Argos launches £99 seven-inch tablet

MyTablet from Argos is hot on the heels of Tesco’s Hudl, and costs £20 less. We take a look at how it stacks up against the competition.

Argos is the latest retailer to enter the seven-inch tablet market with an Android device called MyTablet.

It will cost just £99.99 and will be available from Wednesday 16th October online and in Argos stores, just in time for the run up to Christmas.

The high street retailer is hot on the heels of supermarket Tesco and its £119 Hudl tablet launched last month. Read Tesco launches bargain Hudl seven-inch tablet computer for more.

So let’s take a look at what it can offer and if it’s worth putting on the Christmas presents list.

The specs

The MyTablet will be available in pink or silver and have a sturdy metal case.

The device will run Google’s Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 operating system and is powered by a speedy 1.6GHz dual core processor.

Under the bonnet you will get 8GB of memory that can be expanded up to 32GB through a Micro SD card.

[SPOTLIGHT]In terms of display the screen isn’t quite HD, with a resolution of 1024x600 which produces a 169 pixel per inch density.

Like many cheaper tablets you won’t be able to get 3G or 4G, but the device comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity as well as a HDMI port for video output and Micro USB.

The camera is a bit disappointing, only managing 2MP to the rear and a lowly 0.3Mp to the front, while the battery life of five hours is also lacking compared to other tablets.

MyTablet will come with 19 preloaded apps and games including Facebook, Twitter, BBC iPlayer and Angry Birds as well as the Argos app.

The device has been produced by Argos’ own Bush electronics brand and has been made using a Chinese manufacturer.  Argos says the tablet is aimed at families with all the functionality of a comprehensive tablet, but with built-in parental controls for younger users.

You can spread the cost of buying a tablet computer using a long-lasting 0% purchase credit card

How it compares

MyTablet enters the seven-inch tablet market, where as well as the low cost Amazon Kindle Fire and Tesco Hudl you will find high specification models like the Google Nexus 7 2 and Apple iPad Mini.

Below is a table comparing the main features of Argos’ My Tablet alongside these top tablets.

As you can see Argos’ MyTablet doesn’t pack enough of a punch to rival the Tesco Hudl or more expensive devices from Google and Apple.

For £20 more the Tesco’s Hudl offers a better camera, better battery life, more memory, and better display.

[SPOTLIGHT]On the plus side MyTablet has its speedy 1.6GHz processor, which means the device will be quick for everyday tasks. But you wouldn’t be compromising much by settling for Tesco’s 1.5GHz alternative.

Compared to the £99 Amazon Fire, the MyTablet looks a bit better, outperforming the device on memory, camera and operating system. But in my opinion neither present a good enough argument to dismiss the Tesco tablet.

For the best specifications the latest Nexus 7 is the only tablet to look at but families on tight budgets might not want to shell out the extra £80-£100 for one.

Christmas gadget gifts

A raft of gadgets have been or are due for launch in the run up to Christmas.

The Nintendo 2DS, the next generation of iPads and new games consoles from Sony and Microsoft are undoubtedly going to top a few wishlists this year.

This costly technology is set to stretch finances but there is still time to plan how you will be able to afford it.

You can create a budget to manage the cost of Christmas using our free MoneyTrack tool.

Are your gadgets insured? Compare home insurance policies with lovemoney.com

More on technology and entertainment:

The cheapest place to buy FIFA 14

Bloom.fm: new cheaper rival to Spotify

Where to find the cheapest deals on tablets

The cheapest place to buy the Nintendo 2DS

John Lewis to offer free two-year guarantees on electrical goods

GetOnline@Home: Government scheme helps you buy a computer for £24