The 7" screen has an 800x600 resolution resistive screen which looked bad. It is one of the worst looking 800x600 screens that I have seen. The app icons look large or least larger than what they should be. It may be great for someone who has poor vision but definitely not the average consumer. Also, the screen was not very responsive.
The Nova has speakers on the back, which we are not fans of. We prefer them on the front so the sound projects towards you. The Nova sports 512MB of RAM with 256MB internal memory and 3GB of storage. There is a micro-SD slot so it is expandable. The Nova does run Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) which is good. At this point in time, no tablet manufacturer should run Android 2.2 (Froyo). There are no Google apps but does include GetJar. There is a FaceBook icon but it is only a shortcut to the website not the actual FaceBook app. Although the Nova sports a Cortex A8 processor (apparently it runs at 800MHz), it seems slow. Unfortunately, I was not able to test any games. It did play a sample video well and displayed pictures without an issue (although without using my test pictures, I cannot tell how off the colors were). However, typing on this tablet was painful. It was very slow in registering the keys. If you type fast, the Nova will fall behind. Hopefully, this was specific to my test unit and not the norm.
Overall, I was not impressed with the device in the limited time that I used it. With a poor looking screen, very apparent plastic body and very slow typing responsiveness, it would be tough to recommend the Nova even at $170 to individuals considering a tablet. However I will say this (although many may not agree), I would actually recommend this tablet if you are considering buying one for your teen or even younger child. Unless you have money and do not mind giving a teen a $500 tablet, this would be the perfect "first tablet" that your child/teen can use. The same way that you do not buy (or at least most people) a teen a brand new car as their first car, this tablet would be ideal as a "first tablet". $170 is a good price if you are looking to spend the least amount of money. Of course, our recommendation in the lower price range is the Nook Color but at $250, in this economy, that may still be a little high for some people.
Update: Developers have rooted the device and one can install Google Apps. Info available at SlateDroid.com.
Good review, but, sorry, there are some inconsistencies, so to speak:
ReplyDelete1. Screen sensitivity is noticed as well above the average for a resistive screen, by many. I watched several youtube videos and I think some people in them were successfully able to produce "touches" by their fingers -- instead of fingernails.
2. Size of icons are easily corrected by editing build.prop to a native resolution (~138 dpi or so)
3. As for Android 2.3.4 vs. 2.2 on tablets, they are both misplaced -- for tablets. Based on the same AML8726-M platform, Ainol Novo8 with its Android 2.2 plays everything better than Nova. I'd say there are "good" Gingerbreads, and then there are Chinese Gingerbreads.
4. But I tend to agree that the device is priced correspondingly, though I'd rather see something below $150
Thanks, Maroger for your comment. As I do note (although I have not done it here), the results are based on the individual unit tested. It may not necessarily represent the true nature of that specific model. It would be cost prohibitive & take a lot of time to test multiple units of the same model.
ReplyDeleteSome first reactions/impressions have it with unpleasant phantom imaging when "touching" too vigorously, or pressing not so resposive keyborad keys. The reasoning is that the battery is pressed too much to the back of LCD panel. So, I take away my estimate of below $150, it should read "below" $99. If you wish you can read some materials on Ainol Novo 8 Advanced which is based on the same Cortex A9 AML8726-M platform, in my blog fineoils.blogspot.com, just to compare. I don't see any sense to compare Nova outside its class of poor Chinese tablets below $199...$150.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me what the difference is between the Nova R70F400 and the R70F453? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I do not know the difference between the R70F400 and R70F453. It is possible that those different model numbers are for different markets (domestic/international).
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