Z170CG shows up on India import tracker. Hopefully just the beginning!

September 11, 2015 Categories: India, News, Z170CG, ZenPad C, ZenPad C 7.0 by 0 Comments

We’ve had a large number of emails and comments from people in India asking about the ZenPad tablets. Although this isn’t the most requested model (Z580CA), it is at least a new listing from India importers. This is what we call a step in the right direction!

The Z170CG is the 3G model from the budget ZenPad C 7.0 Series. We’ve seen the Z170 roll out to just about every country at this point and it’s the one model that Asus has been able to keep in stock. An indicator of demand? Possibly. With regards to what we’re seeing in the listings, we see a red color and metallic color so far.

What we really are hoping for is that this new listing is the start of the ZenPad launch in India. It’s a big market for Asus, and it’s quite possible that the major success of the Zenfone 2 has delayed the official launch of the ZenPad tablet series in India.

With this news, we hope that in the following days there is a big ZenPad push into India. Please stay with us as we check sources daily to bring you the best and more updated release date information.

india-zenpad-import-listing

With Apples iPad Pro, should we expect an Asus ZenPad Pro?

September 9, 2015 Categories: Opinion, ZenPad Pro by 0 Comments

As Apple goes in the tablet space, so does the competition. Think back to when the iPad showed up. The competitors were almost a year behind playing catch up. The tablet sales, across the board have been slowing down. People mostly own one or two and there apparently hasn’t been a compelling reason to upgrade.

Apple just unveiled a new tablet, the iPad Pro. It’s big at 12.9-inches. Asus has in the past “gone big” in the tablet space with a Transformer Book. Hitting a 13-inch size is something Asus did a couple years ago. With a bigger, more expensive tablet, is this really what the market wants? Perhaps Apple can pull it off, but the Android tablet market, the premium market at that, is not exactly booming.

If we look at what Asus put out in terms of the ZenPad line-up, what matches up with an iPad Pro? Certainly from a premium standpoint, the ZenPad S Series is logical. However, the ZenPad 10 has more in common because of the stylus support and attachable keyboard. The iPad Pro does have a Microsoft Surface style attachable keyboard and it also has a stylus support. So if Asus bumped up a ZenPad 10 into a ZenPad 12 or 13, would that suffice?

Certainly from a price perspective, Asus could deliver something extremely competitive. If the resolution goes to the high end, then Asus would be moving into the flagship territory, which is what the S Series is for.

It’s entirely possible that Asus would be considering a VivoTab Pro, which would be a Windows tablet. Android may not be the most ideal OS for business purposes and a VivoTab Pro with attachable keyboard and stylus support would likely be the best option. That is, provided Asus sees the need to chase after and compete for a possible new tablet segment thanks to Apple’s path. Let’s not lose site of the old Eee Slate, which was a 12-inch Windows tablet with stylus support and keyboard accessory (Bluetooth and not attachable to the tablet itself).

So how do you think Asus will respond to the Apple iPad Pro? With they even try to go after the 12 to 13 inch tablet space again?

Many ZenPad S 8.0 Z580CA reviews fail to mention Z Stylus support

September 9, 2015 Categories: Accessories, Opinion, Z Stylus, Z300C, Z300CG, Z300CL, Z580CA, ZenPad with Stylus by 0 Comments

zenpad-stylus-pen-accessoryQuite a number of websites are now starting to roll out their ZenPad S reviews. Let’s hope that stock levels return so that people reading reviews who are looking to buy a Z580CA can do so in the US and elsewhere around the globe. But the point here is about the Z Stylus as part of the reviews.

There seems to be a bit of confusion about the Z Stylus, and it’s not entirely surprising. The Z Stylus pen works only on the Z580CA and Z300 Series of tablets. Given the functionality of a stylus, one would think that a tablet with Z Stylus support is a selling point, or “value added” feature to the tablet. Afterall, consider the Samsung Galaxy Note and the role the S Pen plays in making it a popular phone. A big part of that phone is the stylus.

So it is quite surprising, or quite eye opening that some of the biggest tech sites in their reviews simply fail to mention that the Z580CA supports the Z Stylus. What seems apparent is that Asus has sent out review units without the Z Stylus. However, does that mean a review should fail to mention the Z Stylus entirely? If I’m Asus, I wouldn’t be happy about this. As a reader who is learning about a product from a reputable website, shouldn’t you know all the features of the device? To me it’s more an example of lack of knowledge or care in the product review. Not enough time to research? Too many other products to review? Who knows.

With so few Z Stylus pens available on the market, it makes the feature a bit more difficult to learn about. I don’t believe there is an English website that has reviewed or explained/demonstrated the Z Stylus on the Z580CA or Z300 Series.

Will the websites who omitted the Z Stylus mention on their reviews go back and add those details once they get their hands on the product? It’s doubtful. It would appear that most of the bigger tech sites churn out reviews and blast through reviews like there is no tomorrow. At times it makes you wonder who you should or shouldn’t trust. A review from a tech site or the customer reviews from people who’ve bought and used the device. I’m leaning towards listening to customers based on the weak reviews I’ve read so far from bigger websites on the Z580CA.

Perhaps we shouldn’t overstate the lack of Z Stylus mentions, but when you take the low price and add in the Z Stylus support, it does become and even more compelling device to purchase. If a stylus is important to the Galaxy Note, certainly it has some importance also to the ZenPad S (Z580CA).

