The Toshiba Excite series offered compelling Android tablets at competitive prices. Two popular models were the Excite Pure, boasting an Nvidia Tegra 3 chipset, and the Excite AT200, powered by a TI OMAP 4430. But which one truly delivered a better experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Toshiba Excite Pure generally edges out the AT200 thanks to its superior quad-core Tegra 3 processor, offering noticeably smoother performance for gaming and demanding apps. However, the AT200 might offer slightly better battery life and a more affordable price point, making it a viable option for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, June. Released 2013, July | 2011, September. Released 2012, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 261.6 x 177.8 x 10.2 mm (10.30 x 7.00 x 0.40 in) | 256 x 176 x 7.7 mm (10.08 x 6.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 598.7 g (1.32 lb) | 558 g (1.23 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 1280 x 800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~63.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit IPS LCD | LED-backlit LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core | 1.2 GHz |
| Chipset | Nvidia Tegra 3 | TI OMAP 4430 |
| GPU | - | PowerVR SGX540 |
| OS | Android 4.2.1 (Jelly Bean), upgradаble to 4.3 (Jelly Bean) | Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 1.2 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 720p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 2 MP |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | miniUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | HDMI port | HDMI port
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
Organizer
Document viewer
Photo editor
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | Up to 13 h 30 min (multimedia) | Up to 8 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Po (25 Wh) | Non-removable Li-Ion battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Black |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 530 EUR |
Toshiba Excite Pure
- Superior Performance (Tegra 3)
- Better Gaming Experience
- Faster App Loading
- Potentially Shorter Battery Life
- Slightly Higher Price (when new)
Toshiba Excite AT200
- Longer Battery Life (potentially)
- More Affordable
- Reliable for Basic Tasks
- Slower Performance (OMAP 4430)
- Less Responsive UI
- Weaker Gaming Performance
Display Comparison
Both tablets featured 10.1-inch displays, typically with a resolution of 1280x800. While both were adequate for the time, the Pure's Tegra 3 chipset potentially allowed for slightly better graphics rendering, though the difference in display quality itself was minimal. Viewing angles and color accuracy were comparable across both models.
Camera Comparison
Neither tablet excelled in the camera department. Both featured front-facing cameras suitable for basic video calls, and rear-facing cameras that produced mediocre image quality. Don't expect to use either tablet for serious photography.
Performance
This is where the Excite Pure shines. The Nvidia Tegra 3's quad-core architecture provided a significant performance advantage over the AT200's dual-core OMAP 4430. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Pure. Gaming performance was also considerably better on the Pure.
Battery Life
The Excite AT200 often demonstrated slightly better battery life in real-world usage, potentially due to the less power-hungry OMAP 4430 processor. However, battery life on both devices was generally respectable, offering around 6-8 hours of mixed usage.
Buying Guide
The Toshiba Excite Pure is ideal for users who prioritize performance and enjoy gaming or running resource-intensive applications. The Excite AT200 is a good choice for those seeking a reliable, affordable tablet primarily for browsing, reading, and basic tasks, where raw power isn't a top priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Toshiba Excite Pure worth buying today?
Given its age, finding a Pure in good condition might be challenging. If you can find one at a very low price and don't need the latest features, it can still offer a decent experience, especially for casual use. However, newer, more powerful tablets are readily available.
❓ What are the main differences between the Excite Pure and AT200?
The primary difference is the processor. The Pure has a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3, offering significantly better performance than the AT200's dual-core TI OMAP 4430. This translates to faster speeds and a smoother user experience.
