Gemini JoyTAB Gem10312BK with bluetooth keyboard case – Initial Impressions

Gemini make a range of mid range tablets and last week we saw them announce two new models. One of them is already available and they kindly sent us one to try out. This JoyTAB is the lower spec 9.7″ model with a bluetooth keyboard case. As I own a Transformer Prime getting my hands on of these was familiar ground.

So lets have a quick look at what the JoyTAB can offer.

Hardware
Spec wise the JoyTAB is a bit basic, here is the spec:

• JoyTAB Gem10312BK RRP £199.99
• CPU: ARM Cortex A8
• Graphics: ARM Mali-400
• Memory: 1GB DDR3
• Memory Storage: 16GB built-in, upgradeable to 32GB with Micro SD Card
• Display: IPS LCD Capacitive Multi-Touch Screen/9.7inch TFT LCD – 1024 x 768
• Connectivity: Micro USB Port, Mini HDMI 1.4, Micro SD
• Audio: Built-in 1W Speaker, Built-in Mic, 3.5mm Stereo Earphone Jack
• Wireless Network: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
• Video Output: HDMI
• Camera: Front 0.3 Megapixel and rear 2.0 Megapixel
• Video Supported: AVI, XVID, rm, rmvb, MKV, WMV, MOV, MP4, H.264 MPEG DIVX, FLV.HD 1080P max. Music Supported: MP3, WMA, MP2, OGG, AAC, M4A, FLAC, 3GP, WAV
• Battery: (8,000 mAh)
• Gyroscope: Built in G sensor for gaming and automatic screen rotation
• OS: Google Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Internet Services: Web Browser, JAVA, YouTube, Email, HTML5, Abobe Flash Utilities: Calendar, Alarm Clock, Calculator, Recorder, Notepad, Picture Viewer Dimensions and weight: (W) 241.66mm x (H) 185mm x (D) 9.8mm 632g (Keyboard: 320g)

A few things about the JoyTAB stand out, mini hdmi, micro SD, proprietary charger and the seperate keyboard. The rest is just standard stuff for a tablet. The tablet has enough ports and slots to make it ideal for whatever you decide to use it for. Be it a business device, multi media device, blogging companion, travel companion or even a games machine.

The keyboard is bluetooth so you have to pair the tablet and the keyboard, once paired the tablet just basically rests on the recess on the keyboard. Which if you using it on a slightly uneven surface can be precarious.

One thing that needs mentioning at these initial stages is the screen. Normally a budget tablet has a poor screen, this one although it is isn’t the highest resolution it is plenty bright enough and has good viewing angles.

Design

The JoyTAB has been designed specifically with the bluetooth keyboard case in mind. Which means it has a protruding lip around the edge to sit in the recess and also to fit in the case.

Whilst this is essential it add thickness to the whole package and detracts from the look. Another thing that detracts from the overall look is the logos and branding all over the top and bottom of the tablet and case. The logo on the lid screams budget at me every time I see it.

The keyboard case is a great idea, the case is functional and protective. The case has three clips, two at the back and one at the front. The positioning of these clips was always going to be a difficult one. They obviously had a choice, clips at the side or in the middle, wherever you put them they are going to get in the way. choosing to put one clip in the middle was probably the best choice though.

All of the ports and buttons are arranged along one side of the tablet which makes locating what you want nice and easy.

Software

The JoyTAB runs Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich which means it can run lots of the latest apps, like Chrome or Boid. In use I found the JoyTAB to function perfectly. However under certain CPU intensive tasks it would slow down, such as installing many updates at once or using the resource hog Chrome. Having a tablet friendly OS on the JoyTAB means that navigating around was easy, having the home, back and running apps buttons along the bottom is handy.

A nice thing to see is that barely any software is bundled with the JoyTAB which means you can just get on with setting it up the way you want.

Initial Conclusion

In conclusion to my initial impressions I am impressed. The tablet handles most tasks with ease. A few extra things like the micro sd slot, mini HDMI slot, USB host cable, the bluetooth keyboard really make it a versatile tablet. Paired up with a mifi or wireless tethered this would be a great device to take on the road to reply to emails.

Over the next few weeks I will be testing out various parts of the tablet. Mainly media playback, ebooks reading, magazine reading, creating some documents, emails, web browsing and loads of other stuff. We will bring you the full review in a few weeks.

One last thing though, if you fancy the look of this and you want to see if it can do something specific, then leave a comment below and I’ll try my hardest to test it out.