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Apr

Sprint ZTE Optik Review: A 7" Tablet That Offers A Great Display And Smooth Performance For A Low Price

Posted by Liam Spradlin in Tablet Reviews, Tablets

Last Updated: April 30th, 2012

Adding a tempting new device to the current pool of affordable 7" tablets, ZTE and Sprint introduced the 3G-connected Optik in February, bringing to market a great 7" display, Android 3.2 Honeycomb, and an ample 1.2GHz dual-core snapdragon processor, all for $99 on a new contract. In a nutshell, the Optik is a decent 7" tablet for those on a budget. While it isn't the best tablet around, it's powerful enough for most tasks, feels great in the hand, and isn't too bad to look at. Here's a more complete look at what the Optik has under the hood:

Android 3.2 Honeycomb
7" PLS display at 1280x800 (216dpi)
Dual-Core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor
1GB RAM
16GB Built-in storage with microSD slot
5MP camera and 2MP front-shooter
800/1900MHz 3G connectivity
4000mAh battery

Before we get started with the full-on review, we'll look at just a few of the Optik's positive and negative points.

Dec

[Head To Head] Asus Transformer (TF101) Versus Asus Transformer Prime (TF201): No Surprises Here - Prime By A Landslide

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Tablet Reviews

Although we heard rumblings that the Prime would be delayed, some lucky customers have already received their Asus Transformer Primes, and it was briefly available (again) on Amazon before quickly selling out (again). Based on the universally glowing reviews (including my own), you're probably well aware by now that the Prime is a truly excellent piece of tech. But how does it compare to its older brother, the Transformer (TF101)? Is it worthwhile for TF owners to upgrade to the TP?

The Specs

Before diving in, let's run over the Prime's specs:

10.1-inch 1280x800 Super IPS + display with Gorilla Glass
1.3GHz quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 Processor with 12-core GPU (up to 1.4GHz in single-core mode)
1GB RAM
microSD slot and microHDMI port (with support for 1080p video output) on tablet
SD card slot and USB port on dock
8MP F2.4 rear shooter with 1080p video recording and continuous flash, 1.2MP front camera
Tablet: 8.3mm thin, 263mm wide, 180.8mm tall, 586g (1.29 lbs)
Dock: 8 - 10.4mm thin, 263mm wide, 180.8mm tall, 537g (1.18 lbs)
12 hour battery life playing 720p video, 18 hours with keyboard dock
Metallic spun finish
Two available colors: Amethyst Gray and Champagne Gold
Android 3.2.1 - will be updated to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) as soon as possible after release

Size and Build

Dimensions and build quality are probably the two most significant factors in tablet purchases for casual consumers, so it should be no surprise that Asus placed an emphasis on how thin and light the Prime is.

Dec

Toshiba Thrive 7 Review: Less Like The Original Than You Might Think - But That's A Good Thing

Posted by David Ruddock in Reviews, Tablet Reviews, Thrive 7, Toshiba

The Toshiba Thrive and I don't exactly have a great history. And that's probably putting it mildly. In fact, in my first review of Toshiba's first Tegra 2 tablet (yes, I had to write a second one) earlier this year, I panned it so hard that I basically just started textually abusing the poor thing. So, at the behest of commenters and colleagues, I rewrote it. My revised review (here) was a little less harsh, but I'll be the first to admit: I didn't like the Thrive, and after spending even more time with it after the review, my feelings were unchanged.

Dec

Google Enhances Image Search Results On Tablets, Adds 'Carousel' View And Improved Navigation

Posted by Cameron Summerson in News, Tablet Reviews, Videos

As yet another step in improving the function of its site on tablets, Google has added a useful feature to the mix in regards to image search results. Now, when you search for an image you'll be greeted with a much more pleasant interface, which includes larger images and the new carousel view.

Once you've searched for an image, simply tap on it to enlarge. Swiping will take you to the next image, which is a really nice way to navigate through all of the pictures. If you'd prefer to see them all in one place, though, the carousel view automatically loads new images as you scroll, so you never have to flip through pages.

Dec

[Review] Asus Transformer Prime: Smarter, Better, Faster, Stronger

Posted by Aaron Gingrich in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer Prime, Features, News, Reviews, Tablet Reviews, Tablets

Last Updated: December 8th, 2011

The Asus Transformer Prime: the first Android device to ship with a quad-core chip, courtesy of NVIDIA's brand new Tegra 3 (Kal-El) CPU. But there's more of a hook here than power alone - Asus has gone back to the drawing board for the Prime (model number TF201) and revamped the device from nearly head to toe compared to its predecessor, the TF101. It's substantially thinner, lighter, and more attractive than the rather portly 101, while packing a much more powerful CPU, better display, and reportedly better battery life. But can they really improve upon all those aspects without cutting any corners?

