One Month Later: Using an el cheapo Android Tablet

For Christmas, I got a tablet from my parents as a Christmas present. A month later, I give the tablet somewhat decent reviews. The Medion/Lenovo LifeTab E7312 is actually pretty decent, despite it's shortcomings. I can read the New York Times on it, Amtrak's Arrive magazine, stream Netflix, watch TV via the Time Warner Cable app. All and all, it does the tasks I need it to do. Next thing I need to get a microSD card so I can use it to read ebooks.

Unlike the review at The Digital Reader, I found that I could remove the bloatware (if I wanted to reinstall the tablet from scratch, just about every single tablet has a software restore feature). And unlike Velocity Micro's line of tablets or other no-name brands, this tablet has access to Google's Play Store, which for me is a must-have. A majority of my apps are compatible with the tablet, except for the Foresquare, Amtrak mobile, Instagram and another app I can't think of right now.

I have four significant issues with this tablet, which I hope a software update in the future will fix. First, the tablet does not keep the WiFi on, even when the device is in sleep mode and the functionality is on. Second, the device at times erratically shuts off without warning. I wonder if this is a general issue with Android devices right now. Third, the volume controls are software modified, and while it's a requirement in Europe, it's a subpar feature for the American market. In some cases I need the volume all the way up because my stepdad is watching TV. But the most significant issue I've been having is with the device itself. When rotating the screen, the device often freezes. When loading or changing an app, the device also freezes for a second. And while I might keep my device plugged in often, battery life for the tablet is iffy.

Otherwise, the tablet's specs are pretty good: it has WiFi and Bluetooth, which means I can use bluetooth headphones. With a dual-core processor, 8GB of internal storage (and in addition, room for a microSD card) a high resolution 7'' display, the tablet is pretty nifty. And I don't use the rear camera on a tablet (too bulky!) so I'm not faulting the tablet in that regard.