I've heard that its screen isn't as nice as the new Kindle Fire HD's though.

Do you lose any of it's original ability to use the Amazon services like getting the free videos and Lending Library through Prime if you root? If not then I won't completely rule out the Fire HD in the future.

i saw a group of people having a kindle... they share one account and share all the apps and books... which is cool i think... i dunno how they split it with credit card... i think they have a meeting or something on which to buy next.. like a book club or something

I can't say for sure because I didn't really use any of the Prime features on my Kindle. I rooted it after my free Prime trial ran out, so I didn't really consider that before I rooted it. However, as far as I know there's an app that allows you to access the Amazon App Store on any Android device, which I'm assuming allows you to access your content. I've heard that there's a way to use the Amazon Instant Video service through the website by installing flash and tweaking some settings. I don't believe you can use the lending library though.

My mom and I both have regular Kindle eReaders which I manage from my Prime account.  I just moved a book from her Kindle to mine (The Hangman's Daughter) because she said it was so good, though we don't usually read each other's books.  I usually let her have the free library books because I'm nice.  

If anyone just wants something to read with, the regular Kindle Paperwhite blows tablets out the water completely.  I'm really, really proud of myself for pushing her into buying one, as she'd gotten to the point where she only wanted large print books.

of course paperwhite or kobo is always a better choice for reading... nook with glow light.. god's vomit.

but the OP wants a tablet not an e reader...

Kindle Fire is your best bet. Simple, cheap and gets the job done.