Just days back, Acer has announced the launch of its new Android tablet, the Iconia B1, in India for Rs 7,999. This happens to be cheapest Android tablet from an MNC player.
Acer certainly would be able to lure in tablet buyers with its better brand image and promise of better quality and service support.
However, in terms of pure specification and features, Acer looks like no match to similarly priced tablets of Indian brands which come with better configuration as well as are cheaper.
So let’s see where exactly Acer Iconia B1 stands as compared to tablets of Indian brands.
Iconia B1 Specs
The new Iconia B1 features a 7 inch LCD display with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution and it also supports multi-touch. Under the hood, it has a low-power dual core 1.2 GHz Mediatek MTK 8317T mobile processor and 512 MB RAM that powers the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system. By default, the tablet offers 8 GB on board storage. One can always add up to 32 GB via micro SD card to expand storage.
For connectivity, it has Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi and GPS. There is a 0.3 megapixel and a 2710 mAh battery. The tablet is priced at Rs 7,999.
Karbonn Marvel Smart Tab 9
Karbonn Marvel Smart Tab 9 runs on Android v4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich platform. It comes with a 9-inch capacitive touchscreen with 800 x 480 pixels resolution. Its 1.2 GHz processor is seconded by 512 MB RAM. A 1.3 megapixel camera is given on the front side to allow video chats.
The WiFi enabled tablet comes with 4000 mAh battery, 3D G-Sensor, full HD playback, pre-embedded games, and Google Currents. The tablet is currently selling for Rs 6,999.
Advantages over Iconia B1:
Larger screen
Cheaper by Rs 1000
HDMI port
Supports 3G through Dongle
Disadvantages:
Single core Processor
No GPS
Lower screen resolution
Android ICS (No Jelly Bean).
No Bluetooth
Internal memory very less
Karbonn Smart Tab 2
Karbonn Smart Tab 2 is a 7 inch tablet running on Android v4.1 Jelly Bean. It is powered by 1.2 GHz processor and 512 MB RAM. The device offers WiFi, 3G (by an external USB Dongle), and USB connectivity. The tablet comes with multiple instant Messaging and social networking clients.
Its 2 megapixel camera captures clear images. Other features are 3D G-sensor, HDMI port, and 32 GB expandable memory. The tablet is available for Rs 5,699
Advantages over Iconia B1:
Much cheaper
HDMI Port
Same OS version
Supports 3G through Dongle
Disadvantage:
Single Core processor
No GPS
Lower resolution
No Bluetooth
Internal Memory very less
Micromax Funbook Talk P350
Micromax Funbook Talk P350 runs on Android Ice Cream Sandwich, 1 GHz processor along and 512 MB RAM. It has 7 inch capacitive touchscreen display. Apart from WiFi, it offer GPRS Internet connectivity and SIM calling.
Besides, Funbook Talk has a 0.3 megapixel front facing camera, USB connectivity, dual Mali-4002D/3D graphic processor, and 32 GB expandable memory. The tablet sells for Rs 7,199.
Advantages over Iconia B1:
SIM calling
Inbuilt 2G internet support, 3G through dongle
cheaper
Minus:
Single core slower processor
Lower resolution
Older Android version
Karbonn Velox Tab 8
Karbonn Velox Tab 8 is an Android Jelly Bean tablet with 8 inch capacitive display with 1024 x 768 pixels resolution. It has 1.5 GHz dual core processor and 1 GB RAM for smooth performance.
On connectivity segment, it has Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G (via dongle), HDMI and USB interface. The tablet has 3 megapixel main camera and a VGA camera on front for video calling. Other features include music player, live TV app, social networking, IM clients, 1.5 GB internal storage, and 32 GB expandable memory. The tablet is selling for Rs 6,900 which is about Rs 1000 cheaper compared to Acer Iconia B1.
Advantages over Iconia B1:
Cheaper
faster processor double the RAM
HDMI
3G support
Rear Camera too
Larger display with better resolution
Minus:
No GPS
slightly lesser internal memory
Intex iBuddy Connect
Intex iBuddy Connect features a SIM Slot and comes with a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen display with five-point multitouch support and packs a 1 GHz mobile processor.
Intex is selling the iBuddy Connect tablet with a leather cover attached to the keyboard at Rs 7,990 in the Indian market. Under the chassis, the iBuddy Connect has 512 MB DDR3 RAM to power the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich.
By default, the tablet offers 4 GB on-board storage and one can always add up to 32 GB micro SD card in the Memory card slot. For wireless connectivity, Intex has added WiFi and Bluetooth modules along with a SIM Card slot which offer 2G internet connectivity. The tablet also offers a USB 2.0 port along with support for 3G USB Dongles.
The iBuddy Connect has HDMI port, and dual cameras including a 2 megapixel camera at the back and a VGA unit in the front. Intex has packed a 3000 mAh battery in the tablet as well.
Advantages over Iconia B1:
Gets SIM calling and 2G internet
HDMI support
3g through Dongle
Additional rear camera
Free Keyboard
Minus:
Slower processor
Older Android version
No GPS
No Bluetooth
Lower resolution display
Single core processor
Simmtronics XPAD X-801
Simmtronics has recently launched XPAD X-801. The 8 inch tablet comes with voice calling support as well as GPRS connectivity. Simmtronics is also offering a detachable keyboard case and speaker for free with the tablet.
Simmtronics XPAD X-801 has a dedicated USB port to connect data card or pen drives besides there is Bluetooth and WiFi in the tablet for connectivity. It works on Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 and runs on a 1.2 GHz Cortex A8 processor. The tablet features an 8 inch capacitive multi touch screen with 800×600 pixel resolution. It has gravity and Accelerometer sensors.
The tablet features a 4000 mAH battery, a 2.0 megapixel at the back and 0.3 megapixel camera in the front. The tablet comes with 512 MB RAM and 8 GB Internal Memory that is expandable by up to 32 GB through a micro SD card. The XPAD X-801 is selling for Rs 8,000.
Advantages over Iconia B1:
Bigger screen
SIM calling and 2G internet
HDMI
Rear Camera
Keyboard and speaker free
Minus:
Single core processor
GPS
Older OS version
HCL Me Tab V1
The HCL Me Tab V1 comes with a 7 inch display with a WVGA resolution (800 x 480 pixels). The HCL Me Tab V1 comes with a 1 GHz processor along with 1 GB of DDR3 RAM. There is 4 GB internal storage memory in the tablet and you can also up to 32 GB of memory though a micro SD card.
The tablet can make calls as well as access 2G internet connection using its SIM. However, for 3G, one has to rely on a dongle that can be connected using the onboard USB port.
The Me Tab V1 is based on Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system but Google Play Store is not accessible through it. Users however can download applications from HCL’s own App store. The tablet is priced at Rs 7,790.
Advantages over Iconia B1:
SIM calling and 2G internet
HDMI
More RAM
Minus:
Single core processor
Lower display resolution
GPS
Older OS version
No access to Google Play Store