Don’t underestimate affordable Android tablets. They’re powerful and offer excellent bang for the buck. Here are some models .
The tablet scenario currently looks like what the netbook boom looked like a few years ago. Premium tablets cost anywhere between Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. And now, we’re beginning to see models by Indian brands such as iBall and Beetel, and even service providers such as Reliance along with 3G plans. These tablets cost Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000 and run Android 2.3. Note that cheaper hardware doesn’t mean a compromise in performance. You get a good 7-inch display, 1 GHz processor and memory expansion. Some tablets even offer a few gigabytes of storage space, USB host function and Ethernet connectivity.
It’s important to get a tablet with good build quality and ergonomics along with a host of features. This comparison of budget tablets will give you a good market insight and help you make the right decision.
It uses a 1 GHz ARM v7 CPU and comes loaded with Android 2.3. Apart from standard features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and memory expansion via a microSD card, the rest of the features completely justify the price of this tablet. A glance at the right side where the various ports and microSD slot are housed will surprise you. There are two USB ports (OTG and Host), a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a Mini HDMI port.
These features are rare to come across even in high-end tablets. The Slide supports 3G, but via a dongle, which hooks up to the USB OTG port. The round button with the letter ‘i’ at the center is the home button and the Menu and Back buttons are located along the side at the top-right. One might easily mistake them for volume up/down buttons. To adjust the volume, you have to tap on the icons in the status bar, which is very annoying, especially when you want to adjust the volume while playing games or watching movies.
The UI is very fluid and the 1 GHz CPU does help in app loading and quick response while using apps. The only major drawback of the iBall Slide is its poor viewing angle. In landscape orientation, the viewing is affected with even the slightest vertical tilt. However, these flaws can be overlooked considering the awesome value for money that it offers.
For: 8 GB built-in storage, powerful processor, good audio quality, USB host function.
CONS: Viewing angle issues, no physical volume control.
Rs 13,995
Dimensions (WxHxD): 20.7 x 13.3 x 1.3 cm;
Weight: 415 g;
OS: Android v2.3;
Processor: ARM v7, 1GHz;
RAM: 512 MB;
Storage: 8 GB;
Display: 800 x 480, 7-inch capacitive;
Others: USB host, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Contact Best IT World
Phone 1800 300 42255
EMAIL sales@iball.co.in
At first glance, the Wespro 786 tablet will definitely impress you. It features a VIA WM8650 processor clocked at 850 MHz along with 256 MB of RAM and 2 GB of internal storage. The display is a 7-inch resistive touchscreen sporting a resolution of 800x480. Other features include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and a VGA camera. The tablet also sports the unique functionality of wired networking and USB host by plugging in the bundled dongle. Using the internet via the Ethernet port makes it easier if you do not own a wireless router. Additionally, the two USB host dongles are great for easily transferring, storing or accessing large files from a pen drive.
Though the Wespro 786 has a good feature-set and an awesome price, the product does have quite a few downsides. The touchscreen being resistive makes the user interface very sluggish. There is no USB port to allow you access to the tablet using a PC, hence no rooting and tweaking are possible, which means using apps which need Root privileges are impossible to use. Also, the app market featured here is not the standard Google Android Market app. It is a third-party market app, which is pre-installed by the manufacturer and allows you to browse the market with limited versions and choices of apps that are only compatible with the tablet. The overall build quality is also below average and the performance scores were almost unacceptable.
Judging the overall features, build, ergonomics and performance, this tablet is only recommended for those who want a super-cheap tablet and wouldn’t mind the issues that come along with it. The lowest price of this tablet is the only reason it managed to bag the Best Value award.
For: Cheapest tablet available, Ethernet and USB host functions.
CONS: Sluggish UI, resistive touchscreen, below average build quality.
Rs 5,999
Dimensions (WxHxD): 20.6 x 11.7 x 1.7 cm;
Weight: 390 g;
OS: Android v2.2;
Processor: VIA WM8650 850 MHz;
RAM: 256 MB;
Storage: 2 GB;
Display: 800 x 480, 7-inch resistive;
Others: USB x 2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet.
Contact Wespro Digital Pvt Ltd
Phone 022-32916036
EMAIL sales@wesprodigital.com
Tablets are clearly the most popular convergence device at the moment. It all started with the Apple iPad, followed by the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Models from Acer, BlackBerry, HTC and others soon followed, eager to cash on the hottest new trend.
Tablets are popular because of the multitude of instant functions they offer. With just one device, you have 24x7 Internet, email, phone and messaging, media playback, e-book reader, and games; not to mention the additional functions one can add via downloadable apps.The tablet scenario currently looks like what the netbook boom looked like a few years ago. Premium tablets cost anywhere between Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000. And now, we’re beginning to see models by Indian brands such as iBall and Beetel, and even service providers such as Reliance along with 3G plans. These tablets cost Rs 6,000 to Rs 15,000 and run Android 2.3. Note that cheaper hardware doesn’t mean a compromise in performance. You get a good 7-inch display, 1 GHz processor and memory expansion. Some tablets even offer a few gigabytes of storage space, USB host function and Ethernet connectivity.
