Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet

J

jsh1120

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 1, 2011
1,037
1
Ran across the brief review of the new Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet that was debuted yesterday (8/30). Thought others might find it interesting.

The ThinkPad Tablet offers some significant features for business users (e.g. usb data storage, optional Lenovo combo keyboard/case, and active pressure sensitive stylus combined with handwriting recognition). In view of the fact that these topics come up frequently, it may be of interest to a wider range of folks than just business users.

BTW, I'm not interested in starting/engaging in a flame war over the respective virtues of the iPad/iOs versus Lenovo/Android environments. Just find the value added of the Lenovo entry in the tablet market worth exploring.

http://www.thevarguy.com/2011/08/31/the-var-guy-30-second-review-lenovo-thinkpad-tablet/
 
The stylus usage really isn't any different than the iPad's Its an extra cost, and since there isn't a system level integration, its supported by applications, just like on the iPad. If it is a pressure sensitive stylus that would be iofmuch more use for artists than business users; that's something that is sorely lacking on the iPad. USB storage is the only harware feature this has over the iPad.

The keyboard case/dock sounds nice, but its the same as one for the iPad. Maybe its nicer than some of the nice iPad ones, maybe not.

Since both the stylus and keyboard case are optional, it doesn't seem any cheaper.
 
darngooddesign said:
The stylus usage really isn't any different than the iPad's Its an extra cost, and since there isn't a system level integration, its supported by applications, just like on the iPad. If it is a pressure sensitive stylus that would be iofmuch more use for artists than business users; that's something that is sorely lacking on the iPad. USB storage is the only harware feature this has over the iPad.

The keyboard case/dock sounds nice, but its the same as one for the iPad. Maybe its nicer than some of the nice iPad ones, maybe not.

Since both the stylus and keyboard case are optional, it doesn't seem any cheaper.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but the stylus use IS very different from the iPad's capacitive approach. Much more precise and it IS a pressure sensitive stylus that eliminates the problem with activating the screen with the palm/heel of the hand. Plus built-in translation of handwriting to text is a plus that requires a separate app on the iPad (Write Pad, I believe is the name.)

It's no cheaper than the iPad; that's not the market Lenovo is targeting. Furthermore, it comes stock with apps such as Documents to Go that (and the handwriting recognition software noted above) that are extra cost apps on the iPad. Finally, the fact that it supports USB and SD storage (where data AND apps can be located) means that the limits of storage are much less daunting. In effect one can add 16G of storage with a cheap USB flash drive.

Finally, if you've ever used a Lenovo keyboard you would probably not maintain that "it's the same as an iPad." The Apple Wireless Keyboard is good, but Lenovo keyboards are the gold standard. And for some users the "mouse/pointer" support is an important feature, enabling one to use the tablet in a manner identical to their laptop/desktop systems.
 
Does it look any good? Yes.
Does it have lots of apps? No.
Will it sell to the mass market and topple the iPad? No.
Is it a decent device, despite that? Yes.
 
Zcott said:
Does it look any good? Yes.
Does it have lots of apps? No.
Will it sell to the mass market and topple the iPad? No.
Is it a decent device, despite that? Yes.
Click to expand...

Agree completely on all points. Despite the appeal for me personally I won't be giving up the iPad I share with my seven year old daughter. The educational apps, interactive books, and games on the iPad seal the deal for me. But for those who jump through hoops to turn the iPad into a laptop replacement, the ThinkPad Tablet may be a better starting point.
 
Looks alright, but not anything I would buy.

On a side note, hand writing recognition must be the slowest input method there is, and a complete waste of time to both implement, and use.

It wasn't even that impressive back in the 90's when PDA's could do it.
 
jabingla2810 said:
Looks alright, but not anything I would buy.

On a side note, hand writing recognition must be the slowest input method there is, and a complete waste of time to both implement, and use.

It wasn't even that impressive back in the 90's when PDA's could do it.
Click to expand...

Actually, new technology (both hardware capabilities and software) have helped considerably. And for good typists I'd certainly agree with your comments in general. But handwriting input has some significant advantages in some scenarios.

() Mixed text and diagrams/drawings/etc.

() Easy to annotate handwriting with symbols, font size, etc. either not available at all from a keyboard or inefficient to use.

() Walking around with a device in hand where a keyboard is inconvenient to use.

() Form completion.
 
Android is a terrible choice for business use IMO. When it comes to business use, the stability of the OS is very important.
 
Ships with "McAfee® Mobile Security... safeguards against mobile viruses and spyware; and lets you safely surf the Web."

Right now McAfee employees are hard at work on creating virus' and malware for the Android platform. Thus begins the same b.s. that goes with Windows in business/education.
 
Last edited:
i like it. people who can only see in black and white looking for ipad killers or ipad victims will probably scoff. but, speaking as someone who would like to use a stylus of some sort for input, this is the first tablet that is taking the concept seriously, and i think there is a niche for it. the ipad (in my experience) is a real let-down in this regard.

at that price point, it could very well be a good deal. i'll give it a try when it appears in stores, but i kind of doubt i'll switch over yet. i'm too invested in ios apps :)
 
jabingla2810 said:
Looks alright, but not anything I would buy.

On a side note, hand writing recognition must be the slowest input method there is, and a complete waste of time to both implement, and use.

It wasn't even that impressive back in the 90's when PDA's could do it.
Click to expand...

Time and place for everything. I've always found handwriting recognition to be considerably faster when it comes to taking notes in an interview situation.

With my old Palm PDA's graffiti I could be interviewing somebody, maintaining eye contact and writing down notes at a very quick rate (45 wpm or faster with practice). Try that with a virtual keyboard.
 
palpatine said:
i like it. people who can only see in black and white looking for ipad killers or ipad victims will probably scoff. but, speaking as someone who would like to use a stylus of some sort for input, this is the first tablet that is taking the concept seriously, and i think there is a niche for it. the ipad (in my experience) is a real let-down in this regard.

at that price point, it could very well be a good deal. i'll give it a try when it appears in stores, but i kind of doubt i'll switch over yet. i'm too invested in ios apps :)
Click to expand...

Was hoping you'd chime in. You're one of the people I thought of as I've been keeping up with its introduction. Now only if it could interpret handwritten Japanese (?) characters.

----------
ZZ Bottom said:
Ships with "McAfee® Mobile Security... safeguards against mobile viruses and spyware; and lets you safely surf the Web."

Right now McAfee employees are hard at work on creating virus' and malware for the Android platform. Thus begins the same b.s. that goes with Windows in business/education.
Click to expand...

No fan of McAfee, either. But I think the virus protection issue is a check mark for many corporate/government clients. Likewise, full data encryption is a hardly a feature needed by most consumers but it's a check mark for many large procurements.
 
Zcott said:
Does it look any good? Yes.
Does it have lots of apps? No.
Will it sell to the mass market and topple the iPad? No.
Is it a decent device, despite that? Yes.
Click to expand...

I am not really a fan of Android(was a Nokia girl until they went the Wind'ohs route). But, all my friends who do have Android phones have many of the same software I have on my iPad. So, I guess its a maybe for a lot of apps, but as for pen based apps that would be yes. But, I am sure those nuts at XDA would get pen based apps the HTC Flyer users working on this, and make their own apps. I've seen what they have done with the iphone and Android and it can be impressive.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back