Introduction

Currently there are an influx of Chinese manufactured dual-boot tablet that seems to be popularized by iPad build quality with Android ease of use plus Windows productivity. And that exactly how to describe this tablet. It have aluminum brush body, 9.7” screen and Retina display, just like iPad Air. It is the same screen ratio like Nexus 9 while also running the most popular Android version, KitKat 4.4.4 and there’s news it will also be updated to Lollipop. Additionally it also run Windows 8.1 (not RT, mind you) with Bing, what this means is that it doesn’t have any bloatware as Win 8.1 with Bing license specify it cannot have manufacture's extra apps/program. The license is all legit and such, no pirated software in this tablet. This also means that it can get free upgrade to Windows 10 when it is released.

Most of my review would be on the Windows side as on Android side there is not much different than any other Android tablet. I have been using the tablet for about a month and feel enough usage to warrant this review. Recently also there’s news that Teclast would be officially sold in Malaysia in end of April 2015, which is a good news as it means better warranty and support for this tablet.
Let’s look at this tablet specification:

Specifications


Package
The tablet was ordered from Aliexpress, roughly the price for 64GB dual-boot is USDS240 that time. I choose delivery by Fedex and it arrive about 5 days later. Total cost is about RM930 at that time.


It was nicely wrapped but after taking out the wrapping one part of the box edge have damage, probably dropped on the side during the long journey.










Inside, the tablet sit nicely without any sign of damage (luckily!).


Accessories





The accessories included is 2.5A charger, Micro USB charging cable, OTG cable, and an adapter for the charger since China is using different head plug for the charger. A note on charging this tablet, maybe due to the massive battery size (8500mAh) you need to use its charger and cable if you want to charge it the fastest time, which still take about 3-4 hours from almost empty. Using the supplied charger and cable it charge rate is around 5000mW while using my LG phone cable with the tablet charger only give about 2000mW. Using my phone charger (1.8A) only give about 1000mW.

Continue on next post...

This post has been edited by xxboxx: Apr 26 2015, 01:10 PM

Hardware & Build Quality




The design and build quality reminds me of iPad Air with its aluminum body and retina display. Only the button position and cameras location is on the opposite compare to iPad Air. I have tried iPad Air cases and it fit nicely on this tablet, although some part of the cases need modification like power button part and bottom USB and HDMI port. The camera holes also on the opposite part so if you need to use the camera then you need to cut out that part. There are no squeak or cringe on the body, glass, or button, which make this tablet feel like a premium product.
An issue with the sim card slot, it is for full size sim card, which I doubt many people are still using such size these days. You might need to use sim card adapter if your card is not full size.


Camera

The back camera is 5 megapixel and front camera is 2 megapixel. Truthfully this tablet camera is nothing but mediocre and that is somehow expected as its main function is not for taking photo or video.

Pictures taken with the tablet:





Display



The display of X98 is 2048 by 1536 pixel, exactly like iPad Air. The display panel is said from LG, which also produced iPad Air panel. The colour are vivid and very pleasing to look at. I feel this is the strongest point of this tablet, the colour and sharpness of the display really makes the tablet feel its worthiness. Watching slides of QHD pictures is really pleasing to the eyes. I’m using 3840x2160 wallpaper to get the maximum display resolution of the wallpaper as if you use wallpaper that is same as the resolution display or smaller, when you rotate the display the wallpaper will look pixelated as the picture don’t have enough pixel to fill the display. This X98 is also equipped with g-sensor so it will rotate the display automatically depending on how you hold it.


Battery Life

The tablet comes with 8500mAh battery. Battery last around 6-7 hours averagely, depends on usage. There’s a bug on battery % left on Windows, which is quite irritating. The bug is called 7% bug, which I shall explain now. The actual battery capacity is around 33k mWh. Sometime Windows reported that the battery capacity is only 14k mWh, when this happen the battery % drop quite fast to 7% (around 2-3 hours from 100%) and it just stuck at 7% even if you use for 4-5 hours. This bug makes it hard to know your battery can last for how many hours before you need to charge it. Luckily there’s an easy fix, boot into Android and then boot back to Windows to fix it. Mine currently stuck at 31k mWh, the % will drop from 100% to 7% in about 5-6 hours then I can still use about 1 hour before the battery runs out. Booting to Android and back to Windows but still it only say the battery is 31k mWh. Over at XDA there’s some people that manage to fix back to 33k mWh by running some command prompt and recharge it back when the battery runs flat, but I haven’t tried it myself. Btw, for battery monitoring, BatteryBar program is very excellence as it is able to show the mWh and hour’s usage as well as estimated time remaining.


