The computing power is impressive. Even with alternative, partially power-hungry launchers like Nova Launcher Prime or the EX Launcher it copes easily and runs smoothly. Even if you open dozens of tabs in the browser, the tablet gets no "obstruction", which is related to a significant improvement with the Android 4.2 Memory Management course on the other hand with the equipment. I have now used quite intensively for 24 h and have not yet reached the limits, although the Google synchronization has already blown a whole stack of apps it. Which reminds me, the battery life is also made a positive impression. It is given with 10 hours, I have after a day quite regular use even 50% battery, which is on a par with other 7 '' Tablets. The micro SD slot is similar with one stone covered, the card is inserted with a pressure mechanism and unlocked. It is an ASUS charger similar to the ASUS Transformer with a typical voltage of 5.2V and 1.35A works. The advantage is the slightly faster charging of the tablet due to the increased charge current. Unlike the Transformer but the tablet is content with less and can therefore be recharged at the universal micro-USB interface with a different charger or connecting to a PC. The micro USB connector is located at the upper edge, which is unusual, but really clever. When you hold the device in his hand, the cable interferes above in my opinion less than the bottom, where it is often bent over.
The cameras are just about ok if you had no high demands (I know anyway not know why they ever need in a tablet), but you really should not expect miracles. I would say they are at the level of smartphone cameras before 3-4 years and are due to the relatively high image noise and muddy colors not suitable for low-light photography or albums, but are rather intended for snapshots or additional services safe, the camera require (bar code scanners, etc.). Even in daylight you get hardly out useful photos because the images are prone to blooming and dark colors then washed out and too light are at the edges. In general, the colors are so pale that one to picture editing can not save much (cf.. Shooting under "customer images").
The software offerings from ASUS are only semi-interesting, if at all, with two exceptions: The ASUS Kalenderapp really succeeded, as well as the photo gallery. Since Android yes brings no native calendar client for Google Calendar (for whatever reason - I never understood), it's nice when a manufacturer nachbessert here. Both the nice suburban Calender of Samsung and ASUS here on this device do the job really well, as there is nothing to complain about. The photo gallery is the native of Android also superior. It shows the images sorted by folder, but also by date, location (with geo-tagged images) and in albums organized to (a feature that I miss sorely in vanilla Android). She remains simple and clear. Is high time sorting and organizing images on all Android Devices times works properly.
Since I'm allergic to preinstalled Trial- or free versions, I've provided with a thick "Lite" banner "Super grade" equal times thrown from the home screen. But a later view in the app, which I had just banished, could not convince (it is similar to allow the note-series of Samsung handwritten notes, it works without the good Samsung pin but only so half) me. Fortunately the number of superfluous Apps is manageable.
ASUS Webstorage and Webstorage Office I have not tested it, I might do sometime, but for now give me the Telekom Media Center, Dropbox & Co.
The ASUS-surface changes are limited, but for my taste really with the best in the Android world. The adjustment bar is over vanilla Android a little bored and there is another button at the bottom of the Android-bar with the homepage, baking and Windows Manager icons. This may be somewhat unusual for other Android users button with a double arrow upwards opens a configurable Quick Access Toolbar, which is preset with access to Audio Wizard, browser, BuddyBuzz (the ASUS version of the overarching social media app), Compass, an egg timer, Email, calendar, calculator, stopwatch, a converter for length, area, speed and temperature measurements, etc. and the video player. The highlight: This apps that are launched from the bar, screenshots go window-like "floating widget" about the actual content (the current app or the desktop) to, scalable to any size and facilitate concurrent activity in two windows (see below. Customer images) and can then close again, without having to switch between Appfenstern. So you can for example read in the Kindle app a book and then sometimes just the net to look something up, without leaving the Kindle app, as it remains visible in the background. Or if you stumble over a network Fahrenheit temperature indication is the conversion into ° C can sometimes just make. Or sometimes just a little work out with the calculator, etc. I think that's super. There is this one app (ASUS Splendid), with which one can very well set the color representation of the display (why that is not integral in Android, is beyond me, have seen so many displays of candy colors the pale or cold therefore come). So you can adjust color temperature, the slightly gaudy "Live Mode", the hue and saturation of very fine, so that the image can be adjusted (as needed) very natural or vigorously. Oh, to make screenshots by long press on the Task Manager button, you can activate in the settings under "ASUS User Preferences".
The sound is not so important to me. I have not yet figured out whether he stereo or mono because of, or the speakers are already located just out of the bottom, is itself set in stereo sound no real stereo feeling. The sound is but compared to the original Galaxy Tab very good, it rattles nothing and he is loud enough. Definitely louder and more pleasant than my Galaxy Note, I would say, about to iPad 2 level. There is also an App (Audio Wizard) that between 6 modes (Power Saving, Music Mode, Movie Mode, Recording Mode, Gaming Mode, and Speech mode) can be switched. These presets are kind of pointless, and replace any equalizer if you ever want to play around with the sound - hands me a fairly neutral issue. The "Language" programs and "play" sound a little flat, "Music" and especially "Movie" much louder and with more depth, but I certainly will not use the tool in everyday life.
Positives:
- Display (very good brightness, resolution, viewing angles)
- Performance (both CPU and memory generously sized)
- Micro-SD slot
- Android 4.2.1 (albeit with ASUS-surface, which is likely to delay future updates)
- Tolerably usable main camera with 5MP, although not nearly at the level of current Smartphone Cameras
- Not very many (unwanted) software offerings and pre-installed Apps.
- Economical, but meaningful adjustments to Vanilla Android, for example, additional Quick Launch toolbar with "Floating Widgets" and "ASUS Splendid" to adjust the color reproduction
- Sensational price / performance ratio
- Decent sound
- Rechargeable via microUSB also on default ports (PC, cell phone charger)
- Light weight
Negatives:
- You have to look for a long time. Perhaps the slightly cheap-looking rear wall, but that is absolutely not disturbing for me. Or something unfortunate arrangement of the volume rocker on the back on the right edge.
- USB OTG host mode (with micro SD card bearable for me, but since the hardware side support, but no driver implements a somewhat regrettable omission) not available
- The hardware decoder does not come clear with DivX and more exotic formats (MKV). The screen remains black while the sound is heard. Remedy: install MX Player from the store and switch on the top right corner of H / W S / W decoding, then it goes. The processor also has with HD material even at SW Decoding no problem.
- The multiuser mode of Android 4.2 for tablets is not supported, so there is no fast switching between users with their own home screen and custom settings in the apps.
For 3D benchmark results see comments.
For me, a really successful product.
