Tablets

By February 5, 2014 Read More →

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro unboxing and first impressions

YOGA-2-pro_Orange_Standard_04The Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro sits towards the top end of the multimode Ultrabook market and is the latest Lenovo model to enter this space. Lenovo have several ‘multimode’ models in their range but one thing that certainly sets the Yoga 2 Pro apart from the rest of the crowd is the amazing 13.3″ QHD+ display, that’s 3200×1800 pixels!

The Yoga 2 Pro comes in a variety of flavours including Intel i3, i5 or i7 processor, 128GB / 256GB / 512GB SSD and 4GB/8GB RAM. The one we have is the i5 with 256GB SSD and 4GB RAM.

Some of you may know that I already have the Yoga 13 and I use that quite often. The Yoga 2 Pro has a similar footprint to the Yoga 13 but is a little lighter and, as I mentioned above, has an amazing QHD+ display. In the video below I’m doing my best to demonstrate just how good it is!

So check out the video, I’m hands-on with the Yoga 2 Pro and take a look at the hardware before firing up the OS.

By January 31, 2014 Read More →

Two Chromebooks coming from Lenovo

Lenovo-IdeaPad-Yoga-13-modesHere is a bit of news for Chrome OS and Lenovo fans out there – the popular PC manufacturer has just announced two new laptops! The Thinkpad 11e and the Thinkpad Yoga 11e come in two versions, sporting Windows 8 and Chrome OS (wouldn’t it be nice if they could dual-boot?).

These Chromebooks are said to be aimed towards education, but they seem to be great options for the regular consumer too. Specs were not specified, but we do have some details you might want to know.

Lenovo ThinkPad 11e Chromebook

As the name entails, the ThinkPad 11e sports what is now the standard in terms of Chromebook displays. Of course, we are talking about an 11.6-inch HD, LED display. HD probably does mean 1366x768p resolution, which is what most other 11.6-inch Chromebook displays have.

You will also get “over 8 hours of battery life”, but that is not what makes the ThinkPad 11e special. Its main feature is its construction, which comes with a rugged nature. The laptop will feature “rubber bumpers, reinforced ports and stronger hinges.” It’s a Chromebook built to last.

Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 11e Chromebook

The ThinkPad Yoga 11e will not be as resistant, but it will be a much more functional and flexible (literally) tool. This laptop takes on Lenovo’s signature Yoga design, allowing a laptop to take on 4 different configurations. It adapts to the type of use you want to give it at any given moment.

You can transform Yoga laptops in the following configurations: laptop, tablet, tent and stand. You can see the image below to see examples.

The TinkPad Yoga 11e also comes with an 11.6-inch display, but it sports an IPS panel. This will give the screen much better viewing angles and color accuracy. It’s also important to note that this is the third Chroembook to come with a touchscreen! I know many of you will fancy that.

All versions are set to be released during the Spring of 2014. Price is a bit more vague – Lenovo says the Chromebooks will start at $349. Are you getting one of these bad boys?

Posted in: Laptops, News, Tablets
By January 25, 2014 Read More →

Do Laptop Tablets have Staying Power?

Ideapad-Yoga-11_07Last year, some 227 million tablets were sold and now they are more popular than smartphones when it comes to using the web. With almost 10% of visits coming from these devices, there’s a boom for them now, but will they still be popular in the future?

Currently, multimode and laptop tablet models are becoming the must have devices are they are ideal for both personal and business use. More portable than laptops, tablets have come a long way since humble beginnings back in 1989 with the GRiDPad. The amount of internet connected devices available is such that you can be diagnosed with a fear of not being connected – nomophobia. We have a look at what the future has in store.

 

The evolving relationship between humans and electronics

A smartphone seemingly isn’t a commodity anymore, merely something everyone is expected to have in order to send messages, pay bills and, well, live life. It is unsurprising that nomophobia is becoming a thing and relationships are becoming more intimate as wearables like smart watches and the innovative Google Glass continue to break new ground in the market. With analysts predicting that we’ll have (on average) five internet devices within the next few years, the falling prices mean that we have a different device for each activity. With phablets allegedly still a phenomenon to come and multimode tablets becoming a thing of the future, the crossover may have started.

 

Can laptop tablets break the market?

