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ASUS Eee PC T101MT Review
For a resistive panel, the touchscreen is actually quite responsive, though unsurprisingly requires a firmer press to make selections. But since we have become so accustomed to using capacitive tablets we had to get the hang of having to really give icons a firm press or use a fingernail to maneuver through menus. Multitouch gestures are just not as smooth as they should be – there’s just something unnatural about having to firmly press two fingers down on the screen to scroll. The stylus, which pops out of the right side of the screen, was pretty much our best friend given the display frustrations and the lack of finger-friendly software. ASUS’ included PenWrite software is supposed to optimize the finger touch experience, but we didn’t really notice much of a difference when using the utility.
And this brings us to the “uh, we just don’t get it” question: why in the world would ASUS ship a $499 multitouch-capable tablet with an operating system that doesn’t support multitouch or even have integrated touch capabilities? That’s right, the T101MT ships with Windows 7 Starter, which — regardless of not supporting pinch-to-zoom or two-finger scrolling gestures — doesn’t include handwriting recognition or an onscreen keyboard. The company does make up for the latter concern by including SoftStylus’ keyboard, but you have to manually bring it up anytime you want to input text (i.e. into the address bar), and the handwriting recognition is quite sluggish.
ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 16GB Review
Review – ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 16GB Wi-Fi 10.1-inch Tablet PC
Pros
- Very Low Price
- Excellent Display
- Optional Dock Increases Running Time And Functionality
Cons
- Limited Supplies Make It Extremely Difficult To Find
- Camera Software Has Some Issues
- Taller and Wider Than Most 10-inch Tablets
Description
- NVIDIA Tegra 2 (Cortex-A9) 1GHz Dual Core Processor
- 1GB Memory
- 16GB Storage
- 10.1-inch WXGA (1280×800) Multitouch Display
- NVIDIA Tegra 2 Graphics Engine
- 802.11b/g/n Wireless, Bluetooth
- 5 Megapixel Back Camera and 1.2 Megapixel Front Camera
- micro-SD, micro-HDMI, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- 10.6″ x 6.9″ x 5.1″ @ 1.49 lbs.
- Android 3.0
Performance for the Eee Pad Transformer is pretty much typical of the Android 3.0 tablets. It uses the same NVIDIA Tegra 2 1GHz dual core processor just like the rest matched up with 1GB of memory. This means that for the most part it runs smooth except for the occasional problem with the Android 3.0 software that hasn’t been ironed out yet. ASUS made a few changes to the Android widgets that give it a bit more function. This is especially true of the virtual keyboard that add a row of number keys. The addition of cloud storage is also helpful for those that might need a bit more space than the 16GB model can handle.
The Eee Pad Transformer does come equipped with both front and back cameras that seems to be the norm for most tablets these days. On the back of the tablet is the requisite 5 megapixel sensor that is typical to almost all of the Android 3.0 tablets but ASUS positioned it along the middle of the left hand side back to center the sensor when held in landscape mode which helps when composing shots that are relatively close. It does a great job at detecting image details but it has trouble at times rendering the color properly. There are also issue when using the camera software in terms how quickly you can take a shot after loading it and video tends to be a bit jerky due to frame loss. The 1.2 megapixel for the front is a bit lower than the typical 2 megapixel but it works alright for web chats.
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned yet is the size of the Eee Pad Transformer. While the thickness and weight of the tablet are on par with most of the other Android 3.0 tablets, the tablet is a bit wider and taller. The reason for this has to do with the optional docking station. In order to have it match up well with the keyboard, the tablet needed to be a bit larger. This is fine for those that will be using the dock for a netbook like experience but it makes it a bit more awkward to hold particularly in the portrait mode for tasks such as an e-reader.
Viewsonic ViewPad 10s Review
ViewSonic is still trying to get some traction in the tablet space with their Android 2.2 Froyo powered ViewPad 7, but the manufacturer renowned for producing displays is pushing ahead with their latest creation – the ViewPad 10. Now this isn’t simply just a rehash of the ViewPad 7 with a larger display, oh no, but rather, it’s able to differentiate itself from most things out there since it’s dubbed as the “world’s first” dual-boot Windows 7 and Android tablet. Considering its plentiful productivity aspects, the $599 starting cost of the ViewSonic ViewPad 10 just might seem attractive enough to stand out with most things.
