Notebook Hunter

For only $499 the 10.1in Medion Lifetab P9514 has a set of specs that would normally cost at least $600. In addition to running Android Honeycomb 3.2, the Lifetab has both 3G functionality and a decent 32GB of flash drive storage. It’s not as flash as some other tablets on the market, but those on a tight budget needing a fully featured tablet are sure to find plenty to like with the Lifetab.

The 10.1in (1,280x800 resolution) capacitive screen has reasonable colour richness and viewing angles, and it runs Android Honeycomb 3.2 just fine. One neat addition is a Micro SD slot, so if the 32GB of flash drive storage seems a bit scant it’s not difficult to expand it. There’s a Micro-USB 2.0 port and a headphone jack as well, and interestingly there’s a HDMI adapter cable for use with the connector at the bottom of the Lifetab. Mini-HDMI would’ve been neater, but for the price it’s an acceptable trade-off.

Hardware features on the Lifetab are well-rounded. There are stereo speakers, an in-built microphone along with front and rear cameras. It does weigh 730 grams, but honestly while that’s perhaps a bit heavy by tablet standards it’s not exactly going to strain your shoulder either. The last things to note are that the Lifetab has Bluetooth 2.1 and 802.11 n Wi-Fi, which nicely round out the 3G mentioned earlier.

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