This "Tank" Tablet Features an Integrated Projector, Providing Amplification When a 11-inch Display Seems Insufficient
This "Tank" Tablet Features an Integrated Projector, Providing Amplification When a 11-inch Display Seems Insufficient
Is tech starting to feel repetitive? Does the vibrant, dual-OLED display on the latest iPad Pro seem dull to you? Perhaps this "Armored Tablet" hybrid tablet projector project will ignite your creativity. Which is better as a tablet or a projector? The "Armored Tablet" poses the question if it's time to go back to combining two distinct devices into one, Frankenstein-like gadget.
The Chinese brand 8849's "Armored Tablet" is a rugged Android tablet marketed towards engineers going on-site or people at home who desire to project Netflix on their kitchen wall. The device's upper edge has a 100-lumen projector, apart from that, it features a 10.95-inch FHD (1920 by 1080) display with up to 120 Hz.
While that might be decent, if all you wanted was a tablet, the MSRP of $1,000 definitely wouldn't be appealing. But it's on sale for $800, and you can obtain it for less than $500 on AliExpress. At least it has a 5G base and includes a SIM card slot.
The "Armored Tablet" uses a DLP short-range projector, and with those relatively low lumens compared to small-scale projectors, it won't be as bright as you'd want to replace your TV. Especially not since it doesn't include a built-in kickstand, and there's no way to rotate the projector other than altering the projection angle.
Its other specs are a mixed bag. The device is powered by a Dimensity 8200, a mid-range processor released earlier this year, along with 16 GB of RAM. The device claims to have 32 GB of RAM, but 16 GB of that total is "extended RAM," which is essentially repurposed storage for handling some multitasking tasks. Otherwise, it has a 512 GB SSD and a large, 21000 mAh battery. If you really feel the need, there's a 50 MP main sensor for capturing quick tablet photos. That last feature might be useful for those in hard hats while on the job site.
It's not the only tablet with a built-in projector but it's certainly the bulkiest of its kind. Lenovo once sold the Yoga Tab 3 Pro with its rotating pico projector and included kickstand. That also had the benefit of a built-in kickstand. The projector-tablet and projector-PC design have taken a back seat in recent years. Nowadays, small-scale projectors are their own category of viewing experience, even if they can't offer the picture quality of a modern IPS LCD or a mini-LED TV. You have plenty of soda can-sized projectors from XGIMI and Anker. Budget-minded brand TCL also has an upcoming mini projector that can project a 100-inch screen onto your wall or ceiling.
With a relatively unremarkable main display featuring large bezels and rear-facing speakers, the only thing that could make the device stand out is its projector. Yes, it's brighter than 2015's Yoga Tab 3 Pro, but it's likely not bright enough to compete with your dedicated projector.
But maybe it's time to reconsider these tech hybrids. I would welcome the return of projector phones. Maybe we could see more gimmicky concepts make it to market. I know I could actually make use of Acer's Dual Play laptop with a built-in controller. Remember when Alienware made a gaming handheld before the Steam Deck and never released it? Maybe tech "concepts" need to be less "concepts."
The "Armored Tablet" from the Chinese brand 8849, with its built-in projector, demonstrates a shift towards integrating technology, pushing the boundaries of what a tablet can do in the future of technology. Despite the bulky design, other brands like Lenovo and XGIMI have also explored projector-tablet hybrids, indicating a potential revival of interest in these tech hybrids.