Review: Dual-booting ViewSonic ViewPad 10 Android tablet

ViewSonic’s ViewPad 10 is a multi-boot tablet, which runs both Google Android and Microsoft Windows operating systems. ViewSonic announced this grand tablet at the World Mobile Congress (WMC) in February 2011. The company is now about to provide Android 2.2 Froyo update for its dual core ViewPad 10 users. Besides Windows 7, the ViewSonic tablet will now feature Android 2.2 Froyo. Until now, the device has been running on Android 1.6. The update to Andorid 2.2, when all recent tablets run on Android 3 Gingerbread, is indeed hopeful for ViewPad 10 users. An update to Gingerbread, an exclusive Android version for tablets may soon be expected, indeed.

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What is it

The ViewSonic ViewPad 10 is a highly capable tablet PC. As its name indicates, ViewPad 10 highlights a 10.1-inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution. The tablet runs on a 66GHz Intel Atom N455. Under the hood, the device sports Wi-Fi 2.1, micro SD card, 2 USB ports, mini VGA port and a 1.3-MP webcam for video conferencing. Above all, ViewSonic ViewPad 10 will be known for its dual boot capacity that makes it run both Windows 7 and Android 2.2 Froyo.

Key features

According to the official Web site of ViewSonic, the following are the key features of its ViewPad 10 tablet PC.

• Full networking capabilities with WiFi and 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth + EDR

• Built-in e-reader and mobile applications for Android operating system, with Adobe Flash support in Microsoft Windows 7

• High-resolution 1024X600 screen with a high-quality capacitive multi-touch panel

• Expandable storage capacity up to 32GB with micro SD card

• Full connectivity with 2 USB ports, mini VGA port & micro SD slot

• Enhanced productivity with the Documents-to-Go app to review and edit office documents anywhere your business takes you

• Enjoy eBooks, videos, photos, games and apps for full entertainment on the go

• Slim, ergonomic and lightweight design, weighing in at under 2lbs. and measuring 0.57 inches thick

What’s innovative

The Android Froyo powered ViewSonic ViewPad 10 will indeed be a great product. The device will provide more and improved options for Google related Internet searches and social networking activities. The device will also feature Adobe Flash Player. But update to Android 2.2 comes in format of a setup file. Users will not be sent with the OS update over-the-air. For installation, a USB flash drive or any other data sources can be used. In fact, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium and Android 2.2 Froyo incorporated ViewPad 10 is a rich tablet in the highly competitive tablet market.

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Price and availability

The Walnut, U.S based technology builder, sells the WMC-debuted tablet PC with a price tag that ranges between $560 and $580.

Accessories

ViewSonic ViewPad 10 comes up packed-in with the essential accessories such as power cord, Quick Start Guide, User Guide, CD System Recovery for Windows Driver and CD System Recovery for Android OS.

The up side

ViewSonic ViewPad 10 with its Intel Pine Trail 1.66GHz processor and a 16GB (or optional 32GB) SSD is a brilliant tablet. The device that weighs in just below 2 lbs features a capacitive multi-touch display, which is nice for better Internet surfing and gaming. From eBook reading to racing games, ViewPad 10’s nice interface will do better jobs. The tablet also sports the special G-Sensor that can auto rotate the screen.

The bottomline

In total, along with its much-touted dual-boot capability, ViewSonic ViewPad 10 has a lot of other splendid features. The smoother performance of its touchscreen may remember us of Apple iPhone 4’s Retina Display. Its celebrated green battery can give lifeline for the device for long hours. At a whole, the Windows 7 and Android 2.2 Froyo combined tablet will be a technology wonder from ViewSonic, famous for making various types of computer monitors.

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ViewPad 10