Reviewers said the Dell Streak 7 that goes on sale via T-Mobile Wednesday could be a respectable, more pocketable alternative to the iPad. but its sub-par screen is a disappointment.
The device is easy on the wallet, at just under $200 after a $50 rebate with a 2-year contract. It has some standout features including 4G (HSPA+), Tegra 2 processor, and front and rear cameras with video chat. It runs Android 2.2 although there’s talk of an upgrade to Android 3.0. And it has a nice use-case as a tablet that is small enough to carry around for social networking and accessing movies and music.
But early reviews say the Streak 7’s 800 by 480 screen is a turn-off. Also the device’s battery life is a bit on the low side, with the device giving low battery messages at the end of a day’s use. Otherwise, the hardware is solid and the form factor is great. See some quotes below.
One thing to note: the Streak has got to be causing some concern to the scores of suppliers showing bargain tablets at the Consumer Electronics Show last month, as it dips below the $200 price point for a brand name 4G-capable device. The Streak will undercut Samsung’s Galaxy Tab on T-Mobile, which is now at $250 after rebate.
The Streak also supports Flash, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Off-contract, it will retail for $450.
Here’s what some reviewers said about the device:
“I gave the Dell Streak 7 to my daughters to try and the first thing they all asked was, ‘Why is the screen so fuzzy?’ Not a good first impression here Dell. “ –ZDNet
“The key issue is the display. While a 7-inch tablet enables a greater level of mobility…Dell chose a screen with 800×480 resolution for the Streak 7. As a result, the graphical benefits of the Nvidia chip can’t be seen because games are more blocky and less detailed than they could be…”—GigaOM
“The screen is bright and somewhat responsive, although it’s a little ‘jumpy.’ While the screen moves quickly, it’s not quite as smooth as the iPad at tracking your finger motions when you swipe or pinch the screen…..” says Wired but it concludes, “…a relatively low-cost option like the Streak 7 may be impetus enough for shoppers to jump on one of the first big tablet offerings of the year.”
