Tablet Comparison: InnoTab MAX vs Orbo Jr

The InnoTab MAX and the Orbo Jr are both 7″ tablets running on an Android base and intended for children. The screen resolution of both tablets is 1024×600 pixels. Each tablet has a protective case; the Orbo’s is a simple case with strengthened corners, whilst that of the MAX is an integral part of the tablet, with various controls built into the case and a detachable cover that also functions as a stand.

Although both tablets run on Android, the Orbo runs a standard version of Android, with full access to the Android infrastructure, whilst the InnoTab only has access to those apps approved by VTech. The InnoTab runs Android 4.2.2 compared to the Orbo’s 4.1.2.

The MAX comes with 8GB of memory, compared to 4GB for the Orbo. Both tablets have a memory card slot that will take micro SD cards up to 32GB, giving the InnoTab MAX a maximum of 40GB and the Orbo Jr a maximum of 36GB.

Each tablet has speakers, although the Orbo’s are stereo, as well as a microphone and a headphone jack. The InnoTab MAX also has a number of controls built into the case, as well as a cartridge slot for InnoTab cartridges. The Orbo Jr has two cameras, a 2.0 megapixel (MP) rear facing one and a 1.3 MP front facing one. The InnoTab MAX only has one camera, at 2.0 MP, but this is swivel mounted and can rotate through 180 degrees, from front facing to rear facing. Both tablets have WiFi, a micro-USB port for external devices, and dual core processors.

The InnoTab MAX comes with extensive parental controls. Only approved apps can be downloaded from the InnoTab library, time on the tablet can be limited, and parents can control what web sites their children can access. The Orbo Jr lacks any parental controls out of the box.

The two tablets, despite both running on Android, are intended for different purposes. The InnoTab MAX is much more focussed on education – parents can track how their children are doing on educational cartridges from the parental dashboard – whilst the Orbo Jr is simply a standard tablet with some extra protection for children. Although both can have the same amount of internet access, that on the MAX is much more controllable, and the MAX also lacks access to the full android infrastructure. The InnoTab MAX is an educational tablet designed for children, not simply a tablet intended for children.