Neo Shift N81 Review

OS and Performance

Now for its main feature, the N81 features dual-boot capabilities allowing it to run both Android and Windows. From Android to Windows, switching is done by pressing and holding the power button and selecting “Boot to Windows”. The switch takes around 50 seconds. Switching from Windows to Android, on the other hand, requires the use of a special program pre-installed on Windows. It’s easy to use and just requires a couple of clicks and takes around a little over a minute.

Android

Running the Android department is the old, yet still very functional, Android 4.4.4 Kitkat. The UI is kept stock and doesn’t have much pre-installed apps. Even Google apps are kept to a minimum – GMail, Chrome Browser, Google Search, and Google Play Music. Well, Neo doesn’t have a lot of choice as the Android System only has 4.36GB of allocated space with 2.93GB of usable out of the 32GB total. That being said, it’s better that you invest on a microSD card and move all your videos, photos, and music files there.

Windows

It’s good for Neo to ship the N81 with Windows 10 instead of Windows 8.1, saving buyers the hassle of upgrading to the latest version of Windows themselves. It also has MS Office’s Word Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile, and Excel Mobile pre-installed. As for the available storage, this is where the bulk of the internal storage is placed with 21.4GB allocated for it and 11.2GB as usable.

Powering the N81 is a 1.33GHz Intel Baytrail Z3735F Quad-core CPU, Intel HD Graphics and 2GB RAM. It has the same configuration as the Cherry Mobile MAIA Smart Tab but with a lower CPU frequency. Performance is good for a tablet of its class. There’s no random crashes and navigation is smooth. Android gaming is good and can breeze through productivity-based tasks like MS Office apps. Check out the Android benchmark scores below.

* AnTuTu – 35,379
* Quadrant Standard – 15,589
* Vellamo – 1,393 (Multicore), 1,198 (Metal), 3,368 (Chrome Browser)
* 3D Mark – 8,595 (Ice Storm Extreme)
* Gaming Temp – 23-C

Based on the numbers, the N81 scored slightly higher than the MAIA Smart Tab. Also notable here is the cool temperature when gaming.

Battery Life

Providing juice for the N81 is a 4,800mAh battery. Not exactly huge but will get you through the working day if you’re using it for light to medium tasks. Don’t expect it to last that long if you’re into gaming. When it comes to endurance, it scored 5 hours and 5 minutes on PC Mark and 8 hours and 20 minutes worth of playback on our routine battery test.

Conclusion

The Neo Shift N81 is the kind of dual-booting tablet that also wants to be a 2-in-1 convertible tablet. In concept, it is very likable, it has a decent screen real-estate, 3G connectivity, capable hardware spec, portable build, pre-loaded with Windows 10, and already has a keyboard dock included. And it doesn’t cost much at Php8,999USD 153INR 13,000EUR 146CNY 1,117. On the downside, it has a flimsy keyboard, weak speaker and very limited usable storage on Android. However, if you’re one of those who can live with those cons, you’ll very much enjoy the Shift N81.

Neo Shift N81-3G specs:
8.9-inch 1280 x 800 pixels touchscreen display, 170ppi
1.33GHz Intel Baytrail Z3735F quad-core CPU
Intel HD Graphics
2GB RAM
32GB internal storage
microSD card slot
2MP rear camera
0.3MP front camera
3G
WiFi
Bluetooth
USB OTG
micro HDMI
Windows 10 and Android 4.4. KitKat
4,800mAh battery
Keyboard dock
SRP: Php8,999USD 153INR 13,000EUR 146CNY 1,117

What we liked:
* Good tablet build
* Good performance
* Runs Windows 10 out of the box
* Comes with its own keyboard

What we didn’t like:
* Keyboard dock feels flimsy
* Very limited usable storage on Android