I'm writing this for people who want an affordable, capable, and portable ADDITION to their existing Windows 8 and 8.1 hardware. I have been looking for something that was not a laptop, not Android, not Apple, and AFFORDABLE. This was going to be my first experience with a computer that was not a laptop or desktop. I didn't need something for productivity - but I wanted something I could watch movies, read my e-books, do basic web-surfing, and something that I could use at home when it warms up and I wanted to go outside. I didn't want something to take beyond my home - didn't want more than WiFi.
MY FIRST TABLET - Started at 7 inches....
I had first stumbled across WinBook via the Leo Laporte Tech Guy Program (Via Twit.tv). He was talking about a really inexpensive 7 inch tablet that at the time was being offered for $59 and now retails around $70 - it used a full Windows 8.1 operating system (with Bing) and had limited storage space and ram (16 gb / 1 gb respectively). I was intrigued and at that price I wasn't deterred - I bought one and it arrived within a week (purchased at Amazon.com).
As this was my first portable device (I have a dumb cellphone that only makes and receives PHONE calls), I was intrigued - this tablet had the same setup protocol of every Windows 8/8.1 machine that I have used so this was not new. In the past on my laptops, I had set up a local account on every computer except my business one which had a Microsoft account. So I set up the tablet with the Microsoft account and went about installing windows updates and installed Classic Shell that brings the start button (a functional one) back to the Windows desktop just like all my other Win8 machines. I then went to the tiled section of Win8, the part that idiots hate because it is new and different - like Apple wasn't new when you first tried it! I installed a few apps and then discovered the joy of Windows 8 with a Microsoft account - when I set up my tablet with the apps I wanted, they'd be available in the same layout on my laptop when I went to the tiled section - but what was nice was that all of the settings (wifi, etc) from my desktop were now active to the tablet. I could take the device to work and access the wifi without doing anything - could go home and do the same.
SEVEN INCHES WANTING MORE
I had the seven inch model for about three days and found that the comments on limited space and ram were starting to hit home - I was quickly starting to tap out - duh! But the overall product was superb - quick boot times - and more.
And then it stopped working.
Since this was my first portable device, I thought I broke it - maybe I abused the microusb charging port - I did knock it off the desk once at work. I could have ended its life Having bought it from Amazon, I processed a return and they refunded my money no questions asked.
But I loved that little device!
So when I had a chance, I bought the 8 inch version (pictured at the top of the article) that had double the storage space (32 gb) and doubled the ram 2gb. The price was $99. It was still a great deal.
SPECIFICATIONS
What really mattered to me beyond what I mentioned above, was the ports this had - unlike your Tim Cook era Apple products that strip functionality out of the product, this device was impressive:
- Full-sized USB 2.0 port
- MicroUSB port for charging
- MicroHDMI out to view on a HDTV
- Headphone jack
- MicroSD card slot (manufacturer says 64gb capable, I installed 128 gb without any problem)
- Full Windows 8.1 with Bing - not a dumbed down tablet version
- Full Desktop or Tile Mode
- Can install almost any program a PC can run - drive space the limiting factor - and processor speed
- 32gb of drive space (about half is usable)
- 2 gb of ram
- Quadcore ATOM processor
EIGHT INCHES IS QUITE SATISFYING
Everything I liked about the seven inch model stayed the same with the eight inch model - but the additional space and ram was icing on the cake! The extra screen size was really appreciated.
Boot time on this machine from power button push to lock screen is 13 seconds. This is faster than most laptops. Yes, I timed this. I had thought it was 15 seconds just by my human clock - but I was off a bit.
I proceeded with this eight inch being as cautious as possible - I wasn't sure at this point if my seven inch experience was a dead tablet by defect or my own hands. Amazon.com did not have the support and FAQ for this device like the manufacturer, Winbook sold by Techcenter, had on their site. When I purchased this eight inch unit, Microcenter was closer to me and the price was cheaper than Amazon.com. I decided to take a leap of faith and buy from Microcenter - who had gobs of support and FAQ that would prove to be useful.
GHOSTS OF SEVEN INCHES PAST
Nearly a week went by and this eight inch tablet continued to amaze me. I like the microhdmi to hdmi ability - bought the cable to hook to hdtv and it will project the same resolution of the tablet to the hdmi - not full size - but clearly larger and surprising clear on my TV. Clearly nicer to watch than just 8 inch screen!
As the first week with this tablet was coming to a close, I had noticed another batch of Windows updates were posting and the tablet went to sleep.
It never woke up.
My seven inch model died overnight when it was playing iHeart radio stream of Coast 2 Coast which I listen to when going to sleep. This eight inch model died before my eyes. I was both pissed and curious - I had done nothing to damage the hardware and the same issue I had with the seven inch model happened here - no power - no charge - nothing. Black screen of death.
GEEK RESOLUTION
Being a geek who can rebuild dead laptops, I was curious if there was something that was not hardware-based going wrong here. At Microcenter's website, I found that there might have been a discharged battery issue and conflict with waking up - not terminally dead - just not waking up. The solution was simple - hold the on/off switch for 10 seconds and turn the unit completely off. I didn't believe the solution could be so simple so I did what they said and - voila! The unit came to life! I took my finger off the power button after the ten seconds and paused - and then hit the power button as usual and the unit came back on.
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you want a WiFi tablet that is in the Windows 8 environment, this is a great purchase! It is under a hundred dollars - is a full-fledged windows COMPUTER in a portable form - and is great with NetFlix, Hulu, plays dvds from an external player -accesses external hard drives - plays iTunes - plays YouTube - does both Amazon books and Nook. It is great to take outside to the porch for portability.
There is a 10.8 inch model of this for $199 - I am considering purchasing this later this year to see if size matters. I may end up just trying it and giving it to my Mom so she'll have something larger to work on and have portability without paying the outrageous Apple prices for an iPad. Plus we can set things up off her desktop and all her goodies will be replicated on the 10 inch model.
If you want inexpensive tablet portability, this eight inch unit is a nice compromise - it is truly worth more than the $99 price and you can do so much with it if you are willing to learn more about Windows 8/8.1.
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