Android 4.0 Tablet (7" Capacitive, Wi-Fi, 1GHz) = €92

R P McMurphy · 28-03-2012 11:56am

yabadabado wrote: »

eamonnq wrote: »

Which tablet are you trying to buy ? The Elf or the Aurora (or the Paladin ?).

I would advise NOT to buy the Paladin, if you can stretch to an ELF and if you can get an Aurora buy that!!

Do you have an account set up with aliexpress ?

I was looking at buying an Aurora or the Onda VI40 Elite.Yeah I have an account set up.
Is it hard to set up the tablet if I buy from one of these chinese sellers?It won't come with the market installed .

Are the Aurora for sale atm? Was getting fed up waiting and was looking at the onda

yabadabado · 28-03-2012 12:47pm

R P McMurphy wrote: »

Are the Aurora for sale atm? Was getting fed up waiting and was looking at the onda

I ordered the Onda today.Went with it mostly for the bigger screen,Aurora and the VI40 seem to be very similar.
Will let ye know how I get on when it arrives.

Mr E · 29-03-2012 10:17am

I ordered an Elf from McBub.com last week, which shipped by EMS last Thursday. I have tracking info up to last Saturday where it left a sorting centre in Guangzhou, but no updates since then. Seems like it has dropped off the face of the earth ... I've emailed McBub and they say that they will look into it.

Has my package been hijacked somewhere along the way?

Do-more · 29-03-2012 10:23am

Mr E wrote: »

I ordered an Elf from McBub.com last week, which shipped by EMS last Thursday. I have tracking info up to last Saturday where it left a sorting centre in Guangzhou, but no updates since then. Seems like it has dropped off the face of the earth ... I've emailed McBub and they say that they will look into it.

Has my package been hijacked somewhere along the way?

It's not unusual for the tracking to be dropped when the package leaves it's original country, don't get excited just yet.

EMS is just parcel post isn't it?

The tracking number will probably appear in the AnPost system about three days after you have got delivery!

Mr E · 29-03-2012 10:26am

Delivery says 5-8 days, so that's a step above the usual parcel post (which can be weeks from China). If that 5-8 days includes weekends, then tomorrow is Day 8.

Thanks for the reply, let's see what happens...

dvpower · 29-03-2012 10:54am

Mr E wrote: »

Delivery says 5-8 days, so that's a step above the usual parcel post (which can be weeks from China). If that 5-8 days includes weekends, then tomorrow is Day 8.

Thanks for the reply, let's see what happens...

I also bought an Elf from DHGate and the ChinaPost tracking says it left Guangzhou (I think) 9 days ago. Still waiting, but I'll leave it a few more days before I get worried.

I'm told that they can be left in an An Post sorting office for a few days waiting for someone to do the VAT calculation.

Edit: ChinaPost tracking now showing this leaving (I hope: "The total export package straight seal sealing") Beijing International 7 days ago

Tweeter · 29-03-2012 11:09am

eamonnq wrote: »

Which tablet are you trying to buy ? The Elf or the Aurora (or the Paladin ?).

I would advise NOT to buy the Paladin, if you can stretch to an ELF and if you can get an Aurora buy that!!

Do you have an account set up with aliexpress ?

Do you mind me asking why you would advise against buying the Paladin?

Mr E · 29-03-2012 11:15am

The Paladin has a MIPS processor - some apps won't work on it.
The more common processor is the ARM processor.

Tweeter · 29-03-2012 11:20am

Mr E wrote: »

The Paladin has a MIPS processor - some apps won't work on it.
The more common processor is the ARM processor.

