I bought the Notion Ink Adam on the recommendation of a friend and a few thousand websites that gave it glowing tributes when it debuted at the Las Vegas CES. After having it for the last few months, my enthusiasm for the product has been severely tested.
To begin with, its low price was touted as one of its USPs, but if one opted for the top-of-the-line version featuring the PixelQi screen and WiFi, the price started nudging into iPad territory. Sadly, the device is nowhere as exclusive or has as good a design or screen as the iPad. Then there was the hidden charge - 1700/- for delivery! Oh yes, carrying case is extra. Delivery time itself is a downer, especially since the company decides to release it in batches; miss one lot and you never know when bookings will open up for the next.
When I unpacked the device, I found a screen guard bundled. Problems began when I tried to apply it myself. Without a dust-free factory setting, I soon found my application riddled with bubbles that refused to go away. Peeling off and reapplication worsened the problem, and I finally got rid of the screen. Why couldn’t it have been factory-installed?
The device itself has shown progressive deterioration. Android Market was not installed by default - an attempt at exclusivity perhaps? - and had to be installed manually. After downloading a few applications, it stopped working. Subsequently, the GMail app, messenger app and a few other apps stopped working as well. Then, after an update, I started getting’android.process.acore has stopped unexpectedly’ messages. WiFi reception is iffy - if the device gets into screensaver mode, it takes a good minute or two for the WiFi to activate again, so there’s a bit of thumb twiddling involved while waiting to get onto the internet.
Battery life in the idle mode is quite sad - the device often shuts down without warning, necessitating date and time inputs every time it is started up. If that isn’t bad enough, my charging adapter has started making crackling noises. I’m waiting with bated breath for it to burst into flames. Speaking of adaptors, I’m still scratching my head over why an Indian company is providing flat-pin plugs! I’ve had to buy an adaptor because flat-pin plugs are still a rarity in this country - add that to the long list of additional charges.
In idle mode, if I flick the switch to bring the device to life, I often get the’shut down’ screen. When I try to put it into idle mode, the screen goes off, then comes on again, and I have to flick the switch again for the screen to go blank. The touchscreen keyboard is a disaster - typing fast is out of the question as it often misses key strokes. Touch the space bar on the other hand, and it registers 2 or even 3 spaces. There are quite a few other bugs like this that make this device irritating to use.
I tried raising these problems with the firm on email - no response. I tried again - still no response. I thought of raising them through the bulletin board at conclave.notionink.com, only to find that I could not register as a user! This, despite owning a device.
In short, this device is only for the hard-core geek with lots of money to spare. The only way to get it to work well is to root the device, which voids the warranty, but then if there’s no one to service the warranty, then it doesn’t matter anyway. For the rest, if you’re in the market for a tablet, avoid this one like the plague. My recommendation: spend a couple grand more and buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab 750.
I had high hopes from an Indian company, that too Bangalore based, but my hopes have been dashed. Final verdict? STAY AWAY.