PRESTIGIO MULTIPAD 4 Quantum 9.7 PMP 5297C Real Life Review

As for almost every new tablet (or any device really), I was afraid I couldn't make more words in the review than it is present in this model name. That is the main reason for this short introduction, because I never know what will I write about, or how long would I care about writing before wrapping it up, close the laptop lid, say goodbye to the computer, turn on my other computer, and watch some TV series. 

// IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is updated with new information based on the new firmware update, version 1.0.7 (see the comment section), and it is done so by using this fancy red, but not completely red, colour. 

Because the changes were so tremendous with the new firmware, new article would probably be a better idea. But then, It would mean to throw away all this healthy sarcasm. And that is never an option.

     

Prestigio Multipad 4 Quantum 9.7 5297C:
They have some seriously cool
high-tech background picture 

Did I mention this little thing which always seems to happen to me. One day (1) after buying PRESTIGIO Multipad 4 quantum 9.7 5297C tablet, PIPO has arrived to our market with its model PIPO M6 Pro, and, for the same price, it offered:

1. Larger battery (2x5000mAh=10.000mAh instead of 8.000mAh on Prestigio)
2. Better camera (well, at least more Mpix) with Flash (no flash on Prestigio)
3. Embedded GPS
4. More storage (16GB instead of 8GB on Prestigio)
5. Better community
6. Probably some other things

And what am I doing regarding this revelation? Looking for PIPO M6 Pro reviews and offers every day and every night, of course. And much to my great happiness and well being, it seems that PIPO M6 Pro also has some performance issues due to this high resolution display.

Main purpose of this review is to warn about and to illustrate these performance issues which make cheaper "retina" tablets painful to use at considerable amount of occasions.

// Hm yeah well.. After Prestigio firmware update, main purpose of this article is to warn about and to illustrate these performance issues with the OLD firmware and on some other tablets which did not have this kind of a kick-ass new firmware. 


I guess that the graphic processor which they are implementing in these tablets (they are all made in the same factory anyway, probably) simply cannot withstand all these pixels. And if you ask me, both manufacturers and retailers are embarrassing themselves with tablets' performances on this "retina" resolution. (// Not Prestigio 5297C anymore). Should you buy this thing? (// Probably yes.) 

Consider the following PROs and CONs from an average geek like myself, and then decide on your free will, or based on what your government is telling you to decide, it is your decision.


PRESTIGIO MULTIPAD 4 Quantum 9.7 PMP 5297C The Good

1. It is really nice to look at nice pictures at this screen resolution at free time
2. It is really nice to look at nice pictures at this screen resolution at working time
3. Aluminium body sometimes feels great, and always looks great.
4. "Leather pouch" is a nice addition. Pretty and functional.
5. OTA (over the air) update. Which of course in 99,99% cases says, "Your tablet is up to date". But still.
6. USB host out of ther box
7. Nice 4:3 big, almost 10" screen.
8. Relatively slim and light.
9. Robust, firm construction.
10. Okay battery (2 days with moderate use like on/off reading and surfing).
11. Sometimes okay performance (not too many apps in background, more than 100MB free space on the system partition, not starting Chrome browser, not being too cold in the room, not being nervous and offending your tablet when using him/her). 
12. // With firmware 1.0.7, performances are very good most of the time. And just to note, Prestigio did not offer me any kind of reimbursement for this statement. Although, I am open to suggestions...
13. // The company is listening and is reaching out to their customers, upgrading their products with new firmware releases. And that is a BIG plus. At least with this tablet; I don't have the knowledge if this is their usual politics with other products (feel free to comment on this).

PRESTIGIO MULTIPAD 4 Quantum 9.7 PMP 5297C The Bad

1. Misleading hardware specification (Quad Core != OMG ULTRAFAST)


2. Don't think that you can "just quickly check on something" on this tablet. Oh no nono, no, no. If Prestigio Multipad 4 Quantum 9.7 decides it's his (hers?) day of, he/she won't let you near those functions or utilities you are after. You just want to quickly google something? Yeah, well, maybe now is just a bad time to do that, you know. You need to respect Prestigio's wishes. Wait for a several minutes until something unfreezes, and than try again. Just don't yell at him (her), he/she will just freeze again.
   // It's a real shame I have to contradict this nice illustration, but with firmware 1.0.7, you can "just quickly check on something" without apologizing to your tablet, and it will respond almost immediately.


