Of the three devices that were launched at Cherry Mobile’s MAIA media event a couple of days ago, the MAIA Smart Pad is easily the most intriguing. It looks just like most other 8 inch Android tablets, and for the most part, its specs are quite decent. However, what makes it different is that it allows you to switch between Android 4.4 KitKat and Windows 8.1, depending on what your needs are and eliminating the need to bring two separate devices. Dual-booting between Android and Windows isn’t new, but at just Php4,999, the MAIA Smart Pad is an exciting proposition to most budget-minded buyers.
The WXGA screen is bright and has great color reproduction while the 1.8GHz Intel Atom quad core processor allows it to perform acceptably well whether you’re running Android or Windows. The challenge though is the MAIA Smart Pad’s storage. 32GB might seem like a whopping amount of storage, but keep in mind that a dual-boot tablet has two OS’s eating up their own respective share of storage. While you would usually end up with about 26GB to 28GB of usable storage on most 32GB Android devices, you’ll end up with much less on the MAIA Smart Pad. Bumping up the storage to at least 64GB would have been nice, but would likely also drive the price up.
For what it is, the Cherry Mobile MAIA Smart Pad should allow you to use it as both a work and play tablet. Pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and you’ll have a portable productivity machine that will at least let you churn through some Word docs or Powerpoint slides on the go.
Cherry Mobile MAIA Smart Pad Specs
- 8″ WXGA IPS display (800 x 1280 resolution, 189ppi)
- 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z3735F quad core processor
- 646MHz Intel HD Graphics
- Android 4.4 KitKat / Windows 8.1
- 2GB RAM
- 32GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 64GB
- 5mp rear-facing camera
- 2mp front camera
- WiFi
- Bluetooth
- 3,800mAh battery
- Price: Php4,999
just 1 question: can the Windows OS be uninstalled???
Hi, Ferdinand. I’m sure you can. I’m just not sure how. You might want to check out Pinoyscreencast.net as he has a review unit already and he’s more into modding his review units than I am. Hope this helps.
If Windows OS can be uninstalled, can we then allocate the freed-up memory to android?
i think it is better to not to take the windows os out. because it has better ui then kitkat. well that’s for me. 😀 hehe..
Can we allocate all of 32gb internal memory to a single OS?
Is this equipped with gps?
Remember the Superion Navigator?
Just upgrade the processor to 1.8GHz Intel Atom Z3735F
Increase the memory to 2GB ram and 32 internal
Increase the battery capacity to 5,000 mAh
Give it 2 years OS upgrade
And price it not more than 9k and I’ll buy it.