Thanks for the update, I wasn't aware of that.
Is there a list of apps that won't work or is it pot luck?
I'm looking to get one for my 10 year old daughter who would almost exclusively use it for games and web access. Would the Paladin suffice for this?
All feedback much appreciated

bijou · 29-03-2012 11:29am

Hi all,
Had the Ainol Novo 7 Elf delivered there a couple of weeks ago - got to say very impressed it so far (might even order one for the other half for his birthday

) and no customs charges due to me ordering through Gadgetfreakz in the UK and they set it all up for you in english - would definately recommend them

dvpower · 29-03-2012 11:59am

bijou wrote: »

Hi all,
Had the Ainol Novo 7 Elf delivered there a couple of weeks ago - got to say very impressed it so far (might even order one for the other half for his birthday ) and no customs charges due to me ordering through Gadgetfreakz in the UK and they set it all up for you in english - would definately recommend them

What did you pay for it from the UK?

Mr E · 29-03-2012 12:05pm

Tweeter wrote: »

Thanks for the update, I wasn't aware of that.
Is there a list of apps that won't work or is it pot luck?
I'm looking to get one for my 10 year old daughter who would almost exclusively use it for games and web access. Would the Paladin suffice for this?
All feedback much appreciated

Take a look here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/archive/index.php/t-1385493.html

Note: That thread is about 3 months old, but should still be pretty relevant.

eamonnq · 29-03-2012 12:16pm

Tweeter wrote: »

Do you mind me asking why you would advise against buying the Paladin?

The Paladin uses a MIPS processor, which I believe may have issues running some apps.

A bit about it here: http://tabletrepublic.com/forum/basic-apps-games/list-apps-working-novo-7-basic-262.html

Tweeter · 29-03-2012 1:01pm

Mr E and eamonq,

many thanks for your feedback, looks like I should go for the Elf instead,

regards,
Tweeter

yabadabado · 29-03-2012 1:34pm

bijou wrote: »

Hi all,
Had the Ainol Novo 7 Elf delivered there a couple of weeks ago - got to say very impressed it so far (might even order one for the other half for his birthday ) and no customs charges due to me ordering through Gadgetfreakz in the UK and they set it all up for you in english - would definately recommend them

I was going to buy the Onda VI40 tablet from Gadgetfreakz because it would have been set up for me when it arrived but it was costing €90 more ,I dont think it was worth that much extra.Hopefully its not too hard set up the tablet.

Macy0161 · 29-03-2012 1:39pm

yabadabado wrote: »

arrived but it was costing €90 more ,I dont think it was worth that much extra.

Was part of the extra the delivery charge to Ireland? I was looking at gadgetfreakz too, for the simplicity and knowing the exact cost, but I would be able to get it delivered to a mate in the UK...

yabadabado · 30-03-2012 1:03am

Macy0161 wrote: »

Was part of the extra the delivery charge to Ireland? I was looking at gadgetfreakz too, for the simplicity and knowing the exact cost, but I would be able to get it delivered to a mate in the UK...

Delivery to Ireland is £28 but is free in the UK .even without the postage costs,there is a significant saving to be made buying from Aliexpress.hopefully its not to difficult to set it up.

eamonnq · 30-03-2012 6:22am

yabadabado wrote: »

Delivery to Ireland is £28 but is free in the UK .even without the postage costs,there is a significant saving to be made buying from Aliexpress.hopefully its not to difficult to set it up.

Don't forget to 'allow' for customs charges from Aliexpress, you might get away with them but probably won't.

Also the other thing to bear in mind is that if the unit is faulty, returning it to China is IMO not an option in all honesty, due to costs involved (you generally have to pay carriage both ways), and 'sometimes' the packages do not get received by the person you sent them to (or at least they may claim that), customs in China also play a part!!

Mr E · 30-03-2012 8:44am

Mr E wrote: »

I ordered an Elf from McBub.com last week, which shipped by EMS last Thursday. I have tracking info up to last Saturday where it left a sorting centre in Guangzhou, but no updates since then. Seems like it has dropped off the face of the earth ... I've emailed McBub and they say that they will look into it.

Has my package been hijacked somewhere along the way?

Your item was received by sorting center(IRELAND P'LAOISE SDS) at 2012-03-29 14:57:00

:)

Macy0161 · 30-03-2012 9:01am

yabadabado wrote: »

hopefully its not to difficult to set it up.

