Linx Vision 8 inch Tablet with Xbox Controller - Black

I've broken this review into sections as there's a lot to cover (sorry for the text wall) and I want to be balanced and unbiased and not overload people with technical stuff that they may not understand, so if you're one of these don't worry. I've also covered Usage in two sections for both normal use and gaming use, so if you're only interested in one of these then you can choose your section :).***OVERVIEW***I was looking for a new tablet as my old Nexus 7 2012 was finally dying, and as it was Xmas I decided to treat myself, and it was made even better by my son offering to pay for it (although out of his pocket money). My experience with tablets up until now had been tablets running Android, and for me this was a major leap in the dark. The main appeal was the fact I could use the same apps on the tablet (subject to realistic expectations - I wouldn't be doing high-end video editing for instance) without having to remember different layouts or what the tablet could or couldn't do and vice versa, as well use my Xbox one or Steam PC wherever I was in the house.***WHAT'S IN THE BOX***The box contains:The controllerTabletCharging PlugUSB/charging cableInstructions and various paperwork***FIRST IMPRESSIONS***The tablet seems smart enough, and the build quality seems fairly decent. It's completely black apart from a small windows logo on the bottom/right of the front of the tablet, and the Linx and Intel logo on the back and some minimal "legal stuff", serial number and tiny icons for connectors. The back seemed to be made from black brushed metal with glass strip on the top/left for that adds a little bit of style for housing the camera. Something that is a problem is the fact the screen is a fingerprint magnet. While it's not too much of a problem when the screen is on, it's a massive problem when it's off and they're really noticeable. I know this can affect all touchscreen devices, but it is a niggle. The screen isn't too bad for the price, and I've seen a lot worse, but I've also seen better. It's average, but don't expect 4K quality.The build quality is actually quite good, although it is heavy. I've had pricier tablets in the past where they felt really light and flimsy, but this does feel quite solid. I'm not going to say that this means it will take abuse or a drop, but it doesn't feel like it will fall apart at the first opportunity. The only problem with the weight is that it can become tiring to hold upright yourself after a while. A minor problem is the fact that the charger, headphone and micro HDMI connectors are on the "bottom" of the tablet, and although the tablet is full 360 degrees rotational, it does cause a problem when it's in the controller and you want to rest it on something upright.When I turned it on it booted quick enough into the W10 setup routine which is identical to the W10 PC setup, so there's no system shock until you get to the desktop. The desktop view is initially set to tablet mode so the start menu is "always on", and the default desktop view doesn't exist so icons and stuff don't appear on it (you can switch from this mode and more on it later). Anyway, I hadn't even got as far as sorting this out when the tablet decided it needed to install an update. As with W10 on the PC, updates are forced so I didn't have a choice so thought I may as well let it go ahead.The initial update is around 3GB in size and it was fairly quick to download, but installation was another matter. The tablet took over 2.5 hours to install the update, restarting a couple of times in the process. At one point I did wonder whether it had crashed due to the percentage complete hanging for about 20 minutes at 72%. If you get notice of an update then make sure your unit is fully charged or connected to the charger because if the device shuts down at a critical point then it could cause serious problems. Once the update had completed I made sure it was still working as expected, and then decided to shut it down completely and give it a much needed charge.***USAGE - NORMAL***The first thing I did was switch from tablet to PC mode (Settings > System > Tablet Mode and select desktop in "When I sign in"). The reasons for this are because the system does handle differently. In tablet mode apps can and will be put to sleep or closed, you don't have a "full" desktop or system tray and it allows me to customise it a little more so it's like my PCs. The first thing I installed was Chrome as I absolutely hate the Edge browser that is default. If you've used Chrome on an Android tablet you'll know that the browser you get is the mobile browser and not the full version of Chrome, whereas on the W10 you can get the full version which allows you to install extensions like AdBlock, VPNs, etc. As I can sign into my Google account with Chrome all my extensions and bookmarks arrived shortly after I installed Chrome so I didn't need to go hunting for them. I also installed LibreOffice (although a mobile version of Excel, Powerpoint and Word are included), Panda antivirus as I had a spare licence and don't trust Microsoft's Defender, and Steam. You do notice that you're on a tablet because the installation can be quite slow. You're not using a hard disk or solid state drive so the speed is comparable to writing files to an SD card.The other advantage of PC mode is the fact I can run things like Disk Cleanup easier. When the update hit it left a LOT of old files behind (Windows.old folder) which was around 8GB in size (there's only 32GB of storage including the OS installation, so it was around 25% of the storage wasted). I didn't do this immediately because I wanted to ensure the system was stable enough, but after a few hours of checking everything was working as expected. If you've had the update I'd double check whether you've got any disk space wasted, but don't do it if you're not confident.Something you will