Watch out, Samsung: there’s a new manufacturer looking to cover all the tablet bases. Toshiba’s Excite line, previously restricted to a single 10-inch model, grows by three today. The company pulled the curtain off three new entries in the line, with screens sized 7.7, 10 and a massive 13.3-inches, all of them running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with NVIDIA Tegra 3 processors. The Excite 10 goes on sale next month, with the Excite 7.7 and Excite 13 following in June.
The Excite 7.7 is pretty much a direct competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, thanks to its identical 7.7-inch 1280×800 AMOLED screen panel. Inside you get a Tegra 3 quad-core processor an a full gigabyte of RAM, plus 5MP rear and 2MP front cameras. The smallest of the tablets fits into a case 7.6mm thick and just 13.5 ounces, with a standard MicroUSB data port and MicroSD card slot. At 16GB the Excite 7.7 comes in at $499.99, then goes up to $579.99 for the 32GB model.
The more pedestrian 10-inch Excite is pretty similar to the current Excite X10, with the addition of Ice Cream Sandwich and the Tegra 3. Specs and capabilities are pretty much identical to the 7.7, with the addition of a full-sized SD card slot and a MicroHDMI port. The 10-inch LCD panel is 1280×800, which has become something of a standard among 10-inch Android tablets. Toshiba claims a battery life of 10 hours on the 1.32-pound tablet, and prices start at $449.99 for the 16GB model, then rise to $529.99 and $649.99 for 32GB and 64GB versions, respectively. If you’re wondering why the smaller tablet is more expensive, it’s because of the pricey screen panel.
Finally the big daddy Excite 13. The 13.3-inch LCD screen bumps up the resolution to 1600×900 (an odd 16:9 aspect ratio for a tablet) in a case that’s 10.1 millimeters thick and 2.2 pounds heavy. In addition to all the specs, ports and features of the Excite 10, it gets four SRS-certified speakers and comes with a free tablet stand. Pricing for the Excite 13 start at a whopping $649.99 for 32GB and goes up to $749.99 for 64GB – and remember that all three tablets are WiFi-only, at least at this point.
As far as software goes, it looks like Toshiba has admirably chosen to stick with stock Ice Cream Sandwich – there’s no major changes to the interface visible in the press shots. There will be some pack-in apps including an e-book reader and media streamer, plus Netflix and Zinio. Of course, if you ever get tired of them, ICS includes an app disable function. So, who wants more AMOLED tablet options, or a ginormous 13-inch monster? Sound off in the comments section.
Finally a tablet in 13 inch! Been saying they should do this for a LONG time! Love the idea.
For those who like “magazine” size, your wishes have just come true. 60% more screen for $50 bucks (32GB Excite vs. 32 GB iPad3) doesn’t sound “whopping” as the author states. Granted, doesn’t have the awesome resolution of the new iPad, but Samsung will probably do just fine with this new option.
13 inch would be better in OLED. This one is probably too heavy and too pricey, but if you can make a 13-inch tablet light enough and cheap enough, why not? Consider this: It’s the size of an open book.
I’ll be down to check the 13′ out… I was never impressed w/ android tablets at all, I found them slow , laggy, & inconvenient…..But then I was at a staples to pick up ink cartridges and I started messing around w/ the transformer prime…. I was hooked right then & I bought it on an impulse! I’ve never regretted it once, and I carry it w/ me almost everywhere. Bring the bigger screens on Toshiba!
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This is awesome, bout time someone brought out a 13 incher.
This is awesome, bout time someone brought out a 13 incher.
Seems like a touch competitor for Samsung tab just been arrived. The Excite 7.7 seems to me a perfect device for someone who looking for an affordable android gadget with maximum features and specs.
I need something for reading PDF’s, magazines, and books. My kids hate reading on the Nook size tablets. I’m holding out for an 8 1/2″ x 11″ e-ink display tablet.
I need something for reading PDF’s, magazines, and books. My kids hate reading on the Nook size tablets. I’m holding out for an 8 1/2″ x 11″ e-ink display tablet.