Lenovo ThinkPad 8 Review

Introduction

Lenovo is trucking along in the mobile computing space, where they’ve been relentless as it seems with product roll outs. One particular area they’ve been focusing on more so than others, is the busy and ever-evolving Windows 8 tablet scene – a place that’s highly contested by value conscious models. Aiming to grab more of the pie, the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 is another would-be champion in its arsenal thanks to its aggressive $400 price.

The package contains:

• microUSB 3.0 cable
• Wall charger
• Get Started Guide

Design

It’s branded as a ThinkPad, but it’s far from looking like one. Despite that, the design is balanced enough to keep our interest piqued.

ThinkPad laptops are so iconic, thanks in part to the industrial designs we’re commonly exposed to with long withstanding series. At first glance, though, it’s almost hard to concretely say that the ThinkPad 8 incorporates the design language of the beloved name. Nevertheless, it’s a finely crafted thing with its humble design – one that’s surprisingly solid, without compromising with the materials and construction.

Yes it’s plastic, but it’s the sturdier variety that does a decent job to emulate a metallic-like finish. Throw in its manageable size, slim body, ample weight, and rounded corners, it’s something that’s comfortable to hold in the hand, even for long periods of time.

Looking around the sides of the tablet, Lenovo makes sure to grace it with the usual set of ports and buttons. Specifically, they include its power button, volume controls, microHDMI port, microUSB 3.0 port, 3.5mm headset jack, microphone, and a microSD card slot.

Display

Detailed and vivid, it’s a refreshing sight to behold on a budget conscious tablet.

Impressively, the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 dishes up a juicy surprise with its display, seeing that it manages to crunch up a whole lot of pixels. Shocking for something priced the way it is, the 8.3-inch 1200 x 1920 IPS LCD display is pleasant – one that’s extremely detailed and vivid. We have no issues whatsoever making out fine details, but complementing it is the warmer color production of the panel. Outside, it’s sometimes challenging trying to make out the display, due to its 305 nits of brightness. Also, colors like black tend to transform into that milky grey color at wide angles. It’s not perfect, but for the things that matter the most, it gets the job done in a good way.

Interface and Functionality

Running Windows 8.1, it’s the typical experience we’d find on other models, but it lacks productivity software like Microsoft Office out of the box.

Obviously, there are no surprises here with the Lenovo ThinkPad 8, since it’s running the full Windows 8.1 experience as any other contemporary mobile computing device out there in the landscape. Perusing through the apps listing, we’re presented with only the bare essentials out of the box. Meaning, it’s lacking productivity software like Microsoft Office, which means you’ll need to provide it yourself. Beyond that, there’s nothing separating this one from any other Windows 8.1 based device.

Due to its smaller screen size, legacy software that aren’t optimized for the touch experience - such as Google’s Chrome web browser - can be finicky to operate, but the Windows Store is constantly being fed with optimized ones to further enhance the experience.

Generally speaking, the organizer apps function in the manner we’re familiar with – so at least the experience is consistent. However, they lack the comprehensiveness and cohesive totality we get from Android’s deeper experience, which is especially prevalent with its Google Now digital voice assistant service.

Finally, it’s best to type up messages on the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 in portrait, since our fingers better accommodates the layout – whereas with landscape, it feels too cramped to steadily type.

Processor and Memory

Far from being the fastest in the field, it at least completes most tasks with ease – though, it takes longer to accomplish more intensive operations.

Armed with a quad-core 1.46GHz Intel Atom Z3770 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM and an Intel HD Graphics (Gen7) GPU, it’s not the most intimidating set of hardware to bestow a tablet. Regardless, the main point here is that it delivers enough oomph to power us through most tasks with ease – and without too much degrading slowdown. Even though it can process the same stuff as other high spec’d tablets, it certainly takes it longer to accomplish.

Our particular review unit comes with a 64GB eMMC memory, which is actually cut in half after all is said and done. Granted that 32GB of real storage might not sound like a lot for a Windows 8.1 computing device, it’s nice that a microSD card slot is available to accept most of our multimedia files and documents.

Internet and Connectivity

Surfing the web is a joy and pleasure on this tablet, thanks in part to its high-resolution screen and the responsive performance we get out of its processor. Complex sites like ours load up in a jiffy, while buttery smooth navigational controls solidify the top-notch performance.

Sporting the usual suspect of connectivity features, such as aGPS, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, and microHDMI, the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 has everything except for cellular data connectivity. However, there seems to be a placeholder for a SIM slot next to the microSD slot, so it may have such version in the future.

Camera

Focusing is a test in futility, but when it’s working properly, it takes passable photos and videos.

It’s there for the convenience factor, but there’s nothing too extensive that the default Windows 8.1 camera app has to offer for the hardcore shutterbugs. Basically, it’s light on the features, but straight to the point when it comes to snapping something up. Interestingly, the tablet is armed with a larger than expected 8-megapixel auto-focus rear camera with an LED flash – while the front camera is a 2-megapixel one.

Depending on how patient you are, the tablet’s 8-megapixel camera can achieve some good looking results. Focusing is problematic, but when it’s spot on, outdoor images come out clear and crisp. Unfortunately, low lighting shots are just riddled with too much noise and grainy details to warrant using it consistently in this condition. In addition to that, its LED flash is also finicky with its operation by casting too much lighting – causing images to overexpose and lose clarity.



Enabled to shoot 1080p videos, the biggest obstacle here again is the inconsistency with focusing. It just takes longer for it to adjust. Once it’s in the correct position, the videos it captures are acceptable, but nothing breathtaking.

Multimedia

Great for the occasional video watching session, there’s nothing it can’t handle.

Considering it lays claim to the default set of Windows 8.1 apps, there’s nothing out of the ordinary with its music player. It’s beautiful, modern, and packs the basic features we expect to find. Sporting two speakers in the rear, they emit neutral tones that have a good balance. It’s pretty audible with its 76.6 dB of power, but it due to the speakers’ placement, they don’t have as much of a commanding presence.

Supporting a wide variety of video codecs out the box, there’s really nothing that this tablet can handle when it comes to watching high-def videos. Playback, as expected, is smooth and enjoyable – attributed to its sharp display. Again, the placement of its speakers doesn’t make it ideal for the situation.

Battery

Nothing out of the ordinary here, since it can handle a workday with enough juice for normal usage.

Equipped to handle a typical workday from 9AM to 5PM, battery life is effective enough for most average users. Power users, on the other hand, will need to recharge the tablet throughout the day – more so when it’s being tested to the max with intensive software.

Conclusion

We can’t stress enough how the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 has more flexibility than other prized tablets in the space. Giving us that desktop-like experience thanks to Windows 8.1, it has an advantage in the productivity side over other Android tablets and the iPad. Add in its base price point of $400, it absolutely provides consumers with plenty of value that won’t drain their pockets. In many ways, it’s a fantastic tablet that’s great for fun and work, but we wouldn’t say that it’s something that greatly oversteps traditional laptops in the mobile computing space. Compact, light, and responsive, it has enough of the elements to make it a compelling offering to those who want to travel light – without missing out on the desktop-like experience.

Software version of the review unit: Windows 8.1 Pro