Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 10.1-inch (Windows) Review

Introduction

Android tablets are multimedia consumptive devices that are perfect for various occasions, but when it comes to productivity, they’re still usable to an extent – albeit, not as good as their Windows counterparts. Very recently, we reviewed the 10.1-inch Android version of the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2, which offered a lot of value for its price of $300. However, for those who crave a higher level of productivity, Lenovo has a Windows version of the same tablet that may prove to be an even more alluring option.

The package contains:

• microUSB cable
• microfiber cloth
• Bluetooth keyboard
• Wall charger
• Quick start guide
• Warranty information

Design

It’s the same unorthodox design from before, with the exception of a gunmetal paint job.

There’s nothing different with the design of this Windows powered tablet, seeing that it employs the same unorthodox design language of its Android counterpart. Generally speaking, in terms of tablet designs, it’s still pretty different from the usual slew of slates we find – thanks in part to its cylindrical hinge, which not only offers us a natural and ergonomic way of holding it, but also houses a uniquely engineered 9600 mAh battery as well. Interestingly, there are two minor cosmetic differences with this one, with the first being the Start button beneath the display, and the other being its gunmetal paint job. Besides that, everything is identical from before.

The cylindrical hinge is also home to the tablet’s adjustable kickstand, which offers us multiple positions. From its stand mode for easy typing, to hold mode for a hands-free watching experience, and to its newest 'hang' mode, it goes to show that it has the yoga moves for all occasions. Looking around, it features a power button, volume controls, microUSB port for charging, 3.5mm headset jack, microphone, microHDMI port, front-firing speakers with Wolfson Master HiFi audio processing, and microSD card slot.

Keyboard

Included with the tablet is a Bluetooth AccuType Keyboard that’s attached magnetically to the cylindrical hinge. This addition, of course, offers us with a better experience thanks to its chicklet styled keys, full QWERTY layout, and trackpad. Thankfully, the adjustment period is short, seeing that its responsiveness and manageable layout allows us to type at a good pace – and without too much fault!

Display

This 1920 x 1200 IPS display delivers satisfying results across the board.

Specs-wise, it’s the same as its Android counterpart, so it’s packing along a 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD display. Naturally, the resolution delivers sharp details, giving it a respectable pixel density count of 224 ppi. That’s more than generous to make text in the web browser remain easily readable to the eye.

The screen bears a number of other respectable characteristics, such as a 7200K color temperature and good viewing angles. When it comes to color accuracy, reds happen to lack intensity somewhat, in comparison to green and blue. The panel’s maximum brightness hovers around the 346 nit point, which is behind the 404 nit figure of its Android counterpart. Despite that, we’ll say again that the screen is pretty attractive.

Interface and Functionality

Running Windows 8.1 gives this tablet more productive qualities.

Knowing that this is running full blown Windows 8.1, this particular Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 dishes up greater depth than its Android counterpart. In that regard, productivity is undeniably superior with this because it’s able to reap the benefits of all the apps and software that are available with Windows. That alone gives it more of a PC-like quality that users will appreciate.

We won’t go into too much with the experience, seeing that Windows 8.1 is... well, Windows 8.1. The Start screen, naturally, is comprised out of those dynamic looking tiles – something that has become a staple feature with Windows Phone as well. For those not comfortable with the newer layout, they can always get back to the traditional desktop interface.

Work and play are blended well with the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2, especially when its Bluetooth keyboard is used. The experience is similar to any other Windows powered laptop, but it’s in a more compact and lightweight package – making it the perfect thing if you’re looking to travel light.

Processor and Memory

Effective for basic word processing and email, it’s not the kind of thing meant for gaming.

Intel’s presence is once again felt with this one, as it’s powered by the same 64-bit based quad-core 1.33GHz Intel Atom Z3745 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM. On the surface, it’s an effective piece of silicon to handle all the basic stuff – think word processing, surfing the web, and juggling a couple of apps. Hardly a shocker to us, it’s not the kind of thing for heavier processes, so using some sort of video editing software will surely crawl its performance.

Outfitted with a 32GB storage drive, that’s not necessarily all that much for a Windows machine, but there’s a microSD card slot to help offload any multimedia content – saving the internal storage for apps and software.

Internet and Connectivity

You get a real desktop web browser.There are two versions of Internet Explorer here. One of them is the touch-friendly version, while the other is the usual one that runs in the desktop. Regardless of which one you decide on going with, the tablet offers a rich desktop-like experience – so you can’t go wrong with either.

At the moment, there are no plans to make a variant with cellular data connectivity – albeit, there seems to be a placeholder for a SIM slot near the microSD slot. Nevertheless, it’s armed the usual connectivity features such as aGPS, Bluetooth 4.0, and dual-band 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi. Sadly, though, NFC has been omitted from its arsenal.

Camera

Our hand can sometimes cover the camera, due to its placement in the corner, but the quality from it is passable.

The Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10.1 with Windows has an 8-megapixel snapper. Sadly, the Windows 8.1 camera app is just so plain and boring – both visually and functionally. Besides taking snapshots and adjusting the exposure, the only other shooting mode available with it is a panoramic mode.

Shooting photos with the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 is a quick process, but still, the quality from its camera doesn't amaze us. It’s good, but not stellar. In fact, it still falls victim to noise in its shots, an over-exposed composition, and dull looking colors.



Video recording might be problematic for some, mainly because of the camera’s placement near one of its corners – our hand has a habit of sometimes covering it up. Nonetheless, we’re generally pleased by the 1080p videos it’s able to produce. With a single microphone on one of its edges, the captured sound is thin and overly sharp.

Multimedia

With its weaker output, audio from its speaker sounds flatter.

Using the stock Windows 8.1 music player, it has the visual allure to give it a modern look, but there’s nothing we haven’t seen before in other Windows tablets. For some reason, despite having the same set of speakers, this one produces an audio output of 68.3 dB – a far cry from the louder 74.6 dB tally of its Android counterpart. It’s a little flatter in tone, which doesn’t give it as much presence.

Thanks primarily to its sturdy kickstand, this offers the perfect hands-free video watching experience. Being Windows 8.1 and all, it supports a wide array of video codecs – plus, its playback is smooth.

Battery

Lenovo’s Yoga Tablet line have always been known to deliver outstanding battery, but it seems as though the switch to Windows has dropped its longevity. Yes, it’s still housing a 9600 mAh battery, but it lags behind its Android counterpart by achieving a mark of 8 hours and 53 minutes in our battery benchmark test – versus the longer 10 hours and 28 minutes dished up by the 10.1-inch Android model. To that degree, we classify it as being average.

Conclusion

Lenovo is kind enough to offer consumers choice with its line of Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 devices. Essentially, it all boils down to what platform will suit you best – Android or Windows. In our review, we find the Windows 8.1 model being more PC-like than tablet, especially when this one comes packaged with a Bluetooth keyboard. On the software side, it proves to be more versatile because we’re exposed to a real desktop operating system.

Sure, its battery life suffers with the switch to Windows 8.1, but the $400 price attached to it dishes up some good value. Needless to say, it’s not a workhorse like some ultrabooks, but it’s still portable enough to handle basic productivity software – while still being a fantastic multimedia consumptive device.