14 DAY TRIAL // If you didn't have enough of Bay Trail tablets, yet here’s another one coming out of Asia. ARENA Scientific has recently launched what it calls “the thinnest Windows 8 Tablet PC with Intel Bay Trail T quad-core processor” dubbed the Tab-X 10.1.
The tablet is a mere 9.8 mm / 0.38 inches thick and comes with a keyboard companion that allows the machine to be used as a conventional notebook, as well.
The keyboard accessory can be magnetically attached to the screen, so it can also act as a lid that protects the display from accidentally getting damaged.
The premium ARENA Scientific Tab-X 10.1 is said to be as lightweight as a smartphone, but offers increased productivity features, being powered by Bay Trail platform and offering the services of Windows 8.
Funnily enough ARENA Scientific promises users the choice between Microsoft OS and Android 5.0 and they actually state “the free update” will be coming soon. That's a very odd statement to make, since the next version of Android we're expecting to see its 4.5.
The slate has a 10.1-inch superHD IPS display that offers a pretty boring 1280 x 800 resolution. Power comes from a Bay Trail T quad-core processor Z3770 clocked at 2.4GHz combined with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.
Apart from that, there’s pretty much everything to you would want to see in a tablet, starting with mini HDMI, one USB 3.0, one USB 2.0, microSD card reader or microUSB DC-in (5V/2A). However, there's no Miracast or mention of LTE.
A drawing point for those planning to take their tablets out of the house when they travel is the hefty 2 cell 8000 mAh battery, which will last as much as 7 hours on a single charge.
The tablet costs $439 / €316 and is available for international shipping, but that’s definitely a lot to ask, considering the slate doesn't come with a capable screen and for the same amount of money you could definitely get something better even from Chinese vendors.
On the plus side of things, the machine is powered by a quad-core Bay Trail processor and has a hefty battery. On top of that, most tablet manufacturers will award maximum of 32GB of internal memory, leaving customers upgrade via microSD card if they want more, but ARENA Scientific offers 64GB right off the bat.
Furthermore, the magnetic lid/keyboard is included in the price (there’s no mention if there’s an extra battery embedded) unlike with the Nokia Lumia 2520 dedicated keyboard which sells separately. So taking into consideration all the above, the pricing might be justified to a degree.