Connectivity

The tablet have WiFi, 3G, and Bluetooth for connectivity. So far no issue with all the connection. No problem connecting Bluetooth Keyboard to this tablet. WiFi connection is 802.11 b/g/n and have no issue to connect to any WiFi.


User Interface

Windows 8.1 is really meant for tablet with swipe gesture. My previous experience with Windows 8.1 is only on desktop with 3 monitor setup. It is frustrating to get the Charm bar to appear as if the mouse is moved slightly over the main monitor edge it will go to the right monitor instead of making the Charm bar appear. Same thing with left side on recent metro apps / desktop. With tablet, suddenly Windows 8.1 Charm bar and recent app makes sense, I can easily swipe to make it appear. Metro mode makes it easier to use the tablet but ultimately I still prefer to use desktop mode as more choice of program and more works can be done. There’s too little Metro app to choose which is frustrating especially when compared to Android or iOS choices. I tried Flipboard Metro app but it was laggy and not responsive. In the end I back to use only desktop mode even though there’s many small button that is not easy to press.

Chrome for Windows unfortunately doesn’t scroll smoothly in this tablet, and I have no choice but to use IE instead for internet browsing as the stutter on Chrome is too unbearable. There’s news that Chrome would change it’s input API from Touch Event to Pointer Event, which IE, Firefox and Opera is using which hopefully would give smooth scrolling like IE. But no news when Google would start to implement it so we can only wait.

Continue on next post...

This post has been edited by xxboxx: Apr 26 2015, 12:24 PM

Storage

This tablet comes with 2 model with different storage capacity, 32GB or 64GB, I bought the 64GB and I would not recommend anyone to buy the 32GB model especially the dual boot model as not much storage left after split the storage for Windows and Android. Windows also very fast at filling the empty space even when you didn’t install any program. Of the 64GB storage, Android partition is 20GB, 6GB for Windows recovery partition, and only 33GB for C: drive. Windows cannot access Android partition, vice-versa for Android. Upon first boot the tablet, C: drive only have 26GB of free space. After installing some program that I would use such as Office, K-lite, Chrome, Drive, etc and done all Windows Update, I only left with 18GB of free space. After a month usage, I now only have 14GB free space. My files is only using about 250MB and all my other files is stored on SD-card yet Windows manage to used up 5GB storage for whatever reason there is. So imagine how frustrating it is would be if you buy 32GB model and only have about 16GB free space when first boot the device, and you still need to do Windows update and install program that you need.

When first boot:


After install some programs and update Windows:


Internal memory speed test:


RAM usage with 4 tabs open on IE and 2 Excel file opened:





Productivity

I bought this tablet with intention of using Windows Office for my work and I able to boot to Android for my leisure time. But in the end I have just stick with Windows only as in this mode I able to use for working as well as leisure. For work I’m using Excel heavily, and only Windows Excel able to do many important function that I need whereas such function is nonexistent in Android and iOS Excel. Windows on screen keyboard is also very easy to use and most of the words in this review is typed using the on screen keyboard. For leisure I usually browse website and forum, the size of this tablet and its high resolution makes it an enjoyable experience especially when browsing using IE. I also use this tablet to connect to my TV by HDMI, and then stream video from my desktop pc. 1080p play smoothly and with native hardware support in MPC-HC, the CPU usage is low and the tablet also not too heated up. I also using subtitle when watching video and MPC-HC the best for displaying subtitle as it support more formats, more display option and more font character. I didn’t try 4K video but some people posted online this tablet can playback 4K video smoothly. With Spotify I can use earphone or connect to my home theater for some music listening. I also have purchased an OTG cable with 3 full size USB port which means I’m able to charge it simultaneously while connected to mouse, keyboard and external storage.








Conclusion

This tablet really feels worth the price I paid. Sure, there’s many other Windows only tablet alternative out there which is about the same price or cheaper, but their design is suck with big border on side, bottom and up. Other Windows tablet also have lower resolution which resulted in just mediocre display quality. And most other Windows tablet screen ratio is 16:9 or 16:10, which is not the ideal screen ratio for tablet on my opinion. Nexus 9 now going for 4:3 which is same ratio as this tablet and iPad Mini & Air. Microsoft’s Surface have gone for 3:2, which is almost similar to 4:3.

Drawback on this tablet would be the CPU and lack of RAM. The CPU is not suitable for heavy task like PhotoShop or video editing or graphic intensive game. 2GB RAM similarly only suitable for light usage. 9.7” size also means you have to use both hands when using it, but bigger screen also means easy on the eyes.

Well this is all that I can think of for this review. Hope you find it informative and can help you in making decision about which tablet to buy.


