The NextBook line of tablets have been a staple in this column since their introduction. They have constantly upgraded from one version of Android to the next, incorporating features better than the last.
Now, in 2014, they have released what may very well be nicknamed “The Surface” ™ killer. The NextBook 10.1” windows tablet, could be poised to very well climb to the top, and with record speed at that.
Lets set aside the price that is lower than any mainstream market tablet. It is under $200. You will be hard pressed to find another Windows 8.1 tablet with the same features. Speaking of being feature rich, lets see what you get;
10.1 inch High-resolution 1280 x 800 IPS Screen Intel® ATOM™ Quad-Core Processor Z3735G (2M Cache, up to 1.83 GHz) 1GB DDR3L; 32GB onboard storage WIFI 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth 4.0 Back Camera 2.0 M Micro HDMI Pogo Keyboard Front facing 0.3 camera Micro-SD card slot for expansion to 64GB Built-in microphone 6000MAH Internal rechargeable battery Windows 8.1 Office 365 Personal 1-yr subscription included
A lot of the aforementioned features may be redundant from tablet to tablet, but it was the last feature that got me. This includes a full (free for 1 year, $6.99/month after) version of Office 365, which includes Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook, One Note, Publisher and Access. This is the full version, not the limited features version of the R/T that Microsoft offers. If you want to get the same software in a Surface, you will spend over (at time of writing) $1000.00.
So putting aside the software part of this, it was tested like any other tablet;
WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity Ease of use Portability Battery timing Communication
From unboxing to having it on the network took less than 5 minutes. Then with a Microsoft account, I activated my 1 year of free MS Office 365. I was ready to go. An additional minute was spent pairing my favorite bluetooth speaker and headset.
The tablet, first of all acts as tablet alone. However connect it to the keyboard and it becomes a fully featured device that is ultra-portable. While connected to the keyboard, it also acts as a cover when folded down. .
As far as ease of use, unless this is your first Windows rodeo, it will have a familiar tone to the desktops, laptops and other tablets you may be already using. It takes full advantage of the touch-enabled functions of Windows 8. It comes with a manual that for all intensive purposes is very well written, but really not needed.
You can’t get more portable than this. Take it, fold it, or take it without the keyboard. Put it in your pocketbook, briefcase or just next to you in your car. It is that small, that light and that easy to carry.
As for battery life, I never go by what the manufacturer says. All I know is that with constant use, during a normal day, I got home before the battery was depleted. Since then, and on a full charge (4 days) it has sat on but closed. When opened, it still appeared to have a 25% battery charge.
This column has always supported the lesser-known products. Nextbook WAS one of them. Once people see its quality in comparison to the industry giants, it will then be an industry giant, and maybe pushing the others to the “lesser-known” category.
There are many products reviewed here. No one gets less than 3 stars and I am not able to grade more than 5. Not only will I give this 5 stars, but I will morally guarantee your satisfaction, to the extent that if there is an issue, I will personally reach out to the company and try to rectify it for you. That is how much I am putting my faith behind this product.
Learn more at Nextbook USA , where they have links to their exclusive retailer, Walmart.
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