NATPC M009S 7 inch 2GB Google Android Tablet PC - Cheapest 2.2 Android Tablet works with Flash 10.1 - WiFi , Touchscreen, Epad, Apad, Android Market, Youtube and Facebook App

When I first started to play with this I was going to rush off and give it 5 stars. After now having played with it for a week I can't quite give it 5 but it is still much better than you might expect.

I've played with the iPad and the Galaxy and the Xoom, and I have an Android smartphone (HTC). I wasn't expecting the same performance and you don't get it but it's not bad at all.

The tablet runs a version of the Eken software modified by a guy on the Slatedroid site. This android build is Vestinious 1.3

Out of the box you have book reader (kindle), web, email and games. Angry Birds runs better on this than on my smartphone!

If you want a tablet to basically surf the web, read a book, send the odd message and play the odd game then it does the job. It is good value.

If you can't see various APPS in the marketplace make sure you clear the markey cache. The android forums are useful for this. The only thing I couldn't get to work was iplayer which says the tablet is not compatible.

If I was being critical then there are a handful of things - the screen is not very sharp, probably due to the resistive overlay. The resistive touch screen is OK and scrolls nicely etc although does sometimes misinterpret what you want to do. The screen feels vague and plasticky, almost soft under touch.
The worst thing is probably battery life. Less than 2hours of use (web/games etc) will flatten the battery.

New software builds will help and there are APPS to turn off WiFi when not in use.

I bought the Tabtech for my 68 year old father in law. He has been desperate to get on line and " join the rest of the world" as he puts it. He wanted to get himself a computer but had no idea of where to start,he also lives on a boat so space is a premium. I looked on line and saw the tabtech and thought it would be ideal, so I bought him one for his birthday. So far, and he has only had it 3 days, he is thrilled.He has found it easy to use, great features from the android market, and was up and running within minutes. He can get wireless internet from the pub next door, so bonus. He is like a kid with a new toy, loving trying out different things and seeing what he can do. He is also amazed at what he can find out on the internet. Ok it's not an I Pad but it's great value and easy to use, what more do you want for the money!

Having owned Android phones since they first came out in the UK, I've always been a big fan of Android and it's approach to open source software development.

I'd never really been too fussed about buying a tablet - already owning a smart phone, laptop and desktop computer, I never really felt I'd need one. I've been using iPads at work for a while and a high end Android table - the Asus Eee Pad - they're great fun and work beautifully but are still not something I feel I need.

Despite this I stumbled across this tablet on Amazon - the reviews were generally so good and the price so low that I thought I'd go for it and get one, even just to see how it compares to its expensive rivals and to generally have a play around with it, installing different firmwares. I must say I'm really pleased with it, despite the obvious flaws:

Bad points (let's get these out of the way):

- screen not amazingly responsive
- to initially connect to wifi I have to be quite close to my router (BT Home Hub 2)
- as a result of the screen using the onscreen keyboard is a little long winded
- some apps / games will be too much for the processor to cope with
- battery life not amazing
- I'd only recommend children that are able to play with things carefully are allowed to use it!

Good points

- massive range of apps and games
- expandable storage
- compatible with the Amazon Kindle app (why buy a Kindle when this does the same pretty damn well for less money, AND you can do other stuff with it besides using it as a Kindle)
- whilst not available on the Android Market, Spotify Premium works beautifully on this device - I had to extract the Spotify installer (apk) from my phone and transfer it to the Tabtech - it works brilliantly, sound quality is superb
- good sound quality when plugged into speakers / hifi system
- perfect as a portable video player (runs AVI files with no problem) - great for taking on on holiday etc
- when used in conjunction with the keyboard case (available on Amazon) and a mouse, it's practically a netbook and far far cheaper

I have to say if you are considering one, you really should buy one of the keyboard cases - I wouldn't use mine without it. Mine is now permanently set up with the keyboard case, plugged into the mains with an audio jack going to my AV receiver - I basically use this as my Spotify player for which it shines. It's about 5 metres away from my router now and is permanently connected, syncing my emails in the background.

Finally I'll say, don't expect an iPad, don't expect a fully fledged web experience and don't expect it to replace your home computer. At less than a fifth of the price of an iPad this thing punches well above its weight - just be patient as for that price it's not going to do EVERYTHING perfectly, but what it does do it does with ease.

ENJOY!

(By the way, I'm running the Singularity ROM V4 which works perfectly)