The problem might be in the user (i.e. me!)

Macy0161 · 30-03-2012 9:08am

yabadabado wrote: »

hopefully its not to difficult to set it up.

The problem might be in the user (i.e. me)! I guess they're a safer more expensive option. Not quite in the market quite yet anyway, so I'm definitely interested how you get on with the DIY option.

eamonnq · 30-03-2012 9:16am

Macy0161 wrote: »

The problem might be in the user (i.e. me)! I guess they're a safer more expensive option. Not quite in the market quite yet anyway, so I'm definitely interested how you get on with the DIY option.

I got the Aurora, and installing the custom rom and getting it all up and running was not a major problem, but of course as soon as I did it, I decided maybe to try another rom and made it better again, I have it up for sale at the moment but not really sure I want to let it go!!

yabadabado · 30-03-2012 9:21am

eamonnq wrote: »

Don't forget to 'allow' for customs charges from Aliexpress, you might get away with them but probably won't.

Also the other thing to bear in mind is that if the unit is faulty, returning it to China is IMO not an option in all honesty, due to costs involved (you generally have to pay carriage both ways), and 'sometimes' the packages do not get received by the person you sent them to (or at least they may claim that), customs in China also play a part!!

Yeah I have factored in €30 for customs and there was still a huge difference.The £28 postage is what put me off gadgetfreakz.

Hopefully there are no problems with the tablet ,as you have said that's the biggest problem buying direct from china,near impossible to return.

R P McMurphy · 30-03-2012 10:01am

yabadabado wrote: »

Yeah I have factored in €30 for customs and there was still a huge difference.The £28 postage is what put me off gadgetfreakz.

Hopefully there are no problems with the tablet ,as you have said that's the biggest problem buying direct from china,near impossible to return.

€28 postage with gadgetfreakz? I assumed it was free delivery :eek:. That is my decision made then

Mr E · 30-03-2012 1:03pm

Hmm... Just got my Elf delivered by Mr. Postman. No VAT or Duty.

Ordered from www.mcbub.com (use one of the entries with DHL in the description - they include postage in the price automatically), delivered in 8 days.

€125 all in. Happy days.

^whitey^ · 30-03-2012 3:01pm

Can anyone who has been using one for a couple of weeks comment on the Ainol tablets - especially the battery. I'm trying to decide whether to go for one or pay a bit extra and get the reliability of the HTC flyer albeit with the older 3.2 OS.

Amalgam · 31-03-2012 2:31pm

My Aurora 8GB arrived on the 28th of March.

I have nothing good to say about Pandawill. Any future purchase of a similar device will be made locally, or after others have comitted to being guinea pigs, as zero day buyers..

Obvious refurb\return, bounced back out to me. Leaflets all slightly thumbed, along with finger grease on an unprotected screen.

Slight gap to the left, the well known Aurora issue of the port side having a gap, between the screen and the frame. (this is caused by an ill fitting HDMI port, the hole in the case catches the top of the HDMI socket)

I also have a problem area on the screen, a slight, very small, water stain like area. Not quite as bad as say, a clutch of dead pixels, but, if you're in a bit of a grump, fusty, you will notice it, against a white web page, but not watching films etc, thankfully.

Just under €130 all in, at the exchange rates I payed.

---

^whitey^, the HTC Flyer is a beautiful device. You will not feel short changed owning a device like it. If you get a deal with the pen included, all the better.

Battery on the Aurora, with screen at minimum, depletes rapidly. Mine shipped with 4.0 and no Market. I also have hideous trouble getting Google Maps to work or update properly.

If you want a safe and settled experience, get a proper Google certified device. ..or a Playbook.

On a personal level, I find the weight of the Aurora tiring, for one hand use, the gloss also makes it difficult to hold. Very very glossy back. Like a vaseline coated pebble.

