Consumer Reports Says Don't Buy Monster M7 Tablet
Sounds like this tablet has serious lockup issues.
Ouch. Consumer Reports sent over a report stating that customers should avoid the Monster M7 tablet sold exclusively at Walmart. All three purchased samples have had trouble staying active during continuous-use battery testing. Lockups also reportedly happen anytime from within an hour to several hours of use while surfing the web, and while just sitting idle. "Lockup" is defined as a frozen or blank screen while the backlight stays on.
"We were able to perform a hard shutdown and restart to clear the problem until it happened again," the report states.
The device seems ideal for the holidays, a $150 tablet with a 7-inch 1280 x 800 screen backed by a dual-core SoC clocked at 1.5 GHz and 1 GB of DDR3 memory. The device also has 16 GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot for additional storage, a 5MP camera on the back and a 2MP camera on the front. There's also Wireless N and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity, GPS, stereo speakers and a battery promising up to 8 hours of use.
The new 7-inch tablet is based on Android 4.1 "Jelly Bean" and provides full access to Google Play, meaning this isn't a (highly) forked platform depending on an exclusive Monster App Store. Pre-installed apps include Gmail, Google Maps, Google Voice, Google Books, YouTube, Google Drive, Google, Google Earth, Google Finance, Twitter and Facebook. Walmart's video service, Vudu, will also be pre-installed.
"Interestingly, the exclusive retailer (Wal-Mart) didn't list Monster among the list of tablet manufacturers in their product browser when we checked recently, though we were able to find it with a search," the report continues. "What's more, the tablet was completely missing from the manufacturer's main website (monsterproducts.com), and was listed instead on a dedicated site (mymonstertablet.com) for this product. That website was incomplete, having sales information but only 'coming soon' pages for 'Press' and 'FAQ' links, as well as for the announced 10-inch M10 tablet."
"The web page for System Update requests for the tablet was also completely missing when we checked," the report adds. "When we called the tech support number given on the website, the agent assured us that the tablet wouldn't need a System Update for at least another eight months. That struck us as odd, since the tablet came with only Android 4.1, while all other new tablets except a few low-end models are shipping with 4.2 or 4.3, and 4.4 is about to be released."
Consumer Reports is calling this tablet a "Don't Buy," which is a shame given that Monster is known for its high-end audio products; you expect the same quality with its new tablet line. The group will keep an eye on this tablet and Monster to see if any updates are released to address the issues reported above. Consumer Reports did not mention the 10.1 inch M10 model.
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"It may have gotten Shaq's endorsement, but not ours," Consumer Reports stated.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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sean1357 Everything is from Monster products are way too expensive. You buy the brand name????Reply -
Solandri They actually make a decent portable power strip. Small, thin, cord wraps up neatly for tossing in your suitcase, some models have a USB power port, and reasonably priced.Reply
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-MP-OTG400-BK-Outlets/dp/B000F9YN2M
Everything else, I agree they suck at. -
portentous Monster has a few niche funky products that are quite useful. Other than that, I would definitely stay away from their electronic products. I've had many failed Monster power boards.Reply -
rwinches First CR is hardly relevant these days, there is no details in this consumer alert. Remember when they faked the 'danger' with the Suzuki Sidekick just for the publicity?Reply
Second there is a download update happening at the time of the 'freeze'
So was auto update on? Did they wait.
I have many tablets (including the M7)and when I haven't turned them on for a while the WiFi bandwidth is clogged with apps checking for updates. So I am patient and let the checking and downloading subside.
When I got this tab brand new and set up my Google play account at least 12 apps needed updating, and some core Google apps also, so I didn't start running benchmark SW or battery rundown timing until things settled down.
I have not experienced any lockup so far, but as I have had a lot of experience with the Android OS, custom ROMs and Rooting I know that sometimes quirks happen in new products. Yes I have seen the screen blank happen (not on my M7), often with a particular app and just after an update happens, rolling back the update often fixes the problem. Look Android is a new OS and has been updated often, each update like every other OS adds features fixes bugs and may break things. Which is why I turn off auto update and wish I could do the same for Google system apps too.
I have no idea how testing was performed at CR, but from what I saw in the clip on their site I have my doubts their testing is appropriate.
After charging for the recommended extended first charge, which is well beyond the indicator reaching 100%. I proceeded to complete the first of two full rundowns to condition the Li-ion battery. I got 7 hours on the first using the tab to surf and play movies I transfered off my laptop, I played games, ran AnTuTu (14632), used In-Tune with BT (aptX) speakers , DLed Apps. I had no hangup, yes sometimes as with every tab I have there is a delay when you do something, yeah the OS is doing things in the background like GC (garbage collection).
Hey newsflash Windows has delays too, just the other day boom, I wasn't doing anything special, it locked, I waited several minutes and it finished whatever it was doing and came back.
Maybe I should issue a Don't Buy for Windows 8 7 XP 98SE 95 because it either locks up or hesitates or gets a BSOD not consistently mind you, sometimes days or months go by, but none the less, 'unacceptable'./s
Anyway if there is a bug I do hope Monster will respond quickly.
Having an image file to DL would not be a bad thing as it might open the possibility to Root the M7.
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sykozis Monster may be well known for garbage products....but CR has a longer history of exaggeration and false claims....Reply -
g-unit1111 Reply11889609 said:High end my ass. Avoid that brand like the plague.
I have their DNA headphones and they're a pretty solid product, but yeah otherwise I wouldn't touch about 90% of their stuff.