(Quick Background:)
The main thing that I am losing is the multimedia aspect of a tablet. I had originally purchased a Pandigital Planet with only 256MB of internal RAM and because it was so severely limited in the internal memory aspect I could never take advantage of the Front or Rear Cameras or the Micro HDMI out.
Even after resolving to just use the Planet for email and surfing the web, I still found that it lacked the ability to run apps at speed.
Wanting a cheap Android Android Tablet that actually worked, I returned the Planet and picked-up a Polaroid T7 Internet Tablet from Kohl's.
Polaroid T7 Internet Tablet (PTAB7200) 1st Impressions:
The Polaroid name is apparently licensed, as the tablet is actually supported by Southern Telecom.
The Specs:
- High Res 7" Touch Screen
- Android OS 2.3.1
- 1 GHZ RockChip RK2918/ARM CORTEX-A8 w/Neon 512KB L2 Cache
- RAM: 512MB DDR3
- 4GB Internal Memory (Expandable with Micro SD card)
- 802.11 b/g/n wi-fi network capable
- USB Host feature allows the ability to connect a Flash Drive
- Rechargeable LI-ion battery (lasts 5-6 hours with wi-fi on in normal use)
The T7 Package Includes:
- The PTAB7200 7" Tablet
- Mini USB to USB Cable
- Adapter Cable for USB Memory Stick (Flash Jump Drive)
- AC Power Adapter/Recharger Cable Unit
- PTAB7200 User Manual
This item is advertised right on the box with HD Digital Video 1080P but I cannot see how in the world they could get real 1080P HD Digital Video into that tiny 7" screen when the resolution is reported to be only 800 x 480 pixels. HD aspect ratio, yes, but HD it is not. What the hell has happened to truth in advertising, folks? And no, there is no HDMI output to make this HD capable in any respect. But, I didn't know they were advertising HD 1080P until after I bought it and knew I was getting an 800x480 screen with no HDMI. C'mon Man!
Despite the false advertising, the thing has so far proven to run like a champ. I did have to poke the reset hole with a paper clip after leaving the unit on standby for over a day, once. But it runs surpisingly fast for only a 1 GHZ processor.
I left the protective cling-plastic screen protector on it, the touch screen works well and does a better job than my planet did, but is not near as good as my DroidX. But as this is a cheap tablet, I am quite happy. My son would like a better touch screen to play his games, and therefore still prefers my DroidX for games. But otherwise games run fine. Angry birds and Greedy Spiders all seem to be doing quite well without any problems.
I cannot log into NetFlix, but I couldn't on my Planet and I can't on my DroidX, either. I think my login email address is too long for the mobile platform. Netflix works great on my PC, Laptop, Wii, PS3 & Blu-ray players. Video is clear and crisp, even at 50% brightness, though. The audio could be a bit louder, sometimes (usually when people screw up the audio levels while recording). Video also streams well with a good signal.
I am still looking for my ear buds to try out the headphone jack. The speaker sounds OK, but needs to be all the way up to hear alarms as it is not real loud.
A word on the Wi-Fi: OK. That's all, just OK. Not as good as My PC, Laptop, Wii, DroidX, My son's iPad & PS3, etc... but definitely a little better than that old peice of crap Pandigital Planet, making this new T7 internet tablet usable downstairs (where the Planet wasn't even able to connect).
The printed user manual unfolds like a map and walks you through loading Amazon AppStore which works well. I have apps I have licensed through Google Market that I miss, but I don't want to be running BOTH the Amazon AppStore licensing system and the Google Market licensing system when My apps check to see if they are legal. So right now I am doing without Kuffs Password Safe or Unified Remote, etc., which is a big loss that I do feel daily. So I have to deal with that.
Although 6 sensors are reported, it doesn't seem to support Bubble Level. There is no GPS, and I have set it to use network locals, but Google still can't tell where I am.
No Bluetooth, although I want to try my USB Bluetooth adapter and haven't, just yet.
I haven't found if it can be rooted, yet.
I am especially happy with the battery life. The Planet was done in a couple hours. I don't think I've had to worry for around 5 or 6 hours with the Polaroid T7.
I love that it comes with some extra cables. Not just a USB cable to connect the device to your computer, but also an adapter cable to plug in a USB Flash Jump Drive (Memory Stick). This makes transferring files manually an easier option from friends computers (especially when they don't want to set you up with their Wi-Fi settings and install something on their computer to exchange files with).
Although the buttons are in different placements (back, menu & home buttons), I like the setup very much because it works out as logical when I have to hold the thing upside down in portrait display position because of the omnidirectional wi-fi which has a stronger signal through the bottom end, and it makes sense in any landscape position, as well.
When held, the T7 feels very solid (the Planet squeaked all the time). It doesn't feel cheap. I like it so far. I like it a great deal better than the Planet. But I still hope to one day be able to grab a Toshiba Thrive.
