The question of whether the technology industry has a tablet market or just an iPad market is about to be put to the test with the launch of Huawei’s Mediapad. The 7-inch device is the first to use Honeycomb 3.2, a version of Honeycomb designed specifically for 7-inch screens instead of 10-inch screens. On paper, it outperforms the iPad in almost every way.
However, the outstanding performance does not extend to the dimensions of the tablet, where its thickness is more reminiscent of Apple’s original tablet than its slimmer and sleeker iPad 2. At 10.5mm thick, its flat sides are fatter than those of the new Galaxy Tab 10.1 (which measures just 8.6mm) but it’s thinner than the almost 12mm depth of the original version of the Tab.
In terms of looks, the Mediapad is old school rather than revolutionary, even down to the envelope-style design of the device’s back. The battery promises just six hours of life — a bit less than what you might expect for a device that only has to power a screen size almost a third smaller than that of its larger rivals.
From here on, though, the Mediapad strides ahead of the competition. Its 8GB of internal storage can be extended with up to 32GB on an SD card. Its 5 megapixel rear camera may not outbid the picture-taking abilities of the latest smartphones but it’s certainly good enough for the occasional snaps taken with a tablet. Even the front-facing camera shoots at 1.3 megapixels which, with the device’s convenient size, make it a much better tool for video conferencing than even a similar tablet with a 10-inch screen.
Downloads stream in through a 3G network at up to 14.4Mbps, the 217 pixel per inch IPS capacitive touchscreen is clear and bright, and its Wifi connects to 802.11n specifications. An HDMI outlet makes for easy connections to televisions.
Other than the battery and a slightly clunky design, Huawei’s Mediapad is a winner for most tablet buyers and an easy choice for anyone who wants a device that easier on the hands than a 10-inch screen. But as Apple has shown, the real battle between tablets isn’t on paper; it’s in the stores, and iPad sales are still dominating the opposition.
Whether Huawei can lead the fightback then remains to be seen, but it’s certainly well armed with the Mediapad.
