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On the whole, I was very impressed with the ZenPad S 8.0 especially the overall design concept. It has a lovely, aluminium hairline finish which looks very classy – while the unusual faux leather strip makes the tablet stand out from the competition.
I am usually most impressed by the design and display panels of Asus products, and the ZenPad S 8.0 is no exception. The display has a high resolution 2048×1536 panel which also includes high contrast levels and solid brightness levels. It is a real pleasure to use.
The software is also impressive. ZenUI remains as colourful and modern as ever, but with a few new touches. For instance, Touch Gesture allows you to draw a letter on the screen when the tablet is locked. The corresponding app is then opened – so drawing the letter ‘e' will open the email app. This is a nifty gimmick which makes using the tablet that bit easier.
Performance from the Intel Atom Z3560 is also very solid. There is enough processing power to deliver a good real world experience. A strong set of benchmark scores argue the point that the included Z3560 CPU is a mid-range processor. This CPU will please even the most impatient tablet users with its sheer speed.
An 8MP camera is capable of delivering decent photos, too. They are not spectacular and I would still recommend using a modern smartphone for photography on the go. That said, images are fairly detailed for a tablet, and colours look good – so this camera can do a job.
Battery life is the biggest issue. A 4000 mAh unit is simply not enough, and I struggled to get more than 2 days of intermittent usage out of a single charge. If you are prepared to charge the ZenPad S 8.0 often, it is bearable. However, most of us would expect a tablet to last a few days before a charge, so the poor battery life is somewhat disappointing.
On the whole, though, the ZenPad S 8.0 is a terrific all-rounder and particularly impresses with its modern design and gorgeous display. If you have £200 to spend on a new tablet, look no further than the ZenPad S 8.0.
You can pick it up from Dabs for £203.02 inc VAT here.
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Pros
- Sleek, modern design
- Beautifully sharp display
- Great performance from the Intel Atom Z3560
- Decent camera
Cons
- Mediocre battery life
KitGuru says: The ZenPad S 8.0 is a real pleasure to use. It is fast, light and inexpensive. Look no further for an Android tablet costing around £200.