notice is if the installers use any kind of fancy graphics or overlays. The Steam sign-in gave me real problems as the onscreen keyboard wouldn't automatically activate. I could either faff around using cut and paste from notepad or install a keyboard mouse combo connected via a USB-OTG dongle, which was what I did. Any standard keyboard or mouse will work. This allowed me better control and I didn't have a keyboard taking up half the screen, so it definitely increases it's use as a mini PC replacement. You can also use bluetooth keyboards as well as it has built in bluetooth, but I don't have a BT keyboard.The speed of the tablet isn't too bad. You will notice lag when there's loads going on, but if you're just browsing or doing something light with a couple of programs open then it's OK. The main problems come when you need to throw a lot of resources at something, it reaches it's technical limitations and it will slow right down. This isn't unexpected, and will happen with a desktop PC, but it's a lot more noticeable on a tablet and can produce the occasional temporary lock up for a second or two. The RAM is a bit skimpy at 2GB, but then again this machine isn't designed for anything high-end and you get what you pay for.The cameras are OK for stuff like Skype or something, but they're only 2MP (front and back) so you won't be the next David Bailey. They do have a bit of a problem with low light levels where the picture becomes grainy and extreme light levels where it becomes washed out, but this is a tablet and not a camera. For what you average consumer is going to be doing it's fine. As I said with the screen, I've seen a lot worse, but I've also seen better, and the camera is better than some other models I looked at which cost more.If you're relying on this as an alarm clock, while there is an alarm function in W10 it only works when the device is awake and the screen is on. If W10 goes to sleep or the screen shuts down it doesn't work. Handy for an alarm while you're using the tablet, but not as an alarm clock to wake you up. This is a problem of W10 (although I think it can be changed with a configuration change, but it will eat battery) and not the tablet, but worth noting.It does feel solid and consistent compared to a desktop PC (please note my points about using a keyboard and mouse combo which do make a difference), and if you're on a really tight budget you might find this a suitable option for a PC or laptop alternative, but I'd also invest in at least a 64GB (I have a 128GB in mine) SD card to expand the storage, especially if you're using it to write documents or need to download stuff. Yes, it can chug occasionally, and the screen is small but there is a work around to the screen issue and I'll get to it later (although it is slightly technical and require other reasonably priced hardware, some free software and a Steam account).***USAGE - GAMING***Let's make one thing absolutely clear. The tablet CANNOT handle ANY games on it's own unless they're very light on system resources and small enough not to eat all the storage in one go. The gaming side relies on streaming across the local network and either the XBox (or PS4) or a PC running Steam as they'll do all the hard work and send it to the tablet, which will send back your input to the host. This does create something called input lag, so anything that requires quick reflexes may suffer and I'd avoid anything that's multiplayer and relies on your reactions.If you've got an XBox One then you'll have instant gratification as the software needed to connect and play is all there. Simply launch the XBox software, connect to the XBox and you're away. Now someone can watch TV while you game away - just remember the headphones.For Steam, it's a slightly different matter. You need to install Steam on the tablet and PC then set it up on your PC to allow streaming on the local network. The Steam configuration is easy enough to do, but you will need to have the PC allowing itself to be discovered (or at least I did) on the LAN. If you play games with mouse and keyboard on Steam then you have the option of either using the controller or using a USB-OTG cable to attach a keyboard and mouse. Something to bear in mind with Steam is that it needs the PC to be logged in *and* unlocked, so if you don't want to leave the PC unlocked or logged in while you're not in the same room you'll have a problem.PS4 is similar to XBox and Steam. You need to install the PS4 Remote play software, and then use a USB-OTG dongle to physically connect (as in wireless won't work) a proper PS4 controller to the tablet as the controller that comes with the tablet doesn't work because it's an XBox/PC controller.You can also Stream games that aren't Steam on your PC (even using something like UPlay) without having to add them to Steam, but see my "Tips and Tricks" section below to see how to do this by using the tablet as a remote desktop.The streaming side isn't too bad, and gives results comparable to what the PC will, although there is occasionally page tearing and jitters which I'm not sure is down to the network, tablet or both. As I said, there is lag which is sometimes noticeable, but most single player games are playable enough. As mentioned above, the screen is decent enough so you can see what's going on, although if you're playing something which relies on you spotting something small on screen or has tiny subtitles then you might have an issue purely do to size. I've been pleasantly surprised by this, and my son says it's not too bad.The controllers and buttons feel sturdy enough and you do get used to it easily enough, The only problem is the weight of it. The tablet is heavy enough on it's own, but once the controller is added you can really start to feel the added weight so you'll find yourself trying to rest it on something, which can be a problem if you've got the charger and headphones connected as the connect to the tablet through ports in the bottom of the frame. There is a locking mechanism at the top of the frame which stops the tablet slipping out or not being secured properly, although this has to be manually activated by switches at the top of the frame (if you find you can't put the tablet in the frame check these haven't gone into the locked position).As a kind of TV/monitor for gaming it works well enough, but as I said there are drawbacks and it's not a replacement for a TV or monitor.