14 DAY TRIAL // Android 5.0 Lollipop has been out and about for some time now, but you won’t find it onboard a great deal of tablets.
For the time being, the Nexus family has been updated to the latest Android build and NVIDIA’s most recent tablet, the Shield, has also been given the same treatment. As for devices launched with this particular build out of the box, we have to mention the Nexus 9 and Nokia N1.
However, even if the models we mentioned above are priced with competitive tags they can’t really be called affordable. But what if you’re a budget conscious consumer who wants a taste of Lollipop on a tablet, too?
Well, the good news is that low-cost tablet maker E-Fun has recently rolled out a handful of tablets (4 to be precise) equipped with Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box.
The new Nextbook Ares family of tablets offers models with displays ranging from 8-inch to 11.6-inches and prices starting from $129 / €107 and going all the way up to $249 / €207.
The tablets should hit retail locations starting May, but until then we’re pretty sure budget Android Lollipop slates aren't going to be such a rare thing anymore. Let’s take a look at each of the models in the Ares lineup.
Nextbook Ares 8
This is the entry model arriving with an 8-inch IPS display, at 1280 x 800 pixels plus a MediaTek MT8127 quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 processor fitted with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.
Other specs include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microSD card, mini HDMI port. The tablet will be sold for an attractive $129 / €107.
Nextbook Ares 8L
This version is identical to the Ares 8, except that it supports 4G LTE. Therefore, it sells for slightly more, $199 / €165 to be more precise.
Nextbook Ares 10L
This model has a 10.1-inch display with 1280 x 800 resolution and bundles a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor working hand in hand with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage.
The slob also has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, two cameras (2MP on the back and in front), a microSD card slot, mini HDMI and 4G LTE support.
E-Fun also throws in a magnetic, detachable keyboard within the price-range.
Nextbook Ares 11
Last but not least comes the Ares 11 2-in-1 that offers an 11.6-inch IPS display with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution and an Intel Atom Z3735F Bay Trail processor.
It also has 1GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, microSD card slot, mini HDMI, full-sized USB port on the keyboard, two cameras (both of the 2MP variety), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 4G.
Like the Ares 10L, it arrives with a detachable magnetic keyboard by its side. The Ares 11 is the most expensive in the lineup, costing $249 / €207.
