Fujitsu M532 Android tablet review
A quad-core Tegra 3 powered Ice Cream Sandwich tablet with 3G connectivity and virtualisation apps pre-loaded.
A jack-of-all-traits, the M532 is able to provide a solid tablet experience and also mimic basic functionality of a netbook. However, it comes at a time when the price of Android devices have been dramatically slashed. Unless 3G is an absolute requirement, we would suggest looking at the Nexus 7 tablet, which may be three inches smaller but is able to perform all the same tasks and starts at £159.
Management and security
Each M532 comes with a 12-month subscription to Norton Tablet Security, which is worth 14.99. This may help to allay security concerns about the Android platform as it carries out regular scans and checks apps which are downloaded from the Play Store.
There are also two optional services available. Fujitsu has built in support for Absolute's Computrace software. Signing up to this will allow IT admins to remotely track, lock or wipe devices in the event they are lost or stolen.
The manufacturer also offers in-house software known as Fujitsu Managed Mobile service. This enables admins to configure applications and enforce security policies before deployment. Pricing of the two products will depend on the functionality required and the number of devices purchased.
Build and display
We didn't find any faults with the build quality and the device looks good too. The red band around the frame, gives the M532 a distinctive look and the matte coating on the back makes it easy to grip.
With a weight of 560g, the device is a tad on the heavy side it is possible to hold the tablet in one hand but not for prolonged periods of time.
Ports and buttons are easy to access. On the right hand edge are the microSD and SIM card slots, covered with a tight seal.
Next door is the micro USB connection, used for transferring data and volume rockers. The lock button is conveniently placed on the top right hand corner of the device along with the headphone jack.
On the bottom is a proprietary connector, which is used to charge the device. This is also the port through which it connects with a docking station. There is an 8-megapixel camera on the rear, which is useful for identifying stock in retail environments, and a 2-megapixel on the front for video calling capabilities.
The 10.1in display comes with a resolution of 1280 x 800. Fujitsu puts the brightness at 550 cd/m. In our tests, brightness peaked at 548 cd/m. Although this is brighter than the new iPad (426 cd/m), the 264 ppi density on the Apple device means the display renders sharper images and text. If you've tried the latest iPad, the difference in picture quality will be noticeable.
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