Price and specifications of Plum Link Plus advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Plum Link Plus

The Plum Link Plus is a versatile device launched in 2014, designed to provide essential tablet functionality without complicating features. It was geared towards individuals seeking basic internet browsing, multimedia consumption, and standard applications usage. Although it is discontinued, it left a mark due to its balanced feature set and affordability.

Design and Build

The design of the Plum Link Plus is practical and straightforward, with dimensions of 190.4 x 119 x 7.9 mm and a weight of 246 grams. This made it relatively easy to handle and carry for everyday tasks. The tablet features a sleek, minimalistic design with an IPS LCD screen reaching approximately 60.9% of the device's front surface. The color options available were classic black and white, catering to users with different style preferences.

Display Features

The 7.0-inch IPS LCD display offers a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. While the screen resolution might not compete with modern high-definition displays, it is sufficient for standard content consumption and casual gaming. The color reproduction and viewing angles are adequate, driven by IPS technology which provides decent color fidelity and contrast for the price point it was offered at.

Camera Capabilities

Despite its basic stance, the Plum Link Plus includes a 5 MP rear camera. It supports features like panorama and HDR, enhancing photography experiences to a certain extent. The camera can also record videos at 1080p@30fps. On the front, there's a 2 MP camera with face detection capabilities – a handy feature for basic video calls and selfies.

Performance and Hardware

Powering the Plum Link Plus is the Rockchip RK3188 chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.8 GHz processor combined with a Mali-400 GPU. This hardware setup allows the device to handle daily tasks such as browsing the web, running applications, and playing multimedia without significant lag. It was a decent offering for casual users rather than performance seekers.

Storage and Memory

The device offers 8GB of internal storage, accompanied by 1GB of RAM. While the internal storage might seem limited, it includes a dedicated slot for microSDXC cards, enabling users to expand storage space for more apps, photos, and media files. Having external storage capability was a valuable addition for users needing to keep more data than the native memory would allow.

Operating System and User Interface

The Plum Link Plus runs on Android 4.4.2 KitKat. This operating system version was popular during the launch period and provided support for a wide variety of apps and features. Android KitKat was known for its user-friendly interface and efficiency, making navigation and usability comfortable even for novice users.

Battery Life

Fitted with a non-removable Li-Ion 2800 mAh battery, the Plum Link Plus offers a standby time of up to 780 hours and a talk time of up to 11 hours. These numbers reflect its ability to maintain functionality throughout the day without needing frequent recharges, aligning well with the expectations from a mid-tier tablet at the time.

Connectivity Options

The connectivity suite of the Plum Link Plus includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capability, GPS, and a microUSB 2.0 port. However, it lacks cellular connectivity, Bluetooth, and NFC, focusing more on a Wi-Fi-centric operation model. The absence of these additional connectivity options highlights its aim as a cost-effective solution rather than a feature-rich communication device.

Audio and Multimedia

The device comes equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, crucial for media consumption and audio interactions. While there is no advanced Dolby or equivalent audio enhancement technology, the speaker is sufficient for video watching and casual music listening. The inclusion of a standard headphone jack caters well to traditional accessory usage.

Additional Features and Sensors

To support usage versatility, the device is equipped with an accelerometer and a gyro sensor. These sensors enhance its capacity to support gaming and rotational activities. Such features add value beyond basic computing, facilitating an interactive experience common in tablets during that era.

Market Impression and Conclusion

Upon its release, the Plum Link Plus was seen as a competent choice for budget-conscious consumers. Its efficient hardware combined with the Android KitKat OS presented a balanced set of features necessary for general use. Though it lacked advanced cellular technologies and comprehensive connectivity options, it made up for these omissions with its affordability and straightforward design. As technology continues to evolve, the Plum Link Plus remains a representation of early 2010s tablet simplicity, offering essential functions without unnecessary complexity.