Zenithink ZT180 EPad Review

For a good while I had been looking for a mobile/portable device to act as a storage and display mechanism as well as a ‘quick internet access’ method, to use both at home and at work/on the road. For my family also I wanted the device to allow us all to check emails, facebook, news, bank balance, etc. at a moment’s notice there and then. There were several technology choices available:

I am already a happy iPhone customer, but the unit I find is too small to be used for anything other than for viewing information through apps or updating my facebook status (and obviously the usual of sending text messages and making phone calls, but who does that on a phone anymore?!)

I have a decent PC in my office, but this is obviously not mobile.

I did not want to buy a laptop or netbook as this would have opened the door to me doing far more work than I want to when I should be sitting downstairs with my family (and soon to be first born).

I did look at the iPad and Samsung Galaxy, but at over £500 this was an expense I cannot afford (due to the afore mentioned young one on the way!)

So, I was left with finding a cheap tablet type device. I did a fair amount of research before hand, and say a good number of ‘cheap rubbish’ coming out of China in terms of these things, and so I was instantly wary. But then I stumbled on several reviews for the ZT180, the same thing as the ‘cheap rubbish’ but with some decent specs and recommendations. This option was made all the more attractive with a £145.00 price tag.

Initial Look & Feel

The design is a big take (rip off) of the iPad. A single ‘home’ button on one end, black boarder surrounding the screen, rounded corners and back edge. It is a good weight at 682g which gives a solid feel without being too notebook-style heavy. The screen is 10.2 inches, larger than the iPad. The silver back however is plastic and feels a little cheaply put together, but that is only a minor fault [pointing back to the price].

Ports & Connectivity

The ePad has a small on/off switch on the ‘top’ which feels again cheap and you feel you might push it inside if pressed too hard. On the opposite edge are 2 speakers which do produce decent sound quality for the size and cost of the pad. Connections listed above are all standard and expected on such an item. Just 1 USB port is disappointing, as is the lack of any visual uplink. Micro SD slit is a an advantage as the unit only has 2GB of built in Solid State memory, and the pad also has the mini USB to RJ45 port and adapter. Built in wireless cover the g band, no n but that is as expected. No 3G connectivity.

Read the full review (with images) on my website www.reedsoft.co.uk