Nov

Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus Wi-Fi Review: It's Almost The Perfect Tablet, But Excellence Comes At A High Price

Posted by David Ruddock in Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, News, Reviews, Tablet Reviews, Tablets

Last Updated: November 14th, 2011

The Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is the best Android tablet I have ever used - hands down. No contest, nothing else comes even close. I've used the Tab 10.1, the Toshiba Thrive, the Motorola XOOM, the ASUS Transformer, the HTC Flyer, the Acer Iconia A500, and the original Galaxy Tab. The Tab 10.1 is probably the next best thing (with TouchWiz UX), but it seems downright slow next to the Tab 7.0 Plus at times.

Before I start talking about why I love the Tab 7.0 Plus so much in detail, let's break down what this thing is, what I like, and what I don't.

Oct

[Review] ASUS Eee Pad Slider: Heap Another Honeycomb Tablet Onto The Pile, Albeit One With A Trick Keyboard

Posted by Jaroslav Stekl in ASUS, Eee Pad Slider, Reviews, Tablet Reviews, Tablets

Last Updated: August 1st, 2012

When we first saw ASUS' Eee Pad Slider at CES, we very nearly dismissed it at once. It was thick, tablets with physical keyboards showed no sign of gaining popularity, and Honeycomb had yet to come out of the woodwork. Besides, ASUS' own cheaper, slimmer Transformer had already caught our hearts. Our confidence was not raised by the long period of silence that followed - in fact, the only Slider-related posts we've written since January are an unofficial hands-on by a Romanian blog and the announcement of the slate's pricing.

Nevertheless, the Slider is, at least on paper, easily in the top tier of Honeycomb tablets - in addition to its slide-out QWERTY keyboard, it has one of those legendary IPS displays, coupled with a full-size USB 2.0 port and a comparatively low price tag of $475.

Jul

Toshiba Thrive Honeycomb Tablet Re-Review: Let's Try This Again

Posted by David Ruddock in Honeycomb 3.0/3.1/3.2, Reviews, Tablet Reviews, Thrive / Regza / Antares / AT100, Toshiba, Videos

Last Updated: February 8th, 2012

After much debate, several upset comments, and a number of good points made - I've decided to rewrite the review of the Toshiba Thrive. Admittedly, the first review lacked the kind of thorough objectivity we usually try to achieve when we look at new hardware, and it's not fair to readers to make a jump to the conclusion without a complete analysis first. I apologize.

The Toshiba Thrive has been a darling of the Android community since it was unveiled way back in January at CES in Las Vegas, when it was still just the young, nameless "Toshiba Tablet." Fast-forward 7 months, it's July, and the Thrive is finally here - but has it matured well?

Jul

[Review] ASUS Eee Pad Transformer - A Month With A Tablet In Disguise

Posted by Ian G. Clifton in ASUS, Eee Pad Transformer, Reviews, Tablet Reviews

Last Updated: July 24th, 2011

Tablets are rapidly changing the way we approach technology. They give a sense of immediacy and tactile connection that desktops and notebooks can't touch; however, I will be the first to admit that the hype seemed stupid to me. Several coworkers purchased the original iPad on the day it launched and were eager to show them off. "But what can you do with it?" was my question, and there wasn't a good answer. The tablet was not fulfilling any needs that netbooks and laptops could not already cover.

A year later, Honeycomb became available on the Motorola XOOM. The OS was rough around the edges, but it showed a different take on tablets - one that blended the always-connected nature of smartphones with many of the advantages of notebooks.

May

[Review] 3 Weeks With The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Limited Edition Honeycomb Tablet - When Size Does Matter (+XOOM Comparisons)

Posted by Artem Russakovskii in Galaxy Tab 10.1, Honeycomb 3.0/3.1/3.2, Motorola, News, Reviews, Samsung, Tablet Reviews, XOOM

Last Updated: February 8th, 2012

Intro

For the past 3 weeks, I've been rigorously testing Samsung's latest Android tablet - the Galaxy Tab 10.1, and I am happy to report that my verdict is now out. I hope you will forgive such a long review timeline, but I wanted to really dig in deep and get the full experience, all while comparing it to that of the Motorola XOOM.

I know a lot of you will jump to the Conclusion right away, but I urge you to read all the interesting sections as well - In A Nutshell, The Good, and The Not So Good at a minimum.