Price plays an important factor when it comes to buying the Aakash tablet. The price tag also creates a lot of interest even though the performance may be somewhat, disappointing. It seems the interest for the Aakash tablets will be lost sooner than anticipated because of several reasons and the main reason being the longer waiting period.

Even though users have booked the tablet no one knows for sure when they will get the unit. There are a lot of negative reports about the Ubislate 7 (performance, screen and battery). The improved Aakash versions can be pre-booked online but no word about when it will be delivered. The Govt has issued tenders for more tablets which again have created a lot of confusion and people have started asking questions “are there enough (ready to delivery) tablet available?”.

Anyway I have lost interest in the Aakash tablet for

  1. It’s taking too long, still waiting.
  2. Performance issues.

I think it’s not worth waiting for it, and hence started looking for alternatives to Aakash tablets.

Here are a few tablets that are well priced and in fact having better specifications than the Aakash brand. Have a look and decide for yourself. Before you order any tablet make sure you cross-check the specification and clear all your doubt, thankfully all the tablets listed below are easily available and you can even get support via telephone.

Before we start here are the specifications of Ubislate 7+ the improved version of Aakash tablets.
Processor is 700 MHz with GUI and running Android 2.2, 256 MB RAM, 2GB flash memory, external storage card supported up to 32 GB, 2 USB ports, 7 inch resistive screen with 800 by 480 pixel resolutions.  There are no cameras, battery is 3200 mAh and Wi-Fi & GPRS supported. I am not sure if the improved version comes with built in loudspeaker/mic.

1. Penta Tablets

Penta tablets are in new recently and are making wave on the net. BSNL – Penta has launched the Aakash competitor the BSNL – Penta T-Pad IS701R a 7 inch resistive touchscreen tablet for just Rs. 3,250 with BSNL offer and with BSNL offer it will cost Rs. 3,499.

Aakash 2 for various reason has still not entered the Indian market, in fact the whole process of selecting the manufactures is starting again. The curiosity for the low cost Aakash has given enough reasons for other manufactures to jump into this segment. BSNL is the first to grab this opportunity.
The BSNL – Penta specifications are really good, better than the Aakash 2 version. There are 3 tablets to choose from the low cost at Rs. 3,250, the Penta T-Pad WS704C which is priced at Rs. 10,999 and the Penta T-Pad WS802C that comes for Rs. 13,500.


2. Domo Slate N8

DOMO Slate N8 7inch tablet price in India
DOMO Slate N8 7inch tablet price in India

The Domo N8 is a perfect competitor for the Aakash tablet. This tablet sports a 7 inch resistive touchscreen with 800 by 480 pixel resolution and is powered by an 850 MHz processor. This tablet runs on android 2.2 and also comes with front VGA camera.

Other features are Wi-Fi, USB, External GPS support (you need to invest in USB or Bluetooth GPS unit), 2 GB internal memory, microSD card up to 32 GB supported, built in speakers and microphone and 3G dongles supported. However, this tablet cannot be used as a phone – no phone functionality.

DOMO tablet keyboard
DOMO tablet keyboard

The Domo tablet also comes with mini USB connector keyboard that comes for Rs. 1,490.

Domo Slate N8 price in India Rs. 4,990
Available from Homeshop18.


3. Zync Z-909

Zync Z 909 7inch tablet price in India
Zync Z 909 7inch tablet price in India

This is a 7 inch tablet with multi touch resistive touchscreen running on 2.2 android OS and with a front facing VGA camera. This tablet supports flash player and comes pre-loaded with many other useful apps. Other features are Wi-Fi, 3.5 mm audio jack, USB 2.0, PC driver, 256 MB RAM, 4 GB ROM and microSD support up to 16 GB.

The Zync Z-909 tablet can play multiple music and video formats. This tablet is powered by an 800 MHz processor. But this tablet does not come with 3G so phone functionality is missing.

Zync Z-909 7″ Tablet price in India Rs. 5,110
Available from Homeshop18.
and from Naaptol for Rs. 4990.