Quite a few tablets come with a keyboard now, and it is Lenovo who are breaking most of the ground and predicting that multimode tablets are the game changer moving forward. Microsoft obviously think this to be the case too as the Surface Pro 2 has been redesigned to be PC alternative that runs Office, a long battery and has a high performance. Some people have tried to suggest that the future of tablets isn’t healthy but the Aberdeen Group released a prediction that Windows 8 tablets will lead Android and Apple for market share this year as sales of tablets go into overload.

While the prediction says we are liking to have a number of different devices, they may still be required to do more than one job. If you’re getting a cheap tablet, then you know what it is for – and research from Ofcom has found that kids love tablets for browsing etc – then you know what you’re getting but there are calls for top-end products to be multimode – the Surface Pro 2, Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 2 and ASUS Transformer Book T100 are all good examples.

Today, keyboards are key accessories when it comes to tablets and that would suggest that the trend is here to stay. While all electronic devices have there place in the market, some smaller than others, the multimode tablets make for an appealing alternative to PCs – and even laptops. The touch experience is well loved and many manufacturers are looking to cash in on the trend. Laptop tablets are here to stay.

Posted in: Editorial, Laptops, News, Tablets
By January 24, 2014 Read More →

Fancy, new stands docks for the Nexus 7

asus-wired-charging-dock-nexus7-2013Asus recently put some cool Google Nexus 7 2013 Edition accessories up on their site. For now it looks like its for information/future purposes only because they didn’t share a purchase date or pricing. Both of the devices are charging docks/stands for the Nexus 7 2013 Edition. One is wired and the other is wireless. Here’s a breakdown of info on each device straight from Asus’ website.

 

Wired Charging Dock: ASUS Dock for Nexus 7 (2013)

  • Charge the Nexus 7 (2013) while in use, making it perfect for use on a desktop or counter.
  • Slide-in design props up the Nexus 7 (2013) in either landscape or portrait orientation.
  • HDMI output to view HD 1080p content on an HDTV or LCD display (HDMI cable not included)
  • *Only compatible with Nexus 7 (2013)
  • Positions the Nexus 7 (2013) perfectly for you to watch movies, play games, or surf the web, or even type notes using a wireless Bluetooth keyboard.

asus-wireless-charging-dock-nexus7-2013

Wireless Charging Dock: ASUS PW100 Wireless Charging Stand for Nexus 7 (2013)

  • Elegant Pyramid design with delicate texture and compact outlook
  • With Qi standard, compatible with most tablets or cellphones which also support Qi.
  • Wireless makes charging easy, built-in the status LED design

Even though they haven’t shared any pricing or availability details just yet, overseas the wireless dock has been selling for approximately $50 USD equivalent. We will keep an eye out for more details, but feel free to chime in on this thread if you see something before we do.

Posted in: News, Tablets
By January 23, 2014 Read More →

The Nexus 8 this summer?

Nexus 8The latest Android tablet rumour is that Google is planning to release a Nexus 8 tablet in the middle of this year. Supposedly, the success of the Apple iPad Mini has forced Google to take notice and offer a compelling alternative in that size range. Some also say that the Nexus 7 (2013) is loosing ground to the wave of cheaper 7″ tablets hitting the market over Christmas.

An interesting side note about this rumoured Nexus 8 tablet is that Google is mulling over using Intel’s Bay Trail architecture instead of NVIDIA or Qualcomm this time. Whilst Samsung seem to be top pick for a refresh of the Nexus 10 later this year, LG covering things phone-side, Asustek is the likely favourite to produce this. The LG G Pad 8.3 was a killer upon release, even having a Play Store variant. Lenovo will also be a strong contender as their contribution to the Android hardware world has be fairly impressive. Google will have a tough decision of who to go with.

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By January 18, 2014 Read More →

Moto Maker Motorola Android Tablet

motorola-xoom_wifi-angleHow does a Moto Maker customized Motorola Android tablet sound to you? That’s the idea that Motorola is supposedly mulling over right now. Here’s a quote with the details,

Motorola Android Tablet Quote:

CEO Dennis Woodside unveiled in a recent interview that not only Motorola is considering a tablet, but that Moto Maker, the service used to customize the Moto X, might branch out: “we are looking at tablets. A lot of people have asked us to build a tablet using Moto Maker, to customize their tablet. There might be a day we do that, but the bigger opportunity for us is the five billion people without smartphones,” the CEO added. Of course, Motorola’s top priority, aside from the five billion people without smartphones, is, as Woodside puts it, mobile internet: “We have to decide and convince consumers we stand for something and what we are focused on is the mobile internet.”