It’s important to get a tablet with good build quality and ergonomics along with a host of features. This comparison of budget tablets will give you a good market insight and help you make the right decision.
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iBall Slide i7011
An affordable tablet with an excellent feature set and good ergonomics.
It’s great to see Indian brands offering super-affordable tablets. Although most of these devices are manufactured by Chinese OEMs, it’s a nice initiative to come out with models for those who cannot afford premium tablets. The iBall Slide i7011 is a 7-inch Android tablet that offers incredible value for money thanks to its feature set.
It uses a 1 GHz ARM v7 CPU and comes loaded with Android 2.3. Apart from standard features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and memory expansion via a microSD card, the rest of the features completely justify the price of this tablet. A glance at the right side where the various ports and microSD slot are housed will surprise you. There are two USB ports (OTG and Host), a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a Mini HDMI port.
These features are rare to come across even in high-end tablets. The Slide supports 3G, but via a dongle, which hooks up to the USB OTG port. The round button with the letter ‘i’ at the center is the home button and the Menu and Back buttons are located along the side at the top-right. One might easily mistake them for volume up/down buttons. To adjust the volume, you have to tap on the icons in the status bar, which is very annoying, especially when you want to adjust the volume while playing games or watching movies.
The UI is very fluid and the 1 GHz CPU does help in app loading and quick response while using apps. The only major drawback of the iBall Slide is its poor viewing angle. In landscape orientation, the viewing is affected with even the slightest vertical tilt. However, these flaws can be overlooked considering the awesome value for money that it offers.
For: 8 GB built-in storage, powerful processor, good audio quality, USB host function.
CONS: Viewing angle issues, no physical volume control.
Specifications:
Rs 13,995
Dimensions (WxHxD): 20.7 x 13.3 x 1.3 cm;
Weight: 415 g;
OS: Android v2.3;
Processor: ARM v7, 1GHz;
RAM: 512 MB;
Storage: 8 GB;
Display: 800 x 480, 7-inch capacitive;
Others: USB host, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Contact Best IT World
Phone 1800 300 42255
EMAIL sales@iball.co.in
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Wespro PC Tablet 786
If budget is your main constraint, the Wespro 786 is the tablet for you.
Though the Wespro 786 has a good feature-set and an awesome price, the product does have quite a few downsides. The touchscreen being resistive makes the user interface very sluggish. There is no USB port to allow you access to the tablet using a PC, hence no rooting and tweaking are possible, which means using apps which need Root privileges are impossible to use. Also, the app market featured here is not the standard Google Android Market app. It is a third-party market app, which is pre-installed by the manufacturer and allows you to browse the market with limited versions and choices of apps that are only compatible with the tablet. The overall build quality is also below average and the performance scores were almost unacceptable.
Judging the overall features, build, ergonomics and performance, this tablet is only recommended for those who want a super-cheap tablet and wouldn’t mind the issues that come along with it. The lowest price of this tablet is the only reason it managed to bag the Best Value award.
For: Cheapest tablet available, Ethernet and USB host functions.
CONS: Sluggish UI, resistive touchscreen, below average build quality.
Specifications
Rs 5,999
Dimensions (WxHxD): 20.6 x 11.7 x 1.7 cm;
Weight: 390 g;
OS: Android v2.2;
Processor: VIA WM8650 850 MHz;
RAM: 256 MB;
Storage: 2 GB;
Display: 800 x 480, 7-inch resistive;
Others: USB x 2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet.
Contact Wespro Digital Pvt Ltd
Phone 022-32916036
EMAIL sales@wesprodigital.com
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CONCLUSION :
Capacitive touchscreen and a well-designed user interface go a long way in enhancing the user experience. So I prefer staying away from tablets with resistive touchscreens. There are only three tablets in the roundup that feature capacitive touchscreens, out of which the iBall Slide is the one that offers the best feature set. It has its share of quirks, such as viewing angle issues and lack of physical volume control, but they can be overlooked considering the advantages it offers.
Although models by Wespro feature resistive touchscreens and are a bit sluggish, they are great for those who want a super-affordable tablet. 2 GB of built-in storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, stereo speakers, Ethernet port and USB host function for Rs5,999 is a very sweet deal. However, I suggest spending a few thousand Rupees extra and settling for something better such as the Reliance 3G Tab unless you’re really on a shoestring budget.
Although models by Wespro feature resistive touchscreens and are a bit sluggish, they are great for those who want a super-affordable tablet. 2 GB of built-in storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, stereo speakers, Ethernet port and USB host function for Rs5,999 is a very sweet deal. However, I suggest spending a few thousand Rupees extra and settling for something better such as the Reliance 3G Tab unless you’re really on a shoestring budget.
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