In today’s market, it makes little sense to buy a high end tablet, unless you’re after something specific. Sure, more expensive tablets offer powerful hardware and a longer list of features, but in some cases “more” is not always needed, especially when there’s a budget limit involved. There are plenty of cheaper tablets on the market that are capable of doing anything and everything the higher end models can.
For example, the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD are perfect for gaming, media playback and eReading. Yes, both devices will even aptly manage videos on YouTube or your favorite TV shows and movies on Netflix or Hulu Plus. You can even play most of the latest Android games on either device, including some more graphic and hardware intensive titles.
Point being, I’m sure some people have reason to spend 500+ on a tablet, but for the rest of us there are plenty of cheaper options.
It doesn’t make sense then, why Toshiba would launch a new tablet with somewhat outdated specs, at a higher cost.
Cue the Toshiba REGZA Tablet model AT501. In case you’re not familiar with Toshiba’s tablets, the REGZA AT501 is the follow up to their last AT500 model. It’s rocking just the right amount of specs to pit it against the cheaper, Google Nexus 10.
The REGZA features are as follows:
- 10.1-inch IPS Display
- 1280 x 800 HD Resolution
- 1.3GHz Tegra 3 Processor/GPU
- 1GB of Installed RAM
- 32GB of Internal Storage (with MicroSD expansion slot)
- 3 Megapixel Rear Facing Camera
- 1.2 Megapixel Front Facing Camera
- Integrated Wi-Fi (isn’t this a given)
- Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- Splashtop Remote Desktop App
- Battery Life: Estimated at 10 Hours with Continuous Use
- Weight: 625 Grams (Whoa!)
Overall, it’s not a bad tablet, but it is too little too late for Toshiba I’m afraid.
The design is a little on the minimal side, yet resembles older style tablets with wider bezels. If the weight is any indication, this sucker is going to be pretty hefty too.
Furthermore, the Toshiba REGZA is currently priced at 40,000 yen or around $425 US. The Google Nexus 10 is $399 (for the cheaper model) and while it only includes 16GB of internal storage, you get the same basic features for a lower price.
The good news is that the tablet will be compatible with REGZA TVs, to offer media and content playback directly between the two devices. Even so, that feature alone isn’t going to sell a tablet to consumers.
Tegra 3 models are at the forefront of the market currently, but we’re on the eve of the Tegra 4 commercial release. Soon, consumers will be trading in their older devices for new ones. Even those few, who are willing to spend money on soon to be ousted hardware, would be better suited spending it elsewhere.
Despite being an attractive device in terms of hardware, I don’t see the REGZA moving too well. What do you think? Are you planning on dropping the money for one of these?
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