Check out our review of the Asus MemoPad HD7 tablet.
Asus has launched the MemoPad HD7, a cheaper, better equipped version of its popular Nexus 7 tablet it produces for Google. Revealed alongside several new tablets at a press conference held just before the start of the Computex trade show in Taiwan, the MemoPad HD7 could cause quite a stir thanks to its very competitive price point.
Before we get to that, here’s what we know about the specification. The HD7 has a 7-inch, 1280 x 800 pixel IPS screen, and the Android operating system is powered by an unspecified quad-core, ARM Cortex A7 processor. So far, not all that different to the Nexus 7, but the HD7 has a 5-megapixel rear camera, plus a 1.2-megapixel video call lens above the screen.
It’s a light machine too, weighing just 302 grams – the Nexus 7 weighs 340 grams – and the body, which comes in black, white, green or a shocking pink, measures 10.8mm thick. Other features include Bluetooth 4.0, a microSD card slot, GPS, and Asus’ SonicMaster stereo speaker system.
A protective screen cover called the TransCover is included in the box, which sounds like its similar to Apple’s iPad Smart Cover, as it lays over the screen, has a microfiber lining, and can fold up to act as a stand. Asus will also sell a case called the Persona Cover, which will be made in black, pink, and green, but hasn’t provided a price for it yet.
Going back to the tablet, there’s a choice of either 16GB or 8GB of internal storage memory, but the 8GB version looks like it’ll be sold in emerging markets, where it’ll cost just $130. The rest of the world will be getting the 16GB model, which has an equally low price tag: $150. So, that’s $50 cheaper than the 16GB Nexus 7, for a slate with a higher specification.
While we know the price, the MemoPad HD7’s U.S. release date still hasn’t been confirmed, so anyone keen to grab one will have to be patient.
Updated on 06/05/2013 at 11:40am by Andy: Asus has confirmed the MemoPad HD7 will be released in the UK, where the 16GB version has been priced at £150. The price, while still good, is considerably more than its U.S. counterpart, as at today’s exchange rate $150 equates to about £100. The HD7 will be released in August.
Article originally published on 6/3/2013.
