Ainol NOVO 7 Aurora - go / no go

Collider

Senior member
Jan 20, 2008
522
7
81
Been wanting an android tablet, did some research and came across Ainol Aurora. The company is based in China and has other models around (Pladin/Elf/etc) but this one seems to be at the top of their line up as it comes w/ an IPS screen.

Saw pretty positive feedback/reviews online so far, I believe this tablet won 2nd place at CES 2012. And at sub $200 price point this looks very attractive for a decent featured tablet, you can find it for around $160 on some sites.

Went through a number of reviews online, cant find anything negative and about to pull the trigger on this bad boy.

Just wanted to see what people think about this device or feedback if anyone owns one.
 

Red Storm

Lifer
Oct 2, 2005
14,233
234
106
All I will say is that there's a reason why these things are so cheap, so just remember how little you paid for it whenever it gives you trouble.

I personally don't see the appeal though, especially with the Google tablet that will be $200 or less.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
No go.

The Chinese tablets are utter junk. They may make fun toys, but you'd be better off spending a little more for a first tier vendor.
 

hans007

Lifer
Feb 1, 2000
20,212
18
81
i dont get why you'd get that. i mean an archos g9 80 is $220 at staples.

and thats a dual core omap 4 with an 8" 1024 x768 MVA screen . just doesnt seem like its worth therisk
 

poofyhairguy

Lifer
Nov 20, 2005
14,612
318
126
No Go.

With Android, you really only want to stick to popular devices with a large community because oftentimes a large community is the only way you get fixes for the (always problematic) stock ROM, future OS updates, and software support.

I wouldn't buy any Android device that wasn't one of the top three devices in its class. For tablets that means a Kindle Fire, a G. Tab, or a Transformer Prime.
 

Collider

Senior member
Jan 20, 2008
522
7
81
Thanks for all the replies guys, you've officially talked me out of it.

Is there anything that will run ICS decently around the $200 price point?

The reason why I don't want to spend much is that this will be a secondary device for me, mostly used for development/testing and some web surfing while I'm on the couch :)
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Thanks for all the replies guys, you've officially talked me out of it.

Is there anything that will run ICS decently around the $200 price point?

The reason why I don't want to spend much is that this will be a secondary device for me, mostly used for development/testing and some web surfing while I'm on the couch :)

The Kindle Fire has working ICS builds. Limited storage though.

Edit - I only deal in MSRP and common retail pricing, but you're likely going to be able to find TF101s and SGTs on sales and blow outs. If you can jump on them fast enough and patient, 200 isn't out of the question.
 

ados_cz

Junior Member
May 4, 2012
1
0
0
Thanks for all the replies guys, you've officially talked me out of it.

Is there anything that will run ICS decently around the $200 price point?

The reason why I don't want to spend much is that this will be a secondary device for me, mostly used for development/testing and some web surfing while I'm on the couch :)[/QUOTE/

Hi, well shame on those who talked you of it. I did my research and wentn for aurora and it is a brilliant device for the money, slim, light, plesant to use and hold and the ips display is brilliant as well. It has huge community behind it i.e. on slatedroid.com. It won that award for a reason and A10 all winner soc is great at full hd decoding supporting many formats. I watch loads of netflix on it, do general stuff, play some games etc. Its really hard to beat for that kind of money.


Guys, not only big brands can pull it off..... I bought mine for 130 pounds and dont regret it for a minute. Its my first android device, I also own iPhone 4s etc.
 

Michael

Elite member
Nov 19, 1999
5,435
234
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I am slowly reviewing the Onda Vi10 and the Vi40 in this thread. I live in China and I get to "touch" a lot of the tablets. Ainol has several tablets with varying specs that use the Allwinner A10 chipset. In terms of existing scripts and support, the Ainol seems to have a pretty big community compared to some lesser brands.

At $160, you are only $40 away from the kindle fire. there are also quite a few Chinese tablets with slightly lower specs that are much cheaper and run ICS quite well. I am not sure how important ICS is to you, but if you just want a secondary tablet to fool around with I would consider getting an even cheaper one.

Michael
 
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luv2liv

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2001
3,499
94
91
i had a Novo once, with Gingerbread.
it occasionally reset itself and the screen is awful. maybe the worse i've ever seen. so i sold it off.
what i did like: HDMI output, no itunes (thank god), usb host, usb file drop and drag, plays all the media formats known to mankind.

so im thinking of getting the Samsung Galaxy 5 Player now.