ZaReason has debuted a $349 tablet that ships with Android 4.0.3 (plus source code), an unlocked bootloader, CyanogenMod 9 and full-on root access right out of the box.
Dubbed ZaTab, the device is powered by an AllWinner A10 processor (ARM A8 Cortex CPU, 1.2GHz single-core) and features a Mali 400 GPU, 1GB of DDR3 memory, 16GB of internal storage and a microSD slot.
The ZaTab also boasts a 9.7″ 1024×768 IPS screen, along with front and rear cameras.
Weighing in at approximately 1.4 pounds., the tablet is equipped with WiFi, two microUSB ports, a microHDMI output and an 8000mAh battery providing 9 hours of gaming or 14 hours of video playback.
As Joey Sneddon of OMGubuntu points out, the ZaTab doesn’t exactly have anything unique to offer in terms of hardware, as it sports the same guts as most lower-end tablets. Lee Mathews of Geek.com concurred, noting that similarly-specced AllWinner-based tablets can be found on Amazon for under $200, although they’re generally not as nice looking and tend to have plastic backs – compared to the sturdy metal ZaTab.
Personally, I think ZaTab is a good buy for developers and modders interested in a tablet that can be easily customized and rooted. Is it worth the extra cash? Well, not if you are completely obsessed with specs and performance. But if unfettered access to software and development is your focus, ZaTab is probably a good buy.
