Getac V100 Tablet PC Review
Getac is not a well known name when it comes to laptops and tablets. But in its own niche, it is a formidable player. And that niche market is of rugged go anywhere use under any conditions tablet PCs. Before going any further lets get the specs out of the way.
1.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
1GB DDR2 memory
120GB Hard disk drive
10.4 inch XGA (1024 x 768) TFT touch screen LCD display
Option of either GPS or webcam
Windows XP Tablet edition installed
And all the other usual bells and whistles – wireless, Bluetooth, card reader and so on.
There is nothing attractive about the looks of the V100. It is boxy with magnesium alloy construction and rubber “bumpers” around the edges. It’s twice as thick as a normal 12 inch notebook and at nearly 5 pounds, its not all that light either. And with a price tag of $3550, its certainly not cheap for its specs. But it has one thing going for it, even before you turn it on – it looks tough. It’s the Darth Vader of notebooks – big, bulky and intimidating.
This is a tablet PC that will feel out of place in a home, office or school environment. Its not something you take out into the garden either. Any run of the mill laptop or tablet can be used that way. But if you are going to spend a week in the desert or exploring the rain forest, then this is the tablet you want to have with you.
Performance is not the V100’s strength. The 1.2 GHZ processor may seem slow in comparison to other tablets, but this one has no cooling vents or fans. It uses only passive cooling and the processor is balanced against the heat dispersal. If you want more speed, but a tablet with a fan and vent – just make sure that you don’t use it in the rain, as you can the V100.
The display is a stand out feature of the V100. The screen backlight is rated at 1,200 nits. To give you an idea of what that means – the giant displays you see in Times Square in New York are rated at 1,500 nits. This means you can switch on under a direct mid day dessert sun and see the screen clearly. The downside? Even at the lowest brightness, it can be irritatingly bright.
The keyboard, though small, has full sized keys that offer a good feedback when pressed. The large white lettering on the black keys are designed for easy readability. A waterproof membrane keyboard option is available. The touch screen works well with either a pen or a finger tip.
The bottom line is that you can find tablets with better performance for less money but you will not find one that is as tough and rugged as this. Buying it is a waste if yours is normal laptop or tablet PC use. But if you plan to emulate Indiana Jones, then this is the tablet for you.
Rating:
Values for money – 2/5
Performance – 2/5
Design capabilities – 5/5
Overall – 3/5