6 sub Rs 20,000 tablets

Over the last few months, we have tested and reviewed a whole bunch of tablets that have been launched in India. And in this two-part series, we present to you the best of the lot. This week, it's all about the budget slates that can be picked up for under 20,000.

5,000 - 10,000 

Karbonn Smart Tab 8 

Squarish form factor offers more screen space. Handles high-def movies and games. AndroidJelly Bean customized for the better. Good battery life (6 hours of video). Decent screen (but terrible viewing angles). The build quality isn't top-notch . No calling facility or on-the-go internet. No Bluetooth.

Specs: 8-inch touchscreen (1024x768 pixels) | 1.5GHz dual-core CPU | 1GB RAM | 1.5GB internal memory, microSD up to 32GB | 3MP rear cam, VGA front cam | Wi-Fi, microUSB | 4500 mAh battery | Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Verdict: The Karbonn Smart Tab 8 is great if you want something larger than a 7-inch tablet, especially because of the added room that its squarish aspect ratio offers; best for those who want a slate to browse the web and read books.

Price: 7,250 

Lava Etab Xtron 

Sturdy build quality. Screen outclasses other devices in this price band. Handles high-def movies and games. Stutters when multi-tasking between heavy apps. Poor battery life (3 hours of video). Low speaker volume. No calling facility or on-the-go internet. No Bluetooth.

Specs: 7-inch IPS touchscreen (1024x600 pixels) | 1.5GHz dual-core CPU | 1GB RAM | 8GB internal memory, microSD up to 32GB | 2MP front cam | Wi-Fi , microUSB | 3500 mAh battery | Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Verdict: The ETab Xtron promises great value for money. Of all the other slates in its class, this one has the best build quality, is a superb performer, and is equipped with an above-average screen (albeit with poor viewing angles). And when playing movies or videos, you'll have to use headphones for good audio.

Price: 6,500 

10,000 - 15,000 

Spice Stellar Pad 

Handles high-def movies and games. Good screen with decent viewing angles. 16GB internal memory, with microSD card slot. Great battery (8 hours of video). Sub-standard build quality. No calling facility or on-the-go internet. No Bluetooth.

Specs: 10-inch IPS touchscreen (1280x800 pixels) | 1.5GHz dual-core CPU | 1GB RAM | 16GB internal memory, microSD up to 32GB | 3MP rear cam, VGA front cam | Wi-Fi , microUSB | 7600 mAh battery | Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Verdict: The Spice Stellar Pad offers the best value for your money if you want a 10-inch screen. Its large, high-def display makes it ideal for watching videos, though you might see some colour banding. Its weight of 667gms makes it heavy for prolonged use. Also, durability seems suspect because of its flimsy build quality.

Price: 12,999 

Zync Quad 8 

Smooth performance. Sharp display with accurate colours and viewing angles. Good battery life (6 hours of video). Squarish design makes it suitable for reading and browsing. Flimsy build quality does not inspire confidence. No calling facility or on-the-go internet. No Bluetooth 

Specs: 8-inch IPS touchscreen (1024x768 pixels) | 1.5GHz quadcore CPU | 1GB RAM | 16GB internal memory, microSD up to 32GB | 5MP rear cam, 2MP front cam | Wi-Fi , microUSB | 5400 mAh battery | Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Verdict: The Zync Quad 8's stellar processor makes it one of the best budget tablets for gaming. The slate is also good for reading. But be warned that videos will be displayed in letterbox mode (with black bands at the top and bottom).

Price: 12,999 

15,000 - 20,000 

Google Nexus 7 (Wi-Fi ) 

Pure Android; promise of quick updates. Buttery-smooth performance and multi-tasking . Sharp display with accurate colours and viewing angles. Scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass. Decent battery (over 5 hours of video). Only 16GB of built-in memory, of which about 13.5GB is available to the user; no microSD card slot. No calling facility or on-the-go internet.

Specs: 7-inch IPS touchscreen (1280x800 pixels) | 1.2GHz quadcore CPU | 1GB RAM | 16GB internal memory, no microSD slot | 1.2MP front cam | Wi-Fi , Bluetooth, microUSB | 4325 mAh battery | Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Verdict: The pure Google experience, a gorgeous HD screen and a fast processor at a mid-range price make the Nexus 7 an absolute steal. If you like to read, play games or watch videos, this is a fantastictablet. But the lack of 3G functionality limits its on-the-move utility.

Price: 15,999 (The 32GB Nexus 7 costs 18,999).

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 P3100 

3G SIM for on-the-go connectivity. Doubles up as a phone, letting you access Whatsapp on your tablet and even make calls. 16GB onboard storage, with microSD support for 32GB cards. Low-res screen for this price, but displays vivid colours. Poor battery life (4 hours of video). Struggles when multi-tasking between resource-intensive apps.

Specs: 7-inch PLS touchscreen (1024x600 pixels) | 1GHz dual-core CPU | 1GB RAM | 16GB internal memory, microSD up to 32GB | 3MP rear cam, VGA front cam | 3G, Wi-Fi , Bluetooth, microUSB | 4000 mAh battery | Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich, upgradable to Jelly Bean

Verdict: The Galaxy Tab 2 loses out to the Nexus 7 in almost every performance test, but there are two things that work in its favour. First, on-the-go 3G connectivity is a big deal, and it changes how you use a tablet. Second, microSD storage is a big plus point - once you start downloading those magazines and movies from the Play Store, you'll be surprised how fast memory gets filled up. However, be prepared for underwhelming battery life, especially when you start using it with a 3G connection.

Price: 15,999 

(Next week, look out for The Great Tablet Round-up - Part II for devices above 20,000)