OK - some have posted that they wish there was a review of the Airpad XL... so I am accommodating.
I purchase the Airpad XL refurbished - based on the ad that says "Like-New" and the "Only difference is the price!"
Shipping was prompt and even though I did standard shipping - I received mine in 2 days. I must live within a state or two of the warehouse.
When I opened the box - "it did look like new" As a matter of fact - I couldn't tell at all by appearance that they unit was a refurbished one.
The only "technical" issue I had was the "how to" of inserting a micro SD card. The instructions were not clear on how far to press it in. You feel tension and then need to push further until the card is actually about 1mm inside the case before it will click into place and stay in the tablet.
X10 support was VERY GOOD at returning my call the following business day to answer all my questions. They even updated the WIKI page on the micro SD card to be more complete. They also answered my emails within a day or two.
So for service - so far -- I give them another big
The tablet itself has been great - It runs all the apps I have downloaded from Amazon apps without a hitch. And after almost 2 weeks of daily use - battery life seems very good -lasting me all day and evening. So far - there have been no technical issues, once i figured out how to insert an SD card correctly!
Yes it does support external USB devices like keyboard, jump drives, and hard drives.
The downside: You can't download From the Google apps website - which makes finding a few select apps difficult. You can get most directly from the developers website -- Like PlayOn for example.
Technical shortcomings include: No Bluetooth, No bluetooth support, No GPS. Other than that - it's pretty sweet.
So for $200 bucks if you can live without Google Appstore - and Bluetooth, and GPS - you have a pretty sweet tablet!
Post if you agree - disagree!
Before I start, I would like to say I have been having Superb experiences with X-10 and their products since the days of Dial-up! And this is the very first time I have ever had a problem with their product...
I just got mine in Over the Memorial day weekend. It actually arrived in three days (Thursday) but I didn't have a chance to open it till Friday evening. So it took till Tuesday for me to be able to call.
Right out of the box I found I could not hold it cradled in either hand without the touch screen freaking out, not taking input, popping up the keyboard and blasting 'R" and 'Q' across the text input line..
Then I loaded some trusted apps and went looking around. It was supposed to have 8GB Ram. No Sir only 5.12GB of ram. Calibrating the sensors is useless, when it's laying on a solid table, without vibration, those buttons are Jiggling constantly.
So OK, got to send it back. Then the display/home page starts jiggling side to side.. I discover it works just fine laying flat. Great. OK I still love this thing, Friends and Business Friends love the thing. It's way better than their iPads.
On Tuesday I call customer Support and they are willing to issue an RMA. Haven't received the RMA info yet.
Then today, my Keyboard disappears and all the settings for it.
Then I try to hook it up to my computer. No Sir. Doesn't work. That USB port (mini) is dead. 2K, XPro, Vista Ultimate, Win7, Even PR-Win8, no see tablet.
Finally, as I said, the soft keyboard disappeared tonight. Well at least I can get that Macros keyboard up.
So we'll see when I get a new one. BTW, I just went through this with Whirlpool. Under the US lemon laws they are sending a NEW appliance even though I purchased a Factory Refurbished model. Airpad's are Appliances. I just don't want to go through 6 months of crap this time.
I don't believe X-10 will do that. They are a good company.
This Air Pad is great, even with all the things going wrong. I haven't told anyone anything bad about it. It is, in my eyes superior to most out there, for a great price.
It's saving graces are the Battery time is great, that I can plug in a 3 port powered USB hub, have a mouse, External keyboard (Targus iPAQ stowaway, or regular), and a 350GB hard drive attached to it. AND the Display. Crisp and Clear.
Cheers,
BuBu