Top 12 Best Budget 10-inch Tablets

Samuel J Tan Personal Technology, Tablets, Technology 1

Big need not be expensive, some of the big tablets featured here are even cheaper than it’s 7-inch or 8-inch equivalent in specs. About a year ago, we looked at the Top 5 Budget 10-inch Tablets (2014). Since then, more affordable 10-inrch tablets have joint the scene.

While some of the offerings here may not be from big names like Samsung and Asus, they do offer great specs at even better prices. Let’s take a spec by spec comparison between 12 of the most affordable tablets in the market right now.

Table of Contents

Affordable 10-inch Tablets

We have made it easier for you by grouping the tablets in our line-up to the following categories, Group A to C with A being the most affordable.

Group A

1. Zoostorm PlayTab PC 10-inch Tablet

2. Hannspree HANNSpad 10.1″ HD Tablet PC – Black

3. ARCHOS 97 Cobalt 9.7″ Tablet – 8 GB

4. ARCHOS 101b Platinum 10.1″ Tablet – 8GB White

Group B

5. Lenovo A10-70 tablet 10-inch

6. Linx 10.1-inch Tablet – WINDOWS 8.1 TABLET

7. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch – 18 HOURS BATTERY LIFE

Group C

8. Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1-inch – THINNEST

9. Lenovo A10-70 10.1-inch Tablet with 3G – 3G ENABLED

10. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+ – 2GB MEMORY & HIGHER RES. DISPLAY

11. Asus Transformer Pad TF103C 10.1-inch – LIGHTEST & DETACHABLE KEYBOARD

Mid Range

12. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1-inch Tablet – 1.5GB MEMORY

The Comparisons

Let’s look at the differences between the tablets one specification at a time. Starting with the Display, will compare the Processor, Memory, Storage, Cameras, Battery Life and Connectivity for each of the 12 tablets listed above.

Display

1. Zoostorm PlayTab PC 10-inch Tablet: 10.1-inch Capacitive Multi-Touch Screen 1280 x 800

2. Hannspree HANNSpad 10.1″ HD Tablet: 10.1-inch IPS Touch Screen 1280 x 800

3. ARCHOS 97 Cobalt 9.7″ Tablet: 9.7-inch Multi-point Touch Screen 1024 x 768

4. ARCHOS 101b Platinum 10.1″ Tablet: 10.1-inch IPS Touch Screen 1080 x 800

5. Lenovo A10-70 Tablet 10-inch: 10.1-inch IPS Touch Screen 1280 x 800

6. Linx 10.1-inch Tablet: 10.1-inch IPS Touch Screen 1280 x 800

7. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch: 10.1-inch IPS Touch Screen 1280 x 800

8. Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1-inch: 10.1-inch IPS Touch Screen 1280 x 800

9. Lenovo A10-70 10.1-inch Tablet with 3G: 10.1-inch IPS Touch Screen 1280 x 800

10. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+: 10.1-inch Full HD 1920 x 1200 IPS Touch Screen – HIGHEST RESOLUTION

11. Asus Transformer Pad TF103C 10.1-inch: 10.1-inch IPS Touch Screen 1280 x 800

12. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1-inch Tablet: 10.1-inch WXGA TFT Touch Screen 1280 x 800

CPU

Most tablets run on the low cost, low powered ARM Cortex A9 and MediaTek processors. These quad-core processors are capable of anything you throw at them.

The only tablets running Intel processors are the Linx Windows 8.1 Tablet and the new Asus Transformer Pad TF103C, both running on a version of the Intel Atom BayTrail quad-core processor.

While this is fine for Microsoft OS, some apps for Android may not work on tablets running on an Intel chip compared to the standard ARM chip. While waiting for Developers to catch up with the support for Intel’s Chip, Asus has included a handful of apps with the tablet. If that doesn’t do it, the keyboard with the Transformer Pad makes is worth while.

1. Zoostorm PlayTab PC 10-inch Tablet: Rockchip RK3066 Cortex A9 Dual Core 1.5GHz

2. Hannspree HANNSpad 10.1″ HD Tablet: ARM Cortex A9 Quad-Core 1.3 GHz

3. ARCHOS 97 Cobalt 9.7″ Tablet: ARM Cortex A9 1.6GHz

4. ARCHOS 101b Platinum 10.1″ Tablet: ARM Cortex A7 Quad-Core 1GHz

5. Lenovo A10-70 Tablet 10-inch: MediaTek MTK 8121 Processor Quad-Core 1.3GHz

6. Linx 10.1-inch Tablet: Intel Atom Z3735G BayTrail-T Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz

7. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch: MediaTek MTK 8125 Processor Quad-Core 1.2GHz

8. Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1-inch: MediaTek MTK 8125 Processor Quad-Core 1.2 GHz

9. Lenovo A10-70 10.1-inch Tablet with 3G: MediaTek 8382 Processor Quad-Core 1.3 GHz

10. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+: Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Quad-Core 1.6GHz

11. Asus Transformer Pad TF103C 10.1-inch: Intel Atom Z3745 BayTrail Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz (Turbo Boost to 1.86GHz)

12. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1-inch Tablet: Quad-Core 1.2GHz

Memory and Storage

It’s standard to see at least 1GB of memory and 16GB of storage on entry level and affordable tablets. Again, the exception to the rule is the Linx tablet running Windows 8.1 that would benefit from more memory and storage, hence 2GB RAM and 32GB Flash Storage.Android tablets will run fine with 1GB RAM and 16GB storage with the option of expanding the storage using the MicroSD slot.The mid range Samsung Galaxy have slightly more memory at 1.5GB to support multi-tasking on the device, known as Multi Window.