Cocoon · 31-03-2012 5:21pm

Amalgam wrote: »

My Aurora 8GB arrived on the 28th of March.

I have nothing good to say about Pandawill. Any future purchase of a similar device will be made locally, or after others have comitted to being guinea pigs, as zero day buyers..

Obvious refurb\return, bounced back out to me. Leaflets all slightly thumbed, along with finger grease on an unprotected screen.

Slight gap to the left, the well known Aurora issue of the port side having a gap, between the screen and the frame. (this is caused by an ill fitting HDMI port, the hole in the case catches the top of the HDMI socket)

I also have a problem area on the screen, a slight, very small, water stain like area. Not quite as bad as say, a clutch of dead pixels, but, if you're in a bit of a grump, fusty, you will notice it, against a white web page, but not watching films etc, thankfully.

Just under €130 all in, at the exchange rates I payed.

---

^whitey^, the HTC Flyer is a beautiful device. You will not feel short changed owning a device like it. If you get a deal with the pen included, all the better.

Battery on the Aurora, with screen at minimum, depletes rapidly. Mine shipped with 4.0 and no Market. I also have hideous trouble getting Google Maps to work or update properly.

If you want a safe and settled experience, get a proper Google certified device. ..or a Playbook.

On a personal level, I find the weight of the Aurora tiring, for one hand use, the gloss also makes it difficult to hold. Very very glossy back. Like a vaseline coated pebble.

Reading this I'm glad that I canceled the order with Pandawill for the Aurora, I was going to buy the HTC Flyer but decided to go with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, I know its not in the same price range but its a nice tab and well built and the battery seems to hold up well.

I'm not reading bargain alerts anymore, start out to spend €130 on a tab and wind up paying 4 times that..

Better not let the wife see it

take everything · 31-03-2012 5:33pm

^whitey^ wrote: »

Can anyone who has been using one for a couple of weeks comment on the Ainol tablets - especially the battery. I'm trying to decide whether to go for one or pay a bit extra and get the reliability of the HTC flyer albeit with the older 3.2 OS.

I like everything about my Ainol Aurora except the battery life (especially when in Standby).
In Standby, mine can drain 40-50% overnight.
I've read other people having this problem on other forums. Some suggest different ROMs to resolve this, but i dunno if it does.
Otherwise, the tablet is great- browsing, music, film, email no problem. Lovely looking and light.
Pity about the battery.

eamonnq · 31-03-2012 6:21pm

take everything wrote: »

I like everything about my Ainol Aurora except the battery life (especially when in Standby).
In Standby, mine can drain 40-50% overnight.
I've read other people having this problem on other forums. Some suggest different ROMs to resolve this, but i dunno if it does.
Otherwise, the tablet is great- browsing, music, film, email no problem. Lovely looking and light.
Pity about the battery.

I was happy enough with my battery life but having said that I have not been monitoring it, am planning to put a new rom on it shortly so must keep an eye on the battery life when I do.

I think it it a great little tablet and am more than happy with it, but of course am still looking for the 'next great tablet' also!!!

k123456 · 01-04-2012 7:54pm

I have the Elf, happy with it, dont touch Pandawill, gangsters

Macy0161 · 01-04-2012 8:20pm

yabadabado wrote: »

eamonnq wrote: »

Don't forget to 'allow' for customs charges from Aliexpress, you might get away with them but probably won't.

Also the other thing to bear in mind is that if the unit is faulty, returning it to China is IMO not an option in all honesty, due to costs involved (you generally have to pay carriage both ways), and 'sometimes' the packages do not get received by the person you sent them to (or at least they may claim that), customs in China also play a part!!

Yeah I have factored in €30 for customs and there was still a huge difference.The £28 postage is what put me off gadgetfreakz.

Hopefully there are no problems with the tablet ,as you have said that's the biggest problem buying direct from china,near impossible to return.

