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Last Updated on March 29, 2020
Hybrid tablets that effectively double as laptops have become so commonplace that the cachet has worn out for many. With the Surface Pro and the iPad Pro tearing up the charts, there’s no deficit of fine models to choose form.
What we don’t have yet is a full-featured hybrid tablet that’s affordable for a wide range of users. The new iRULU WalknBook 3 might just be able to fill that void for budget-conscious tablet buyers.
Design and Aesthetics
Unlike kickstand-style tablets, the iRULU WalknBook 3 relies on the detachable keyboard’s hinge for screen support. The full-sized QWERTY keyboard also boasts a handy trackpad. While the WalknBook 3 is hardly a looker, its plastic construction feels sturdy enough.
When arranged in laptop mode with the lid closed, the whole package is just 17.5 millimeters thick. With the keyboard attached, the WalknBook 3 weighs in at a lean 2.5 pounds.
Computing Hardware & Display
The heart of the WalknBook 3 is the quad-core Intel Z3735F CPU capable of 1.83GHz with Turbo Boost. That efficient but robust chip is supported by 2GB of DDR3 RAM and 32GB on-board storage. Total storage can be bumped up by 128GB via the MicroSD slot.
The display is a 1280×800 IPS LCD with a 178-degree viewing angle. 2MP front and rear cameras round out the spec sheet.
UI & Installed Software
Powered by the new and improved Windows 10, the iRULU WalknBook 3 is both an entertainment center and a productivity engine. Buyers also get a free month of Office 365. In addition, you’ll get the standard 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage space that Windows users enjoy for remote multitasking.
The nice thing about iRULU is that they don’t load up their products with a bunch of iffy third-party software that takes up limited space.
Networking Capabilities
It should come as no surprise that the WalknBook isn’t a mobile broadband machine. You’ll get Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and not much else in the way of wireless networking. The good news is that it’s stocked with tons of ports like Micro USB, full-sized USB 3.0 and Mini HDMI.
This gives the WalknBook 3 a lot of flexibility when it comes to attaching peripherals like scanners, cameras, and even stereo equipment.
Performance in the Field
Thanks to a fairly beefy CPU and enough RAM for moderate multi-tasking, the WalknBook 3 runs a full Windows 10 installation without any trouble. The 7000mAh battery should be good for about 5 full hours of heavy usage.
The only real problem with the WalknBook 3 is its tendency to overheat when pushing the pedal to the metal. Avoiding graphically-intensive apps is the best way to rectify the problem.
WalknBook 3 Pros & Cons
The best thing about this little iRULU is its bargain-basement price and total ROI. You simply can’t get a hybrid tablet for roughly $150 that matches the WalknBook 3 on performance and quality. It’s also an amazingly versatile machine due to its full Windows 10 installation and a slew of ports.
The downsides are the use of fairly cheap materials for the casing and the aforementioned overheating issue under extreme circumstances.
The Ideal iRULU WalknBook 3 User
While anyone could get a lot of mileage out of the iRULU WalknBook 3, this particular hybrid is practically ideal for business usage. Company owners and mobile workers alike will appreciate the WalknBook’s small footprint, computing firepower and ability to interface with a variety of hardware.
At the end of the day, it’s affordable as all get out and doesn’t really sacrifice usability where it really counts.