4. Viva UT 701

Viva UT 701 tablet PC price in India
Viva UT 701 tablet PC price in India

The Via 701 sports a 7 inch wide touchscreen display of resistive technology. The screen supports 800 by 480 pixel resolutions. This tablet is powered by 800 MHz CPU with 300 MHz DSP and running on Android 2.2 OS. The 701 comes with 256 MB RAM and 4 GB Flash memory. External storage card up to 32 GB is supported.

Other features are Stereo loudspeaker, built in microphone, supports commonly used music and video formats, built in front facing camera, standby time of up to 10 hours from 3000 mAh battery, Wi-Fi, CDMA 3G – this is not GSM 3G (you need to check with your service provider), USB and cable internet options.

Viva UT 701 7 inch tablet price in India Rs. 5,999
Available from Homeshop18.
Viva UT 701C = Rs. 8,999


5. Wespro K714 tablet PC

Wespro K714 tablet pc price in India
Wespro K714 tablet pc price in India

Now for those who are looking for the most up to date android OS based tablet with Wi-Fi and 3G support this is the one. The K714 tablet is powered by a 1 GHz processor (Infotmic) and runs on the android 2.3 OS.

The 7 inch touchscreen is of resistive technology. The battery backup time is about 3 to 4 hours from the 2400 mAh battery pack. This tablet too comes with front facing VGA camera and can play popular music and video formats.

Other features are Wi-Fi, 3G support (need to check this if it’s built in or external), however I doubt if it can support video calls.

Wespro K714 tablet PC price in India Rs. 6,499
Available from Homeshop18.
and Naaptol is selling the Wespro 8 Inch Touch Screen Tablet PC with 3G for Rs. 6,999.
Wespro 8 Inch = Rs. 7,999
Wespro 10 inch = Rs. 8,999


6. DOMO Slate N9

DOMO Slate N9 tablet price in India
DOMO Slate N9 tablet price in India

This is a high end version of DOMO that comes with HDMI port, camera and best for 3G gaming. The Slate N9 is powered by a 1 GHz ARM cortex A8 processor with high end GPU for smoother gaming experience. This tablet runs on the Android 2.3 OS.

Other features are 7 inch resistive multi-touch screen, 800 by 480 resolution supported, 6 hours battery backup fro 3600 mAh Li-Po battery, Wi-Fi, external 3G data card supported, built in GPS (something hard to find in this price range), Built in speakers / mic, HDMI, mini USB, 512 MB RAM, 4 GB internal memory and microSD support up to 32 GB.

Domo Slate N9 price in India Rs. 6,990
Available from Homeshop18.


7. Funtab android tablet

Funtab 7 inch tablet price in India
Funtab 7 inch tablet price in India

The Funtab tablet is powered by a 600 MHz WM8650 processor with 300M DSP video running android 2.2. This tablet comes with 256 MB RAM, 4 GB internal memory and supports microSD up to 32 GB. The touchscreen display is 7 inches (800 x 480 pixels). Other features are Wi-Fi, front VGA camera, mini USB, external CDMA 3G support and built in speakers.

This tablet can play commonly used music and video files and can last for about 10 hours from the 2200 mAh battery. But this tablet is a bit costly.

Funtab 7 inch tablet price in India Rs. 7,800.
Available from Homeshop18.


Xtab A10

low cost Xtab A10 tablet with android 4.0
low cost Xtab A10 tablet with android 4.0

The Xtab A10 claims to be the first tablet in India that comes with android 4.0 OS. The plus point is the ICS (Ice cream sandwich – Android 4.0 OS), 1.5 GHz processor and front camera. The 7 inch touchscreen display is capacitive technology with multi-touch support.

Xtab A10 tablet price in India is Rs. 5,490.
You can buy it online from nxgelectronics.in

Check this link for more high end tablet PC.

By Rajeev Rana

Founder and Chief Editor - gogi.in