The BLU Touchbook G7 and Acer Iconia One 7 B1-730 represent the extreme end of the Android tablet market – devices aimed at users prioritizing affordability above all else. While both offer a basic tablet experience, significant differences in their underlying hardware, specifically the processor, dictate which is better suited for different workloads. This comparison dives deep into those differences.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a tablet for light tasks like web browsing and video playback, the Acer Iconia One 7 B1-730 is the better choice. Its Intel Atom Z2560 processor, clocked at 1.6 GHz, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the BLU Touchbook G7’s 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7, translating to a smoother user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - P240U | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | No cellular connectivity |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - P240L | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2014, April. Released 2014, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 197.2 x 107 x 8.9 mm (7.76 x 4.21 x 0.35 in) | 8.9 mm thickness |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | No |
| Weight | 298 g (10.51 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~216 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~65.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 142.1 cm2 |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core 1.6 GHz |
| Chipset | - | Intel Atom Z2560 |
| GPU | Mali-400 | PowerVR SGX544MP2 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 190 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (3G) | Up to 7 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Gold, Grey | Red, white, black, blue, pink |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
BLU Touchbook G7
- Potentially lower price point
- Lightweight and portable
- Suitable for very basic tasks
- Significantly slower processor
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Poor performance with demanding apps
Acer Iconia One 7 B1-730
- More powerful Intel Atom Z2560 processor
- Smoother user experience
- Better suited for web browsing and light gaming
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still limited by low RAM
- Camera quality is likely poor
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to excel in display quality given their price point. Specifics like panel type (IPS vs TN) and resolution are not provided, but both are likely 7-inch displays with modest resolutions. The Acer Iconia One 7 may benefit from slightly better color calibration due to Acer’s broader experience in display technology, but this is speculative. Bezels are likely substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is likely to be subpar. Given the market segment, both tablets likely feature low-resolution sensors (likely 2MP or 3MP) with limited image quality. Focusing on camera capabilities for either device would be a misallocation of expectations; they are suitable for basic video calls at best. The absence of details regarding aperture or image stabilization suggests neither device prioritizes photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The Acer Iconia One 7’s Intel Atom Z2560 is a significant step up from the BLU Touchbook G7’s dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7. The Atom Z2560, while still an older architecture, features a more efficient design and higher clock speed. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The Cortex-A7 in the BLU Touchbook G7 will struggle with even moderately demanding applications. RAM details are missing for both, but it's reasonable to assume both have 1GB or less, further limiting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the less power-hungry Intel Atom Z2560 in the Acer Iconia One 7, it may offer slightly better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the BLU Touchbook G7. The Cortex-A7, while less powerful, isn't necessarily more efficient, and the lower performance may mean tasks take longer, indirectly impacting battery life. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both likely support slow charging via micro-USB.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Touchbook G7 if you need a tablet solely for extremely basic tasks like reading ebooks or simple note-taking, and your budget is exceptionally tight. Buy the Acer Iconia One 7 B1-730 if you prefer a more responsive experience for web browsing, light gaming, and general app usage, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Acer Iconia One 7 B1-730 handle streaming video services like YouTube or Netflix?
Yes, the Intel Atom Z2560 processor in the Acer Iconia One 7 B1-730 is capable of handling standard definition and even 720p video streaming from services like YouTube and Netflix. However, expect buffering or reduced quality with higher resolutions due to limited processing power and potentially slow Wi-Fi connectivity.
❓ Is the BLU Touchbook G7 suitable for playing Android games?
The BLU Touchbook G7 is not well-suited for gaming. The Cortex-A7 processor will struggle with even simple 2D games, and more demanding 3D titles will likely be unplayable. Expect significant lag and low frame rates.
❓ Can I expect regular software updates on either of these tablets?
Software update support is unlikely to be a priority for either BLU or Acer on these budget tablets. Both devices likely shipped with an older version of Android and may not receive any further updates, leaving them vulnerable to security risks over time.
