Acer recently rebooted its tablet range with the introduction of the Iconia B1, a sub-$150 Android slate designed to take on the collective might of the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire. Acer’s tablet plans haven’t come to an end though, and we can expect the launch of an 8-inch and a 10-inch tablet soon, both of which will use quad-core processors.
This isn’t idle Internet chatter, as Acer’s President, Linxian Lang, informed the China Times of the plan. He considers the market ripe for exploitation, figuring that this year 200 million budget tablets will be shipped and after Apple and Samsung have had their share, there are still 120 million opportunities to explore.
To do this, Acer will use the new MediaTek MT6589 quad-core processor as each tablet’s headline feature. The MT6589 is one of the first to use ARM’s Cortex A7 architecture and recently appeared inside the Alcatel One Touch Scribe, which debuted at CES 2013. Acer already uses a dual-core MediaTek processor in the Iconia B1, so this is an extension of an already existing partnership.
So, if Acer has gone for less than $150 for the Iconia B1, how much is it planning to charge for its 8-inch and 10-inch slates? Unwiredview speculates the smaller of the two could be around $200, then add another $50 for the 10-inch model. That’s quite a reduction on the Nexus 10, which costs $400, but Acer’s tablet isn’t likely to benefit from its high resolution screen.
Acer has been vocal about Windows RT’s failings, and making a strong push into Android territory isn’t a surprise. As for when they’ll be revealed to the public isn’t known, but according to Focus Taiwan, it won’t be until after September this year, making any Mobile World Congress unveiling unlikely.
One other Android tablet maker making strides to offer quality Android tablets at competitive prices is Ainol Electronics – which has previously won runner up for “Best Tablet of the Year” at CES 2012 and this month has introduced the Novo Quad Core Series of Android tablets — including the Novo 7 Venus which launched this week – with one U.S. reseller – a site called TabletSprint offering this new model for $149–
The Novo 7 Venus compares to the Nexus 7 tablet but for considerably less — matching key features, including a Quad Core processor, a high resolution multi-touch 1280×800 IPS screen, 16GB memory, a front camera, Android O/S and Google Play Store preinstalled – while also offering a number of features the Nexus 7 doesn’t — including a 2-megapixel rear camera, a MicroSD memory card slot, an HDMI 1080p port to download and watch movies directly from a tablet on a large screen TV and also project & play video games on to a big screen; plus more ways to connect to the internet, including Ethernet as well as 3G/4G Wireless connection through its USB port with a 3G/4G USB adapter.
In February, the Novo 9 Spark is released, which features a Quad Core processor along with a 9.7 inch 2048×1536 (Retina) screen – and a powerful 10,000 mAh battery, 4K Digital HDMI, and a 5 Megapixel Rear Camera with AF and Flash for $269.
It should be interesting to see how the new Novo Quad Core Series fares in 2013 as this company gains more presence in the tablet market. The site TabletSprint also offers $25 in Bonus Apps, along with an option for free monthly nationwide 4G service, which includes a 4G USB adapter and 500MB of data that works with all models they carry.