They came into the market hailed as iPad killers and with stiff price tags to boot. While they have not exactly lived up to their promise, they have suddenly got a whole lot more affordable and are now excellent value for money deals. We take a look at five tablets that may not be the latest on the tech block but still deliver stunning performance, and thanks to recent price cuts, are at last very good value for money. If only they had been launched at similar prices...but then THAT is another story.
Motorola XoomLaunch price: Rs 32,990Current price: Rs 19,500 onwards (approx.)The Xoom was supposed to be Google's answer to the iPad, complete with a new version of Android (Honeycomb) that was especially designed for larger tablet displays. And it came with some excellent specifications too--a 1 GHz dual core processor, a 25.7-cm (10.1-inch) display, a 5.0-megapixel camera, 1 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage. Where it came undone, unfortunately, was in the fact that the iPad started at a much lower price and more crucially, offered many more apps. The Xoom was in many ways a victim of Honeycomb's initial inadequacies, ending up becoming its pallbearer rather than its flagship. However, with more apps now available and a price that is well below that of all of its 25.4-cm (10-inch) tablet counterparts, the Xoom is perhaps the best value for money tablet in the country considering its specifications, which remain utterly cutting edge even to this day.
BlackBerry PlaybookLaunch price: Rs 27,990Current price: Rs 15,000 (approx.)
Has a product ever raised as many hopes and then been as badly maligned as RIM's first venture into tablet territory? We honestly do not think so. What we do know is that the BlackBerry PlayBook offered some very good specifications (dual core processor, superb browser and dual cameras) inside one of the sleekest frames we have seen in the tablet world. In what, however, must count as one of the biggest cases of shooting oneself in the foot in the tech world, RIM erred by not giving the device a native e-mail client--you needed to pair it with a BlackBerry handset to be able to access your mail via the mail client. In essence, this seemed to limit the tablet to BB boys. The absence of good apps and the proximity in price to the iconic iPad did not help. However, just how good a device it was, was revealed when units sold out like hot cakes when RIM dramatically slashed its price by half towards the end of last year. We still think it has the best browser we have seen on a tablet and one of the most portable form factors--and the promise of getting Android apps on it in the coming days only makes it even better. Worth spending Rs 15,000 on? You bet, even if you are not a BB user (use the awesome browser for accessing e-mail). If you can find one (demand has been high, to say the least!).
HTC FlyerLaunch price: Rs 37,499Current price: Rs 23, 500 (approx.)HTC's tablet debut in India packed in some very promising specifications (32 GB storage, 1.5 Ghz processor and 17.8-cm display) along with the latest version of Android (2.3) as well as the well-known and acclaimed HTC Sense, and a stylus that lets you make notes and do a whole lot more. Round that off with connectivity options galore (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, et al) and an incredibly well-designed unibody frame, and you would have thought that people would have been queuing up for it in India. Alas, a very stiff price tag--well above that of the iPad and most of the competition--ensured that takers would be limited. However, at a decreased price in the vicinity Rs 23,500, the Flyer now represents an excellent option for anyone wanting a tablet that is easy to carry and packs in some very powerful specs.
Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000Launch price: Rs 38,000Current price: Rs 22,000 (approx.)In my very humble opinion, this was the tablet that could have slaughtered the iPad's prospects in India. It offered an excellent 17.8-cm (7-inch) display, ran Android 2.2, had two-way cameras, a 1 GHz processor, 16/32 GB storage and could even be used to make phone calls, besides packing in most connectivity options. Where it came utterly undone was in its price--at Rs 38,000 it was priced well-above what the still-not-officially-launched iPad commanded even in grey markets in India. We loved the feel of the device and its smooth operation, but the price was a major deterrent. It no longer is and while the P1000 may not be in the same league in terms of specs as the other worthies in this list, it remains a solid performer. It you are looking for a portable tab that also lets you make phone calls, grab it. It's good value for money now.
Dell StreakLaunch price: Rs 34,990Current price: Rs 20, 500 (approx.)
One of the first big brands to launch its tablets in India, Dell seemed to have hit all the right buttons with the Streak. It was small enough to be slipped into one's pocket, even while providing one with a large, 12.7-cm (5.0-inch) display to browse the Web and mess around with one's social networks. It came with a 1 GHz processor, 16GB internal storage, and a 5.0-megapixel camera that was actually capable of taking some very good pictures (a rarity in tablet territory, where cameras seem to be included mainly for tech spec sheet purposes). Unfortunately, it was released with a slightly dated version of Android (1.6), which took off some sheen off its claim of being a cutting-edge device. It has since been upgraded to Android 2.3 and remains a very handy gadget for those wanting to stay connected on the move via a device that can comfortably be carried on one's person. Getting it is not easy these times, but if you are an Android fan, this is a very good option especially with its reduced price.
--Nimish Dubey