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Toshiba Encore
Toshiba Encore
Toshiba Encore
Toshiba Encore
...


6.3/10
Informr score
The Toshiba Encore currently has an Informr score of 6.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 9 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Windows 8.1 OS allows full access to typical PC software
  • Decently sharp screen for web browsing and video streaming
  • Good battery life

What's bad

  • Poor touch responsiveness
  • Desktop mode apps difficult to use with touchscreen
  • Clunky and difficult to hold
  • Sluggish desktop mode performance

Following in Dell and Lenova's footsteps, Toshiba released their own Windows 8.1 tablet dubbed the Encore. At 8 inches, the Encore was a bit too bulky for many reviewers to hold comfortably one-handed. Trusted Reviews goes so far as to call it "a cumbersome tablet."

Unfortunately the display doesn't make up for the general bulkiness of the device. With a resolution of 1,280x800 the tablet is only made up of 190ppi, well below the retina standard of 326ppi. Despite the lower pixel density, critics were pleased with the sharpness of image quality and viewing angles, finding it suitable for reading web pages and video streaming in tablet mode.

The biggest weakness of the screen, according to reviewers, is its responsiveness. They found simple tasks like selecting an app or locking the screen would often not register despite several tries.

The Encore's one standout feature is its use of the full Windows 8.1 Pro software. Unlike Windows RT based tablets, this one has access to all standard desktop PC software so you won't be limited to the small number of apps in the Windows 8 store. Unfortunately, critics discovered that most of the apps are unusable in desktop mode as the screen is too small to properly press the appropriate buttons or drop down menus.

The Encore can connect to a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, but Whistle Out noticed a significant amount of lag when using the peripherals saying, "Though it gets the job done, it is far more frustrating than we think it ought to be."

Much of the lag issues are due to the tablets mediocre 1.33GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM. While reviewers found the tablet experience smooth, the desktop experience was much jumpier with numerous slowdowns and hangs even when loading web pages. Critics do not suggest playing more recent 3D games on the device as the frame rate was fairly poor.

Aside from the processor and RAM, the tablet offers up to 64GB of internal storage, an expandable microSD slot and a micro HDMI port. According to Toshiba, the battery should last 7 hours of heavy usage, though Laptop Mag's battery test clocked it at over 8 hours.

The Toshiba Encore garnered mixed feelings from reviewers. Wired says "Encore's sluggish performance often makes it frustrating to use…" while V3 states it's "an interesting device…and it could be a compelling companion device for a laptop or desktop."


Windows
Operating system
Operating system
Windows
1.7 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.7 GHz
8"
Screen Size
Screen Size
8"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
20 WHr
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


PC Pro
PC Pro

The first compact Windows 8 tablet we'd seriously consider buying, packing in usable performance and a generous software bundle for a very tempting price.

- Bobby MacPherson, PC Pro
PCWorld
PCWorld

Toshiba's Encore 8 packs some nice extras compared to rival 8-inch Windows tablets, but it's thicker and heavier than the competition.

- Michelle Mastin, PCWorld
TechRadar
TechRadar

It's with somewhat of a heavy heart that we have to report that our search for a Windows 8 tablet saviour continues, with the Toshiba Encore falling short of a number of expectations. While the fact that it can run full Windows programs is at first a nice feature, it's not much use if the underlying...

- TechRadar team, TechRadar
TabletPCReview
TabletPCReview

I came in with really low expectations on the Toshiba Encore 8, but after using it, it's actually quite the contender for the small tablet space thanks to it's decent overall performance and battery life.If you are looking for something that can run the full version of Windows in a small tablet form...

- Louie Tran, TabletPCReview
TechSpot
TechSpot

Toshiba’s first foray into the world of 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablets isn’t the fantastic product the company was hoping for. The drab, chubby design is particularly uninspired, failing to make an impression up against slimmer and more portable competition. The inclusion of an HFFS display...

- Tim Schiesser, TechSpot


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Quick view

Screen Size
8"

The Toshiba Encore's screen size is 8 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1.7 GHz

There is a Intel Atom Z3770 Quad core 1.7 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
8+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 8+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
32/64 GB

Internal memory is 32/64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
20WHr

The tablet is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 20 WHr battery. Toshiba's performance ratings are 7 days standby time, 7 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

Toshiba Encore Specs

Overview
Release Date November 7, 2013
Regions Available USA, United Kingdom
Operating System No

Compare Windows Smartphones

Processor Intel Atom Z3770 Quad core 1.7 GHz
Internal Storage 32/64 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel density 189 pixels
Size 8 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 20 WHr
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time Unknown
Video Playback Time Up to 7 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 7 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 7 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Gold
Dimensions [H x W x D] 21.3 x 13.7 x 1.1 cm (8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 in)
Weight 445 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack Yes
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader No
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: No
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, MP4, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA):
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Toshiba Encore Reviews
Where to buy Toshiba Encore
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