aPad vs FAKE ePad, MID, iRobot (rockchip vs ATI flytouch), don't be fooled.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

SUMMARY: For sure you've already seen those China Tablets (APADs, EPAD, MIDs, iROBOT) selling for only 3,000 to 6,000 pesos, don't be fooled when they say it's on Android 2.2, it's still ANDROID 1.6, here's what to expect from the Fake APAD (FLYTOUCH):

THE GOOD: You can Browse internet / facebook (NO Video, NO FLASH GAMES) / chat / email
THE BAD: Its Slow (CANNOT play AngryBirds and most Android Games), CANNOT play Flash

now that you know what to expect from the device,
learn how to Identify the fake ones (DIRTY Version aka Flytouch) by reading below...

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Since its the season of giving, I was planning on getting a gadget for my granny so she could learn about the internet and communicate with our relatives online...

I was planning on getting her a pre owned net book, but instead found out that the iPad clone's price has dropped down to 3,000 pesos.

Oh btw, yeah a "pre-owned" one, all my gadgets from phone to cams are all 2nd hand, been with me for years now and none has died on me yet. Why buy new ones when you can get them for half to a 3rd of its original "Mall price" and of course without sacrificing its quality. You just have to be picky and thorough in checking if the unit is still in tip top shape! ;) I frequent TipidPC/TipidCP and Sulit.ph (these are Philippine based sites).
Okay, enough of the delays and on with our Topic, in search of a gadget, I bumped in to the iPad clone, the aPAD (aka iRobot)...

I was surprised that it costs just around 3,000-3,500 pesos nowadays. And for a gadget that can let you go online via Wifi (FB,Youtube,Google,Email... etc) and download tons of Applications/Games that can be acquired via Android Market (yes it runs on Google's Android Operating System), 3,000 pesos is already a very reasonable price! Not to mention its a Tablet with a 7inch touch screen!

Perfect for granny, no more confusing buttons to memorize (she knows how to txt/sms but gets lost when she forgets which button on the phone does which task, so a netbook would probably confuse her more). Touch screens are the best for kids and old folks alike! Agree? lol..


Upon comparing the different sellers online claiming that they are selling legitimate aPADs, and throwing negative comments at each other saying "those are fake 2.2 OS, those cant download apps from Android Market, those are slow, ours are faster, better, latest version, mas pogi ako sayo, lolo mo wrestler, wala ka sa lolo ko, rants, etc" you'd really end up confused, and caught hanging, not knowing who to believe.


So HOW DO I KNOW if an APAD is Real or Fake? (funny really, since aPAD is already a fake/clone gadget to begin with, and they still managed to create a clone of a clone gadget)


Lets start with the Physical attributes...

The Original aPads have Rockchip processors inside them, they have 2 mini USB ports.
While the fake aPads (ePads aka Flytouch) doesn't have any, you will need an adapter
plugged in to the USB interface pictured below (2nd image below).

Fake APADs (Flytouch) also have speakers located at the bottom of the device, while the APAD's speakers are located either on both sides or on its back.


Since APAD has been the top choice of all the iPAD Clones, almost all manufacturers and sellers are now labeling their iPAD Clones as APAD, tricking people in to buying their product.

Here is a collection of pictures showing all the iPAD Clone models to date and see how an
original A-PAD looks like. CLICK HERE to VIEW IMAGES.


You may also check out the video below for a more up-close view of a Real A-Pad.





Now for the Specs comparison...

Fake aPad (E-Pad) runs only at 300 mhz, its only good for Internet, Facebook (but no Video and Flash Games) some even comes with a fake Plants vs Zombies installed to make you believe it's fast!

(FYI: 1st Gen Ipod touch runs a 620mhz processor so you can just imagine how slow these Fake aPad / Flytouch tablets are.)

While the Original aPad runs at 600-800mhz (at par with the latest ipod devices).

The ePAD/Flytouch is slow, but it can run Plants vs Zombies, fake nga lang! haha with only one level (watch video of Fake PvZ)

Here are more sample screenshots of ePADs claiming to be on Android 2.2 ...


What you should check for is the Kernel Version..
The Moment you see that "Dirty" you'll know its a "FAKE" aPAD. (DIRTY version)


bakit kaya Dirty.... hmm baka pre-installed with YouPorn? lol..
And below is a sample of a "REAL" aPAD, check the Kernel Version (should show ROCKCHIP)
proving that it has a Rockchip processor inside the unit.


More Helpful Notes:

Those APad/EPad devices that claim to be Android version 1.7 or 1.9 are Fake! Check wiki for Android history, OS version 1.7 and 1.9 doesn't exist.

If you're getting an aPad, get AT LEAST the one that is Rockchip RK2808-based. But RK2808 can only use Android 1.6 and RK2818 can accomodate Android OS 2.0 and above.

iRobot (same as the original A-PAD) dapat Rockchip RK2808 sa specs. kung VIA 8505, panget)

VIA chips are sloooowwww!!! (VIA chips = kernel with "Dirty")

Recommended Processors/Chips are Rockchip RK2808, Telechips TCC8902 and OMAP3 3530.

rockchips have android 1.5
telechips have newer os(2.1 & 2.2)

RECOMMENDED aPAD MODELS:

aPAD iROBOT (rockchip)
aPAD X5A (Telechip)


Helpful sites/forums:
http://www.slatedroid.com
http://www.tipidpc.com/viewtopic.php?tid=233228&page=63


Side Comment:
hintay lang tayo ng 1 year pa, hindi na tayo lahat gagamit cellphone.
May isang pamilya na ng gagambang naka tira sa Landline Unit namin.


VERDICT:

If you want GAMES for Android and FACEBOOK, sorry DONT BUY those 3k-4k worth aPADs (dirty version), they are NOT FOR YOU!

You will need at least 8,000 Pesos for a TABLET capable of playing FLASH.


If you just need a Tablet that can connect via WIFI and Surf the Internet, without the need for FLASH (ie: Flash games and Videos), this Gadget is a GOOD DEAL!

It can also edit WORD/EXCEL documents, and do Multimedia Entertainment (Play Video Clips with 500x500 pixels below resolution, MP3, Pictures)

Memory is expandable up to 32 GB, via MicroSD. Internal memory 2 GB.


Thanks for munching by!