Edit: My Teclast X98 Pro Review is now online!
I know many of you are waiting patiently for my Teclast X98 Pro review. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a week or so longer before my full written and rated review is online (I have ordered a X98 Pro Int’l model). I have decided it’s not entirely fair to review the tablet in it’s current state since it’s not running its factory Windows 10 image. While I did make a dump of the drivers from the Chinese Windows 10 only image, it’s possible it might have failed to transfer certain config files etc. And I also discovered the microphone quality is downright awful, but this could be due to a missing config file not restored from my driver backup.
By the way, I’m not trying to defend the tablet in regards to its thermal issues and throttling when gaming or pushed hard. I have seen the CPU cores hit 86 degrees and throttle limiting performance. This shouldn’t be happening at all and is completely unacceptable to release a tablet like this. And this isn’t software related but rather a hardware issue. I will be opening up the tablet later this week to see what heat sinks Teclast used (if any).
I also think it makes perfect sense to only review the version that people will be buying and that’s the Windows 10 Home / Bing version that supports language packs. I know Gearbest and Banggood.com will sell the international Bing model, in fact Banggood are taking orders as of today.
P.S Avoid the Chinese only model it’s just not worth it. Please, double check if you buy from AliExpress it’s shipping with Windows 10 Home. If the seller says its got Windows 10 Pro installed it’s most probably a dodgy seller hack job and they have loaded Windows 10 Pro themselves and it could WILL have issues.
For now I have my quick review video below, keep in mind the audio issue featured might be my fault as stated above.
If you want to see more on the X98 Pro, check out these other X98 Pro videos in the Tech Tablets channel, which covers benchmarks, gaming, unboxing etc.
ram
Hello, I’ve bought this model after reading your review, now I read “Avoid the Chinese only model it’s just not worth it. “, what changes exactly? I received today my X98 PRO, got windows 10 Home with teclast logo and on back of the tablet there is code ID K9C3 like your ( chinese ? ). When I turned on, windows was already set with english language but sealed on box were broken.. I’ve bought from an official Teclast reseller.. I got a chinese version that is wort than the international one? What change exactly? I’m quite worried about what to do, resell and ask refund or what.. Pls tell me something 🙁
Chris G
Hi Ram, You are good. My X98 Pro International one arrived today, it’s got Windows 10 Home and activated. No hardware improvements in heat. But the mic is fixed with this version, it sounds fine unlike my first one.
Kamal
That’s so disappointing they didn’t address the heat issue …
Looking forward to your update on the intentional version!
ram
Thanks for your reply Chris, so International version got anyway ID K9C3 on the back?
When I turned on device I found battery above 90% and took only like 20 seconds to boot up, no installation or setup asked, you did the same?
nowa
Hi Chris. So the int. model had some improvements done to the mic. but nothing to address the heat issue… Do you think the dual boot version will be any different?
Kyriakos
I think the Int model is the same as the chinese just different software. It’s more likely that Chris’s came with a faulty mic.
nowa
Yeah. That sounds about right… So the DB version will likely be the same HW again with no improvements? But perhaps we can persuade Chris to get a DB version and test the Android part? Maybe that will be less hot? So is Teclast gonna do something about this… I for one will be holding off a x98 pro for a couple of weeks/months to see if there will be a new HW…
Max
Geekbuying has just changed their Presell Product Lead-time from 08-27 to 09-15. So maybe Teclast does some reworks/patches?
JAMALX
The thermal question (for me is not a clear defect) is not solved it, yet. Trust in me.
So, all units have the same question (international or not). It is better everybody pays attention, wait a couple of weeks and do not buy . When the question will be solved it, we will know it.
Anyway, upon my opinion, everybody is free to buy from banggood, Geekbuying or other places but there are official channels and in Europe we will have more warranty.
Fricandel
Hi there,
Great review! I noticed that you didn’t know how to keep your Tablet Mode settings after rebooting. That’s easy, go to Settings -> System -> Tablet Mode. Here you can configure your preferred settings about Tablet Mode.
Keep up the good work!
Kind regards.
Chris G
Yes later I found how to change that, thanks 🙂 The full review is now up too.
Ragnar Ironblood
Lol, looking at Cube i7 Stylus at $350 on gearbest, I really doubt there’s a point to wait for CT. Especially considering the SSD drive, USB 3.0 port and much more powerful CPU/GPU.
Kyriakos
It’s also 100usd more though. Personally I don’t want to spend a lot of money on Chinese products due to lack of quality control and warranty. So cherry trail is the sweet spot for performance vs price.