1. Zoostorm PlayTab PC 10-inch Tablet: 1GB RAM and 16GB Flash Storage

2. Hannspree HANNSpad 10.1″ HD Tablet: 1GB RAM and 16GB Flash Storage

3. ARCHOS 97 Cobalt 9.7″ Tablet: 1GB RAM and 8GB Flash Storage

4. ARCHOS 101b Platinum 10.1″ Tablet: 1GB RAM and 8GB Flash Storage

5. Lenovo A10-70 Tablet 10-inch: 1GB RAM and 16GB Flash Storage

6. Linx 10.1-inch Tablet: 2GB RAM and 32GB Flash Storage – WINDOWS TABLET MEMORY & STORAGE LEVELS

7. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch: 1GB RAM and 16GB Flash Memory

8. Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1-inch: 1GB RAM and 16GB Flash Memory (32GB option available)

9. Lenovo A10-70 10.1-inch Tablet with 3G: 1GB RAM and 16GB Flash Memory

10. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+: 1GB RAM and 16GB Flash Memory

11. Asus Transformer Pad TF103C 10.1-inch: 1 GB RAM and 16GB Flash Memory

12. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1-inch Tablet: 1.5GB and 16GB Flash Memory – 1.5X MEMORY

Operating System

It’s worth checking with the manufacturer for available updates. Most tablets are released with Android Jelly Bean but an upgrade to Android KitKat may be available for download depending on the make and model.

1. Zoostorm PlayTab PC 10-inch Tablet: Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean

2. Hannspree HANNSpad 10.1″ HD Tablet: Android 4.4 KitKat

3. ARCHOS 97 Cobalt 9.7″ Tablet: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

4. ARCHOS 101b Platinum 10.1″ Tablet: Android 4.4 KitKat

5. Lenovo A10-70 Tablet 10-inch: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

6. Linx 10.1-inch Tablet: Windows 8.1 OS with Office 365 subscription included – WINDOWS 8.1

7. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

8. Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1-inch: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean

9. Lenovo A10-70 10.1-inch Tablet with 3G: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

10. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean

11. Asus Transformer Pad TF103C 10.1-inch: Android 4.4 KitKat

12. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1-inch Tablet : Android 4.4 KitKat

NOTE: Some manufacturers provide update to the latest Android OS, please check support section or forum for the make and model you are interested in.

Dimensions and Weight

The lightest tablet title belongs to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, while the heaviest if you have to know is the Linx Windows tablet. While this may not be a fair comparison given that it is of a different operating system, the next heaviest tablet is the Archos 97 Cobalt. Most tablets weighs around 550 to 600 grams. The title for the thinnest tablets goes to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 again, followed closely by Lenovo IdeaTab S6000

1. Zoostorm PlayTab PC 10-inch Tablet: 29.6 x 19.8 x 7.2 cm, 599 grams – THINNEST

2. Hannspree HANNSpad 10.1″ HD Tablet: 26.3 x 17.9 x 0.98 cm, 620 grams

3. ARCHOS 97 Cobalt 9.7″ Tablet: 190 x 243.2 x 10.5 mm (H x W x D) 690 grams

4. ARCHOS 101b Platinum 10.1″ Tablet: 243 x 173 x 10.5 mm (H x W x D) 565 grams

5. Lenovo A10-70 Tablet 10-inch: 176.5 x 264.1 x 8.95 mm (H x W x D) 560 grams

6. Linx 10.1-inch Tablet: 172mm x 258mm x 11mm, 739 grams – HEAVIEST

7. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch: 261 mm x 180 mm x (3.0-8.1) mm 605 grams

8. Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1-inch: 18 x 26 x 0.8 cm 558 grams – THINNEST

9. Lenovo A10-70 10.1-inch Tablet with 3G: 176.5 x 264.1 x 8.95 mm (H x W x D) 560 grams

10. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+: (261 x 180 x (3.0-8.1) millimeters, 615 grams

11. Asus Transformer Pad TF103C 10.1-inch: 257.40 x 178.40 x 9.90 mm, 550 grams (Tablet Only); 257.4 x 178.4 x 19.8mm, 1100 grams (Tablet and Keyboard)

12. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1-inch Tablet: 243.4 x 176.4 x 7.9 mm, 494 g – LIGHTEST & THINNEST

Camera

For budget tablets, don’t expect too much in the optics department. The quality of the output especially in low light will not be any good. Also, given that you won’t be pulling out the tablet to take photos given it’s size and embarrass your children (or grand children), at least we don’t think you will, is a saving grace. We think as long as it comes with a decent front facing camera for video calls, it would be sufficient. The best Rear Facing camera is on the Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+ with its 8MP camera. While the other Lenovo tablets share the second spot with its 5MP camera.

