New Scrolls on the way...

[rrr]

http://www.storageoptions.com/products/scroll/tablets/scroll-pocket
Specifications
Software
Android™ 4.0
Hardware
Processor Boxchip A13 Cortex A8 1GHz
Display 4.3” 480 x 272 Capacitive Multi-touch Screen
Memory 512MB DDR3 RAM
Internal Memory 4GB Memory Built-in, Micro SD Card Expandable Up to 32GB
Camera Back Facing 0.3 Megapixel
Battery 1500mAh Li-Polymer Rechargeable Battery
G-Sensor 16 bit G-sensor, Monitors / Rotates Screen Through 360°
Speaker Built-in Speaker
Headphones 3.5mm Earphone Jack
Connectivity
Wireless Networking Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
Mini USB Host Port For Peripheral Connection (e.g. Keyboard, Flash Drive)
Power 5V - 1.5A DC
Multimedia
Video Support AVI, H.264, MPEG2, MPEG4, MKV, MP4
E-Book Support PDF, EPUB, MOBI
Features
Music, Photos, Movies, E-mail and Games
Case
Plastic Casing
Dimensions
113mm x 76mm x 12mm

£50 !

[Trashcooky]

Well I hope they have managed to optimise the OS properly otherwise that puny 1,500mAh battery is going to give up the ghost in just a couple of hours use.

I am pleased to see S.O. now lead the pack in correctly stating the memory/sd options as:
"4GB of storage on board, plus a micro SD card slot to add up to 32GB more"

Which is much more informed than the previous '4GB Memory Built-in, Micro SD Card Expandable Up to 32GB' which led so many to believe they could expand their app useable memory.

It is shame they have missed the Jellybean boat... but perhaps they will offer an update ?

[rrr]

Well, it's an A13 based beastie, which is lower in power usage, but yeah...bit puny.

The new Excel II is similar in puny battery size (2800), though it has Boxchip core. Not quite sure how that stacks up against the original...

Boxchip A10 Cortex A8 1.2GHz, Mali-400 Dual Core Graphics Processor

Is that exactly the same as the original Excel ? Looks like it to me.

The new version has bluetooth 3.

JB would be nice

[Trashcooky]

:)

Well, it's an A13 based beastie, which is lower in power usage, but yeah...bit puny.

The new Excel II is similar in puny battery size (2800), though it has Boxchip core. Not quite sure how that stacks up against the original...

Boxchip A10 Cortex A8 1.2GHz, Mali-400 Dual Core Graphics Processor

Is that exactly the same as the original Excel ? Looks like it to me.

The new version has bluetooth 3.

JB would be nice

This is confusing as I can't seem to find any specifics about the Boxchip A10 other than it is a 45NM die-size chip - which believe is the same die size as the Allwinner A10 but apparently the Boxchip sells for less than the Allwinner.
I believe that the original first release Excel models had a declared 2,800 mAh battery but as time went on with further releases this was eventually raised to 4,200 mAh according to the Storage Options web pages.

My own, 2nd generation Excel which was released around January 2012 actually has a 3,600 mAh battery - I know because it has been opened up and photographed by Fonefixer before he passed it onto me: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2118&p=15999&hilit=wifi+aerial#p15987

I suspect that this regression to a battery of only 2,800 mAh on the Excel is going to result in very poor battery life unless there is something remarkable about the Boxchip A10 compared to the Allwinner A10, and I can't seem to find anything at all other than rumours that the Boxchip version is inferior to the Allwinner chip. With the addition of Bluetooth on top of this reduced battery capacity the thought of battery life makes me very sceptical about this Excel II model.

Re the A13 chip on the Pocket Scroll - although it is claimed to use less power, all I can find out about it is that it is (apparently) an A10 with the HDMI and SATA abilities removed. Be interesting to hear from anyone who has more info about this.

In the meantime..... what do you want for Christmas and will it be from Storage Options.

