I would still go for cheap machines
And so would I. Still using a three year old Viewsonic from Maplin. Cost just over a hundred quid and has a SIM card (currently with a Virgin plugged in) SD slot (with 32gigs in it) GPS, the WFW.
Only problem is it doesn't like my home WiFi network (but likes every other damn one in the neighbourhood, even ones with a far lower level), however once on charge it locks up OK.
No need to pay a fortune for these things, and the old ones are very useful to pass around the canapés at parties on....