Ragnar Ironblood
Well, today almost all tech is manufactured in China, even those of Apple, so there’s no way you can escape buying a chinese gadget 🙂 So the quality is the same. Software issues, maybe, but mostly these get fixed. And no, you do have a year warranty on chinese gadgets.
Kyriakos
Quality and Quality Control are not the same thing. Chinese companies have little liability and brand name to keep than industry giants regulated by EU and US laws. I.e they can get away with half baked products with minimal consequences.
P.s any electronics I buy from EU come with a minimum of 2 year warranty.
Ragnar Ironblood
This is a tradeoff for the much lower price 🙂 More risky – yes, maybe. But all issues are revealed during first couple months of use. So the warranty is not so important anymore. After all, each 0,5-1 year you have some newer and better tech.
Chris G
The Cube i7 Stylus is one of, if not the best Chinese tablet at the moment. It also has a great keyboard dock with 2 x USB 2.0 ports and the Wacom stylus.
Agogohome Agogohome
It seems to me that blaming Teclast for overheating problems might be a bit premature. Surly it’s a design problem from Intel, since other Tablet manufacturers are having a similar issue?
Chris G
Yes and no, my Surface 3 has the X7 Z8700 which is faster with more GPU cores and surely even hotter than the X5 Z8500. And it has no such issues. Clearly MS used a nice big copper or similar heat spreader to keep it cool.
jacknathan89
Hi I bought the X98 pro from aliexpress and the seller told me it was the international version. But when it reached me today it came with Windows 10 pro. It is mostly I English but there are random Chinese things all over the place.
What should I do? 🙁
rich t
Send it back. That’s why I hate aliexpress.
jacknathan89
I don’t think it is possible.
I will just wait for Chris to upload a copy of the international version drivers. Then I will do a fresh install and hopefully it all works!
Chris G
Hi Jack, send it back for a refund. Dispute it with the seller if you have to. But before you do, can you please install HWinfo and tell us how hot does yours get?
Kyriakos
Chris, according to another post by Jacknathan (further down) he said that his tablet gets very hot just by watching a 1080p video on youtube which means its not just yours that has heat issues. I assume the whole first batch must be problematic. We should wait for the people who ordered from banggood to receive their orders to see if its an updated model.
Hpefully teclast will fix the issue soon, in the meantime Cube and Onda should be releasing their cherry trail models.
rich t
This is fucking ridiculous. If my tab I ordered from banggood overheats, I will will be disputing the charges. How the F can they ship out defective units…Total BS!
Chris G
I hope my next batch one has been fixed then. Otherwise the review is going to be ugly . If it’s not fixed, Teclast screwed this one up! Here is my heat mod which helps, but after 30 minutes of gaming still gets to 80 degrees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZWMyjZk8Bo
Ragnar Ironblood
I hardly believe, sellers check’em.
Chris G
Thanks, also keep an eye out for Chuwi’s vi10 Cherry trail too. Should be interesting to see how others keep the tablet cool.
William
well my unit from banggood is apparently getting the DHL treatment, so should be in australia within the week 😀
its aparently with flytexpress at the moment.
once it gets here i’ll post up what the temps are etc 🙂
Kyriakos
Thanks looking forward to your results
jacknathan89
Idle temperature is around 40+ to 50+
When playing a 1080p movie on youtube (edge browser) all cores hit 80+ (81-85) and there is some stuttering at some parts of the vid. Throttling is on core #0 and core #1
rich t
@jacknathan89 is yours the Chinese version? Or international?
rich t
So my x98 from banggood has shipped. It should be here by Thursday. I will let you guys know about the heat problem. I doubt its gonna be any better, but I’m holding out for some hope.
Chris G
Core #0 and Core #1 is where I get the throttling too. I think they are the cores closest to the GPU, and this is where the bulk of the heat is coming from. After my copper heat sink mod things are much better and no throttling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZWMyjZk8Bo
Gal
Can you name the seller please?
JAMALX
Could you share the place in Aliexpress with PRO?
JAMALX
Could you share the place in Aliexpress with Windows 10 PRO?
JAMALX
Interesting video Chris. Thanks
As I know, Teclast placed a team working in Spain for EU. They are working several weeks ago and will start on Sept, 2015. They are managing only international versions.
Chris G
Teclast in Spain? I’m in Spain, do you have anymore info on this? If they are launching it here I could make the trip to the event (if its open to the public)
JAMALX
You can see it at http://www.teclast.com/en/Buyproducts.html
Besides is already actived at http://www.teclast.es/
Akmal
I was wondering why did you have the Chery trail X5-Z8300?
teclast official website says that the tablet will be on cherry trail X5-Z8500
Chris G
Hwinfo isn’t reporting it correctly. The Z8300 doesn’t support 4GB of am, only two. So it’s definitely a X5 Z8500. Bios states X5 Z8500 too.