***TIPS AND TRICKS***NOTE - There is a micro HDMI connection near the charging port, but I haven't tested this as I haven't got a HDMI cable with micro HDMI so I have stated a way that I know works from experience, although it might be worth trying a micro HDMI cable first as you won't need Steam or the Steam Link.Back in the review for standard usage I said this may be an alternative for a low-end PC or laptop, but it suffered from a small screen. If you have a standard flatscreen TV with HDMI ports then you can use this tablet to make it appear like a smart TV and display the tablet. You'll need a Steam account (free) and to order a Steam Link unit (£40, but quite often on sale) which connects to your TV and LAN from them. You then install Steam on your tablet, set it up to stream to the Steam Link, and then run Steam in administrator mode (it HAS to be run in administrator mode) on your tablet. All you need to do then is minimise the "Big Picture" mode in Steam (what it launches into) and then you'll be able to see the desktop view on TV and do all the things you can normally do on the tablet, but it will be streamed to your TV. This does require a certain amount of overhead, and you won't have a fast multitasking PC replacement, but for browsing, Netflix/Prime Video, doing basic work tasks or e-mail it works fine. If you have a keyboard or mouse, you can even connect that to the Steam Link and still control the tablet if you don't have a USB-OTG dongle.You can also use the tablet as a kind of remote desktop for your PC or stream non-Steam (you can even Stream from UPlay or other games services) games if you have Steam on your PC. Simply set it up as if you're streaming for gaming, ensure it's running in administrator mode and connect the tablet to it and minimise the "Big Picture" mode in Steam, and you have a remote desktop. Just remember that any changes you make will be on your PC and not the tablet (so if you download a picture it will be on the PC, not the tablet). There's also the fact that your PC will need to be logged in and unlocked, but it is possible to shut the PC down remotely or lock it doing this.If you're finding that streaming is suffering from PC/XBox/PS4 whatever then try and connect the device to the router using an ethernet cable, and if your router supports it, activate the 5GHz mode and connect the tablet using the 5GHz WiFi. This allow a faster throughput to the the tablet than using WiFi both ends. It's also recommended to use the Steam Link with an ethernet cable for the same reasons.Do you have a child who sneakily uses his XBox in bed when they should be asleep? Simply make sure you've got an account on the XBox and you'll be able to turn it off from the tablet using the installed XBox software. This drives my son nuts that I can do this, especially as said he'd pay for the tablet for me.If you have Whatsapp on your phone, simply point your browser on your tablet to web dot whatsapp dot com, use your phone to scan the QR code that's presented on screen and it will sync up with your tablet (this will work on any tablet or PC by the way), and as long as the phone and tablet are on the same network then you can use Whatsapp in the browser.Don't keep the charger in constantly even if using it as a laptop/PC alternative. It knackers the battery (just like with laptops) and it's not good practice anyway.***OVERALL***This tablet has surprised me considering I got it for shy of £100. It performs pretty well, although the battery life will suffer when you're doing something intensive. It's not the most advanced tablet in the world by any stretch of the imagination, but it's great for your average consumer, and OK for a power user who needs to be able to use W10 on the move.For gaming, it's about as useful as using any other device for game streaming, and it's price point makes it a reasonable option.There's also the option of what you can do with it when you're technically minded, so it's actually has a fair few uses.Recommended.

Well got this for 100 sterling for my youngest as the eldest child got the Asus transformer.I wasn't expecting much as it was 3 times less expensive.OOOER I was wrong, charged it up on xmas for her then hit the first snag of windows update looping due to no space left on the device. It took me a while suss out that you need mini USB and memory stick, you then simply use it for media storage to allow the full update. ( this took a few hours but please don't be put off)Finally got it running latest w10 (1709). Booted up as fast as the Asus, set it up and connected to Xbox one in seconds.Thought it would be lower resolution but no, perfect full HD ( bear in mind the resolution is great for an 8 inch device). Only your own network will cause glitches, I'm happy to report its perfect on my set up.The game pad work flawlessly. Feels nice to use for me as I'm no console gamer.Windows 10 works like a dream. No slow down. it can cope with tabs open.I also splurged for Minecraft on both machines. Granted the asus will load faster (not much) but the gaming is exaclty the same. I'd give the edge to this pad as it has the pad build in so to speak.So in summary download w10 1709 update and place it onto a usb stick, instert via mini USB and update. Log in and have much fun, safe in the knowledge that for the cost, you get a VERY nice windows MINI pc that playes games. It wont be a desktop replacement but it will be a very well used item.

