Pioneer Dreambook Tablet - $50 + FREE Shipping @ Big W

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k on 14/01/2012 - 16:54 bigw.com.au (2292 clicks)
Last edited 15/01/2012 - 13:40 by 1 other user

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Crappy tablet for the kids or good e-book reader.

Specifications copied from previous deal:

CPU VIA WM8505+, Up to 533Mhz
SSD ROM 2GB, Up to 32GB
RAM 256M DDR2
Memory Slot Micro SD (T-Flash)
Camera 1.3M Pixels
Colour Display 7" high sensitive touch screen, 800x480 Pixels
Battery Type Rechargable Lithium
Battery Capacity 2400mAh, Up to 4 Hours Video, Up to 15 days Standby
USB 2.0 Yes
Speaker Yes
G Sensor Yes
I/O Ports Headphone, Built-in Microphone, Exit
Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
Optional External GPS
External Bluetooth
External 3G Dongle
USB Keyboard/Mouse
USB Storage Device
SOFTWARE
Operating System Android Platform, SKD 1.8.2
Browser Google Browser
Video H263, MPEG-4 and 3GP
Music MP3
Photo JPEG, BMP
Email Email client
GPS Google map
Tudou Web Video Player
VOIP Fring, Skype Chat
eBook CHM, TXT, EPUB, PDF, RTF, DRM Support
App Store App Management
Theme Frame Supports screensaver
APK Installer Installation, download

Computing Pioneer Computers Tablet Android

28 Apr 2014

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closed Comments

CarnivalMonkey on 14/01/2012 - 16:56

+3

http://www.ozbargain.com.au/search/node/dreambook

everyone should read the comments here before hitting BUY
- Namarrgon on 17/02/2012 - 15:48
  
  +3
  
  Looks like it'd make a fine wifi photo frame, at 1/3 the price of others.
  
  Sure, crap tablet, but when they get this cheap, there's so many things you can use them for, with the right apps, and all much cheaper than dedicated units:
  
  Cheap wifi video camera, get another as a video monitor (great for security cam or baby monitor).
  
  Velcro to the fridge, pull recipes off dropbox.
  
  Plug into some speakers, can push music to it via DLNA.
  
  Bedside clock radio, with net access.
  
  Almost anything that could use a screen or camera or wifi or sound, not too mobile (keep it plugged into power), but very flexible. Just look for some good apps on the Market or GetJar, maybe flash a custom rom, and you've got yourself a very cheap & useful appliance (but not a good tablet :-).
Bodogbodog on 14/01/2012 - 16:57

Can you fix the title to the correct spelling of Pioneer
johndoe123 on 14/01/2012 - 17:14

Thanks OP
Geewhizz on 14/01/2012 - 17:15

Mightbe alright for anebook reader if not a lot else?!
morpheu on 14/01/2012 - 17:18

yeah, for an ebook reader it's just ok, but battery life is still really short, when i had it i used mine as a photo frame and to view comics, those are just about the only things that don't scream "major lag"!
ironworthy on 14/01/2012 - 17:23

is this pioneer the same pioneer that makes audio equipment?
- Bodogbodog on 14/01/2012 - 17:30
  
  +2
  
  No - absolutely no relationship
- ESEMCE on 14/01/2012 - 17:37
  
  +4
  
  This is Pioneer Computers, not Pioneer.
  It's been at this price for some time now (I saw it before Christmas), but even with custom firmware, the device is reportedly so close to useless that $50 is still too expensive.
  Expect nothing and you'll still be underwhelmed!
bethanybargain on 14/01/2012 - 17:56

+1

bought and returned to big w over a year ago- my advice is stay away from it-worthless, hard to use,slow piece of rubbish, even at $50
medium_tight on 14/01/2012 - 17:58

+2

Avoid this tablet like jar jar bink's poo.

