Since its launch in September, the Cherry Mobile Alpha Morph has always been one of my most coveted gadgets this 2014. There are plenty of reasons and I would like to share them all to you rather than giving you a very definitive review. David of Semicurrent.com did a great job in reviewing one; and if you’re into reading highly detailed review, go ahead and visit his review here.
Before I share with you my thoughts about Cherry’s first Windows 8.1 device, you may want to check out my unboxing video below. A lot of you may have already watched this video, so go ahead and scroll down to save 3-minutes of your time.
Here are straight-forward and consumer-focused reasons why I love the Cherry Mobile Alpha Morph:
1. It’s Hella Fast!
Yes, specs-wise, the Cherry Mobile Alpha Morph has fairly good innards… for it’s price. Almost desktop applications I normally use as a blogger and a digital media manager at Pioneer run very smoothly on this device. Microsoft Office applications, as expected, work flawlessly; and even other apps such as Bamboo Paper, Photoshop Express, Photostatic and Fotor work without any issues.
[su_spoiler title=”Curious about its specs? Click this to view” style=”simple” icon=”arrow”]
- 10-inch WXGA (1280×800 pixel resolution) IPS touchscreen display
- 1.33GHz quad-core Intel Z3735D CPU with Intel HD Graphics
- 2GB DDR3 RAM, 32GB internal storage
- Dual-cameras: 2MP rear, 2MP front
- Bluetooth 4.0 wireless, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
- micro USB 2.0 port, micro HDMI-out
- 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers
- micro SD card slot (up to 64GB)
- 8,000 mAh battery
- Windows 8.1 with Bing
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More and more apps are being added to Windows Store, and it has the potential to grow even further especially when Windows 10 is officially released.
2. Steam + Alpha Morph + Additional 64gb microSD card + Xbox 360 Controller = GameTime
I play games… a lot. That’s probably one of the reasons why I keep missing my blogging deadlines. Anyway, Alpha Morph has a great potential to be an alternative gaming hub for gamers. As expected, I was not able to play Borderlands 2 and Tropico 3 flawlessly but some Indie and other games, which do not require a lot of resources are playable on the device.
Alpha Morph was able to open Borderlands 2. I turned off some graphics features to better my experience, but the gameplay wasn’t fluid enough for me to categorically say that it’s PLAYABLE. However, gaming favorites such as LOL, Dota 2, Counterstrike: Global Offensive, Luftrausers and SteamWorld Dig are very playable on this device as confirmed by my fellow bloggers.
[su_box title=”SteamWorld Dig Gameplay (to be uploaded soon)” style=”soft” box_color=”#00a462″ radius=”0″]Currently being uploaded to YouTube.[/su_box]
3. Peripherals are Welcome
The tablet/laptop lacks regular sized USB port. While I prefer to have at least one, the inclusion of a MicroUSB to USB (OTG) adapter is a plus factor. It is possible to attach USB hub but you will not be able to use some peripherals and USB storage devices, which require a lot of power.
As seen on the video above, I was able to use my Xbox 360 Controller with the supplied receiver. It is also possible to connect it via USB. Sony’s DualShock 4 may also be attached and used on Alpha Morph, but it requires you to download and install DS4Windows.
4. It’s Windows 10 Ready
In an Instagram post by YouTuber, Biboy Novino, he confirmed that Windows 10 works perfectly on Alpha Morph. This opens the device to even more exciting features, which the new build offers like the super-powered Windows Start Button, optimized ecosystem for hybrid devices (such as the Alpha Morph).
5. You Can Proudly Say It’s a Cherry Mobile Product
Alpha Morph’s built and look do not exactly veer away from the design of Cherry Mobile’s tablets. Its matte-textured back panel and glossy front are Cherry Mobile “signature” design; but everything changes once you snap it on the supplied keyboard-cover.
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- Alpha Morph 7
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- Alpha Morph 5
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- Alpha Morph 19
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- Alpha Morph 26
It’s a head-turner (in a good way), and that’s a solid proof that it’s value-for-money product. Whether you’re going to use this for work or for play, Alpha Morph offers all the necessary applications and tools you need to help you become very productive.
I brought this tablet with me a couple of times at the office. I showed it to friends and officemates; and when they knew that this is a Cherry Mobile product, they simply shout out (literally) – “Talaga?! Ang galing naman!”. Such statement is an exact derivative of the word “WOW”.
At PhP11,999, Alpha Morph is the right product for those who are looking for an affordable hybrid laptop. This product, as mentioned, does not have much power to let you play games and use apps that require high-end specs, but it can definitely satisfy your game-ravings and help you finish tasks.
What do you think about Alpha Morph guys? Have you seen one in Cherry Mobile kiosks/stores? Do you agree with my thoughts about the device. Let me us know through the comments below.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
