And speaking of Tabs Debk, I have been looking at these lately, the price looks around what you were talking about. I have used Tiger for years but there are all sorts of discounters on the Web once you decide your size and price range.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8196266&csid=_61
Recently saw one IRL while at BJ's ( local big box discount store similar to Sam's or Costco) and played with it a bit. I have been using a lot of Samsung stuff lately and, knock on wood, have had good luck with their stuff so far.
You will want to check to see what the best version of Android software is available with whatever you buy. I suspect many people will give you a 'good deal' on stuff with outdated or crappier versions. Most high school kids are probability well versed in the various versions and their limitations and you will still need your current WIFI set-up to use WIFI at home.
We don't have BJ's down here, but have both Sam's & Costco. I have only been looking at Sam's online, and it seems like BestBuy has better deals.
I want it for primarily for checking emails, accepting reports (not doing them on it) and general web surfing and not replace my laptop. I can't do reports when I am out of town anyway, so there isn't really a reason to replace my laptop.
Dumb as it sounds, I want something I can stick in my purse or even just carry around the house, that will chirp when an email comes in and I can accept the report wherever I am instead of being tethered to my desk. The offers come in to my email at all hours now, with some of the new companies I've recently picked up, not just between 9am to 6pm. I missed 2 the other night that came in after midnight!
Samsung has a new tab that seems to be getting a lot of advertising. I get lost when it starts talking about Jelly Bean and there's another one... lollipop? Some of this stuff may not be compatible with the companies'. I tried to accept one yesterday from my phone it couldn't. It said it worked with Microsoft 5 or 6...huh? I was able to get it from my PC though..