Review: Netsurfer Touch

At R1 999, Future Mobile Technology's Netsurfer Touch is the perfect alternative for those who put price first when purchasing a tablet PC.

Besides the price factor, I would say this device was designed with the gamer in mind. Taking a closer look at the Netsurfer Touch, the gadget fits somewhere between a smartphone and conventional tablet like the iPad.

The seven-inch machine is powered by Google's Android 2.2 OS backed by ARM's Cortex 9 dual-core processor. Besides making the device responsive to the slightest of touches, the ARM processor allows for fast downloads and quick Internet surfing.

The device comes preloaded with an array of applications, including the ES File Explorer, which allows users to view files saved on the internal storage or SD card.

I would say the Netsurfer Touch's selling point is the SlideMe application, which allows users to view and download thousands of different apps and games using an interactive menu system. To be specific, it comes with a total 4 813 games preloaded, while there are 1 951 e-books to choose from, among other apps. I'm sure bookworms and game addicts will find this appealing.

The tablet also has an OfficeSuite program that allows users to open Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. However, I could not edit, modify or create documents on the device. To do so, users will need to upgrade to the Office Suite Pro version, which will cost them R90.

The multi-touch-screen tablet also has an embedded 3G modem, 8GB on-board storage, Bluetooth, WiFi, a 1.3MP front-facing camera, and 512MB RAM.

Users can, however, expand the storage capacity of the Netsurfer Touch with SD cards up to 32GB.

There is really nothing to write home about regarding the device's front-facing camera. At 1.3MP and with a 1280 x 1024 pixel resolution, the camera is not that impressive and I doubt many people would use it as their main camera.

What distinguishes the Netsurfer Touch from mainstream tablets is its pre-installed phone application. Although users can make and receive calls, advanced cellphone functions are limited and the phone application is not designed to replace a regular cellphone.

Making a call using the device is quite simple. All a user has to do is dial the required number using the onscreen display and press the green phone icon at the bottom when they are ready to make a call.

Using the Netsurfer Touch as a phone feels rather awkward because of its size, which can, however, be overcome by using the free earphones that come with the device. The device measures 117 x 195 x 13mm.

The device's battery life is quite impressive - it lasts up to six hours with full use. Users also have the ability to manipulate the device's battery consumption. The dimmer they set the LCD and the quicker the device goes into standby mode, the longer the battery will last per charge.

The gallery icon on the settings and applications tab, which allows users to see all supported media files on the device and/or SD card, is quite interesting. This makes it easier for users to browse through all their media on the device.

The Netsurfer Touch also comes with a protective cover. Though the cover is important for ensuring a solid grip and providing some form of padding in the event of the device being dropped, it can be a nuisance to writers like myself.

The Netsurfer Touch's keypad is quite responsive and a pleasure to use, considering the size of the gadget. The virtual keyboard appears automatically when users need to type something, for example when searching the Internet or compiling an e-mail or SMS.

Attempting to use the keypad while the protective cover is on, however, proved difficult, especially when trying to access the bottom-row characters. This only means the impatient folks will end up removing the cover, thereby defeating its whole purpose.

With its fair share of limitations, one has to keep the price factor in mind when considering this device. Thus, for those who want to play around with a tablet without hurting their pockets, this is an option. Besides, Future Mobile Technology has been clever with its distribution - the product can be found at 450 Pep stores countrywide.