Even though the ViewPad 7 was neither galvanizing or mundane in design, the ViewPad 10 is just one stale looking tablet. Honestly, it’s by no means slim (0.65” thick) in any way, especially when you factor in its netbook like components, but its monotonous and straightforward design approach doesn’t contribute in its cause in being original. Of course, the cheap black plastic and somewhat fake feeling aluminum rear cover supplements to its overall tasteless embodiment, but we’re not digging its sheer chunky size over other comparably sized Android tablets. Furthermore, its straight angled bezel doesn’t particularly sit too well in making it ergonomic – especially when we feel its sharp edges pressing against our palms as we hold it.
For a manufacturer known amongst the industry in expertly crafting wonderful looking monitors and displays, we’re rather dismayed in finding a low caliber one utilized by the ViewPad 10. Sizing up with a 10.1” LCD capacitive screen with LED backlighting, it’s more than plentiful in real estate, but its resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels blatantly uncovers its pixelated appearance. Horrifically, you easily lose focus of what’s on-screen since its ridiculously poor viewing angles distort colors when you slightly move it away from a 90 degree angle. Moreover, its overall color production is distinctively on the dull side – which makes you really wonder how ViewSonic is even able to accept its display as tolerable.
iRiver Story Review
The iRiver Story is the latest entrant into the Ebook Reader market, and its iRiver’s first ebook reader.
I must admit I was weary when I first heard bout the iRiver Story, as from afar it could be mistaken for a rebadged Amazon Kindle clone. But I’m pleased to say that iRiver have done a good job designing this ebook reader, and they have invested quite a bit in the packaging and marketing material for their ebook reader.
This is no Amazon Kindle though, the build quality although ok and it doesn’t have the solid feel of a Kindle. But the device doesn’t feel cheap, its quite attractive and the keyboard actually works quite well.
The screen is your typical Vizplex E-Ink screen, featuring 8 levels of greyscale (same as the Sony Touch & Pocket / Bebook) with a resolution of 800×600. The Kindle features a better 16 greyscale screen, but both offer a really good reading experience.
The user interface is intuitive, you can use the keypad to navigate through the menus and there are side buttons available so that you can use the book in one hand for both left and right handed users.
Unlike the Amazon Kindle which limits the ebook formats to their own amazon.com and pdf ebook formats, the iRiver Story is compatible with a wide range of ebook formats including: EPUB, PDF & TXT cover the main formats for commercial ebooks, while the Story also displays office files like DOC, PPT & XLS. For comics & graphic novels, JPEG, BMP and GIF image. This makes this ideal for reading business documents on the road without having to carry a laptop.
Page turns are snappy (for ebook reader standards) and you’ll find the ebook reader comfortable to read all sorts of books on your journeys.
The device comes with a generous 2GB of internal storage, enough to store hundreds of books, and it can be expanded with an external SD card.
We also like the added features which are not available on other ebook readers as yet including the diary, memo facility, the built in speaker and the voice recorder which are all handy but will probably never be used…
In all the iRiver is a good device, especially if you are interested in being able to upload any ebook format, or your own documents which is not currently possible on the Kindle.
Asus Eee PC 1002HA Review
Asus Eee PC 1002HA Review
If there’s one problem plaguing just about every netbook out on the market right now, it’s that cheap, toy-like feel. Manufacturers just can’t seem to escape it when they’re having their devices manufactured thousands of miles away in factories that seemingly just switched over just last month from building olive-green plastic army men. Asus attempted to remedy the netbook’s image problem with the high-end S101, but price followed suit, and the $800 price tag made us question whether you call it a netbook at all.
Highs:
Aluminum trim adds style;large hard drive; comfortable keyboard; compact power brick
Lows:
Plastic chassis still shines through; dim, somewhat dull screen; slight price premium; so-so battery life
Genuine Windows® XP Home
(*Pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2007 60-day Trial)
Display
10.1″ LED Backlight
Intel CPU & Chipset
Intel Atom N270 & Intel 945GSE / ICH7-M
Memory
1GB (DDR2)
*Memory size may differ and is upgradable, please contact local dealers for more details.
Wireless Data Network
WLAN: 802.11b/g/n
Bluetooth V2.0
Storage
160GB HDD
10GB Eee Storage
*Eee Storage service is complimentary for the first 18 months. Please register account information for 6 months extension (depend on country)
Camera
1.3M Pixel
Audio
Build-in stereo speakers
High-Definition Audio CODEC
Digital Array Mic.
Storage Cards
4-in-1 MMC, SD, Memory Stick and MS-PRO flash card slot
Input / Output
1 x VGA port (D-sub 15-pin for external monitor)
3 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x LAN RJ-45
2 x audio jacks: Headphone / Mic-in
Battery
Li-polymer Battery, 5hrs*
*Operation lifetime subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations.
Dimensions
264 mm (W) x 181 mm (D) x 27.6 mm (H)
Weight
1.2 kg