The TLDR: If you just want to stream games from steam or xbox, this thing works great. If you think you'll be playing some real games or emulating anything psp level or beyond, keep looking.The linx Vision 8 is a great start to what i would imagine could be an excellent niche line from Linx. Unfortunately, this first model is marred by its low specs and dpad. The disc style clickie concave dpad looks pretty, but its functionally useless for anything that requires dpad precision. I can do ok with practice in street fighter III. In helldivers, dialing in the codes for your support items is hit or miss, and often requires several attempts. In a game like that, thats often game over at the higher levels. There's a reason everyone uses a physical cross as a dpad. Even if you wanted to keep the disc, at least overlay a full cross for tactile purposes, it would have slightly helped. As for the specs, I understand they created this device to be a streaming solution, and they did an incredibly good job for that one task. The problem is that it could be SOOO much more for only a few more manufacturing dollars. For example, the SoC is the low end 8300 Cherry trail X5. For literally 7 more dollars per unit, it could have been bumped up to the top end 8700. For another 10$ we could have doubled the ram and taken advantage of the dual channel speed increase. JUST these two things alone would have resulted in a device thats capable of playing a plethora of steam titles that are currently JUST not quite fast enough to run on the tablet. Faster EMMC options are a must on the next version, and please dont skimp on the sd card reader speed. I would love to see a premium model with 64 or 128gigs of internal storage, a UHS-1 capable SD card slot, 4gigs of ram, and at the least an x5-8500 SoC. I would pay 50-100$ more for it, and it would leave us with a device that will last longer than this unit. The streaming options are fine, but with GPD producing a more portable cheaper clamshell version thats more powerful than this, I can't see any reason to keep it. As a secondary tablet, this thing would have done ok if not for the fact that the storage is just SOOOO slow. Its too slow to be effective for any real games as load and even install times are outrageous. For desktop apps and loading any media, its pretty hard to justify using this when i have a much faster shield tablet or surface book I could be using. The last criticism i have is with the game controller. Its overall excellent barring the dpad. Its just really really really bulky. Not portable in any way. I have no choice but to use my 17" laptop backpack to transport it and my stuff now instead of my 12.5" backpack because this thing doesn't fold up, disassemble, or compress in any way. Next gen you really need to figure out how to break this thing up into pieces with pogo pins, or even something as simple as letting the controllers fold into the center would go a LOONG way in making this all more moveable.Great first effort, but a higher end model is really needed, I think you'll find most gamers who this is targetted at would prefer to pay a little more for the versatility and longevity of a better unit.

Also ich muss ehrlich sagen, dass ich noch nie so ein qualitativ hochwertiges China-Produkt in der Hand hatte.Komplett-Paket: Eine Mega Verpackung! Macht echt was her und sieht so gar nicht billig aus! Das micro-USB-Ladekabel (microUSB -> USB) ist echt lang. Nur das Netzteil ist nicht so berauschend (optisch) aber das benötige ich wegen eines Ankers USB Ladegeräts eh nicht.Tablet: Also man darf sich jetzt kein Surface vorstellen, aber das ist ein Atom-Tablet nun mal nicht! Es macht genau das was es soll und das ist hier auch wirklich die Hauptsache. XBox Streamen und Plex Media Player! Da das mein erstes Windows 10 Tablet ist, vorher nur Windows 8/8.1 Tablets gehabt, war ich nach dem einschalten echt überrascht wie schnell es ist und wie flüssig es auf jegliche Eingaben reagiert. Das einzige was mich etwas genervt hat waren die Updates, für die ich geschlagene 24 Stunden gebraucht habe. Lag vielleicht auch an meiner Infrastruktur... Egal. Das Tablet ist super!XBOX-360-Controller: Denn so wird es in Windows 10 dargestellt. Auch hier ist die Qualität ausreichend gut. Nicht zu vergleichen mit einem echten XBOX 360 bzw. XBOX One Controller, jedoch kann man bei einem Komplettpreis von um die 150 € echt nicht meckern.Ich will nicht viele Worte verlieren... Einfach kaufen und sich mega freuen! Definitive Kaufempfehlung!