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For the alluring price of £140, the Zoostorm Playtab Q6010 has plenty to like if all you're after is a simple media consumption device to browse the web or check social media.
The spec sheet reads with an approving nod for such a low price, though unfortunately most of the PlayTab's features can at best be described as mediocre. I struggled to find anything that sets the Zoostorm apart from other tablets of a similar price or specification.
We liked
Let me say it again - the price. £140 is difficult to beat for a 10.1-inch quad-core tablet with a reasonable stock version of Android Jelly Bean pre-loaded. Games and apps that I tried worked well, and were mostly fast enough not to detract from the experience.
The PlayTab feels good in the hand and the slightly rubberised rear makes it easy to keep-a-hold of.
Despite the lower resolution, the IPS screen gives good viewing angles while microSD storage and HDMI output are ports we'd happily have on any tablet.
We disliked
Some of the PlayTab's preinstalled apps are questionable in their quality such as the music and video apps, while the omission of other key apps such as YouTube and Chrome seems a little bewildering.
The design is utilitarian and difficult to discern from many other budget tablets. Having all the ports and buttons on one side while the quiet single speaker resides on the other is a bizarre choice of positioning and doesn't particularly lend itself to a good ergonomic experience.
I found the resolution of the screen a little off-putting at this screen size, with a chasm between glass and screen, while including the front- and rear-facing cameras was almost a complete waste of time.
Final verdict
The Zoostorm PlayTab has a design somewhat reminiscent of the appealing and largely successful Tesco Hudl, and specifications to rival some more expensive tablets, but there's been far too many corners cut in getting the PlayTab to such a competitive price.
There's clearly room for a good budget tablet, but when such high benchmarks have been set by others, the PlayTab only just about manages to be considered good value thanks to its smooth operation, good app compatibility and connectivity.
If you're looking for an iPad competitor or a cheaper Android alternative to the Google Nexus 10, you'd best carry on saving for something with a bit more substance, or otherwise down-size your expectations to one of the better seven-inch tablets that can be had for a similar price, such as the Advent Vega Tegra Note 7 or Amazon Kindle Fire HD.