Tablet purchased from this seller:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/9-7-Teclast...1862203196.html

OTG purchased from this seller:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Best-Price-...2234850980.html

This post has been edited by xxboxx: Apr 25 2015, 03:00 PM

Where u stay ? cause i have onda v919 n plan to buy few mord unit ..... But not sure abt quality

btw i bought slim bt keypad which is very usefull for our tablet.. ..

I'm in JB.
I also considering V919 when wanted to purchase X98 Air 3G, especially the faster SSD chip in V919.
But I need the HDMI port as my plan is also to use the tablet for streaming video from my PC.

Recently I also bought Asus modem that have USB port for storage and torrent & http download function. So now I can use my tablet to add video to download by my modem, I don't even need to start my PC anymore.

Yes, I also have a slim BT keyboard. Useful when need to do a lot of typing. But I only bring the keyboard along if I know I have long time to do typing, if just for short typing, like for 5 minutes, using the on screen keyboard is enough.

How is your V919? What is the pros and cons of your tablet?
Do you use more on Android or Windows?

same battery indicator issue (96% full n 7%) ........ and i think battery life is not as good as urs (should be around 4-5 hour, very hard to track when keep swaping os), i try once on standby mode (with wifi connected), it can last around 2 day ++ ....


bought this for win 8 purposes end up i use Android mode much more ofter, also confuse with gesture on win n android (hahhaha)
and lucky i din't go for 32g version, else going to complaint poor storage ......
seriously no complaint for this device interm or performance and prices ....

I almost didn't use Android these days, but I think my tablet can last 2 days in Android standby mode with WiFi. If Windows, don't think can even last 24 hours in sleep mode, the battery drain quite a lot even when sleep. I have to set the tablet to hibernate after sleep for 30 minutes.

What do use the tablet for in Android? Better than using on Windows?

android for leisure, some simple game, mag, news reading ....
for me : this unit like mid to top range Android and entry level of win 8 device but for the prices + retina seriously no complaint ....

Mag, news reading is sure better in Android. Windows Flipboard app run quite lag.
Ya, the strongest point for this tablet is the display, such display only can find at premium tablet like Surface Pro 3.

really appreciate the review. Want to ask what type of case do u use for it?

Thank you.
At first I bought iPad Air case for use while I'm waiting for this tablet case from China.
I bought case with exposed left side so I don't need do any modification for power and volume button. And I cut bottom part for USB and HDMI port. If you need to use camera, then you also need to make a hole on the camera location.

Lenovo MiiX 3-830 @ Lazada MYR470+ beats this.

2 reasons,
1) In terms of build quality and software/driver support + local warranty. See the full driver/bios support here
2) Paying double the price for an unknown "China" brand and double price for almost similar performance.



This post has been edited by ALeUNe: May 1 2015, 07:00 PM

Only Z3735F CPU, smaller screen, XGA resolution only, no HDMI port, 32GB, no dual boot. Build quality both same with aluminium body but X98 have a more compact screen to body ratio and slimmer thickness.

Like I said on the conclusion of the review, there's many more tablet with cheaper price but it's short on here and there. This tablet just tick more check box of my requirement. Faster CPU, 9.7", dual boot, and HDMI port which is the most important for me, MS talking about Continuum with Win 10 but I already been doing something similar with this tablet.

Teclast already officially started in Malaysia and you can buy from them this tablet@RM899. So no issue with warranty. In case you don't know, Teclast is not some unknown company, this is quite establish company in China and have many other products before tablets.

btw lenova warranty claim and customer service is worst than china NONE brand company ....
1. My K900 - fail in four month and go to claim, they ask me to wait for their call. they call me back exactly my phone warranty expired and tell me i can't claim as the phone no longer in warranty.
2. Lenova Laptop (high end), key board flip out in first day and LENOVA ignore it .... is ONE DAY OLD DEVICE.

My Lenovo still goes strong. Using it few hours for net surfing every night before I go to bed.
No problem. Touch wood.

hahah u lucky, that why i avoid lenova ..... but i just purchase Lenova N700 mouse recently (high prices but only single pair device) ...

xxboxx and SonnyCooL .... i hate you two ... i was reviewing and reading up on this two tablets for a few months now.. and i cant decide between them.. and finally decided to try my luck in lowyat and see got ppl use and review any of these.. so happy when i saw xxboxx review and was reading and almost confirm the teclast x98 air 3g 64 gb (coming out in teclast malaysia by August 2015 as mention in thier fb) and sonny have to go compare to onda v919.. now i back to undecided.. lol..

