Scroll Extreme First Impressions

[dickmorrell]

Got my first Scroll Extreme yesterday. For background I've been using Android since pre public release, I'm a Linux developer (I work for Red Hat and have been developing Open Source stuff for 14 years or more). So I'm biased you could say, however I also have iPad's - three of them and a pile of Android tablets 2.0/2.2/2.3/3.0 builds. CyanegonMod is my baby and I've also got an Android Fire sat here brought back from the US the other week running ICS 4.0 now.

So.. I'm not new to this.

My last devices Motorola Xoom and Archos 101T both frustrated me so it was optimism that I ordered the Extreme.

I've been blown away by it's quality but let down slightly by the silly things that let it down slightly.

Whats good which is obvious to the user:

The screen - it's awesome - touch wise it's slightly less usable than iPad2, however the screen is AS good as an iPad2 for resolution and refresh.

The processors are optimised for ICE ergo running fullscreen Netflix or iPlayer doesn't suffer.

Wireless onboard wiring is supremely well thought out, the antenna range beats Acer, Motorola and Archos devices by a mile.

Interface is brilliant, standard ICE with Scroll minimum modifications.

No market - no problem - fix it in seconds simply grab the latest Play .APK dump it on microSD put it in the slot power up and select the APK from File Manager, install, authenticate - done. Oh and make sure its a 32gb microSD card now not in 3 months. As soon as you've loaded Skype, iPlayer, TuneIn Radio and all your apps then move then in App Settings to SD card leaving the device with plenty of residual memory. Thats the most important hint/tip I can give you so in three months you're all still happy bunnies.

iPlayer - after some help here got it playing happily in full screen.

Front facing camera: better quality than iPad2
Rear facing says 2mp but if you go into options allows you to interpolate to 3m and 5m although quality isn't as good as iPad due to lens quality.

Sound: adequate but I use quality headphones which work fine.

Build quality - I've got two of the hundred odd shipped yesterday so thats 1% of UK shipped stock and they're both brilliant quality no screen issues, case is really really well made - weight is slightly less than iPad2 and it fits PERFECTLY into a spare iPad2 case I have although the camera and speaker / mic positions will not be lined up.

Ok now the crap stuff

I record a lot of podcasts and support for external USB microphones (that I can even manage with an iPad who make it massively difficult for me) are not supported via USB host mode and as it's not rooted yet I can't dmesg it to find out how and why.

Volume switch - what the ruddy hell was the designer thinking ?? Utterly crap. Beyond crap.

Power pack / charger / non standard fitting - just like the Archos. In this day and age Micro USB charging should be the norm. Allegedly you can trickle charge which would be good as I carry two 6600mah batteries in my case and a solar panel to charge my phones/iPad/Scroll on the road at 18w realtime.

Camera positioning is just adequate.

So am I happy for the money ???

Ok well if I was a retailer with Motorola, Acer and other Android stock I'd be crapping myself as this beats all of them not just for the money I mean technically too. Absolutely smashes them to bits. They really really are that good.

Too late to fix manufacturing issues around the power pack and the volume switch but if you can live with that then you're laughing.

Hope that helps anyone thinking about buying one !!

[Mitre]

excellent post
surprised to hear its not rooted out of the box
i wonder if SO have aked for this

[Trashcooky]

What a genuinely useful and informative post, thanks a lot.
I am certainly looking forward to hearing more from you on this sort of topic and hopefully support as well.

[suggsy89]

I want one now

Sent from an Excel With Attitude ©

[Trashcooky]

I want one now

Sent from an Excel With Attitude ©

I just love your copyrite You do deserve it.

[ricky712]

A review I posted on eBuyer. Thought it may be useful to share on here:

Took receipt of it on the 3/4/12. Fantastic prompt delivery & service by Ebuyer with lots of communication & tracking. 1st buying experience with Ebuyer and certainly will not be the last.

After a positive experience with the 7" Scroll Excel. I was delighted to hear about the Scroll Extreme and on the basis of using this tablet, I had no concerns investing in the Extreme on preOrder. Usually, I'm not an early adoptor.

The usual slick box packed with goodies (inc a HDMI cable) & finally on to unravelling the tablet. Looks alone very sheek & contemporary looking with a slim aluminum case. Side by side with the Ipad 2 and marginally bigger but just as attractive. Not too much difference in weight (I think 680g).

I haven't had too much time using yet but have to say the 4.0 ICS is a very nice user friendly OS and definitely extends on the 2.3 which is in the excel (A phone OS). So nice to get a proper tablet OS.

Screen is very clean and responsive and certainly rivals the Ipad. The onscreen buttons are complemented with some side buttons so down to choice.

Camera is not too bad. Not the best but I have no intention of using it for this purpose. I do plan to check skype though for the real acid test.

Graphics are crisp and clear.

Sound is ok. Not fantastic but acceptable in that you can listen to music, watch films comfortably. Just don't expect a Bose experience.

Connected to three seperate wireless networks seemlessly, so was up and running in no time.

I did read that it does support a number of 3G dongles so I tried my Vodafone Hauwei but with no luck.

I have got a three Hauwei E586 dongle, which is 3G and then allows 5 devices to connect wirelessly. So I used this as it works a treat. Again, if anyone thinks they need 3G with Ipad, then this is a very good cost effective alternative.

Android Market is not available, which I read previously with no concern as I'm sure the forums will provide ways to access in no time. I did access the Google Play Store, which looked as good (if not the same) as the Android Market. I haven't read about this yet but will do some comparison to apps in my excel later.

I did download the BBC Iplayer but it didn't support the device, which was disappointing. I assume there will be a patch for this in time. There is a workaround and was successful but didn't stream well, but this could be the work network, which is tempramental.

Although it hasn't been used rigourously, battery seems ok.

All in all, my first experience of the Extreme has been excellent and haven't noticed any disappointments.
In terms of Price Vs Functionality, you will not do much better for the price tag and I would certainly recommend the Extreme, or in fact the Excel, to anyone looking for a budget tablet that is feature rich.

[Mitre]

@ricky712
Great review for the extreme good to see its got some huewai drivers for 3g
Play shop is the new name for google market its the same thing
Ps welcome to the forum
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[MistaBloggs]

These are excellent reviews - thank you. I have read in another thread that there is quite a lag from the keyboard - from your posts I assume this is bearable, would this be correct?

[dickmorrell]

iPlayer does work, go into browser, settings, select Motorola Xoom mode, then open app.

Guys, the extreme is good, he says tapping on iPad. Extreme is not an iPad however in a few weeks Amazon will launch the new Fire. I've had mine a month and the Extreme is bigger, better, more usable, has cameras and better spec. For the money I am stunned.

And whoever posted about keyboard lag is mistaken or has duff firmware or an app eating memory.... I have two Extremes and zero lag at all

[wantefc]

I've started thinking mine has an issue , apart from the hard drive like buzz I can hear from inside whenever I'm doing anything on it...I'm finding it quite laggy.....(wudnt you know its fine now I'm typing this)....I was made up when I 1st got it....now am getting a bit disappointed with it.......i think a chat with ebuyer is in order!!!!