We go hands-on with the MAIA Smart Tab

Cherry Mobile has officially launched three new devices under their Intel powered, MAIA lineup. Of the three, we gravitated to the Smart Tab – the company’s own interpretation of the dual-boot tablet. If you’re not familiar with the concept, essentially you’re looking at a tablet that can boot both Android 4.4 and Windows 8.1 at the touch of a button, which makes it a perfect tablet for people who can’t live without both operating systems.

But first, let’s take a look at its specs:

Cherry Mobile MAIA Smart Tab

• 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z3735F quad-core processor
• 2GB of RAM
• 8-inch HD display, 1280 x 800 resolution
• 32GB of storage, expandable via microSD
• 5-megapixel rear camera
• 2-megapixel front camera
• WiFi, Bluetooth
• 3800mAh battery
• Android 4.4 KitKat, Windows 8.1
• Php 4999

Initial impressions: impressive specs, and the dual-boot feature is just icing on the top

The Smart Tab is an impressive tablet, just from the specs alone: you’re looking at Intel’s Z3735F processor paired with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, paired with an 8-inch 1280 x 800 HD resolution display. That’s a great deal right there – that hardware combo would probably set you back more than the Php 4999 sticker price that Cherry Mobile is asking for.

The design of the Smart Tab isn’t what exactly what you’d call original, but it’ll do for the price. The tablet uses a primarily plastic build that feels great in the hands, though obviously you won’t be using this tablet one-handed any time soon.

Controls are typical for a tablet – the power button and volume rocker are on the upper right side of the device, with the USB port and 3.5mm jack on top. There’s a dedicated Windows button on the bottom right below the bezel which acts like the home key when in you’re Windows mode. On-screen navigation keys appear at the bottom of the display when you’re on Android mode.

Cherry Mobile is boasting that switching OS in the MAIA Smart Tab is faster and easier than the devices of its competitors, since you can do it in both Android and Windows via their respective shortcut keys. Devices of other brands require you to choose the OS every time you boot up.

The Smart Tab is a great device and a compelling option for people who can’t live without Android and Windows. It’s a useful tool for students, for example, who need a portable PC for school – just pair it with an inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard, and you already have an instant Windows notebook that can play CoC with just a touch of a button.