1. Zoostorm PlayTab PC 10-inch Tablet: 0.3MP Front Camera, 2.0MP Rear Camera

2. Hannspree HANNSpad 10.1″ HD Tablet: 0.3MP Front Camera, 2.0MP Rear Camera

3. ARCHOS 97 Cobalt 9.7″ Tablet: 2MP Front Camera, 2MP Rear Camera

4. ARCHOS 101b Platinum 10.1″ Tablet: VGA Front Camera, 2MP Rear Camera

5. Lenovo A10-70 Tablet 10-inch: 5MP Rear Camera, 2MP Front Camera – BETTER RF CAMERA

6. Linx 10.1-inch Tablet: 2MP Rear Camera, 2MP Front Camera

7. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch: 5MP Rear Camera, 1.6MP Front Camera – BETTER RF CAMERA

8. Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1-inch: 0.3MP Front Camera, 5.0MP Rear Camera.

9. Lenovo A10-70 10.1-inch Tablet with 3G: 5MP Rear Camera, 2MP Front Camera- BETTER RF CAMERA

10. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+: 8MP Rear Camera, 1.6MP Front Camera – HIGHEST RESOLUTION RF CAMERA

11. Asus Transformer Pad TF103C 10.1-inch: 0.3MP Front Camera, 2MP Rear Camera

12. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1-inch Tablet: 1.3MP Front Camera, 3MP Rear Camera

Battery Life

Apart from the only Windows Tablet, Linx and Zoostorm, most tablets offer usable run time between charge of around 8-10 hours with the exception of the Lenovo Yoga. The Lenovo Yogo series with its super high capacity batteries offer up to double the standard tablets at 18 hours.

1. Zoostorm PlayTab PC 10-inch Tablet: 4-5 hours

2. Hannspree HANNSpad 10.1″ HD Tablet: up to 8 hours

3. ARCHOS 97 Cobalt 9.7″ Tablet: TBC

4. ARCHOS 101b Platinum 10.1″ Tablet: TBC

5. Lenovo A10-70 Tablet 10-inch: up to 8 Hours

6. Linx 10.1-inch Tablet: up to 6 hours

7. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch: up to 18 hours – BEST BATTERY LIFE

8. Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1-inch: up to 9 hours

9. Lenovo A10-70 10.1-inch Tablet with 3G: up to 9 hours

10. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+: up to 18 hours – BEST BATTERY LIFE

11. Asus Transformer Pad TF103C 10.1-inch: up to 9.5 hours

12. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1-inch Tablet: up to 10 hours

Connectivity

There is nothing really different between the cameras in the connectivity department. Most devices would come with the standard MicroSD slot for storage expansion (check with manufacturer for the maximum supported MicroSD flash memory card), Wireless, Bluetooth, built-in microphone, combo microphone and stereo headphone socket and Mini HDMI on certain models.

1. Zoostorm PlayTab PC 10-inch Tablet: TBC

2. Hannspree HANNSpad 10.1″ HD Tablet: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 bgn, Micro-SD, Micro USB 2.0, Mini HDMI, Headphone

3. ARCHOS 97 Cobalt 9.7″ Tablet: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 bgn, Micro-SD, Micro USB 2.0, Mini HDMI, Headphone

4. ARCHOS 101b Platinum 10.1″ Tablet: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 bgn, MicroSD, Micro USB 2.0, Mini HDMI, Headphone

5. Lenovo A10-70 Tablet 10-inch: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 bgn, MicroSD, Micro USB 2.0, Headphone, Dolby Audio

6. Linx 10.1-inch Tablet: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 bgn, MicroSD, 1 x USB 3.0, Mini HDMI, Headphone

7. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 bgn, MicroSD, Micro USB 2.0, Headphone, Dolby Audio

8. Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1-inch: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 bgn, MicroSD, Micro USB 2.0, Headphone, Dual speakers

9. Lenovo A10-70 10.1-inch Tablet with 3G: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 bgn, MicroSD, Micro USB 2.0, Headphone, Dolby Audio, 3G Cellular – 3G ENABLED

10. Lenovo Yoga 10.1-inch HD+: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 bgn, MicroSD, Micro USB 2.0, Headphone, Dolby Audio, 3G Option Available

11. Asus Transformer Pad TF103C 10.1-inch: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 abgn, MicroSD, Micro USB 2.0, 1 x USB 2.0 port, Headphone

12. Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1-inch Tablet: Bluetooth, WiFi 802.11 abgn Dual Band, MicroSD, Micro USB 2.0, Headphone

Most tablet while without Mini HDMI supports Miracast for Wireless screen casting to the TV for displaying your content on the big screen. Check the relevant make and model for support.