WinBook Tablets

This is now discounted to a hair under $100: http://www.microcenter.com/product/437499/TW801_Tablet_-_Black

I've loaded Logos on a class 10 64 GB micro SD in this machine.  I first re-formatted the micro SD to NTFS, then installed Logos there directly from Logos servers (yeah, took forever for download to complete).  It's now indexing.  So far, it seems to be working just great...I'll post more as I use it.

If this solution works well, I think (a) I don't need an Android or iOS tablet, I've got a mobile version of full Logos, with my entire library; (b) with the USB 3.0 port and mini-HDMI port, it's a full desktop replacement (assuming performance with Logos is acceptable).  It even comes with a year of Microsoft Office (which alone is worth the price of the Tablet, meaning it essentially costs nothing).  At $100.00  At $100!

Of course, the proof of the pudding...I'll let you know how it works.

Mark Groen said:

I'd like a review of how Logos works on this after you have used it awhile please.  I just wish there was one available with 1080p resolution available.

I'll let you know.  I'm not too sure that 1080p at 8" screen size would make that noticeable of a difference.  However, I just ordered a micro-HDMI adapter that should arrive Saturday.  Once I have it on my big screen, the lower resolution might be more apparent.  The screen isn't like an Apple "Retina" display--but it seems adequate.  I'll see if long-term eyestrain is a factor.

What I can tell you so far: installation takes forever.  I didn't try copying from another machine; I did a raw install from Logos servers.  It literally took two days to download my books (about 3400 resources) over a cable modem.  It's been indexing for a few hours, and it's up to 15%.  At this rate, indexing might be done by tonight.  Once that's done, I'll do a full shut down, and time how long it takes to boot up, load Logos, navigate, etc.  I doubt if the performance will be as nice as my i5 Surface Pro with 4 GB RAM running off a SSD; but it might be acceptable for reading in Church, on the plane, in the Coffee shop, etc.

One thing to note: it does not have a digitizer; I can either use a mouse, my finger, or a little stylus I got for my old iPad that has a rubber eraser-like tip (not a digitizer).  For a small screen, using a finger makes navigation challenging; and for a true tablet experience, I don't think using a mouse is the optimal solution.  The "eraser tip" stylus works nicely, however.

Bill Anderson said:

[quote]

One thing to note: it does not have a digitizer; I can either use a mouse, my finger, or a little stylus I got for my old iPad that has a rubber eraser-like tip (not a digitizer).  For a small screen, using a finger makes navigation challenging; and for a true tablet experience, I don't think using a mouse is the optimal solution.  The "eraser tip" stylus works nicely, however.

This is why a digitizer on these small tablets is needed. When I owned the Asus, the only way to use the highlighting tool was by the pen or a mouse. I couldn't do highlighting with touch.

As I mentioned, the "eraser tip" type stylus (which does not require a digitizer) seems to do the trick.  YMMV.

Ok, I've been playing around with my new Tablet and here are some impressions and benchmarks.

(1) If you choose to install Logos, do NOT have the Tablet download your resources or index them.  Copy them from another installation.  I used Method 2 under https://wiki.logos.com/Quick_Installation_onto_multiple_computers and it worked well.  I didn't have a USB cable, so I just took the Micro-SD chip from my Tablet, inserted it into my Surface Pro, and copied over the necessary files.  It took awhile (about 40 minutes), but it worked.

(2) Follow the instructions carefully.  I don't know if it makes a difference, but I was told to format my Micro SD drive to NTFS, so I did, before I started.

(3) When you get to step 5 of Method 2, be prepared to wait.  It took several hours.

Now it's up and running.  Here are some benchmarks on the tablet:

-From cold boot up to desktop, it takes about 25 seconds...maybe about 10 seconds more for my background programs (virus scanner, etc) to fully boot up.

-To open Logos from Desktop, it takes about 1 minute 20 seconds.  I would suggest that if you're taking this to Church for your main Bible, open it up before you leave home.

-From Logos Desktop to a typical layout that I use for reading/light study (LEB Bible, note file, highlighter, maps, MacArthur Notes, BHS & NA 28 Ed) it takes about 35 seconds.  Again, you probably want to open this before you leave home.

-Keying in a passage and jumping to it: less than 5 seconds.  Not snappy, but not too sluggish.

-Searching all Bible text: less then 3 seconds.  (Used "serpent" in "Gospels"

READING:

Screen is fairly clear.  No retina, but adequate.  I didn't notice a visible flicker.

NAVIGATION:

-Scrolling through text is adequate with finger or "eraser-type" styles (no active digitizer).  I downloaded TouchMousePointer and that does the job nicely.  Of course, you could use a Bluetooth mouse, but if you're using it as a Tablet, why?

DESKTOP REPLACEMENT:

I didn't use it much like this, but for a short time I hooked it up to my USB hub and giant flatscreen.  Pretty cool, especially for a $100 Computer.  Used it with Screen, Mouse, Keyboard, etc--couldn't tell it's "just a Tablet".

Did I mention it comes with 1 year of Office?  Works nicely, though I really only use Word and Excel most of the time.

OVERALL:

It does the job.  I'll take it Church on Sunday and see how it works in a "live" environment.  I also haven't tested battery life too much.  But I really can't see how you can go wrong with this Tablet.  Dirt cheap, adequate.  Can't speak for durability yet, but even if it just lasts a year or so, it's worth the MS-Office alone.  I see no compelling reason to have an iPad or Android now.