ASUS Introduces $129 HD 7 Tablet

[tubemonkey]

Well, things are heating up now. Asus, the maker of Google's Nexus 7, has just introduced an aggressively priced HD tablet - the Memo Pad HD 7. Priced at $129 for 8GB and $149 for 16GB, it'll hit the shelves next month.

• Display: 7" IPS -- 1280x800 -- 216 PPI
• CPU: 1.2GHz quad-core MediaTek MT8125
• GPU: PowerVR SGX 544
• RAM: 1GB
• Cams: front= 1.2MP // rear= 5MP
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Sensors: GPS, compass, gyroscope
• mSD card slot: up to 32GB
• Weight: 10.7oz (302g)

[afv011]

For the price, this looks pretty good. Should perform similar or a bit better than a Nexus 7, at quite a discount.

[RZetlin]

The only thing I like about the specs is the ability to use SD Card which the Nexus 7 cannot do.

[frahse]

Originally Posted by RZetlin

The only thing I like about the specs is the ability to use SD Card which the Nexus 7 cannot do.

Absolutely!
Removable memory! OR DON'T BUY IS MY MOTTO!

On the other hand, these tablets are getting so cheap you might as well carry a spare in case the battery gets low because hardly any have removable batteries. I do that with those little flashlights when I go into dark places in a factory when the power is cut.

[CyGuy]

Nice find. I liked almost everything about the Nexus 7 but the missing SD card slot made it a no-sale of course. This one looks promising!

[Prestidigitweeze]

Engadget and other sources claim the MeMo Pad HD7 will be Android 4.0, not 4.2, which if true is an annoying compromise in usability. If the processor is an ARM quad-core Cortex-A7, that doesn't sound terribly fast compared to the one in the 10" model (a Clover+ Atom Z2560 1.6GHz 32nm Saltwell-based SoC with what looks to be the 544MP2 GPU).

I'll be waiting to find out which report proves to be true. The 10" model looks promising as well, with definite Android 4.2 by all accounts, 1,920 x 1,200 and of course the processor upgrade.

According to AnandTech, "Graphics performance should be ahead of a 3rd generation iPad, but behind the 4th gen iPad. CPU performance should be quite good." All of you Android fans who were just about to buy an iPad 4 take note!

[forsooth]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Well, things are heating up now. Asus, the maker of Google's Nexus 7, has just introduced an aggressively priced HD tablet - the Memo Pad HD 7. Priced at $129 for 8GB and $149 for 16GB, it'll hit the shelves next month.

• Display: 7" IPS -- 1280x800 -- 216 PPI
• CPU: 1.2GHz quad-core MediaTek MT8125
• GPU: PowerVR SGX 544
• RAM: 1GB
• Cams: front= 1.2MP // rear= 5MP
• Bluetooth 4.0
• Sensors: GPS, compass, gyroscope
• mSD card slot: up to 32GB
• Weight: 10.7oz (302g)

for me this is Nexus KILLER.
a warning for Google on non removable memory

[forsooth]

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

Engadget and other sources claim the MeMo Pad HD7 will be Android 4.0, not 4.2, which if true is an annoying compromise in usability. If the processor is an ARM quad-core Cortex-A7, that doesn't sound terribly fast compared to the one in the 10" model (a Clover+ Atom Z2560 1.6GHz 32nm Saltwell-based SoC with what looks to be the 544MP2 GPU).

I'll be waiting to find out which report proves to be true. The 10" model looks promising as well, with definite Android 4.2 by all accounts, 1,920 x 1,200 and of course the processor upgrade.

According to AnandTech, "Graphics performance should be ahead of a 3rd generation iPad, but behind the 4th gen iPad. CPU performance should be quite good." All of you Android fans who were just about to buy an iPad 4 take note!

important concerns
great hopes!

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by forsooth

important concerns
great hopes!

Thanks, Forsooth. I do hope my iPad comment struck you as recognizably facetious.

[Teknikal]

I think I'd prefer my Nexus 7 for the Google updates but I do think this could be a decent ereader the A7 cores mediatek uses are meant to be good for battery life and probably good enough elsewhere.

Question really is will Asus put a smaller battery inside now to save money I think adding the Micro SD is a good move though.

[Prestidigitweeze]

Originally Posted by Teknikal

Question really is will Asus put a smaller battery inside now to save money I think adding the Micro SD is a good move though.

Battery life is discussed specifically in several articles, usually because of the HD 7's purported "ten-hour 720p video playback" capabilities.

[spellbanisher]

For the last few weeks Walmart has been selling a tablet with better specs than the Nexus 7 for $149.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/...lt-sero-7-pro/

[afv011]

Originally Posted by spellbanisher

For the last few weeks Walmart has been selling a tablet with better specs than the Nexus 7 for $149.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/...lt-sero-7-pro/

Looks like the $99 (decent) tablet is around the corner. They're truly becoming commodity devices.
We've had $99 tablets already, but they've been poorly spec'ed.

[Josieb1]

I'm after a cheap 7 inch tablet for PDFs so will watch this with interest, I really like the SDCard option.

[spellbanisher]

Originally Posted by afv011

Looks like the $99 (decent) tablet is around the corner. They're truly becoming commodity devices.
We've had $99 tablets already, but they've been poorly spec'ed.

Back in December Bezos told BBC that Amazon sells kindles at cost. Just six months later there are tablets with better specs than the fire hd that are fifty dollars cheaper from companies that have to make their profits from the hardware. Of course Bezos could have been less than fully honest.