Android tablets are in plentiful supply. High-quality Android tablets at affordable prices, like Packard Bell’s Silverstone range, are much rarer propositions. Whether you’re watching videos on the established T10, taking advantage of the T11’s enhanced specs, or zooming through online content on the Silverstone T18’s 10.5 inch display, there’s something speedy here for every budget.
There are two common threads throughout Packard Bell’s Android range. Each member of the family makes use of a metal chassis, adding premium materials to the list of positive points you can look forward to. Additionally, two of the models now available in South Africa ship with a high-quality Folio case included in the box, sparing you from the need to head out and find a compatible cover for your new tablet. The third, the T10, will feature an included folio cover soon.
A trip around Silverstone
The Silverstone T10 and T11 tablets could almost be siblings. That’s because, well… they are. The T10 has been present in South Africa for some time, recently being joined by its T11 successor. The units share several specs – the same octa-core processor beats at the heart of both and both are powered by the same 4GB allocation of system memory. The excellent 10.1in 1,920 x 1,200 IPS display is common across two devices, as is the long-lived 6,000mAh lithium-polymer battery.
There are differences in evidence. These will colour which of the two you’ll take home with you. The T11 arrives with 128GB of storage over the T10’s 64GB standard but both support up to 128GB of additional space in the shape of a microSD card. There’s space and support for a 4G LTE SIM card too, so you needn’t choose between always-on connectivity and masses of internal storage.
Both Silverstones have a 5MP front-facing camera in common, with the T10 fielding an 8MP rear snapping and the T11 upping its game to include a 13MP sensor. The T11 ships with Android 13 installed right out of the box.
T18 and over
With features like those, why would you opt for the pricier Silverstone T18 tablet? There are reasons, of course. Prime among them are the increased display size – the T18 features a 10.5in screen – and the change-up from IPS in the more affordable models to a new In-Cell display. The tech allows for better battery life, a thinner, lighter device, and improved optical clarity while keeping the price tag at affordable levels.
Other upgrades include a MediaTek-made octa-core processor, speedier overall multitasking and response thanks to the 6GB system memory allocation, and the convenience of a Bluetooth 5.0 connection to your wireless devices.
The 5MP/13MP camera setup and 128GB storage capacity from the Silverstone T11 is carried over here but it’s slipped behind a very attractive and lightweight screen/chassis combination. The price jump isn’t unreasonable either, making device selection a choice and not a budget requirement.
Adding a 10inch Packard Bell tablet to your list of essential gadgets couldn’t be simpler. The tablet lineup is available from Takealot, HiFi Corp, and a range of other South African retail outlets. The Silverstone T10 starts from R2,999, the T11 ups the price to R3,699, and the mighty T18 slate will set buyers back just R4,299. Don’t delay. Pick up a Packard Bell tablet and find out just how affordable a high-quality tablet can be.
