Kmart already started shipping the Augen GenTouch 78 cheap 7 inch android tablet (more cheap Android tablets here) and reviews have already started to appear like mushrooms after the rain. Believe it or not cheap doesn’t mean awful, as the Augen GenTouch 78 manages to prove.

    It’s not an iPad alternative either, but it gets the job done for a little over 150 bucks, which is amazing. But let’s see the ups and downs of the Augen GenTouch 78, as reviewed by Engadget and Liliputing.

    The screen

    As expected, the 800 x 480 pixels screen is resistive in nature, which means you have to press it harder to get a response. The provided stylus (even if it feels cheap) helps a lot and might be your main input method when playing with the Augen GenTouch 78. The screen is glossy, so you won’t like it outdoors.

    Build and construction

    The case of the tablet is made from hard plastic that doesn’t look particularly good (compared for example with the 199$ Archos 7 Tablet). A very strange choice of design is the inclusion of back, search, home, and menu buttons on the back of the device (what was in their heads?). Another surprise is the 2.5 mm output audio jack, but this can be solved with a simple email send to Augen, who will supply you with a converter to the 3.5 mm jack format for free. A nice simulated leather case is supplied in the box so you can take the Augen with you in style (sort of).

    Cheap Android tablet, not a dream anymore

    Cheap Android tablet, not a dream anymore

    Software and speed

    Augen GenTouch 78 comes with Android 2.1 and a promise for an upgrade to 2.2 sometime this year (but Augen isn’t sure about that 100%). The 800 MHz CPU, helped by 256 MB RAM does an adequate job of running the device, but don’t expect Snapdragon performance, or iPad snappiness. After all it’s a 150$ tablet, not a rocket spaceship. Google Android marketplace is present but apps don’t install. Augen says a software fix is on its way so check back to their website if you’ve already purchased the GenTouch 78. For now you can install apps from a TransFlash or MicroSD card (careful when plugging the card, as the slot is not that well built).

    Wrap up

    If you have 150 bucks and want to be able to tell your friends you’re all for tablets, then the Augen GenTouch 78 is not a bad choice, but don’t expect stellar performance or build. That’s the short and pain(less) conclusion.

    Get the Augen GenTouch 78 from Amazon for 161 $