ViewSonic N710 Tegra 3 Quad-Core - Review

[andropos]

ViewSonic may not be the first brand you think of when looking for latest Android tablets.

ViewSonic has been in the tablet business from the very beginning with their ViewPad series, but non of their earlier devices made anyone impressed. They have been laying low for quite some time, till now. I have been lucky to get my hands on their latest 7-inch model the ViewSonic N710 (thanks to HOTMID), powered by Tegra 3 and with HD screen resolution.

At the time of writing this device is only available in China. The first week after its release the promotion price for N710 was only 999 RMB (160USD) and regular price at 1199 RMB (192 USD) which is good alternative to Nexus 7 which is not officially available in China and costs about 240USD for imported versions.

Comped to Google Nexus 7, ViewSonic N710 has microSD card slot for memory extension, 2 megapixel front camera and in my opinion better colors and contrast on its HD display, however running 4.0.4 is a real downer on this nice piece of hardware and the lack of Google Play means it will require some hacking.








Hardware

• Processor: NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 T30SL 1.3GHz Quad-Core processor
• RAM: 1GB DDR3L
• Flash Memory: 8GB / 16GB
• Expansion Memory: up to 32GB micro sd card
• Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• Market: Not pre-install google market
• Screen: 7-inch 1280x800 (5-point touch)
• Audio Output: 3.5mm Stereo Interface
• Peripherals Support: Micro-USB, MicroSD card
• Wireless: 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth V4.0
• GPS: GPS, E-compass
• Camera: Front: 2MP
• G-Sensor: Yes
• Battery: 4000mAH Li-ion battery
• Size & weight: 194mm x 122mm x 10.6mm, 338 grams

Display and sound

Performance

Battery life


The device lasted 8hours and 7 min, fro 100% to 4% with 720p MKV video on loop, using MX Player, screen brightness set to 7 (forgot to turn of Bluetooth).

Charging
1.30 - 4%
15.20 - 75%


Video playback




Software

Camera

Pricing and comparison

[andropos]

Tweaks




I managed to root the device, instructions here:
http://tabletrepublic.com/forum/andr...-3-a-3187.html

[wlf]

I cant see the power plug. Is the power charger USB?
The micro USB support the MHL cable? Thanks, regards.

[andropos]

I cant see the power plug. Is the power charger USB?
The micro USB support the MHL cable? Thanks, regards.

Yes, the device is charged via the micro USB port and it comes with a USB charger, i have not tested MHL yet.


UPDATE

Here is the USB charger:




I dont see any MHL settings on the device and when i tested to connect with MHL adapter nothing happened.

[FugitiveFromHeaven]

I see you've already done something extra for your layout for this topic. Does it mean this is a very special tablet? Or is it just a new approach?

[andropos]

I see you've already done something extra for your layout for this topic. Does it mean this is a very special tablet? Or is it just a new approach?

Sorry i didnt get your meaning about the "layout for this topic"??

[Cigolorp]

Andropos - does this tablet have HDMI out? I don't see one in your pics, but I found this tablet on a site called priceangels that claims that it does. I have a hard time trusting some of these sites unless I can see it in some pics or hear first-hand from someone who has the tablet.

[andropos]

Andropos - does this tablet have HDMI out? I don't see one in your pics, but I found this tablet on a site called priceangels that claims that it does. I have a hard time trusting some of these sites unless I can see it in some pics or hear first-hand from someone who has the tablet.

Just like Nexus 7 the ViewSonic N710 does not have HDMI, its common to have wrong specs on sites that dont stock devices they sell.

[nikatnight]

How does this guy stack up against a nexus 7 performance wise? And how easy is it to get google play working on it? I live in china so buying one is easy, but I was just seeing if its worth it or I should go for a nexus 7.

Price for me is 1600rmb for nexus 7 16gb or 999rmb for this one.

[yansta]

How does this guy stack up against a nexus 7 performance wise? And how easy is it to get google play working on it? I live in china so buying one is easy, but I was just seeing if its worth it or I should go for a nexus 7.

Price for me is 1600rmb for nexus 7 16gb or 999rmb for this one.

Do you have a link with this price for viewsonic?