E FUN launches 10.1-inch 2-in-1 Windows tablet priced at $179

by Mark Tyson on 21 October 2014, 12:35

Tags: Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), Windows 8, PC

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E FUN has launched a new 2-in-1 tablet convertible called the Nextbook 10. This Windows 8.1 device sports a 10.1-inch display and is powered by an Intel Atom Bay Trail processor.

The budget Android tablet maker has bundled the slate with a detachable POGO keyboard. This new device features an Intel 1.83GHz quad core CPU with 1GB of RAM, 1280x800 IPS touch screen display, 32GB internal storage (expandable via microSD by an additional 64GB), 6,000mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n support. It has microUSB and mini HDMI ports, and a 0.3MP front webcam along with 2MP back main camera.

"We are excited to expand our product portfolio with our first Windows tablet," said Jason Liszewski, managing director and VP of sales at E FUN. "Our collaboration with Microsoft and Intel was the next logical step in the evolution of the company and brand. It has been a pleasure working with them on the development of a tablet that offers tremendous value to professionals, students and casual users."

On the software side, the tablet is preloaded with NOOK for Windows 8 for easy access to books, and comes with one year subscription to Office 365 Personal with 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage, also free for one year. Buyers get 60 Skype world minutes per month thrown in.

Priced at $179, the convertible tablet is very keenly priced for its flexibility. However with only 1GB of RAM, there may be concerns about the device's ability to multitask in the same way you would expect a 2GB or 4GB RAM laptop to do. Even so, at the sub-$200 price point this may shift a lot of units.

According to Microsoft, the Nextbook will be available from mid-November at Walmart stores US-wide, with pre-orders starting from 23 October via Walmart.com. The affordable 2-in-1 will also be available via SamsClub.com in December.



HEXUS Forums :: 3 Comments

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Ah, cheap Windows tablet revolution is here ;)

One thing worth noting: Any tablet with the quad-core Atom Z3735F - easily identifiable by having only 1GB of RAM, if the processor model number isn't given - is limited to a 32bit memory interface (AFAICT it interfaces directly with a single 8Gb DRAM chip) - you need the Z3735G to get the benefits of a full 64bit single-channel interface. Personally I'd be wary not so much about the amount of RAM on offer, but the fact that it has very low memory bandwidth (imagine running single channel DDR2-667 and you're there). Now, it might not cause any real problems - very few programs are bandwidth limited - but the slightly more expensive 2GB tablets will provide twice the bandwidth as well: IMNSHO it's probably worth paying that bit extra for.
1GB is enough for very light use - but I reckon it won't take much to push this thing to the limits - even wonder how it will do with 1080p MKV video.

The Asus T100 and T200 run well with 2GB of ram, but it doesn't take much to bog them down.
I just hope Microsoft/Intel learnt a lesson with netbooks but I expect not seeing this. Very low spec devices may sell well initially but could put people off in the long term. Also need to remember the Vista laptops with 512Mb of RAM - they where also dire. Sure these device can just about do simple web browsing/word processing but try and open word + excel + browser as most school kids do and it'll struggle like crazy. It'll be even worse when they've installed no end of junk-ware…