Written by Roman with Video Reviews and Q&A by Guest Contributor Colonel Zap


The forums over at SlateDroid have been buzzing in regards to the new RENA3 android tablet. Several folks now have gotten the device in their hands and are really liking what they are seeing. The RENA3 features a powerful NEC Renesas Dual-Core Cortex-A9 SOC (from which it gets its name.) However it is hindered (in my humble opinion) by the fact that it is saddled with a PowerVR SGX-530 GPU. On the other hand, the Herotab C8 features the same powerful Samsung hardware found in the Galaxy Tab. The device has a very capable PowerVR SGX-540 GPU but the main processor, while having quite a bit kick, is still only a single-core chip based on Cortex-A8 design. These devices are nearly identical in price and offer a similar feature set. So, while I have been very excited in regards to the RENA3, I have been wondering how it stack up against the powerhouse that is the Herotab C8.

I have been doing a LOT of research on Android tablets lately. I really want to buy one and if this website ever actually produces enough (any?) money I will :)... But I am not sure I am ever going to be able to justify $600 for a tablet. That rules out all the big players... i.e. iPad, iPad 2, Xoom, Galaxy Tab, etc. So where does that leave me?

Six months to a year ago I really wouldn't have had any options (in the $200 price range) that were even remotely comparable to say, a 1st Generation iPad, let alone a Galaxy Tab. But technology has come a long way in a short time. The things that made the iPad so magical, namely a quick processor, highly responsive touchscreen with multi-touch and a robust app market, can all be found in relatively low cost units. Android has matured immensely over the last year (some may disagree) and has a fairly robust app market making it a truly viable mobile operating system. Mobile processor technology has taken off with new contenders in the market like Nvidia and new architectures like Arm Cortex A9 driving prices down on slightly older but still quite capable hardware. Finally, and this has been the longest in coming, quality capacitive multi-touch touch screens are now an economical option in the "budget" market.

Now, you won't see a lot of these devices on the shelves at Wal-Mart or Fry's anytime soon. However, if you know which online retailers to keep tabs on, there is literally a "glut" of android powered tablets coming out of China. But you still have to be VERY careful as to what you buy when you are shopping for a China-brand tablet under the $400 mark. A tablet priced at $300 could easily be riddled with older technology and therefore be a much poorer performer than a tablet priced at $200. I am actually shopping right around the $200 mark and I have found, in my opinion, three viable options which fulfill the mantra, "You can have your iPad and Pay Your Bills too."






So what is important in an Android tablet? Here are some specs listed in order of importance:

1. Processor (at least an Arm Cortex A8 based chip)
2. Amount/Type of RAM (Never less than 256mb, 512mb is preferable, DDR or DDR2)
3. Build Quality
4. Touch Screen Technology (Capacitive Multi-touch is a MUST HAVE)
5. Display Technology (Resolution, size, IPS, LCD, etc.)
6. Additional Features (GPS, USB ports, HDMI out, replaceable battery, G-Sensor)

DISCLAIMER
I plan on replacing the firmware on any of the devices I buy, that is one of the reasons why I don't talk about what Android version these devices ship with. The Nook Color is the only device I have concerns about as far as what comes on the device...

That is the list, it isn't exhaustive I am sure, but I want to elaborate a bit on each point: