Vizio Tablet
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The Vizio Tablet gets big points for being something different, and for adding functionality—a universal remote—that’s legitimately unique in the tablet space. But the tablet simply doesn’t perform well enough to measure up to its tablet competitors.”
“I'll cut right to the chase -- this thing is less than $300. If you are expecting something on the level of the Xoom or the Tab 10.1, you'll be disappointed. On the other hand, tablets in this price range aren't exactly spectacular, and the Vizio stands head and shoulders above most. Go into the purchase with the right expectations, and I think you'll be pleased. It's very well made, and while the software is a bit odd feeling, on the whole it preforms well. For the kids, or the less technically inclined parents in your life, this would be a great choice, and at the right price.”
“Among Android tablets, Vizio's 8-Inch Tablet is worth a look if you want a slate that can control your home theater. However, the design and performance of this device leave something to be desired. It's a little more money, but we prefer the Acer Iconia Tab A100, which offers better performance, Android Honeycomb, and a back-facing camera in a lighter, more attractive package.”
“Vizio deserves credit for branching out of its comfort zone and delivering an affordable tablet with plenty of unique attributes. Unfortunately, the Vizio Tablet's best features still aren't compelling enough for us to ignore its heft, mediocre speed, and poor viewing angles. As Android 2.3 tablets go, the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab is still the one to beat, though the prices of Android 3.0 tablets are getting lower every week.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Vizio’s take on the Android tablet isn’t fit to go up against the best of the best in its class or price range, but it certaintly holds its own when viewed from the first-time-tablet-buyer’s standpoint. The Vizio Tablet is definitely not the most advanced Android tablet there is in the market. However, while it may feature entry-level specs, it’s also good for entry-level users, who are perhaps unfamiliar with Android and want to learn what it feels like to use the Android software first-hand.
The highlights include an 8-inch 1024×768 pixel resolution multi-touch color display, built-in VGA camera, 1GHz single-core processor, 4GB of onboard storage, HDMI-out, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and microSD card support. It certainly does not have the most impressive list of specs, but its hardware features can at least be put to good use with the help of the pre-installed software. Android 2.3 Gingerbread comes pre-loaded on the Vizio Tablet, and it can be modified to your heart’s desire if you have a little knowledge of rooting.
Because of the fact that it uses a single-core processor and doesn’t have battery hungry features such as 4G LTE network support, it manages to last over 10 hours of use per full charge. That’s definitely going to be enough for an entire day of heavy use, with more juice left than necessary to get to a nearby USB port to recharge. And speaking of the USB port, it can function as a host, enabling users to use peripherals like keyboards or even a USB mouse with the tablet on Android 2.3.
It’s easy to see how this Vizio Tablet might be an attractive choice for those who want a no-frills Android mobile computer. And due to the fact that its retail price is in the neighborhood of $200, it offers a lot of bang for the buck. For someone who needs an Android computer that’s as easy to use as it is affordable, this should deliver.
Need To Know: Vizio Tablet
1. Use of single-core processor makes 10+ hour battery life possible. (The Good)
2. Price is very affordable for the overall feature-set. (The Good)
3. Pre-installed software is outdated and can only be upgraded officially up to Android 3.2 Honeycomb. (The Bad)
4. Most of the Vizio Tablet’s hardware features pale in comparison with the specs on some of its similarly-priced competitors. (The Bad)
What people actually want to know
When was the Vizio Tablet released?
The Vizio Tablet was released on July 22, 2011.
Does the Vizio Tablet have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Vizio Tablet has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Questions & answers
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