bModo 12G

bModo 12G is squarely targeted at those who desire the full-blown functionality of Windows in a slim, portable, touch-screen form. Does this device succeed were other Windows tablets have failed before it? Read on to find out if the $799 slate can hold its own against the competition.

Design

We did a double take when we first saw the bModo 12G. That's because it's virtually identical in size, shape, and weight to the ExoPC Slate we recently reviewed. Measuring 11.6 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches, the bModo 12G is big and bulky. It's also heavy, tipping the scales at 2.2 pounds, making the iPad (1.5 pounds) seem light. The 12G is also more than twice as heavy as the Samsung Galaxy Tab (13.6 ounces). Still, the 12G does boast a much larger screen and needs extra chassis space to keep its Atom N450 CPU cool; in fact, we could sometimes hear the distracting whir of a fan. Holding the 12G in one arm caused strain pretty quickly.

Encased in black plastic, the 12G has a conservative style that's sleek and attractive. The tablet's black back, which sports a subtle bModo logo, is rubberized, providing a solid grip that we appreciated. We didn't enjoy, however, how quickly the tablet's glossy screen showed fingerprints and smudges.     

Ports and Webcam

Around the bModo 12G's edges are plenty of ports and connections for a tablet. On the left side of the device are a micro-HDMI and two USB ports, plus an SD card reader. A SIM card slot allows the 12G to access 3G cellular data networks, though you'll have to configure the settings yourself. The tablet can't be charged over USB, but must be attached to its cradle via a proprietary port or with its AC adapter. The dock itself is sturdy and features three USB ports of its own, along with Ethernet, microphone, and headphone jacks.

Equipped with a single front-facing 1.3 megapixel Webcam, we observed decent video quality on Skype calls but callers reported that our transmitted images were often blocky, pixelated, and had unnatural colors. The bModo 12G lacks a higher-res rear-facing camera found in other tablets.