The ViewSonic ViewPad 10 is one of the latest tablets to enter the market. This product was designed as a tablet that could work with both Windows 7 and the Android system. This ten inch tablet has an Intel Atom N455 processor with Windows 7 Professional and the Android 1.6 operating system. The problem is that at the time of writing, the ViewPad costs around $650, which is almost $100 more than the Motorola Xoom that has Android 3.0, and $150 more than the Apple iPad 2 WiFi.
Thus the question remains as to whether having both Windows 7 and Android 1.6 makes this tablet a worthwhile purchase. The answer is a resounding no. The fact remains that the Android 1.6 OS is now ancient, with most competitive tablets having 3.0 instead. Also, tablet users seem to prefer Android to Windows 7, as it is easier to use and faster on tablets. The only people this will appeal to are those who want a tablet with Windows 7.
Despite the poor Android system, there are bright aspects to this tablet. It has a beautiful design and with its 10 inch screen is only 0.57 inches thick, making it both classy and elegant. However, at 1.8 pounds, it is one of the heavier tablets around.
The screen has a 1024 x 600 resolution, which is far superior to most tablets and is even comparable to netbooks. However, the glossy screen is extremely reflective, and watching movies with any kind of light in the area is difficult. It is also difficult to type on the ViewPad, with the screen becoming difficult to view at certain angles. It was only when the brightness was turned all the way up that the screen was visible.
In terms of applications, there is no Android market as Android 1.6 does not support it. Google's suite of applications (Gmail, Google Talk, Maps, YouTube, etc.) is not available either, and the only way to download applications is through the AndAppStore. This store has some decent applications but nothing compared to the Android market.
The old Android system, coupled with a lack of applications makes this an expensive, unappealing tablet to most people. However, if you are someone looking for a tablet that is modeled on netbooks with Windows 7, this might be the tablet for you.
Need To Know Facts: Viewsonic ViewPad 10
1. Classy design (The Good)
2. Netbook quality screen resolution (The Good)
3. Android 1.6 operating system (The Bad)
4. Few applications and no Android Market (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- PhoneArena Team, PhoneArenaNowhere close to being in the forefront of the tablet space, the outdated and non-optimized Android experience with the ViewSonic ViewPad 10 is an appalling step backwards in the opposite direction that Google is taking their beloved platform. Though, it’s nice to see that you literally have t...
- Kelvyn Taylor, ZDNetThe ViewPad 10 is unlikely to dent the iPad's dominance of the touch-screen tablet market. But, like the Airpanel before it, the problem is not so much with the hardware as with Microsoft: although Windows 7 is a much better proposition for touch-screens than its predecessors, it still can't compete...
- Dave James , TechradarSo all in all the ViewPad 10 is a very confused li'l device.Neither of the operating systems really do the responsive hardware justice. Windows 7 Home Premium simply isn't an OS designed to work well on these machines.I'm happily running it on my flip-screen Acer because that laptop will effortlessl...
- Tim Danton, PC ProWe're left frustrated by the ViewPad 10. At its core, it's an excellent idea: a blisteringly fast Android-based tablet with the ability to add a keyboard and mouse to create a flexible computing device. The fact it runs Windows means it could even become a fully functioning PC when you reach your de...
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