New budget Amazon Fire tablets get best Windows 10 features without the hassle

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Apple will launch its next iPad Pro next month, but Amazon is fighting back with its own refreshed line-up of low-cost tablets. Not only do these new Fire slates enjoy a bump in performance, but Amazon is launching a bundle that includes a laptop-style keyboard and access to Office 365 and all of its apps, such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote, for a whole year. That means you will be able to enjoy a Windows 10-style experience without the hassle of endless security updates, bug threats, and complicated menus.

If that sounds enticing, then there will be two new devices to choose from next month, including the entry-level Fire HD 10. This tablet packs a pretty impressive punch for a price of just £149.99. For your money, you’ll be treated to a 10.1-inch HD screen that’s 10 percent brighter than the previous Fire HD 10 model.

A new design makes it slimmer and lighter than previous tablets from Amazon too, and the display has also been strengthened thanks to aluminium silicate glass.

Tucked under the bonnet of the Fire HD 10 are more powerful specs with Amazon boosting that users will see faster load times and zippier performance. Other extras include 12-hours of battery life, Dolby Atmos sound and up to 1TB of storage thanks to its microSD card slot.

Amazon Alexa: Expert demonstrates three features

Of course, being an Amazon tablet there’s hands-free access to Alexa with the chatty assistant being summoned without needing to touch the screen.

If those specs don’t excite you, it might be worth digging a little deeper in your wallet for the upgraded Fire HD 10 Plus. This tablet gets a more premium design that includes a soft-touch slate-coloured finish.

It also boasts slightly more RAM – which should help with any taxing games you want to play when you’re not busy working in those Microsoft Office apps – and adds the option to refill the battery wirelessly.

Those added features do increase the price with this model costing £30 more than the standard version and that doesn’t include the wireless charging dock which will add another £49.99 to your bill.

Prices start from £149.99 for the Fire HD 10 with the improved Fire HD 10 Plus costing £179.99. The productivity bundle which includes that keyboard case and Office 365 Personal subscription starts from £209.99.

Both tablets, Fire HD 10 and Fire HD 10 Plus will also be available from Argos, Currys PC World, John Lewis and Very.co.uk with Fire HD 10 also available through Tesco. Both new Fire HD tablets launch in May.

Source: Read Full Article