REVIEW: Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet

Lenovo is pitching its new Android ThinkPad Tablet as a solution for business users frustrated by the Playbook's lack of capability away from a BlackBerry and the iPad's enterprise shortcomings.

While Google's Android mobile operating system is now neck and neck with the iPhone, sales of Android tablets have been poor.

The strongest contender to date has been Samsung with its range of Android powered Galaxy tablets. However a flurry of patent infringement lawsuits lodged by Apple has stalled Samsung for now.

Alan Munro, vice president and managing director, Lenovo Australia and NZ clearly aimed at the iPad with his comment that the Thinkpad Tablet “enables business and doesn't restrict it. It has built-in security, manageability and flexibility. We don't believe in a 'one size fits all' device”. In saying this, Lenovo is unquestionably taking on the iPad's Goliath market share of 70-80 per cent.

“Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM” is an old axiom perpetuated by IBM marketing from the 1960s onwards. The same idea seems to apply for business tablet purchasing decisions as the iPad is seen to be a safe default purchasing choice.

Features

Instead of building its own operating system like HP's ill fated webOS, Lenovo decided to augment Google's Android 3.1 operating system with software features aimed at keeping business users and their IT departments happy.

Security and device management options include full device and SD card encryption, disabling and wiping lost tablets, virtual desktop access using Citrix Receiver and Good Technology for secure email.

Thinkpad laptop heritage is evident in the black square frame, wrapped at the back with a dark grey rubberised finish. Buyers who miss the famed Thinkpad laptop keyboard should buy the Keyboard Folio accessory, which acts as a case when closed and unfolds to become a stand with keyboard.

The 1280x800 pixel screen is protected by Corning's anti-scratch, anti-smash Gorilla Glass. Watching widescreen video content on ABC iView will fit onscreen almost perfectly because of the 16:10 screen ratio. However it is quite reflective under sunlight or bright indoor lighting.

The main reason the Thinkpad Tablet is 17 per cent heavier than the iPad 2 is the range of ports it sports including fullsize USB, micro USB, mini HDMI, headphone jack, a slot for the Digitiser pen and SD Cards. Note that only SDHC cards appear to be compatible. We tested a 32GB SDXC card and it wasn't recognised by the tablet.

The quoted battery life of 8 hours seems plausible. We used the tablet for several hours to watch a video news podcast, check email, catchup with twitter and run a LogMeIn remote desktop session. At this point the battery level was 55 per cent. Note that the battery charges far faster with the Dock accessory than it does through the standard USB power adaptor.

Readers whose handwriting hasn't deteriorated due to typing too much will appreciate the inclusion of a pressure sensitive digitizer pen that slots into the side of the tablet. The included MyScript Notes Mobile app is able to convert your handwriting into text using OCR. However these notes are not searchable.

Angry Birds HD and some card games are bundled for entertainment during downtime between business meetings. Our testing showed that the Video Player app handles DIVX and AVI files with ease, which is handy for watching video content during flights.

Conclusion

The two reasons Android phones have won so much market share are features which aren't offered by Apple and the availability of many models which cost less than the iPhone.

So far Android tablets have tried to compete with the iPad for the interest of buyers on features alone, with lacklustre results.

Lenovo made it clear to Technology Spectator that they don't intend to discount the ThinkPad Tablet. Pricing for the ThinkPad Tablet starts from $599 for the 16GB WiFi model, which is iPad parity. The 16/32GB 3G models similarly match iPad pricing at $729/$839 respectively.

This tablet has a typical Thinkpad solid reliable feeling to its hardware. The software was stable and well aimed at satisfying the requirements of business users and their IT departments.

We await to see whether these features can overcome the iPad's allure.