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Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet

Discontinued

Reviewed

April 2012

by ConsumerSearch

Pros

Stocked with business-friendly apps
Business-friendly design and upgrade options
Good performance
Bright display with wide viewing angles
Wide variety of input options

Cons

Faint audio from poorly spaced speaker
Slightly dim display
Middle of the pack cameras
Thicker and heavier than consumer tablets

Where to Buy

for $432.00

Our Analysis
Specs
77 Amazon Reviews

The Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet is basically a straightforward Android tablet stocked with multiple business-friendly features, experts report. The dual-core processor performs well, the 1,280-by-800 display offers wide viewing angles, though it's a bit dim, and the dual cameras are average. Audio is a low point, being weak. An update to upgrade the operating system from Android 3.0 to the much better Android 4.0 is expected shortly.

The ThinkPad Tablet shines when put to business use, however. The rugged, thick and heavy build may be a drawback to consumers used to slimmer devices like the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime (Discontinued) , but critics says it's a plus for enterprise users who bring the tablet on the road. The tablet comes loaded with ports and business-focused apps -- most of which cost a pretty penny in the Google Play Store -- and the numerous upgrade options include Bluetooth, cellular 3G broadband, a keyboard dock and a highly regarded stylus. The 8 hour battery should satisfy most road warriors. Support, however, is limited to phone only and a handful of online resources, most of which are user-driven. Off-warranty phone support is available, but it costs money.

CNET, PCMag.com, Laptop Magazine and Engadget.com all provide lengthy, benchmark-based reviews of the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet, although Engadget.com doesn't assign a final score like the other publications. PC World and TrustedReviews.com chime in with reviews that are also testing-based, but shorter than the others.

ASUS Transformer Prime TF201-B1-CG 10.1-Inch 32GB Tablet (Champagne)

from Amazon.com

New: $499.99 $399.99

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

Lenovo ThinkPad 1838-25U 10.1" 32GB Tablet (With Stylus)
(77 reviews) Buy new: $389.00 8 Used & new from $237.51

Our Sources

1. PCMag.com

The ports and connectivity options draw praise from reviewer Eugene Kim, as does the build quality of the optional input accessories. However, the occasional software glitches and a relatively short tested battery life result in the ThinkPad Tablet earning an average overall score.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet, Eugene Kim, Dec. 13, 2011

2. Laptop Magazine

Every aspect of the ThinkPad tablet oozes business-friendly, Avram Piltch says, from the solid build to the bevy of ports, security features and productivity software. The tablet earns a 4-star rating, but lackluster audio and stiff physical buttons cost it an Editors' Choice award.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet Review, Avram Piltch, Sept. 23, 2011

3. CNET

"If your IT department could design a tablet, the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet would be it," Donald Bell writes. However, he adds that more mainstream users should probably buy a tablet that's thinner, lighter and more user-friendly.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet, Donald Bell, Dec. 2, 2011

4. Engadget.com

Dana Wollman finds the ThinkPad tablet to occasionally be sluggish -- both in processing and in touchscreen response -- and reports that many of the business-friendly apps have irritating flaws, but she says it's a great option for dedicated IT types and people who love stylus inputs.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet Review, Dana Wollman, Sept. 29, 2011

5. PC World

While everyday consumers may want to look elsewhere due to the ThinkPad tablet's size and heft, Melissa J. Perenson calls it "the first tablet to truly target business users with its configuration," and she says it's a good option for productivity-minded users. The slate lands in the nine slot in PC World's list of the 10 best tablets.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet, Melissa J. Perenson, Nov. 21, 2011

6. TrustedReviews.com

The ThinkPad tablet earns an 8 rating and a Recommended award at the U.K.'s TrustedReviews.com. "As a tablet the Transformer Prime is superior, but if you're a business user or a consumer who wants a stylus and the best typing experience going, the ThinkPad comes highly recommended," reviewer Ardjuna Seghers writes.

Review: Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet Review, Ardjuna Seghers, Jan. 9, 2012

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