Bought it from the previous "bargain"
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/59354

it took 2 minutes to boot up !!!! isn't that amazing????

mislead by android 2.1 - it was actually in house upgrade version 2.1 . The original android it's still 1.6 (Donut)

You can return it to the nearest Big W store, bring your tax invoice! because the staff don't give a sh1t on other proof of purchase, like paypal or big w shop online confirmation. Shipping fee not refunded!
- samehada on 15/01/2012 - 02:04
  
  lucky me that I bought it with FREE Shipping.
oldshepp on 14/01/2012 - 18:00

I don't usually like bagging out products because some people's standards are higher than others but I bought this tablet for the in-laws before Christmas and it caused nothing but grief.
Micro SD card slot was not aligned well and as a result I cost myself two micro sd cards, in fact one went back with the unit to Big W for a refund, stuck inside probably never to be retrieved.
Doesn't have access to the Android Market so if you're expecting to grab all those handy apps you may have on your android phone you'll be sorely disappointed.
Yes it is a good price but you truly get what you pay for here.
Yadzz on 14/01/2012 - 18:13

My mate's got 3 of them…called up Big W to return. Those guys send me another 3…!! So We got 6 of them…!! DOH…!!! I am supposed to return…I am thinking to chuck them in da bin…!! Any suggestions..!!
- joannatan on 14/01/2012 - 22:07
  
  +2
  
  give it to me, i don't mind, i just need for skype only. free right? where are u? can i pick up from your place? i just need 1 only. thanks heap in advance
  - samehada on 15/01/2012 - 02:01
    
    +2
    
    There is NO Skype apps for this shitty device.
    - joannatan on 16/01/2012 - 02:28
      
      no skype in android marketplace?
    - samehada on 16/01/2012 - 17:08
      
      marketplace haha,if that does exist on this crap…
- homersyd on 15/01/2012 - 13:46
  
  hey Yadzz, where r ur mate/u located? I dont mind getting one off you? I'm in Sydney
badwolf on 14/01/2012 - 18:17

+2

"the device is reportedly so close to useless that $50 is still too expensive"

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I wouldn't recommend buying this device, it's hard enough to use out of the box.

I only bought it to play around with, install custom roms and use as a wireless mouse for my computer.
Housecat on 14/01/2012 - 18:28

+2

Junk
HereYeeHereYee on 14/01/2012 - 18:39

+1

its $50, best for the child to play and break :D
- medium_tight on 14/01/2012 - 20:38
  
  better buy this one for your child for 50 bucks :)
  
  http://sydney.gumtree.com.au/c-Stuff-for-Sale-computers-soft…
woftamjohn on 14/01/2012 - 18:44

+1

This is junk - i bought one at $88 and have thrown it out - unuseable. No Android market access and slower than my dead granny.

Pioneer and Biw W should be ashamed of themselves
bendertiger on 14/01/2012 - 20:18

any possibility of loading win 98 on this, use a usb keyboard and leave it for kids to tinker with?
- chyawala on 14/01/2012 - 22:21
  
  +1
  
  Id like to to know also if its possible to install another lightweight OS?
- gmatht on 15/01/2012 - 14:48
  
  +1
  
  Basically: No. Win 98 needs an x86 CPU and this is something else (probably ARM).
roozmik on 15/01/2012 - 01:25

-2
can you install any apps on it?

does youtube at least work smoothly? (am thinking of using it as a "tv" for my dog)
- roozmik on 15/01/2012 - 01:36
  
  -1
  
  actually dont worry.. i think my dog deserves better.
samehada on 15/01/2012 - 01:58

+2

This is really rubbish. Why wasting money for this crap? You basically get a $50 brick, there is NO access to Android Market at all even if using the customs ROM. There is also NO PDF reader, so you can't even use it as a ebook reader. This is completely a piece of sh*t.

If you are thinking about using it to browse internet, it is so slow, even typing on the keyboard lags like hell. There is NO Skype apps for this version of Android so don't even think about using Skype.

BTW, I forgot to mention 1 thing, the software update for this device is Android 1.6 version 2.1.2 not Android 2.1. I felt like I got cheated by Pioneer for their misleading info on their website.
- gmatht on 17/01/2012 - 21:16
  
  GetJar works, and I used that to install a PDF reader, but why bother? I bought a Kindle for $90 and love it. I still hate the Dreambook after days of tweaking. If it was actually Android 2.1 (as advertised) I could use ezPDF to annotate PDFs, but I haven't found any PDF annotation software for this.
samehada on 15/01/2012 - 04:42

+3
This is some helpful hints for those who still wants to keep this tablet, at least it will bring this device to a usable condition.

If you have the original stock firmware, you should use File Explorer to back up the APK of the apps from "/data/apps/" because once you upgrade the firmware it will all be deleted.

This is the firmware that I used which still has a PDF reader
http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/gome-flytouch-firmware/1…

Unzip the file and copy "script" folder to SD card

Insert the SD card, turn on the device and it will automatically update the firmware.