It doesn’t sound like he is too committed to the tablet plan, but that could obviously change at a moment’s notice. What do you guys think of this? If they had the same competitive pricing and innovative features found in the Moto X and/or Moto G could Motorola surge back into a strong Android tablet position?

Posted in: News, Rumours, Tablets
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By January 15, 2014 Read More →

Asus TF502T is the Android version

Transformer-tf502tIt looks like Asus has made the TF502T a reality. For the most part it is just a rebranding of the TF600T, but instead of a Windows RT OS, it now has Android 4.2.

Specs-wise the Asus TF502T a pretty good offering: 

  • NVIDA Tegra 3
  • 2GB of on-board RAM
  • 10-inch 1366 x 768 display – Super IPS with screen brightening technology and is protected by Corning Fit Glass – 178 degrees viewing angle
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth V4.0 and NFC
  • F/2.2 8MP camera with flash on back
  • 2MP camera on back
  • Includes four speakers along with ASUS’ SonicMaster technology – (stereo sound can be used in landscape and portrait modes)
  • 32GB or 64GB models

Of course, the tab can batch up with a dock that includes a keyboard. It also has its own battery which can charge the tablet’s internal battery when it drops to a set level. The tablet and dock combined have a battery life of 16 hours. Their website doesn’t offer a price yet, but we can expect something soon at Mobile World Congress.

Posted in: News, Tablets
By January 15, 2014 Read More →

An new Nexus 10 tablet gets the @evleaks treatment

Nexus 10Yet another scoop arrives from @evleaks. His latest is confirmation of a Samsung made Nexus 10 tablet. Not only did he list the specs for the device, he also made mention of Android 4.5. Of course, more than likely, it will be toward the middle of this year before this tablet is officially announced, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that it will sport a new version of Android. The question remains, “Will it be simply an updated version of KitKat or will it be a completely new dessert?” 

Here’s the Nexus 10 specs he mentioned in his Tweet:

  • Samsung’s own Exynos 5
  • WQXGA Display (upgraded from the current model)
  • 3GB RAM
  • 16 or 32GB storage
  • 5MP/3MP Cameras
  • Android 4.5

Also, by chance it would appear the Nexus 10 is completely sold out on the Google Play Store at the moment. How odd…

Posted in: News, Rumours, Tablets
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By January 12, 2014 Read More →

Lenovo Ideapad Miix 10 unboxing and hands on

Lenovo Ideapad Miix 10Lenovo have a wide range of ‘multimode’ devices on the market and we’re continuing to look at the entire range with the Ideapad Miix 10.

This Windows 8 computer can transform from laptop to tablet in seconds offering great flexibility and enables you to have the capabilities of several devices in one package. The keyboard doubles as a flexible case/cover but this can be removed completely should you wish to use it in naked tablet mode.

Those out there considering their first tablet computer may want to look at devices like this, running Windows 8, as they offer a good alternative to Android and iOS tablets on the market as they are capable of running desktop applications which is useful in the corporate environment and where business productivity is important.

In the video below you’ll see the Miix 10 in a little more detail, I’ll show you the hardware and how the keyboard works with the removable tablet unit. Not the normal unboxing as our review unit was a bit battered but otherwise it’s a full unbox and hands-on.

By January 7, 2014 Read More →

Lenovo has been thinking about the ThinkPad 8

thinkpad-8-wifi,5-I-416214-22Alongside the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, Lenovo yesterday announced a new ThinkPad tablet dubbed the ThinkPad 8. The ThinkPad 8 mixes things up a little by offering three unique configurations: Desktop, Tablet, and Tent. Tablet is obviously a portable mode while Desktop Mode requires an optional keyboard base. Tent Mode also requires an accessory, Lenovo’s Quickshot Cover. 

The ThinkPad 8 features an Intel’s Z3770 (Bay Trail) quad-core CPU clocked to 2.4 GHz and Intel HD Graphics, with 2 GB of RAM, up to 128 GB of SSD storage, and an 8.3-inch 1920 x 1200 FHD display with 10-point multi-touch. Then there are the usual bells and whistles: WiFi, optionally 4G/3G, rear- and front-facing cameras (8-megapixel and 2-megapixel, respectively). There’s also MicroUSB 3.0, MicroSD, MicroHDMI, and MicroSIM (for 3G models).

Posted in: Laptops, News, Tablets
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