Amazon Fire Max 11
What's the story?
As the name suggests, the Max 11 is the most powerful tablet in Amazon’s Fire range, built around an 11in 1200p screen, 4GB of RAM, an octa-core processor and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. And while it doesn’t come with any as standard, the Max 11 supports a host of premium accessories including a keyboard, a stylus and even a game controller.
Like the other tablets here it runs on Android, but Amazon has slathered its own UI over the top like a slab of restrictive butter: users must download from Amazon’s own app store rather than Google Play. On the upside, there’s close integration with Amazon services like Kindle, Audible and Prime Video, not to mention Alexa.
Is it any good?
The unibody is slim, light and tough, as well as rather elegant… except perhaps for the Amazon logo on the back. We have no complaints about the touchscreen either: it’s rich and bright, with vivid colours and sharp 213ppi pixel density.
Paired with the decent speakers up top, that makes this a fine slate for streaming HD video and playing games (and the 4GB of RAM and octa-core processor kept things ticking along nicely in our test games of PUBG Mobile). Battery life is good too: you could spend all day on YouTube and still have plenty in the tank.
The experience isn’t all roses and kittens, mind you. There are ads that pop up every time you unlock it (unless you buy a slightly pricier version), and you always feel like Amazon is pushing you towards its own content. The app selection is also weaker than on a standard Android slate.
R4 800 / evogames.co.za
Key specs
● 11in 2000×1200 ● 64/128GB + microSD ● 8MP front, 8MP back ● USB-C, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 ● 259×164×7.5mm, 490g
