Online Booking Of Aakash Tablet: World’s Cheapest Tablet At $47

Online booking of Aakash Tablet has finally been started by DataWind today. World’s cheapest Tablet Aakash, which was first officially announced by Indian government in October 2011, is available for online booking at just $47 (Rs 2,500). Datawind, who manufactured Aakash, is accepting online booking through its website with a delivery promise of one week. Interestingly, company has also launched the upgraded version of Aakash – Ubislate 7- and made it available for online booking with a price difference of just $10 (Rs. 2999).

However, Aakash Tablet – which was expected to cost $37 at the time of launch – is available for online booking with slight higher cost with $47. The Indian government has already ordered the shipment of 10 million tablets which would be available at discounted rate for Indian student at Rs 1750 (approx $35), but others can book it online with a cost of Rs. 2,500 (approx $47).

Aakash is manufactured by Canada based company—DataWind—in collaboration with IIT Rajasthan. However, DataWind has confirmed that Aakash is completely Indian product which is entirely made and assembled in India. Also, the company has announced that the global upgraded version of Aakash —Ubislate 7—would be launched next year in China.

The price for upgraded version “Ubislete 7”  has been kept little higher than “Aakash” and users would have to pay Rs. 500 (approx $10) more.  Potentially, upgraded version would have awesome specification compare to Aakash which can be demonstrated by table below:

Clearly, super cheap tablet ‘Aakash’ possesses ARM 11 processor -366 MHz, battery capacity of only 2100 mAH, and running on Android 2.2 version. Whereas, the upgraded version—Ubislate 7-would cost Rs 2999 (approx $ 60), but it packs much faster processor ARM Cortex A8 which runs at the speed of 700 MHZ. Its battery capacity is much better as of 3299 mAH and possesses an upgraded Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)

Recently, a Chinese based company MIPS has developed a very cost conservative Tablet—Nova 7—running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich tagged with just $99. Definitely, Nova 7 seems much more impressive compare to Aakash and Ubislate 7. However, the price of Aakash tablets is very attractive and users would definitely be influenced. However, given a choice, users would prefer to have Nova 7 compare to Ubislate 7 because of better technical specification and competitive price margin. The online booking of Nova 7 yet to start in India.

DataWind has promised to deliver Aakash within a week time after booking confirmation from users. However, I feel, booking Ubislate 7 will make more sense than Aakash- if you are not that excited to grab one immediately. Though, the online booking of Ubislate 7 is still in pre-booking mode, but company has promised to start the shipment in January 2012. Paying just $10 extra, users can have a Tablet which would have higher processor along with 3G USB capability.

Many people asked me the a fair comparison between Aakash and other high-end Tablets, currently available in Indian market. For them I have only one answer – Yes, both are cars but you can’t do comparison between Sedan and Super Luxury.  Both have got their own different market to tap and absolute different user base.