As expected, Asus is launching a new low-end Android tablet called the MeMO Pad ME172V. It will be available in select countries (primarily in emerging markets) in the coming weeks. But Asus plans to sell the budget tablet in the US as well, starting in April.
Asus is positioning the ME172V as a low-cost alternative to premium tablets, but one which offers features that may not be available on all budget tablets.
Compared to the $199 Asus Nexus 7 tablet, the ME172V has a slower processor, lower resolution display, and poor viewing angles. But it does support 10-point multitouch, features access to the Google Play Store, and runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
The tablet features a 1 GHz VIA WM8950 processor, Mali 400 graphics, a 7 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel (170ppi) display with a 140 degree viewing angle and 350-nits brightness.
It has 1GB of RAM, 8GB to 16GB of storage, a microSD card slot for extra space, and 802.11b/g/n WiFI.
There’s a microUSB port and headset jack, but you won’t find an HDMI port on this tablet. The only advantage it has over the Nexus 7, really, is the microSD card slot.
The ME172V features a 4270mAh, 16Whr battery which Asus says is good for up to 7 hours of run time.
The tablet measures 7.7″ x 4.7″ x 0.44″ and weighs just over 13 ounces.
Honestly, if you have a choice between a Nexus 7 and an ME172V, you get more than your money’s worth if you spend the extra $50 on the Nexus tablet. But if you live in an area where that’s not an option… or if every dollar counts, the Asus MeMO PadME172V is certainly… an option.
It will be available in white, gray, or pink. The US model will support apps that are only available in this region, including Netflix, HBO Go, and Hulu Plus.
The excitement generated in tablet previews and headlines is diminishing quickly. A race to the bottom. Same rounded corners, sameness processors, etc. When it comes to cheap, nobody will be able to match the Nexus line. Yes you can by junk, but as mentioned, spend $25 or $50 more for a real tablet. Tablets went the way of netbooks now. No profit, no producers. What I’m saying is that cheap prices lost their WOW factor. A glut of sub $150 7-inch junk. The specs are barely worth talking about.
this tablet is worth $100 tops by the time you buy this you might as well grab a nook color, a Kindle Fire or a Nook Tablet all of which have better specs than this piece of crap. If this was something in the same league as the RK3066 I’d understand it at this price but this tablet isn’t even in the ballpark.
Anyone TRULY shopping price will find much better value in some of the offerings from some of the “off brand” manufacturers at this price point.
It seems unlikely that Asus would support it for OS upgrades anyway.
$50 bucks. That’s it… That’s all that stands between that tablet and a Nexus 7. It just doesn’t make sense to me how a mere $50 dollars or even $20 dollars depending on the memory can get you so much more that what that tablet is providing. For the “novice”… really? If you’re making a product for the novice and those specs, and you compare it to the prices and specs of what else is available, then they need to lower the price on tablets like that by a lot. It’s crazy the prices they can slap on some of these low end tablets. These company’s are taking pricing guides from McDonald’s. 20 cents for an extra slice of cheese, in tech that equals to 50 bucks for an extra 16gbs of memory….I’m hatin’ it!
Agreed.
For some people, especially in other countries, $50 is a lot of money. It might be their entire discretionary income for a month, or even for longer.
And in this case, it’s 25% off the price. If someone offered a computer for $2000, then offered a different model for $1500, no one would ask why they would bother to come out with a model that’s only 25% less. It all just depends on what someone can afford.
I understand, I’m just saying when it comes to what they’re offering for that price and how tech has evolved and has become cheaper doesn’t make sense. I wouldn’t pay 200 for the Nexus 7 either but look at the Kindle Fire Second Gen compared to this MeMo, it’s 150 as well and has better specs than that tablet. Just because it’s for people on a budget doesn’t mean it should suck that’s all I’m saying. This is also a post about it coming to America, not a 3rd world country ha.