Potential customs charges and the postage do go a fair way of making up the difference quoted earlier - so it's not that bad an option if you can get it delivered in the UK, as that is free delivery.

bijou · 03-04-2012 3:14pm

dvpower wrote: »

What did you pay for it from the UK?

Hi
I paid STG119 + delivery. Was going to have it sent to family in the UK as it's free next day delivery but I was too impatient

either way no customs charges

and don't forget they set it all up for you and QC it before sending it out. Also remember if you have any issues with the unit you return it to the UK not China which IMHO would be a nightmare. Check out their website.

eamonnq · 03-04-2012 3:59pm

bijou wrote: »

Hi
I paid STG119 + delivery. Was going to have it sent to family in the UK as it's free next day delivery but I was too impatient either way no customs charges and don't forget they set it all up for you and QC it before sending it out. Also remember if you have any issues with the unit you return it to the UK not China which IMHO would be a nightmare. Check out their website.

Was that for an ELF or an Aurora ? I am working it out around 175euro all in ?

yabadabado · 03-04-2012 4:22pm

eamonnq wrote: »

Was that for an ELF or an Aurora ? I am working it out around 175euro all in ?

bijou wrote: »

Hi all,
Had the Ainol Novo 7 Elf delivered there a couple of weeks ago - got to say very impressed it so far (might even order one for the other half for his birthday ) and no customs charges due to me ordering through Gadgetfreakz in the UK and they set it all up for you in english - would definately recommend them

according to this post its the Novo 7.

eamonnq · 03-04-2012 4:59pm

yabadabado wrote: »

according to this post its the Novo 7.

Thanks for that, according to that post it is the ELF.

There are several NOVO7 tablets, (Basic,Advanced, Paladin, Elf and AURORA), and I might have missed one or two!

yabadabado · 03-04-2012 6:38pm

eamonnq wrote: »

Thanks for that, according to that post it is the ELF.

There are several NOVO7 tablets, (Basic,Advanced, Paladin, Elf and AURORA), and I might have missed one or two!

Didnt realise there was that many different types of NOVO7.Is there much difference between them?

eamonnq · 03-04-2012 9:20pm

The Aurora is the current 'cream of the crop', has 1GB RAM and the IPS (1024x600 resolution) screen which makes it much clearer and gives better viewing angles.

bijou · 03-04-2012 11:01pm

eamonnq wrote: »

Thanks for that, according to that post it is the ELF.

There are several NOVO7 tablets, (Basic,Advanced, Paladin, Elf and AURORA), and I might have missed one or two!

If I remember correctly the Basic, Advanced and Paladin have a different processor (MIPS) to the Elf and Aurora (ARM) and the RAM is better on the Elf and Aurora. I heard the manufacturer was having problems with the IPS screen on the Aurora (IPS was manufactured by Hitachi so they were in the process of changing supplier to LG or might have been the other way round - can't remember - which caused delays to those who were waiting on orders).

The one I got was the ELF - and very happy with it I am too

doxy · 03-04-2012 11:14pm

yabadabado wrote: »

Didnt realise there was that many different types of NOVO7.Is there much difference between them?

As far as I can gather, the 'basic' is the budget model that was released last year, I'm not too sure if they're even selling that anymore?

The 'advanced' and 'paladin' are the next step up, though the paladin's processor might cause some compatibility issues with certains apps, so some people are advising against purchasing that.

The Elf and the Aurora are the highest specced Novos, as far as I'm aware the only difference between these 2 is that the Aurora comes with a better screen.

Amalgam · 03-04-2012 11:16pm

eamonnq wrote: »

The Aurora is the current 'cream of the crop', has 1GB RAM and the IPS (1024x600 resolution) screen which makes it much clearer and gives better viewing angles.

Mine has grown on me, despite the saga of ordering. Viewing angles are superb.

I was viewing one or two TED lectures on the tablet last night, tucked up in bed, as you do..

(don't confuse this app with others, this is the Sony backed one, video is superb)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ted.android

Still not convinced of their QC (Quality Control).