3. 1 (one) GB memory for apps. Not even that much, actually below 1 GB. Really, Prestigio? REALLY? Quad Core, 2GB RAM, screen resolution from other dimension, aluminium grandiose, and then slapping us in the face with this ridiculous memory partitioning? Why, Prestigio? I want to know why. WHY?? I demand to know WHY!!
   // Why indeed. Firmware 1.0.7 has brought enlarged system partition, and now you have about 2GB for installing apps. Although honestly, I would feel much cozier if it would be at least 3-4 GB ... 


4. Aluminium body sometimes gets on my nerves, slipping around, gliding through fingers, no matter how it looks, and it looks great. Don't scratch with your overgrown nails though, that could be very irritating. Oh, one more thing - I think I get slightly electrocuted every now and then when scratching on the aluminium.



5. 7 cm long charging cable (well, slightly more, but it is damn short). Why, Prestigio? I have left a note for Santa, wanting some answers from you. Sparing on materials? How much would another few cm fall on your budget?
   // Unfortunately, Prestigio did not upgraded cable length with the new firmware. Waiting for the solution in future version 1.0.8.


6. How the hell did Prestigio team managed to slow down performances on such kickass hardware configuration with Android 4.2 on board is a real mystery to me. I had lower hardware configuration on Google Nexus 10, and it was flying in every task, no matter how much I had put on him (her).
   // Actually, general performances with fw version 1.0.7 are now pretty close to performances of Nexus 10 in everyday use (not talking about numbers or specific apps). I have no doubt now that they could be even better with few more tweaks. Which we are expecting, of course.


7. Lousy speaker placement (they are on the bottom when holding it vertically), it is awkward to listen audio when holding it horizontally.



8. No notification light. Another brilliant method in budget savings? Remember this, evil designers: People like blinking.
   // Unfortunately, Prestigio did not upgraded the tablet with notification light with the new firmware. Waiting for the solution in future version 1.0.8.


9. For everyday average use, a shameful user experience.
   // With fw v1.0.7 for everyday average use: a fluent and decent user experience.


10. Barely passes The Toilette WiFi Test (tm). (Huawei Ascend P1 mobile phone for example passes The Toilette WiFi Test (tm) with no problem). That means: weaker WiFi reception.


11. When there is less than 100MB free space left on the apps (system) partition (and that happens soon after installing DropBox and Angry Birds), performance is approximate to a performance of a 2-legged 230 years old turtle in a vacuum space.
    // Trying to install bunch of unneeded garbage from Play Store, but unable to replicate this problem with 1.0.7, for now. 


12. After starting Chrome browser, performance is approximate to a performance of a 2-legged 230 years old turtle with another turtle on its back tied with a super-glue, in a vacuum space.
    // 1.0.7 injects some adrenaline into the turtle.


13. Takes a long time to recharge via power cable (Space Petunia Review defines a "Long Time" as a period of time in which you realized that something has been going on for a long time in the past, then at some point you have forgotten about that something, and at some third point you have remembered that something has been going on, realized what was going on, and finally decided that it should have been done sooner than it has).
    
    Charging via USB cable takes inconceivable amount of time. I have once tried to calculate how much time has passed since putting the tablet to charge via USB cable, but I have lost consciousness in the process and found myself bleeding from my ears.


14. If you are diagnosed with ADHD, or have any other hyperactive mind processes, stay away from this tablet.
    // I am relieved to inform you, new 1.0.7 firmware makes Prestigio Quantum 9.7 5297C formally ADHD-safe.


15. MicroSD card is sticking out of the tablet for about 1-2mm. Not cool. Easier to pop it out of course, but still not cool. Medium warm, at least.

Should you buy 5297C? Well, if you are mostly reading things one at a time and/or patiently surfing the Internet, than yes, it is worth the price at this point of time just because of this really nice screen resolution. Hopefully future firmware updates will smoothen up the performance. But that is a long shot.

// -- A W K W A R D -- ... I stand corrected. Prestigio managed to deliver a whole new experience on this tablet with firmware release 1.0.7. I would now dare to say that this tablet is absolute best buy in the price range.

Prestigio team if you are reading this, don't get too comfortable. We expect regular firmware upgrades and improvements of your products. At least, change the fw version numbers occasionally so we feel like we are being taken care of.


If you need the device for quickly switching between tasks, or you need it as a main switching device for setting a doomsday plan in motion in specific point in time, than don't count on it to deliver you the optimal, timely doomsday performances.

// I am relieved to inform you, new 1.0.7 firmware makes Prestigio 5297C formally safe for triggering doomsday and any other apocalyptic events!