Linx 7 review

The Linx 7 uses a quad-core Intel Atom Z3735G processor from the “Bay Trail” family. This chip runs at 1.33GHz with the ability to burst up to 1.83GHz. This is paired with only 1GB of RAM; right at the bottom of Windows 8.1’s system requirements. Performance in our Windows benchmarks was respectable, however, especially considering the tablet’s price. An overall score of 19 is higher than we see from some with super-cheap laptops, and equal to the more expensive Toshiba Encore 2 WT-10A.

Although you shouldn’t expect to use the Linx 7 for processor-intensive applications, it works fine for browsing the web and editing documents. A score of 489.3ms in our SunSpider JavaScript browser benchmark is about what we expect from Windows 8.1-based tablets, and better than most Android tablets.

Gaming performance was also good for the price. Scores of 6,198 and 7,621 in the 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme and Ice Storm Unlimited tests are surprisingly good. The only problem is the limited selection of games available on the Windows Store, as you won’t be able to play most games designed for laptops or desktops on a touchscreen.

The Linx 7 is equipped with 2-megapixel cameras on the front and back. The rear camera produced some of the worst-quality images we’ve encountered, with large amounts of chroma noise in the shadow tones. The images also lacked detail, with some darker elements just appearing as solid colour, which was a real problem as the Linx 7 underexposed many of our test shots. There was also a distinct lack of sharpness. Don’t expect to be using the Linx 7 for any photography unless you have very low expectations. The front-facing similarly produced a lot of noise but will at least do a serviceable job for video chat.

The Linx 7 is an incredibly cheap Windows 8.1 tablet and its build quality was a genuinely pleasant surprise. Although it certainly has its shortcomings, such as its below-average display, its performance is definitely respectable. If you only have a limited budget and are looking for a Windows 8.1 tablet, the Linx 7 is great value, especially when you factor in the year’s subscription to Office 365 Personal that you can also use on a PC or Mac. It’s hardly an object of desire, but is certainly a sensible budget purchase.