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Cherry Trail VOYO A1 Plus notebook reviewed

by on08 January 2016

Index

Conclusion

To be honest, we had trouble finding competitors with similar specs at nearly the same price..

The new Toshiba Satellite Click 10 comes to mind, using the same CPU with 2GB RAM and 64GB storage, but it has a smaller 10.1-inch display. Also, it’s not a real notebook, it’s a convertible, and at $399 via the Microsoft Store, it’s a bit more expensive. Both the Toshiba and Voyo lack USB 3.0 ports. If you like the Lenovo look, you could check out the proper Yoga 300, with a Celeron N2940 CPU, 2GB RAM and 64GB storage, but with only a 11.6-inch 720p display.

Voyo's pricing is somewhat better. The A1 Plus starts at $235 for the entry-level Bay Trail version, while this particular Cherry Trail SKU, with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage costs $275 via GearBest. The 4G version, with WCDMA 900/2100MHz and FDD 1900/2100MHz connectivity is $25 more. It's a pity 4G support is limited to these bands, but we suspect most people will go for cheaper WiFi versions anyway.

IMG 7655

In our opinion, Voyo are on the right track with this device, offering a decent spec in a compact and attractive package. Unfortunately, the package is sort of the problem, since the device is a Lenovo clone. We think it would have been even more attractive in a different colour, to hide the Lenovo DNA.

Other than the appearance, there is not much to complain about. Considering the price, you get some quality components, and we’d single out the 1080p IPS display and Cherry Trail processor as the best components in the package. Battery life is impressive as well. The device is also available with a 4G modem, and on the other side of the spectrum, you can get an even cheaper model with no data connectivity and an “old” Bay Trail processor in lieu of the x5-Z8300. Too bad there aren’t more colour options, just orange and silver/gray.

IMG 7636

So what are the downsides, apart from the Lenovo-esque design? The speakers are underpowered and not good enough for content consumption, which could be a deal-breaker for some people. The 3.5mm DC plug can mistakenly be inserted into the 3.5mm audio port, the touchpad buttons are a tad too hard, and we also experienced some performance issues with the Intel display driver (nothing too serious though, this isn’t a gaming device anyway).

Voyo A1 Plus Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • Good IPS display
  • 4GB of RAM
  • Battery life
  • Value for money

Cons:

  • Unoriginal Lenovo clone design
  • Weak speakers
  • No USB 3.0
  • Touchpad buttons

 


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Last modified on 08 January 2016
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