 "<B>Asus ZenPad 8.0:</B> Mid-range contender")
The Asus ZenPad 8.0 looks like a lower mid-range tablet, with a metallic strip running around the bezel and the speaker grille at the top, next to the front camera.
Switching on, one comes face to face with the familiar Zen UI, and unfortunately, a truckload of bloatware one can't remove. The display, too, isn't the best I've seen - it isn't full high-definition and appears washed out in direct sunlight. Browsing websites, email and social media are quite good, but the volume on the speaker leaves a lot to be desired - till we connect the Audio Cover. There's a marked improvement in acoustics, and the simulated 5.1 experience does make a difference. The cover makes for a great portable speaker as well. Asus also bundles in apps to customise the sound as well as the colour mode of the display.
I tried playing Angry Birds 2 and Real Racing 3 on the tab - and I wasn't impressed. Not only do the games stutter sometimes (despite the 2GB of RAM), the tab also heats up. Funnily enough, the RAM suffices for all other tasks, and multi-tasking is quite smooth otherwise. The five-megapixel (MP) back camera is decent for casual outdoor shots, but the 2MP front camera will disappoint selfie addicts.
The Asus ZenPad 8.0 (Rs 17,999 with the Audio Cover), is a decent enough mid-range tab, provided one doesn't want to play games or click selfies.
Switching on, one comes face to face with the familiar Zen UI, and unfortunately, a truckload of bloatware one can't remove. The display, too, isn't the best I've seen - it isn't full high-definition and appears washed out in direct sunlight. Browsing websites, email and social media are quite good, but the volume on the speaker leaves a lot to be desired - till we connect the Audio Cover. There's a marked improvement in acoustics, and the simulated 5.1 experience does make a difference. The cover makes for a great portable speaker as well. Asus also bundles in apps to customise the sound as well as the colour mode of the display.
I tried playing Angry Birds 2 and Real Racing 3 on the tab - and I wasn't impressed. Not only do the games stutter sometimes (despite the 2GB of RAM), the tab also heats up. Funnily enough, the RAM suffices for all other tasks, and multi-tasking is quite smooth otherwise. The five-megapixel (MP) back camera is decent for casual outdoor shots, but the 2MP front camera will disappoint selfie addicts.
The Asus ZenPad 8.0 (Rs 17,999 with the Audio Cover), is a decent enough mid-range tab, provided one doesn't want to play games or click selfies.
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