Post-CES madness, ASUS has launched a brand new budget Android tablet to please the masses. The new MeMO Pad is a 7-inch Jelly Bean tablet that hopes to emulate the Nexus 7’s success for a lower price.
ASUS will be launching its new tablet in ‘emerging markets’ firstly, so we’re unlikely to see it sold in the UK, at least for a while. On the outside the MeMO Pad looks very much like its successful cousin the Nexus 7, but on the inside the hardware is comparatively weaker.
Rather than a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, ASUS has opted for a 1GHz single-core VIA WM8950 chip paired with 1GB of RAM. Two storage variants will be available – 8GB and 16GB – with a micro SD card slot offering expansion by a further 32GB. There’s an entry-level 1-megapixel front facing camera for video calling, but as with the Nexus 7, nothing on the back.
Connectivity includes WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a micro USB socket for charging and syncing. ASUS has confirmed that unlike its more pricey products, there will not be any keyboard accessories launching for the MeMO Pad.
Priced at $149, the MeMO Pad looks set to be a great option for those looking to get a first tablet, with a slick design and the latest Android software. It’s obviously not a touch on the Nexus 7, but if you’re watching the pennies then it could be ideal. Furthermore, it comes in three colour choices to suit everyone – black, white and pink.
ASUS will be launching the MeMO Pad in the US in April, with no word on a UK launch.