[Trashcooky]

I see there is also a Scroll Essential II which apart from battery again seems quite a steal for £70.00.
I am pleased to see that S.O. have listened to comments and have gone over to the micro usb standard instead of hanging on to the mini usb which caused some confusion.

I also like the clean lines on this which is obviously a rebuild (or diferent source) as there are no hardware buttons (hopefully this will cut down on the dust under the screen complaints.)
and the camera has moved to the corner.
I expect they will sell quite a few of these this Christmastide.http://www.storageoptions.com/products/ ... sential-ii
Software
Android™ 4.0

Hardware
Processor
Boxchip A13 Cortex A8 1.2GHz

Display
7’’ 800 x 480 Capacitive Multi-touch Screen

Memory
512M DDR3 RAM

Internal Memory
8GB Memory Built-in, Micro SD Card Expandable Up to 32GB

Battery
2600 mAh Rechargeable Battery

Camera
Front Facing 0.3 Megapixels

G-Sensor
16 bit G-sensor, Monitors / Rotates Screen Through 360°

Speakers
Built-in Speaker

Headphones
3.5mm Earphone Jack


Connectivity
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n

3G
Supports External 3G Dongles

Micro USB Host Port
For Peripheral Connection (e.g. Keyboard, Flash Drive)

Power
5V-2A DC

Multimedia
Video Support

AVI, H.264, MPEG2, MPEG4, MKV, MP4

E-Book Support
PDF, EPUB, MOBI

Features
Music, Photos, Movies Email and Games

Case
Slim Plastic Casing

Dimensions
190mm x 115mm x 10mm

[rrr]

If the Essential II has the same graphics performance as the original Excel, yep, bargain. Depends how flimsy it is I suppose.

My Excel has a 4200mAH battery, so am chuffed there.

I've never used the HDMI port on mine, so the models without it don't pose an issue, for me. (I just plug a 2Tb drive straight in't'telly)

Would love to see Scroll bumping 3D performance further as there are still a few apps which struggle (and I still can't get Sketchbook to reload saved images. Hrumph) I wouldn't mind the extra weight of a 7000mAh battery (though I just carry a TeckNet 7000 mAh external battery around with me jus'in'case)

And whilst I'm thinking of wish-lists, they really need to add a Clockworkmod style recovery, so that a full clean backup can be performed when you get the things out of the box. Step 1, backup. Step 2, install whatever you like, safely

Oddly, I quite like the idea of the pocket scroll. Same graphics processor, third of the pixels. Speedy And pocket sized. And a bargain. I'll happily test one out for them if they like, with a full review

[BobC]

Well I hope they have managed to optimise the OS properly otherwise that puny 1,500mAh battery is going to give up the ghost in just a couple of hours use.

I suppose a 4.3" screen isn't going to be too heavy on the battery, A screen that size would be useless to me with my fingers.

BobC

[Trashcooky]

Well I hope they have managed to optimise the OS properly otherwise that puny 1,500mAh battery is going to give up the ghost in just a couple of hours use.

I suppose a 4.3" screen isn't going to be too heavy on the battery, A screen that size would be useless to me with my fingers.

BobC

Yes, mine too.

[rrr]

Phone sized I like the idea of a fairly speedy android device in my pocket that ISN'T a phone...no top ups/contract, and no fear about what gets installed. 7" is too big to carry around with me everywhere.

Looks like the screen is recessed a bit which might make hitting screen corners a bit tricky, but could minimise scratches.

Will have to see what they are like when released.

Call it a £50 iPod touch with a better OS and you'll get my drift

[Trashcooky]

I just posted this question on Storage Options' Facebook page:

"Bluetooth on the Excel II is a welcomed addition to an excellent tablet but can you advise the anticipated average battery life/session on the Excel II which according to specs has a reduced battery capacity of only 2,800 mAh whereas its predecessor without the added drain of bluetooth was specified as 4,200 mAh ?"

I will let you know what their reply is when I get one.