This generation is indeed, ruled by the Apple craze. iPods were a hit since day one. And now, they have come up with a sleek new gadget, the Apple iPad. Thanks to Manny Pacquiao, this Apple gadget became quite popular in our beloved country. If only the Class A know about the release of the iPad, every single Filipino who is a Manny Pacquiao fan knows that this is his favorite toy these days.
Who wouldn’t want an iPad for Christmas anyway? I would. But I can’t buy one because it’s not cheap. It costs around Php23,000 or so. I’m not sure, just estimating. But it says that much on Apple’s website. It would be nice to own one but as a cheapsie, I wouldn’t bother.
That’s when I set my sight on a cheaper alternative, the Android ePad. Looks like an iPad but definitely isn’t an iPad so don’t set your hopes too high. It’s a China made knock-off so like you, I’m quite very wary to give it a try.
I was walking the kiosks of Greenhills one day in November aiming to buy a new cellphone when I saw iPads and ePads sold everywhere. I was curious so I inquired. The cost of these China models? Only Php4,600. Even lower if you know how to haggle. I’m actually looking to buy a netbook because I want internet connectivity while on the go. This gadget did interest me at that point. So I went out and buy.
Actually, I intended to buy this particular gadget over the website too. It’s a china electronics website, around $99 each, free shipping. I was surprised to see the same device in Greenhills sold at almost the same price. If I buy online, I would have to wait 15 days or so for shipping. And there’s the custom fees to worry about too. Buying in Greenhills is indeed the better option. That’s what I did. Bought the ePad right there and then, not knowing if I did the right thing or not.
About the Device
The operating system is Android, the same ones used by the expensive HTC phones. It comes with a WiFi connection, which I immediately tested at SM Megamall. Worked well. I’m pleased. However, the connection to the internet is kind of slow. Well, connections at hotspots are slow anyway so I’m not complaining.
It has no Bluetooth, although you can easily attach an adapter to it. The device has built-in Bluetooth controls so you don’t have to worry about drivers too. I haven’t tried putting one but I’m expecting is a plug and play thing.
The memory is only 256mb. That seems low but when you consider the applications that are made with it, that’s practically enough for a light user like me. I’m not into games or other stuff, I might have to stress that. I bought the device primarily to check emails and do some typing. You can extend the memory capacity by installing a microSD card. The store attendant says I can put up to 4GB.
I’m quite lucky I got applications pre-installed in mine. That’s what you get from buying at Greenhills I guess. Lots of freebies. However, if you would like to put other stuff to your ePad, there are booths everywhere where you can do so. Just look for the sign where it says Downloads.
It has a built-in camera and has a program where you can easily take a snapshot of the screen. Perfect if you want to store anything you found on the internet. Cool, huh? And like an iPod, you can play your favorite songs stored in the microSD card. It has speakers and a media player so you can play whatever you like.
As for connections, I has a USB connection but on an extension. The USB port on the device is not the big standard one so another cord has to be connected to it so you can attach a mouse, a keyboard, Bluetooth adapter, or a USB hub. I haven’t tried other USB devices on this one except for the ones I mentioned. Hopefully, the others will also work.
Lastly, this device supports most Huwaei 3G USB modems. So if you’ve got a SmartBro plug-it, you can use this one. Globe Tattoo and Sun Broadband works as well for as long as your adapter is a Huwaei. This way, you can have internet connection even if you’re not in a hotspot.
The device uses resistive touchscreen and doesn’t come with a stylus. You might have to buy one extra. I would also recommend a screen protector while you’re at it. And a leather case too. There’s one that comes with a keyboard. Buy that one and you’ll have an instant netbook with a touchscreen.
All in all, I love this gadget. It’s portable and convenient. Now I can blog anywhere!
My Cheapsies Rating: 4 Thumbs Up
