Just because you want to get an Android tablet doesn’t mean that you need to invest in something like the Samsung Galaxy Tab. There are cheaper alternatives if you’re willing to go off the beaten path.

One such example is the Barnes & Noble Nook Color. For most consumers, this is really nothing more than an e-book reader, not unlike the Kobo Reader and the Amazon Kindle. However, for braver technology enthusiasts, this e-reader has more to offer. If you “root” the device, which is similar to “jailbreaking” an iPhone, you can run a full build of Google Android.

There are many tutorials available online (including video tutorials), but users have been able to successfully load everything up to Android 2.3 Gingerbread. Now, there is also the rumor that Barnes and Noble may officially release Android 2.2 Froyo for the Nook Color.

If this indeed happens, it means that the e-reader will gain official support for “exciting new applications, email and many other requested features.” No, the Nook Color is nowhere near as powerful as the Motorola Xoom, for instance, but it is also much less expensive at $249.