Creative ZiiO 10

Creative is a Singapore-based company which specializes in audio/video entertainment equipment. While they’re hardly tablet experts, the company has produced quite an impressive device in the Creative Ziio 10 – particularly in comparison to its own and when considering this one may include the best sound performance of any widely available tablet.

Unlike the Ziio 7, the Creative Ziio 10 is designed for use as a full-on tablet PC with all the advantages of Creative audio-visual expertise (like the Ziio 7, the Ziio 10 is billed as a “Wireless Entertainment Tablet”). In 2011, the Creative Ziio 10 operating system was upgraded to Android 2.2 from the old 2.1, a definite plus for the user. Specs include a webcam plus ports for SDHC cards and HDMI output, meant for use with the Creative line of wireless electronics products.

The 10” screen is unfortunately of the resistive variety, but responsiveness is actually not too bad and the viewing experience on the Ziio 10 tablet is one of the better we’ve had with such screens. Installed software is mostly in-house and includes connection to the ZiiStore for specialized apps, and the X-Fi music enhancement software is of course top of the line for sound quality.

A short list of negatives is headed by lack of 3G connectivity and a rather average five-hour battery life for video use, but we expect the Creative Ziio 10 to be high on the list of quality tablets for audio-first users – and deservedly so.