Let's be real for a second. The tech world moves fast—ridiculously fast. We’re currently seeing tablets with more processing power than the laptops that sent people to the moon, yet there's still a massive market for budget-friendly, older hardware. One name that pops up constantly in the secondary market is the Nextbook Ares 11A tablet. It was originally a Walmart staple, a low-cost entry into the 2-in-1 world that promised the utility of a laptop with the portability of an Android slate.
But does it actually hold up today? Or is it just another piece of e-waste waiting to happen?
If you’re looking at a refurbished unit or found one at the bottom of a drawer, you’ve gotta understand exactly what this thing is. It isn't an iPad Pro. It’s not even a base-model Samsung Galaxy Tab. It is a specific tool built for a specific price point, and honestly, it has some quirks that might drive a modern user crazy if they aren't prepared.
The Reality of the Intel Atom Inside
The heart of the Nextbook Ares 11A tablet is the Intel Atom x5-Z8350. If those numbers don't mean much to you, here’s the gist: it’s a quad-core processor designed for efficiency, not speed. Back when this tablet hit the shelves, this chip was the go-to for low-cost Windows "netbooks" and Android hybrids.
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The performance is... fine.
It handles basic web browsing okay, provided you don't have twenty tabs open. If you try to run heavy apps or high-end mobile games like Genshin Impact, you're going to have a bad time. The 2GB of RAM is the real bottleneck here. In 2026, most Android apps expect at least 4GB to breathe comfortably. Because of this, you’ll notice that the Ares 11A "stutters" when switching between tasks. It’s a patient person’s tablet.
That 11.6-inch Screen
One thing Nextbook actually got right was the size. At 11.6 inches, the display is quite large for a budget Android device. It uses an IPS panel, which means the viewing angles are actually pretty decent. You won't get those weird inverted colors when you tilt the screen slightly to the left.
The resolution is 1366 x 768.
Is it "Retina" quality? Absolutely not. You can see the pixels if you look closely. However, for watching a movie in bed or checking emails, it gets the job done. The 16:9 aspect ratio makes it feel more like a mini-TV than a notepad, which is a bit of a polarizing choice depending on whether you want to read ebooks or watch Netflix.
Hardware Design and that Detachable Keyboard
The "2-in-1" branding comes from the magnetic keyboard dock. It’s a pogo-pin connection, so you don't have to mess around with Bluetooth pairing or charging the keyboard separately. You just snap it on and start typing.
The build quality is very... plastic.
It feels lightweight, which is great for a backpack, but it doesn't scream "premium." The hinge is surprisingly sturdy, though. It holds the tablet up well, but because all the weight (the battery, the screen, the motherboard) is in the tablet portion, the whole setup can feel a bit "top-heavy." If you're using it on your lap, it might try to tip backward.
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Interestingly, the keyboard includes two full-sized USB 2.0 ports. This is a huge win for people who still use wired mice or thumb drives. You don't see that on many modern tablets without buying a $50 dongle.
Software Limitations and Security Risks
This is where we have to have the "tough talk." The Nextbook Ares 11A tablet originally shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Some units might have received minor updates, but for the most part, this device is stuck in a time capsule.
Why does that matter?
- App Compatibility: Many modern apps in the Google Play Store now require Android 10 or higher. You might find that your favorite streaming app or banking tool simply won't install.
- Security: This device hasn't seen a security patch in years. Using it for sensitive tasks like banking or managing your primary email is risky. It’s basically a playground for unpatched vulnerabilities.
- Battery Management: Newer versions of Android are much better at "Doze" mode—saving battery when the screen is off. The Ares 11A tends to drain its 9000mAh battery fairly quickly even when you aren't using it.
If you're a tinkerer, you might look into custom ROMs, but the Intel Atom architecture makes that significantly harder than on a Qualcomm-based device. Most users will be stuck with the stock software.
Common Failures: What Usually Breaks
If you're buying one used, check the charging port. The Ares 11A uses a micro-USB port for charging, and those things were notorious for loosening over time. If the owner used it while it was plugged in, there's a good chance the internal soldering is strained.
Also, look at the screen corners.
The plastic casing on these budget Nextbooks can sometimes crack near the pressure points of the hinge. It’s not a dealbreaker for performance, but it’s a sign of how the device was treated.
The 64GB of onboard storage is actually quite generous for this price tier. Most budget tablets of that era capped out at 16GB or 32GB. You can also pop in a microSD card to expand that, which makes it a decent offline media player for long flights or car rides.
Who is this for in 2026?
Honestly, the Nextbook Ares 11A tablet isn't for the power user. It’s not for the student who needs to write a 20-page thesis with 50 citations and a dozen browser tabs.
It’s for the person who wants a "beater" tablet.
Maybe you want something to keep in the kitchen for recipes. Maybe you want a cheap screen for the kids to watch YouTube Kids on (if the app still supports the OS). It’s a great dedicated device for a specific, low-demand task.
Comparisons to Modern Alternatives
If you're looking at spending $50 to $80 on a used Ares 11A, you should know that a brand-new Amazon Fire HD 10 is often on sale for a similar price. The Fire tablet will have a much better screen, faster processor, and more modern software (even if it is Amazon’s version of Android).
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The only reason to choose the Nextbook over a modern Fire tablet is the keyboard and the full-sized USB ports. If you absolutely need to plug in a specialized USB device—like a thermal camera or an old-school MIDI controller—the Nextbook might actually be the better tool for the job.
Getting the Most Out of Your Nextbook Ares 11A
If you already own one and it’s running slow, there are a few things you can do to breathe some life into it.
First, disable all the "bloatware" apps that came pre-installed. Go into the settings and turn off animations; it makes the UI feel snappier. Use "Lite" versions of apps like Facebook Lite or Spotify Lite. They use significantly less RAM.
Keep your expectations in check.
This is a vintage budget device. It’s a relic of an era where every manufacturer was trying to figure out if tablets could replace laptops. It didn't quite succeed at that, but as a secondary screen for casual browsing, it’s a quirky piece of tech history that still turns on.
Practical Steps for New Owners
- Factory Reset Immediately: If you bought it used, do a full hardware reset to clear out any old cached data that might be slowing down the Intel Atom chip.
- Check for Malware: Since it's on an older version of Android, run a reputable scan once you've set it up, just to be safe.
- Invest in a Screen Protector: The screen is plastic, not Gorilla Glass. It will scratch if you even look at it wrong.
- Use it Offline: It makes an excellent offline distraction-free writing tool if you use a simple text editor and the included keyboard.
- Avoid the Camera: The 2.0MP cameras are, frankly, terrible. Don't plan on using this for important video calls; you'll look like a blurry smudge.