btw.. nice review.. been banging my wall over onda v919 and teclast x98 air 3g and cube i something.. i rule that one out two months back.. and now i thinking if i should lower down my requirements to the 8" type.. to be honest right now heavily thinking of pipo w4s as its damn cheap.. was considering pipo w3 as well but lack dual boot but comes with their own keyboard.. the pipo w3s is smaller and 32 gb only.. definitely a no no for dual boot.. xda has ppl who can "repartition" the space (got ppl doing it for the pipo w4s) but i think i want to avoid it...

so.. my qs... do you think 8" (pipo w4s is 8" only with IPS screen and lower resolution) is good for "work" as i am trying to replace my old netbook for work as it is "dying" right now.. or i should really just stick with 10 inch screen like the two models you guys have? my netbook now is 10 inch and i am ok with it. second qs.. i was more into teclast as it got micro hdmi port (i dont use but no harm having one) and the "screen" is supposingly brighter than onda but lots of online review says the eMMC is lousier than onda (they say teclast have "random" eMMC and depends on your luck) and teclast is "easily" cracked (screen) on pressure... is it true?

just a second thought.. had you two met and compare them? would like to see that happen and then make a general conclusion which is better between the two i still flip flopping and heavily considering the pipo w4s (very cheap) but i really doubt i would be happy with the 8" screen and very poor speaker... hmmm... back to my "hunt" for answers... and i hope you two can help me

i own acer 8" win 7, i found few major issue.
1.Screen too small for windows.
2. Always click wrong on right click option.
3.poor battery life.

btw if telcast have local warranty, go for it .....
telcast have some advantages over onda.
1. HDMI out.
2. Better Battery.

Onda :
online user said better build quality. (this adavatages will be gone, when telcast localized ....

trust me, better get such UHD screen. it's like last time smartphone only 540p, then come out 1080p phone, you just can't take your eyes off the screen. these tablets have such wow factor on their display.

X98 also have XDA thread and steps to repartition it to be Windows / Android only. but only if you decide to use only 1 OS.

yes, may people online have put comparison of both eMMC. frankly speaking when I test the eMMC speed then compare with what other put for Onda, I feel my score damn pathetic. but usage wise I don't feel it is slow, this because I never compare vs Onda side by side, so I don't know how different it is. but I don't have issue with X98 eMMC speed on day to day usage.

build quality for X98 so far no complaint. the battery also last quite long, I never have to worry about using this tablet the whole day, I never use until the battery depleted before my day end. normally I'm using about 5-6 hours of the tablet on Windows, whereas the battery roughly can last till 8 hours.

micro HDMI would be useful if you want to connect to your tv/projector to watch movie, better than getting Chromecast or those China android stick. you can control everything on the tablet screen or you can connect wireless mouse and control from your sofa or bed. the HDMI also would be useful if you decided to make a desktop dock for your tablet, just with a monitor, keyboard and mouse, your table can transform to have productivity same as other desktop.

I'm in JB, so cannot go meet him.

local warranty or not i prefer to have better build quality. sending to claim warranty is always not a good thing hmm... i always worry the 8" screen is not enuf.. but i am using 10" now and i feel its fine... damn.. hand really itchy for the pipo w4s.. the price is half the onda and teclast... time to bang head against wall a few more times hahahahaha...

yes.. hdmi out and better battery.. but onda got better eMMC drive and brighter screen.. teclast have stereo speaker.. but onda less software issue as well.. play store works out of the box.. plus better camera apps stuff.. teclast have better camera but bad camera apps stuff.. argh... why cant they make a "perfect" tablet wuahahahha.. thats why i flip flopping on this two too long that the 8" one looks tempting esp with the pricing.. hmmm...


too bad you are in jb would definitely wanna see more head on comparison.. tech tablet actually have one head to head on comparison on youtube.. that is the one that makes me stop thinking of teclast... coz the screen on max brightness really makes a lot of difference.. and i believe you that UHD screen is "better" but one fella pointed out that having HD and UHD screen on small device (8") doesnt have much difference.. well.. he did say even 10" like yours.. you might not find that much of a difference unless you glue your eye to the screen to see the pixels.. hmmm.. true in the sense you might not feel speed difference but it shows when you play games on it as some youtube videos demonstrated it.. but again i doubt i play game.. hmmmmmmm... and the battery is definitely better... but you pointed out the issue on "not accurate" reporting of how much battery is left.. plus the play store is an issue.. i do plan to use the android side so.. hmmm.. i think my brain will fry real soon if i kept thinking again... argh... as i say.. why cant they make the "perfect" tablet...

so.. as conclusion.. both of you seems to be saying teclast is "better" right? hahahahhaa... time to do final readings and decide... if i still cant.. i think i might risk for the pipo w4s and try to survive on the 8" screen.. coz the price really cheap and being smaller means its more portable as well... hehe...