Big Photo Gallery – ZenPad C 7.0 (Z170 Series) – High Resolution Images

September 8, 2015 Categories: Images, Photos, Z170C, Z170CG, Z170MG, ZenPad C, ZenPad C 7.0 by 0 Comments

It has been a while since we last did a big huge photo gallery with high resolution images. The ZenPad C 7.0 is in most markets across the world now, so timing wise, it makes sense to show most every angle and view possible. With a modest spec sheet, the Z170 Series is certainly built with cheap in mind. In that sense, it’s not for everyone. In the US, it is and has been sold for $89, which is a $10 savings from the $99 suggested retail price. For a new Android tablet, it’s a very respectable price. The fact is you have to have realistic expectation on what you’re getting. Going from an iPad to a Z170 might be a difficult adjustment. With a lot of countries getting the 3G model, it’s an affordable tablet that you can make phone calls with.

Photo Gallery – Black Color – ZenPad C 7.0

Italy gets full line-up including 2 different Z580CA tablets. Pre order now!

September 8, 2015 Categories: Accessories, Italy, Pre Order, Price, Shopping and Deals by 1 Comment

If Italy is like the US in terms of the almighty Z580CA with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM, then it might be worth looking at pre ordering now while you have a chance. These show a release date of September 11.

A few days ago Asus mentioned on their facebook page that the ZenPad tablets were coming, and today we’re happy to list available models along with prices in EURO. Yes, you can also pre order a full selection of accessories.

Shop Now:

Order Now – ZenPad Tablets From Amazon.it

  • ZenPad S 8.0
    • Z580CA-1A043A (64GB and 4GB RAM) – EUR 349,25
    • Z580CA-1B025A (32GB and 2GB RAM) – EUR 269,00
    • Z580C-1A007A (16GB and 2GB RAM) – EUR 232,46
    • Comment: A cheaper, and slightly lesser spec on the Z580CA with 32GB storage and 2GB RAM isn’t too bad if you want to save money. You get wifi “ac”, Tru2Life+ for improved video playback, better cameras and Z Stylus support.
  • ZenPad 10
    • Z300CL (16GB and 2GB RAM + 4G LTE) – EUR 299,00
    • Z300CG (16GB RAM, 2GB RAM with 3G) – EUR 229,00
    • Z300C-1A057A (16GB, 2GB RAM, black) – EUR 204,11
    • Z300C-1B045A (16GB, 2GB RAM, white) – EUR 200,92
  • ZenPad 7.0
    • Z370C-1L033A (16GB, 1GB RAM, metallic) – EUR 171,73
    • Z370C-1A010A (16GB, 1GB RAM, black) – EUR 156,79
    • Z370C-1B010A (16GB, 1GB RAM, white) – EUR 156,79
  • ZenPad 8.0
    • Z380C-1A011A (16GB, 1GB RAM, black) – EUR 166,33 164,17
  • ZenPad C 7.0
    • Z170CG-1L027A (16GB, 1GB RAM, white + 3G) – EUR 149,00

Official Asus Accessories In Italy:

  • ZenPad S 8.0
    • Zen Clutch – EUR 39,90
    • Tri Cover (Smart Case) – EUR 29,90
    • Z Stylus – EUR 34,90
  • ZenPad 8.0
    • Zen Clutch – EUR 39,90
    • TriCover (Smart Case) – EUR 29,90
    • Zen Cover – EUR 19,90
    • Audio Cover – EUR 79,90
  • ZenPad 10
    • Zen Clutch – EUR 49,90
    • TriCover (Smart Case) – EUR 39,90
  • ZenPad 7.0
    • TriCover (Smart Case) – EUR 29,90
  • ZenPad C 7.0
    • TriCover (Smart Case) – EUR 29,90

A good number of the official Asus accessories are listed so far, but the main ones missing include: Power Case, Audio Cover, Audio Dock keyboard for ZenPad 10, and a few ZenPad 7.0 items. We expect to see those listed any day now.

Check for retailers in Italy here.

Deal! Save $10 – ZenPad C 7.0 now $89 on sale in US

September 7, 2015 Categories: Shopping and Deals, Z170C, ZenPad C, ZenPad C 7.0 by 0 Comments

The budget nature of the ZenPad C 7.0 (Z170C) makes it a niche tablet. It’s not for everyone. It came into the US a few weeks ago at $99 which made it one of the cheapest brand name 7-inch Android tablets. Now we’re happy to say you can save $10 and get it for just $89.

Before you question the specs of the ZenPad C 7.0, keep in mind what customers are saying about it. This is important. Although you might assume a low spec, low price tablet will be unsatisfactory, quite the opposite is true.

At Best Buy, the Z170C is rate 4.0 out of 5. That’s based on 30 customer reviews. On Amazon.com, customers rate the tablet 3.8 out of 5 stars. So it does appear that the ZenPad C is filling a niche and people are satisfied. Being realistic about a cheap Android tablet is part of battle.

As a quick overview, the Z170C is 7-inch and is not compatible with the customizable cases like the Audio Cover and Power Case. It has a resolution of 1024 x 600 which is equal to the tablets in this price range. It has 16GB of storage and 1GB of RAM with a microSD card slot for expandable storage. You can check out specs page for more details.

Photo Gallery:

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