ET BureauIf you want a tablet but finances are tight, don't despair, you still have many options — all the tablets here are powered by Android and offer high value. There's something for everyone, say Karan Bajaj, Nimish Dubey & Hitesh Raj Bhagat.
Samsung Galaxy Tab P1010
Price: Rs 14,500
Rating: ***
This is an update to the original do-it-all Android tablet P1000 — it does away with the SIM card slot (and therefore does away with built in 3G support and the ability to make voice calls). It is still a worthy contender in the budget category, thanks to the good build quality, high screen resolution (1024 x 768 pixels), 1Ghz processor, dual cameras and expandable memory. It narrowly misses out on getting a highly recommended rating because it has no GPS.
Positives: High quality construction, high res LCD, good performance & expandable memory
Negatives: No SIM card slot, no voice calls/messages, no 3G support, does not have GPS
Price: Rs 13,995
Ratings: ****
The Slide has one of the most responsive 7-inch displays we've seen and has two mini-USB ports (one to connect external 3G dongles and the other for USB host functionality). It runs Android 2.3 on a 1Ghz processor with 512MB RAM and has 8GB storage. Overall performance is great — it offers the smoothest navigation experience among the competition.
Positives: Responsive touchscreen, numerous ports, good battery life & performance
Negatives: Average build quality, poor camera, No Wi-Fi hotspot, no voice calling
Price: Rs 12,999
Ratings: ***
The Reliance Tab came in at a time when getting a tablet below Rs 25,000 was difficult. It still had decent specifications: (800 Mhz processor, Android 2.3 with Wi-Fi tethering and dual cameras). And while some might consider it to be a bit long in the tooth now, fact remains that it is a sturdy and solid performer. No, it will not turn heads with its plain design, but it still represents very good bang for your buck if you are looking for a high-speed device for social networking and browsing.
Positives: Decent hardware and software for the price, very good bundled 3G plans
Negatives: Locked to the Reliance Network, mediocre display
MSI WindPad 7
Price: Rs 12,999
Ratings: ****
MSI's WindPad 7 is the only one in this group with a brushed metal construction and therefore, a very sturdy and premium feel. Although the screen doesn't offer very good viewing angles, it is quite responsive. The Windpad is also the only one in this group capable of 'hosting' an external hard drives via the miniUSB host port. Performance is also top notch thanks to the 1.2Ghz processor. The cameras are average and no 3G is an issue, but the 7 hour battery life is the best in segment
Positives: Great build quality, excellent battery life, powers external hard drives
Negatives: No 3G, average quality cameras, poor viewing angles, no voice calling support
Spice Mi Tab Mi-720
Price: Rs 12,990
Ratings: *****
The Spice Mi Tab is the easy choice for 'Best Value' — it is the cheapest tab with all features — Android 2.2 with Wi-Fi tethering, 3G, dual cameras, 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and expandable memory. The Reliance Tab comes close in terms of features, but is network locked — Mi Tab can be used with any SIM card. The only things going against the Mi Tab are the somewhat weak 800Mhz processor and screen with below average viewing angles.
Positives: Offers loads of features including calling, built in 3G support, expandable memory and dual cameras
Negatives: 800Mhz processor, has a mediocre quality display, slightly heavier than others
The Other Contenders
Aakash
Price: Rs 2,250
Ratings: **
Positives: The most affordable tablet in the world
Negatives: Resisitive display, weak performance, poor battery life
Milagrow Women's TabTop
Price: Rs 13,990
Ratings: **
Positives: 1.2Ghz processor, 8GB storage, lots of useful preloaded apps
Negatives: Resisitive display, average build quality & performance
Mercury mTab
Price: Rs 9,499
Ratings: **
Positives: Price, capacitive display, TV-out, USB host
Negatives: Average build quality, low quality buttons
Samsung Galaxy Tab P1010
Price: Rs 14,500
Rating: ***
This is an update to the original do-it-all Android tablet P1000 — it does away with the SIM card slot (and therefore does away with built in 3G support and the ability to make voice calls). It is still a worthy contender in the budget category, thanks to the good build quality, high screen resolution (1024 x 768 pixels), 1Ghz processor, dual cameras and expandable memory. It narrowly misses out on getting a highly recommended rating because it has no GPS.
Positives: High quality construction, high res LCD, good performance & expandable memory
Negatives: No SIM card slot, no voice calls/messages, no 3G support, does not have GPS
Discover the stories of your interest
Price: Rs 13,995
Ratings: ****
The Slide has one of the most responsive 7-inch displays we've seen and has two mini-USB ports (one to connect external 3G dongles and the other for USB host functionality). It runs Android 2.3 on a 1Ghz processor with 512MB RAM and has 8GB storage. Overall performance is great — it offers the smoothest navigation experience among the competition.
Positives: Responsive touchscreen, numerous ports, good battery life & performance
Negatives: Average build quality, poor camera, No Wi-Fi hotspot, no voice calling
Discover the stories of your interest
Ratings: ***
The Reliance Tab came in at a time when getting a tablet below Rs 25,000 was difficult. It still had decent specifications: (800 Mhz processor, Android 2.3 with Wi-Fi tethering and dual cameras). And while some might consider it to be a bit long in the tooth now, fact remains that it is a sturdy and solid performer. No, it will not turn heads with its plain design, but it still represents very good bang for your buck if you are looking for a high-speed device for social networking and browsing.
Positives: Decent hardware and software for the price, very good bundled 3G plans
Negatives: Locked to the Reliance Network, mediocre display
MSI WindPad 7
Discover the stories of your interest
Ratings: ****
MSI's WindPad 7 is the only one in this group with a brushed metal construction and therefore, a very sturdy and premium feel. Although the screen doesn't offer very good viewing angles, it is quite responsive. The Windpad is also the only one in this group capable of 'hosting' an external hard drives via the miniUSB host port. Performance is also top notch thanks to the 1.2Ghz processor. The cameras are average and no 3G is an issue, but the 7 hour battery life is the best in segment
Positives: Great build quality, excellent battery life, powers external hard drives
Negatives: No 3G, average quality cameras, poor viewing angles, no voice calling support
Spice Mi Tab Mi-720
Ratings: *****
The Spice Mi Tab is the easy choice for 'Best Value' — it is the cheapest tab with all features — Android 2.2 with Wi-Fi tethering, 3G, dual cameras, 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and expandable memory. The Reliance Tab comes close in terms of features, but is network locked — Mi Tab can be used with any SIM card. The only things going against the Mi Tab are the somewhat weak 800Mhz processor and screen with below average viewing angles.
Positives: Offers loads of features including calling, built in 3G support, expandable memory and dual cameras
Negatives: 800Mhz processor, has a mediocre quality display, slightly heavier than others
The Other Contenders
Discover the stories of your interest
Aakash
Ratings: **
Positives: The most affordable tablet in the world
Negatives: Resisitive display, weak performance, poor battery life
Milagrow Women's TabTop
Ratings: **
Positives: 1.2Ghz processor, 8GB storage, lots of useful preloaded apps
Negatives: Resisitive display, average build quality & performance
Mercury mTab
Ratings: **
Positives: Price, capacitive display, TV-out, USB host
Negatives: Average build quality, low quality buttons
Add 
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!
ETPrime Membership
