Linx 12V64 4GB RAM 12.2" HD Tablet

Tablets are getting bigger. The demand from the public has seen competing brands run to win the rat race in order to be the first company to bring one that's affordable to market. There are now several out there, and more being brought out each month. Over the last few weeks there has been news of a new RCA 12 Inch Tablet / Laptop mix most probably hitting the shelves at some point in the near future. Apparently, it's still in prototype mode. But is that too late? I mean, some brands, such as Linx, already have a 12" model that is now available to buy. No waiting or pre-ordering. Just place your order and receive the Linx 12V64.

And for the price, it is a really impressive two-in-one. For work and play, the 12.2" HD display offers a huge viewing area for a "tablet". And the external keyboard that comes included is a lot thinner than the one that was supplied with previous Linx tablets, like the 1010 and 1020. One thing to keep in mind is the fact that with an increased screen size comes more weight. The 12V64 is heavier, but put up against the average laptop, which weighs a few KG, it's actually quite light.

New model / Alternative now for sale here: Linx 12X64 4GB RAM, Windows OS, Keyboard + 64GB HDD

The quality and sharpness of the HD screen is brilliant. The resolution is a respectable 1920 x 1200. Build quality is also good. It doesn't feel like you're average, cheap flimsy tablet. It's solid, has good weight distribution and feels nice in the hands.

The "12V64" stands for 12 Inch display, 64GB eMMC storage and the 64bit version of Windows 10. There is another model which offers the same 12.2" display, same keyboard etc, but with 32GB  eMMC storage and the 32 bit version of Windows 10. The price difference is not really that big, and the majority of buyers will opt for the better model.

Space is a big issue these days with Gigabytes of films, photo's, Apps and music files being the main things that take up people's space. 32GB does get eaten up pretty fast. Specially when you consider the Operating system also uses some of that space. And Windows 10 is not small in size. So "64" is recommended for most. Also, the added bonus with the 64 is that it comes with 4GB RAM rather than 2GB.

Luckily, the 12V models are able to hold up to 200GB extra space via the MicroSD card slot, so no matter which one you buy there is the option to add much more space. And SD cards are fairly cheap and easy to install, so its nice and easy to do so. In terms of the 32 and 64 bit, it's always better to go with the 64, but if money is an issue the 32 would still be a good choice.

Being Windows based it's always nice when the computer has a full size USB port. Most of the Linx models do, and this one does not disappoint. There's only one though. But it also has a micro USB and Micro HDMI port. So connectivity is great. The X5 Quad Core Processor performs well in most environments, from working related to entertainment, and the overall package of keyboard and tablet is easy to carry around in a satchel, mini case or bag. So it's a good option for those on the go.

Twin cameras and two integrated speakers are also features this model has. The sound from the speakers is decent but a bit tinny, just like on most tablets. The headphone jack quickly takes care of that! The battery life is average from between 5 - 7 hours.

Customer reviews are really good. There are a few video reviews out there also, where users are giving the machine high praise. Price varies quite drastically. I think the cheapest was from Sainsbury's for £199.99. But it can be more pricey online. Depends where you look and what special offers are available.

If you're not too bothered about the increased screen size and want to save some money, the 1020 and 10V models are excellent cheaper alternatives, which are very similar to the 12V. Even Samsung are quickly following suite with the larger screen tablets. The new Samsung Galaxy Book is coming soon and it will be available in both 10" and 12".

A quick update to this post.  "Customer reviews are really good". Well, they were when I wrote this post. Since then, this model has been the brunt of some seriously harsh criticism. The overall tone being that the 12V64 is just not reliable enough. The common areas that seem to give problems the most being the keyboard and the screen.

Don't get me wrong, some buyers are happy and have not reported any, or many serious issues. But because of the price of this unit, is it worth the risk of being one of the people who end up getting a bad machine. I don't think it is.

If you want a Windows 10 machine, at this moment I would most probably go with a Fusion5 (FWIN232 PRO - 128GB) [review] and buy an external keyboard to go with it. There are bundle options to choose from. It's a bit smaller in comparison (10 Inch screen), but reviews are excellent, and its actually cheaper than the 12V64.