After update, the first thing you should do is Calibrate your touch screen, go to Setting -> Touchpanel Calibration. You will find that your touch screen now does works.

I have uploaded Fring apk file, which is the only apps that can be installed on this device so that you can use IM like MSN and Yahoo… The MIC doesn't seems to work properly with this software, I couldn't hear my voice when I did the Fring test call. If you tried the VoIP SIP call or Fring call and it works, pls let me know.

Fring APK http://www.megaupload.com/?d=G15AQ4WC
just copy this file to your SD card then install it.

So now at least you got an ebook reader and Fring to play around :) But if you have a big PDF file, I recommend you split the file to smaller pdf files or this device won't be able to open the big PDF file.
- casval on 15/01/2012 - 10:40
  
  Good tips samehada. I did a short review in one of the other posts of this "bargain".
  
  http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/59901#comment-701753
  
  I listed some of the custom roms i tried, all with market. Not too sure about skype though.
  
  I read comics on it, was adequate for that. I have a sony book reader so i wasn't too fussed with that function. General web browsing is ok but if you have to start typing something, the resistive screen gets a bit annoying very quickly. Battery life is short, even with all apps killed and screen off, still chewed up battery. After i got the taste and feel for a small footprint tablet, i went out and got myself a REAL tablet in a Samsung Galaxy Tab. Loving that one. Have yet to exhaust the battery in the SGT in daily use and standby in between.
  
  Moral of the story, if you haven't already bought a tablet, save your money for a real tablet. If you have bought it and is stuck with it there are some things you can do to make it more useable.
  - samehada on 15/01/2012 - 11:48
    
    Market doesn't work with all the custom ROM I tried. These thing are a waste of resources.
- samehada on 15/01/2012 - 13:25
  
  I just tried another ROM and it seems like this one is better
  http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/gome-flytouch-firmware/2…
IHateFrasierCrane on 15/01/2012 - 09:16

I got one of these solely to check email and browse the internet (more specifically Gamefaqs) for when my wife is on the PC and I can't get on.

Is it really THAT useless? Should I cancel the order?
- gmatht on 15/01/2012 - 14:57
  
  +1
  
  The gmail app and internet browser on this works out-of-the-box. So, if that is all you want to do this may be suitable, but:
  - Setting other things up is not worthwhile, as soon as you try to work around the bugs in every other part of the Dreambook, you can easily spend hundreds of dollars worth of time.
  - You will have to be near the router, the WiFi on this isn't great,
  - The internet will be relatively slow, due to the poor CPU. (forget webapps/html5)
  - Since the touchscreen on this is poor, Scrolling on this is bit wonkey,and typing is very annoying.
  - The battery life is poor.
  - IHateFrasierCrane on 15/01/2012 - 19:12
    
    Speed wise, doesn't bother me. It'll be within 5 metres of the router at any given time. So long as I can check my gmail and look up basic stuff, i'll be more than happy :) Think i'll assess it when it arrives.
woftamjohn on 15/01/2012 - 10:53

I would cancel the order before you regret it. In my view you would be better off getting a cheap Creative or other tablet for $200-$300 than this thing. maybe a netbook - at least they work.
bendertiger on 15/01/2012 - 11:32

+1

I don't know why they call this a 'tablet'…because it'd be better off as a suppository!
Bargainbag on 15/01/2012 - 11:56

-2

I suggest if you buy this tablet, for it to be actually useful, make sure you buy 5-6 of them and tape them all together - they'd then make an excellent door stop!
[Deactivated] on 15/01/2012 - 17:25

i read some comments,it is a hopeless tablet even cantbe a e-reader :(
- Redmo0n on 16/01/2012 - 17:18
  
  It can but it requires custom firmware, read a post up the page by Samehada & he shows you how to get it to read pdf's, I'd probably still avoid it based on the reviews :/
IHateFrasierCrane on 18/01/2012 - 15:01

Ok, mine arrived today and the verdict is in.

In 1 word, adequate. I got it for the purpose of internet browsing and email. It's more than satisfactory at that. I guess I went in with a very low expectation, and have come out pleasantly surprised.

For $50, i'm more than happy. For $188, I probably wouldn't be as stoked.

Now to try some of those custom roms that people on WP have said improve it further!

This was posted 12 years 9 months 22 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

Pioneer Dreambook Tablet - $50 + FREE Shipping @ Big W

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