Argos Launches Own-Brand Budget Tablet

High street chain Argos has launched its own brand of tablet computer in time for the busy festive shopping period.

On sale from Wednesday, the 7-inch device called MyTablet, costs £99.99 and is available in pink or silver metal cases.

It will run Google's Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 operating system and comes pre-loaded with apps, including Facebook and Twitter, and games.

Internet browsing, TV, music and video streaming, Skyping and social networking can all be carried out on MyTablet.

According to Argos, the device has been designed "with teenagers in mind offering all the functionality of a traditional tablet with built-in parental controls for younger users".

The launch comes after Tesco entered into the tablet fray last month with its Hudl priced at £120.

MyTablet joins an increasingly crowded market alongside the likes of the iPad and Kindle.

It is powered by a 1.6GHz dual core processor, with a 1024x600 resolution LCD glass screen and features 8GB of memory with a Micro SD port which can support up to 32 GB with a Micro SD Card.

The device has a built-in two megapixel camera plus a front-facing camera and is wi-fi enabled with Bluetooth capabilities.

John Walden, Argos managing director, said: "Millions of people bought a tablet last year but there’s still around 75% of the UK population who do not yet own one.

"We know that tablets will feature heavily on Christmas lists again this year.

"Customers have never had such a good quality tablet at such an affordable price.

"At just £99.99 the Argos MyTablet is highly competitive with a great specification, and fits neatly in the range of tablets we have on offer."

The high street retailer said the proportion of Argos sales via mobile devices, which include tablets, is now 15%.