When it came to tablets, I’ve never trusted no-brand manufacturers, mostly because they usually put low-quality displays and poor batteries on their products. Moreover, customers of these devices have almost no guarantee that their device would be upgraded when new Android versions emerge.

Well, Tronity, the team behind a tablet called Root 101, wants to put those compromises behind, by mixing modest, but quality specifications inside a well-built body and with the latest version of stock Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Moreover, the tablet comes rooted out of the box. The Root 101 project currently seeks funds for the completion of product development on Indiegogo.

According to its makers, Root 101 is a truly open source tablet, coming with an unlocked OS and the possibility to install two of the most popular Android custom ROMs — CyanogenMod and Paranoid Android. Both ROMs can be downloaded from the official Root 101 site, complete with instructions on how to install them.

Design and looks

On the outside, the Root 101 looks like any Android tablet out there, with a plastic front that resembles the Nexus 10 and a thick bezel.

The back-plate is mostly made of aluminum, which should confer the device increased strength and durability, besides a premium touch. The rear camera is situated in the upper-middle part of the screen while the company’s logo can be found right in the center. As usual, all types of ports and buttons are located at the sides of the unit.

Most interesting features

Root 101 comes with a Nexus-like experience and with Android 4.2.2 pre-loaded. The stock version arrives with no bloatware, no tweaked UI skins, and with root access right out of the box. This last option will permit future owners to install any type of application or even rely on a custom ROM for extended customization.

All the source code of the tablet is made available by the manufacturer on Github, allowing future development to occur with full transparency. Moreover, the seller claims that upcoming Android versions will be delivered as long as the hardware supports it.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 260mm x 173mm x 9.9mm
• Display: 10.1-inch IPS HD screen,1280 x 800 resolution
• CPU: AmLogic AML8726-MX dual-core clocked at 1.5GHz
• GPU: Mali-400 dual-core
• RAM: 1 GB
• Storage: 16GB internal, can be extended through microSD up to 32GB
• Camera: VGA on the front and 2MP on the back
• Battery: 7000 mAh (up to 9 hours of life)
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, microUSB, mini HDMI with output support for 1080p
• Others: 3.5mm jack, microphone, 2 rear speakers

Availability and price

At this moment, Root 101 is still in the development stage and the project can be founded through Indiegogo, for just $169. Depending on the options chosen and the time of bidding, that price can increase. Shipping is free within the United States and those wishing to have it abroad will have to pay an additional $20 fee.

Manufacturing should begin in early July and Tronity promises that backers can expect their devices around mid-August.