What's good
- Crisp, vibrant display
- Windows 8.1 Pro
- Micro-HDMI port
- Great build quality
What's bad
- Below-average battery life
- Lack of stylus
- No gaming or heavy multitasking capabilitie
- Camera concerns
The 8-inch Windows tablet market is growing by leaps and bounds. This device aims to be the flagship device for Lenovo and set a new bar for performance in the 8-inch market. Reviews of the device are superb overall with Brian Westover of PC Magazine calling it, “the perfect device to slip into your coat pocket, letting you walk away from your desk without having to step away from important work.” David Pierce of The Verge says that “it’s the perfect size for a Windows 8 tablet.”
However, some reviewers question the viability of an 8-inch tablet for any real productivity uses. Scott Stein of CNET says, “you could argue that 8 inches is a downright weird territory for an OS that really still wants to be a full computer operating system.” Peter Bright of Ars Technica notes that, “The 8-inch screen isn't big enough for any kind of comfortable extended desktop usage.”
These points are entirely about the size of the screen. Reviews agree that the clarity and color of the 8-inch IPS touchscreen is top notch. Kevin Lee of TechRadar states, “The higher-resolution screen is by far the biggest selling point that makes the Lenovo ThinkPad 8 stand above the rest of the competition.” PC Magazine praised the viewing angles of the device, stating, “The screen offers rich colors and wide viewing angles—nearly 180-degrees.”
Powered by an Intel Atom processor and Intel Graphics chipset, reviews indicate that the tablet does excellent for basic productivity tasks, web browsing and other light activities, even when multitasking. However, numerous reviews, including that of CNET mention that you should not “expect to do any serious gaming or graphics work.”
A lack of built-in keyboard or stylus support also discouraged a few reviewers. David Pierce of The Verge says, “This device is first and foremost a tablet, and really only becomes something else with the right add-ons and accessories” but also mentions that he “constantly missed having a stylus that worked.” Scott Stein of CNET mentions, “If you think of the ThinkPad 8 as a little computer in your pocket that can pair with keyboard and monitor into a full connected device back at home, you'll probably love this.”
Unfortunately, there appear to be a few other considerations as well. Many reviews noted a lack of clarity and stability with the built-in 8MP camera. Kevin Lee of TechRadar experienced numerous crashes and issues before installing an update available through Lenovo. He stated, ““Even with the update in place, though, the camera is still quite buggy.”
Another consideration is battery life. All reviews noted a lack of battery life from the device due to the increased power requirements of the Atom processor. Most sites found running times between seven and nine hours on average before needing a charge. CNET went as far as to note, “Don't pick the ThinkPad 8 if you want the best battery life.”
Overall, reviews indicate that if you are looking for a media consumption device with productivity capabilities, or a solid small-format Windows 8 tablet, this device is a sound choice. The Verge said, “For all other normal tablet things, the ThinkPad 8 is as good as any device I’ve used.” Kevin Lee sums up many reviews by saying, “the ThinkPad 8 is pricier than most tablets in its class. But if you're a Windows fan, this high-end tablet is well worth the extra cash.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Brian Fagioli, Beta NewsThis is hands down, the best small Windows tablet created thus far. The screen quality, audio quality -- heck, the overall build quality, are simply amazing. The cameras are above average for a tablet and take passable photos in a pinch.
- Saqib Shah, What MobileIt’s a shame that overall the ThinkPad 8 is about the have-nots rather than the haves.
- Dana Wollman, EngadgetWith a high price and worst-in-class battery life, the ThinkPad 8 should be the first 8-inch Windows tablet you cross off your shopping list.
- John V., PhoneArenaWe 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,...
- Brittany Hillen, SlashGearLenovo has a winner with the ThinkPad 8 -- it's designed in such a way that it feels very portable, yet the quality display and use of Windows 8.1 means it can be used for business tasks that your average Android slate might not be up for. The Quickshot cover is a nice feature, even if it does have...
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Resources
Manuals / User Guides
- Lenovo Thinkpad 8 Manual (PDF)
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