Thanks to Toshiba for letting me test drive this newer device!
I’ve been loving my tablet usage, and according to our survey, over half of you have tablets as well (meaning the other half are still waiting!).
So for you who are on the prowl, here’s my review of the Toshiba Excite (aka AT200).
Specs
10.1″ at 1280×800
1.2GHz dual core, TI-OMAP 4430
1GB RAM
16GB Storage
5MP Camera back / 2MP front
Android 3.2.1
Build / Physical
At 558 grams, and is only 7.7 mm thick, it is teeny tiny for a 10″ model. I do like how it’s exceptionally flat and sits flush against a table top, counter, etc… although, makes it a little harder to pick up (probably why there’s a divided rim). It’s funny that in contrast it comes with the BIGGEST adapter I’ve ever seen on a device.
That thinness comes at a price, I feel, as the device feels a little flimsy. When you pick it up at the corner there feels like a little bit of a ‘flex’ in the backing and edge. And if you EVER SO slightly give it a little flex you can see the screen go a big ‘wobbly’ (like if you’ve ever touched your computer monitor). That spooks me a bit. So, if this were mine I’d be instantly getting a case for it, which takes it back to a ‘regular size’ tablet.
To that end, the build also probably attributes to the fact the touch screen isn’t quite as responsive as I would like it. If you’ve ever put your device down on the couch and tried to press something, because of the give of the soft cushions it’s on it tends to not register a press… same I’ve found with this device. But, like with stylii I’ve tried, it takes some getting used to.
You have for switches your power, volume and a slide switch which can be used for either mute or screen rotation lock (you set this option up in the settings). For connections you have the main charger, microSD, headphone and even a microUSB connection as well (you can charge via this, but it’s pretty slow compared to the main charger).
One weird thing to note was that device has vibration … didn’t think of that as being a feature for tablets, but it’s there!
Also, the speakers are LOUD. I had to turn them to about medium settings to be ‘normal’ (read, not scaring the crap out of me for notifications).
The battery life isn’t exceptional (some of the reports I’ve read puts it at only 6 hours or so). I didn’t time it, but there is a noticeably less amount of juice than compared to my TF101. Remember though, that’s a trade off of being so teeny tiny. Play around with power settings and I’m sure you’ll get a lot more (i.e. if you need more time, you’re probably just watching movies, so turning off wifi and vibration, etc… will buy you more time).
Software / Experience
First off you’ll notice it’s still Honeycomb (3.2.1), and all I have to say about that is WTF. Really. It’s been hard to do any screen shots without ICS (I was sure screen shot was a native feature of HC, guess not).
During the testing I did get one update for the device, but it didn’t really say what it was changing. Unlike other devices you have to go through the Toshiba system to get the update (a separate app).
You do get a couple of great apps, I really like that you get Think Office, and it’s separated as 3 separate apps, makes it a little cleaner, and I like the new look of it. Also included are McAfee and Norton security (which I didn’t really try out, as I’m not a big fan of security apps) and PrinterShare (which worked right out of the box for me, a big plus).
Additionally you get splashtop HD, which is a desktop mirroring program, which for many of the business folk I’ve talked to, this is a big plus, as that’s one of their main uses for their tablet (often their CRM doesn’t have an Android app, so they have to use the device this way to access their database).
Speaking of apps, I did have to sideload Google Play Music, but I imagine that in the ICS update it will be in there.
However, being that it’s still 3.2.1 I find the device a little ‘laggy’. Running apps etc… aren’t a problem, just the user interface. Could be that I’m still having to re-train myself on HC again, but it doesn’t have the same pep that my TF101 has, and it’s .2GHz slower.
Sample Photos
They’re almost too horrid for me to put up here, and in all fairness, I think the camera was defective (I know if it were mine, I’d be taking it back for an exchange).
Also, with 3.2.1 you don’t get ‘touch to focus’, which is odd…
However, do you really use your tablet for photos, or is it just for video conferencing, in which case it more than suitably fits the need.
Overall
It’s a little pricier than your standard tablet today… what you pay for the ‘sleek’ness of the unit. I’m not sure I’d pony up the extra cash for a few mm thinner… especially after feeling how it felt a little flimsier for that thinness.
But for those of you who like to have their devices WOW their friends, this is it. I used it on my ‘stay-cation’ this past weekend and it definitely got a seal of approval from all the people I passed it around to. Some of whom were non Android users, they had no issue being able to load up the browser and use the apps etc…
The biggest thing I’d be waiting on this device is hearing about it’s ICS update. I haven’t heard anything about it, and I’m assuming it’s around the corner. When the Excite was first announced, it was touted as coming with ICS already… so I’m assuming it’s close by.