Software giant Microsoft has formed a partnership with South African retailer Makro to release a range of low-cost Nextbook tablets. The tablet range is available at all Makro stores in South Africa from today.
The Nextbook range comes in two screen sizes: an 8-inch version without a keyboard and 10.1-inch version with a keyboard. The 10.1-inch device has an attachable keyboard that allows users to have a notebook like experience. This device sells for R2 999 and the 8-inch sells for R1 499.
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The devices have the full Windows 8.1 operating system. Both tablets feature a USB port and come with one year subscription to Office 365. The tablets also come with a 2MP rear camera, 16 GB internal memory, 1GB ram, 1.8GHz Intel Atom quad-core processor. The 8 inch tablet has a 4 000mAh battery and the 10.1-inch comes standard with a 6 000mAh unit.
In addition to the hardware, the devices come with an Office 365 subscription, unlimited OneDrive storage and 60 free Skype World Call minutes per month.
According to Makro merchandise manager for South Africa Kevin Maier, the retailer has stocked 4 000 units of the 10.1-inch tablet and 2 500 units of the 8-inch one.
Maier also spoke about why the two companies had come together to launch a low-cost tablet:
“As Makro our focused target audience has always been, from a consumer perspective, from LSMs (living standard measurements) 5-10 and of course a large focus around commercial business users as well. Being in the business of selling tablets at the moment we have a good idea of what the market comprises”.
An interesting omission on the Nextbook tablet is a SIM card. Maier stated that leaving out a SIM card slot on tablet devices helps to lower the costs of the gadgets.
Maier does not see SIM card as a must in tablets, commenting that:
“What we’ve done a really bad job of as South African retail and I think the media itself is we haven’t educated the consumer on the power of Wi-Fi devices if paired or associated with a smartphone or in Wi-Fi free zones.”.
