Toshiba Encore 2 10.1 inch

Specifications

Price comparison

Reviews for the Toshiba Encore 2 10.1 inch

70% Toshiba Encore 2 review
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
In terms of an affordable 10-inch full Windows 8.1 tablet there's plenty of good to be taken away from the Encore 2, making it a genuinely viable purchase. The screen provides good angles of view with limited reflective qualities, while the new slim build is a step forward for the series. Add microSD expansion for easy file transfer between devices, Microsoft Office and - should you want to buy one - an optional keyboard and the Encore 2 would be our preference ahead of a Chromebook. But it's not a leap forward in the way it could have been - and budget Chromebooks are short of the mark, so hardly shining praise.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/22/2014
Rating: Total score: 70%

70% Toshiba Encore 2 review: This Windows 8 tablet goes easy on your wallet
Source: PC World Archive.org version
Full-featured Windows tablets, such as the aforementioned Dell and Lenovo models, can replace a notebook (provided you add peripherals such as a Bluetooth keyboard). I can’t envision Toshiba’s Encore 2 that way—it’s more of a companion device for very light productivity and entertainment.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/13/2014
Rating: Total score: 70%

70% Toshiba Encore 2
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
The Toshiba Encore 2 is an attractive choice if you're looking for an affordable 10-inch Windows tablet. For just $269, you get a slim and well-designed slate that runs Windows 8.1 with just enough horsepower to handle word processing, browsing the Web and streaming music simultaneously. A one-year subscription to Office 365 makes it an even better deal.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/14/2014
Rating: Total score: 70%

Comment

Model:

The Toshiba Encore 2 from the Encore series features an Intel Atom Z3735G, which is a 64-Bit microprocessor designed to run basic functions. It is often used in small budget notebooks and consumes very little power. This particular processor is quad-core and can clock up to 1.83 GHz.

The Encore 2 runs Windows 8.1 and Office 365, which should be more than enough for the average user. It should be noted that Office 365 has a one-year limit. The 10.1 inch device is sturdy and very light at only 0.63 kg (1.2 pounds). The display has a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution and a 149 ppi pixel density. The Encore 2 has wide viewing angles and features vivid colors and crisp details.

The faux-aluminium case looks pleasing and gives it a more expensive look. In addition, the Encore features a 5 megapixels primary camera with autofocus and a 1.2 megapixel front camera. This may not be high quality enough for some avid picture takers.

It has 1 GB of RAM and 32 GB internal memory. The memory can be expanded to up to 128GB. The device can be used to run multiple tasks simultaneously without lagging. However, don't expect it to run too many at once with 1 GB of RAM. It can last up to 7 hours while connected to WiFi, which is decent for a notebook.

Series:

The Toshiba Encore is Toshiba's first 8 inch Windows tablet and it's priced to fit within tight budgets. This device reportedly benefits from Toshiba working with Microsoft to ensure that the tablet is optimized to work with Windows 8.1. It was also designed to be optimal for Skype use with dual-array microphones and noise reduction. One attractive prospect is the free Office Home & Student 2013 that comes pre-installed. All these factors considered, along with the 8 MP camera and a good selection of ports mean that this device is versatile and can be used for a variety of business, productivity and entertainment uses. For those who find the 8 inch screen a bit too small for word processing, the micro HDMI port will allow users to hook this device up to an external monitor.

Powered by Intel's latest quad core Bay Trail Atom processor - on paper- this looks like a potentially great device. With a standard 1280 x 800 IPS multitouch display and 32GB of storage (which can be expanded with a microSD) there's nothing spectacularly different about this device when compared to other similar machines, other than the updated processor, but it is cheaper than most others. Weighing in at 0.48 kg, the 8 incher should work well for one handed use. The design is a low key affair in matte silver. For those in the market for a pocket sized Windows 8.1 device, the Toshiba Encore could be the one to beat.

Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail):

Integrated GPU for tablet and notebook Bay Trail SoCs. Based on the Ivy Bridge GPU with four Execution Units and support for DirectX 11.

Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.

Intel Atom: The Intel Atom series is a 64-Bit (not every model supports 64bit) microprocessor for cheap and small notebooks (so called netbooks), MIDs, or UMPCs. The speciality of the new architecture is the "in order" execution (instead of the usual and faster "out of order" execution). Therefore, the transistor count of the Atom series is much lower and, thus, cheaper to produce. Furthermore, the power consumption is very low. The performance per Megahertz is therfore worse than the old Pentium 3M (1,2 GHz on par with a 1.6 GHz Atom).

Z3735G: SoC with an integrated quad-core Atom processor clocked up to 1.83 GHz, an Intel HD Graphics GPU and a single channel (32 bit) DDR3L-RS-1333 memory controller.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.

10.10":

This is a standard display format for tablet computers or small convertibles. You see more on the screen than on a smartphone but you can't use big resolutions well. On the other hand, mobility is not a problem.

Toshiba: Toshiba Corporation is a Japanese conglomerate or technology group. The company was established in 1939 and in 1978 Toshiba became the official company name. The company's products and services include power, industrial and social infrastructure systems, elevators and escalators, electronic components, semiconductors, hard drives, printers, batteries, lighting, logistics and information technology. Toshiba was one of the largest manufacturers of personal computers, consumer electronics, home appliances and medical equipment.

70%: This rating is poor. More than three quarters of the models are rated better. That is rather not a purchase recommendation. Even if verbal ratings in this area do not sound that bad ("sufficient" or "satisfactory"), they are usually euphemisms that disguise a classification as a below-average laptop.

» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

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