Shortyk
“I also think it makes perfect sense to only review the version that people will be buying and that’s the Windows 10 Home / Bing version that supports language packs”
Wise decision.
Edgeworth
Good idea to wait. Maybe Teclast has noticed the problems of the chinese model and has fixed them in the new, international version. Would be great to have a 64 GB Cherry-Trail Tablet with 4 GB RAM for a discount price.
I’m looking forward to your next review!
Kyriakos
Thanks for your efforts Chris. I’m actually surprised you’ve already ordered another one.
I spoke with banggood’s live chat yesterday and they confirmed that their version is not in Chinese. How reliable is Banggood compared to gearbest and geekbuying? I’m thinking to order today but I haven’t ordered from banggood before.
Another question, since this is exactly the same form factor as the original X98 models. which keyboard and/or case do you recommend for it ?
Chris G
Hi, Banggood have proven to be one of the best for me in terms of shipping speed, service and price. I find them to be a step above Geekbuying.com and even GearBest. BG and Gearbest are my favorites.
I recommend the original case for it, it fits perfectly the only downside is it’s brown. As for the keyboard, I personally just us a stand and my Logitech travel bluetooth keyboard. I find the 9.7″ keyboards too cramped for long typing periods.
Kyriakos
thanks. I’ll order from banggood then and hopefully the overheating issue is just a problem of the chinese edition.
Sing Along
My x89hd was not able to support a ext hdd due to insufficient current. Is it possible to check if this x98 pro is usb 3 or supply enough current to support an ext hdd since the sd card is usb 3 specs.
Thank you very much.
Chris G
No, unfortunately, it doesn’t how enough power to keep my 1TB 2.5″ Toshiba drive powered. It clicks on and off. I have to use a powered hub. I’ll be sure to mention this in the review. I wish they have fixed this in the new upgrade, but it seems not.
nowa
Thanks Chris,
really enjoy your reviews, one question, would you say the X98 Pro worth it? I mean the almost $100 difference in price between the old and the new? Also bearing in mind the lack of a built in modem and GPS in the cherry version and the fact that Android is unavailable for the next couple of months?
I was keen on the Pro to get the new generation but looking at the benchmarks and compared to the old generation I was really surprised how little a new generation CPU combined with double RAM made… At least in this case. The bump in GPU is nice but also doesn’t seem to impress on all games, any idea if this Intel Gen8 GPU does any improvement for video playback/edit (4k and 1080p) ?
Thanks again
Chris G
Yes and no on if it’s worth it. It depends on your needs. for me it’s worth it for the higher output over HDMI and the 4GB of ram to multitask more. The extra speed is a nice little boost too. In theory the video should be a little better with the new gen8 GFX. But I doubt it would be much of an improvement. If you are editing 1080, make sure you use software that support Intel’s Quick Sync Video otherwise it’s very slow.
rich t
I will mainly be surfing web, some YouTube vids, and very light computer tasks. Do you think the tab will overheat with just those tasks??
steelicon
IMHO, and I’ve had no hands on experience on this, if it does overheat then it will almost definitely overheat. My 2 cents.
jacknathan89
It depends how many tabs are open. And what resolution your YouTube video is playing at. 480p videos play very well. 720p is warm. I tried 1080p movie, it is hot and have throttling. You can still finish watching movie, but after that you must leave it to cool b4 you can play games.
Ragnar Ironblood
My guess is that poor performance is caused by overheating. Bear in mind, that there’s a battle for the market share going on, and thus manufacturers hurry to release new products as fast as possible, so first revisions are often full of flaws and bugs. Best and wisest choice is to wait few more months until the last revision gets released. Also the price will get more wallet-friendly and you will have a wider range of Cherry Trails infield. Personally I’m waiting for Chuwi’s x8500 answer. Also, 32bit technology is almost the past.
Kamal
Excellent decision!
I also think the final review should be based on the International version, that’s the one people will buy. Hopefully Teclast do some driver optimization that will deal with the heat issue you encountered.
Let’s hope the next batches come with more fixes, especially the dual boot and 4G version.
Keep up the amazing work!!
Chris G
Thank you. I think it’s the right choice. I just hope the seller on Aliexpress doesn’t take their time shipping the X98 Pro Windows 10 Bing version to me. Dual boot I think will come in a beta bios and Android Rom maybe in a few months. The 4G version I think will be next year.