ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10, VivoTab Smart Compared
Performance Summary: It shouldn't be a shocker that the ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10 performed best in gaming tasks, given that it's equipped with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 SoC. Conversely, the VivoTab Smart was better at handling JavaScript, as both tablets played to their strengths. Neither one is a powerhouse that dominates in any particular category, as more often than not, we saw each one beaten by similar models in various tests.
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The most impressive thing about the ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10 is that it streets for around $280, yet it offers a 10.1-inch IPS display, Tegra 3 processor, and a thin and light design. It even looks like a premium tablet, plastic back notwithstanding. You don't get to that price point on a 10.1-inch slate without making some sacrifices, and the biggest one is screen resolution, which checks in at just 1280x800. If you want Full HD 1080p visuals, you'll need to utilize the mini-HDMI portIt comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean right out of the box and can be updated to version 4.2, giving you the latest and greatest features Google's open source platform has to offer. That's a plus, however it seems most of what the MeMO has to offer is good and sometimes very good, but not great any single respect. The camera shoots decent photos, sound is sufficient for watching movies and playing games, and there's enough pixel pushing pep to get your game fix. However, it's still essentially a Nexus 7 in a 10.1-inch chassis.
Considering the price, the MeMO Tab Smart 10 is a good buy for a first-time tablet owner, as a gift, or if you just prefer a larger size screen regardless of resolution. But if you're looking for a true premium experience, you'll have to dip a little deeper into your wallet for a Full HD 1080p (or greater) slate.
ASUS MeMO Tab Smart 10
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We found it a little easier to get excited about the ASUS VivoTab Smart. Like the Android-based MeMO, the VivoTab Smart's main selling point is its price, which streets for around $450. In general, that's high for a tablet but cheap for a Windows 8 slate. Microsoft's Surface Pro, for example, costs two times as much.
So, how did ASUS do it? It's all about the hardware. Instead of a Core processor foundation, you'll find Atom hardware (Clover Trail) inside. The Atom chip holds the system back in terms of being an overall powerhouse, but it's able to navigate Windows 8 just fine. Surfing the web, typing up expense reports, watching videos, and even light gaming are all possible on the VivoTab Smart, and quite pleasant when you splurge on the TranSleeve Keyboard Cover accessory.
The elephant in the room is that this is still a Windows 8 system, and for some, that might be a deal killer. On the other hand, early adopters will be treated to a surprisingly capable OS at this juncture. That said, this is precisely the type of device Windows 8 was designed for, and unlike Microsoft's similarly priced Surface RT, this slate allows you to run all your legacy apps.
If you're considering a Surface RT, you should be looking long and hard at the VivoTab Smart.
If you're considering a Surface RT, you should be looking long and hard at the VivoTab Smart.
ASUS VivoTab Smart
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