Smartbook launches Surfer Tablet slate

Posted on 4 Aug 2010 at 12:09

German mobile computing specialist Smartbook AG has thrown its iPad rival into the ring: the €179 Surfer Tablet.

Unveiled over on German tech site nDevil, the slate-style device has some impressive specifications considering the low price point Smartbook has chosen to launch with.

More compact than the iPad with a lower-resolution 7in 800x480 touch-screen display, the Surfer Tablet is clearly not going to be competing directly with Apple's latest gadget at the high-end - but for those who find the iPad a little expensive, the Surfer Tablet offers an alternative at a more wallet-friendly price point.

For your money, Smartbook gives you a device with 2GB internal storage - expandable to 34GB total using miniSD cards - 802.11b/g Wi-Fi networking, two USB ports, a GPS module, and - most interestingly - an HDMI port which the company claims allows 1080p video output to an HDTV or external monitor.

In keeping with the theme for iPad rivals, Smartbook has chosen to equip the Surfer Tablet with Google's Android mobile platform - although it appears that it ships with the slightly out-dated Android 2.1, rather than the more recent Android 2.2 which offers significantly improved performance.

The Smartbook Surfer Tablet is available from today starting at €179 (around £149), but so far Smartbook has not announced plans to offer the device outside its native Germany.

Author: Gareth Halfacree

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