My bugs, the screen 'stain' and case gap are well known.

Amalgam · 03-04-2012 11:21pm

doxy wrote: »

As far as I can gather, the 'basic' is the budget model that was released last year, I'm not too sure if they're even selling that anymore?

The 'advanced' and 'paladin' are the next step up, though the paladin's processor might cause some compatibility issues with certains apps, so some people are advising against purchasing that.

The Elf and the Aurora are the highest specced Novos, as far as I'm aware the only difference between these 2 is that the Aurora comes with a better screen.

The Novo basic has a multitouch screen superior to the Paladin, Ainol were being a tad sneaky saying it was a better model, technically, the Basic beats the Paladin.

Same goes for the Advanced II, a step sideways, for Ainol's benefit, rather than a stride forward, for the end user.

The Paladin is close to not being available, production has ceased, or is about to cease, with about 4000 units floating around in retail channels.

The Aurora will be the 'main model' soon.

eamonnq · 04-04-2012 5:58am

Amalgam wrote: »

Same goes for the Advanced II, a step sideways, for Ainol's benefit, rather than a stride forward, for the end user.

I have the Advanced (not the advanced II) here as well, and it also has front and back cameras, where the Aurora only has the front camera.

Have upgraded the rom on the Aurora to Android-Kun V1.0 and must say it is absolutely excellent.

jobless · 04-04-2012 9:02am

hey guys,

I still can't get flash to work on any browser..... has anyone got this working?.
If so, could you link me to the rom you are using?

yabadabado · 06-04-2012 5:26pm

Onda VI40 arrived today.Haven't had much time to play around with it yet but it looks the part.The android market was on it when it arrived as well.
Delivered by DHL,it only left Hong Kong Wednesday morning

R P McMurphy · 06-04-2012 6:29pm

yabadabado wrote: »

Onda VI40 arrived today.Haven't had much time to play around with it yet but it looks the part.The android market was on it when it arrived as well.
Delivered by DHL,it only left Hong Kong Wednesday morning

I couldn't wait so got the onda as well. Looks the part but wont install Java and no youtube

a little bit laggy. Is nice looking though

yabadabado · 06-04-2012 8:05pm

R P McMurphy wrote: »

I couldn't wait so got the onda as well. Looks the part but wont install Java and no youtube a little bit laggy. Is nice looking though

Who did you buy it from.Got mine from Aliexpress and it was here within the week.

R P McMurphy · 07-04-2012 8:02pm

yabadabado wrote: »

R P McMurphy wrote: »

I couldn't wait so got the onda as well. Looks the part but wont install Java and no youtube a little bit laggy. Is nice looking though

Who did you buy it from.Got mine from Aliexpress and it was here within the week.

I got mine from aliexpress as well. Bought on Friday evening, shipped Monday and had it on thursday. Went with ups express and impressed with the speed. Although I can't get YouTube app I could get tube mate so just as good. I was hoping to put vuze on it but not happening yet, can't install java.

Mr E · 07-04-2012 8:47pm

I got an Elf a few weeks ago - does anyone know why I can't see some tablet apps in Google Play? For example, I can't see stuff like HD Widgets and Chrome Beta. If I look them up on http://play.google.com, it says that my device isn't compatible (but it's a tablet running ICS so it should be).

kearneybobs · 07-04-2012 9:48pm

Mr E wrote: »

I got an Elf a few weeks ago - does anyone know why I can't see some tablet apps in Google Play? For example, I can't see stuff like HD Widgets and Chrome Beta. If I look them up on http://play.google.com, it says that my device isn't compatible (but it's a tablet running ICS so it should be).

I think this might be down to the ROM 'prop build'. Basically what identifies the phone model. I thinkon the ROM I'm using on my Aurora the prop bui;d is for a Samsung Galaxy Tab. This might be restricting what apps you can see in the market but I cant tell for sure.

Android 4.0 Tablet (7" Capacitive, Wi-Fi, 1GHz) = €92

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