A new tablet running Windows 8.1 is on the horizon. Known as the Lenovo Miix2, it’s a new 8-inch follow-up to the original Mixx slate and is powered by an Intel Bay Trail-T quad-core processor. The SRP? Only $299.
To start with, the Lenovo Mixx2 is a slender tablet. Its 8mm profile is only a tad thicker than the iPad mini. Its weight at just 329g makes it quite convenient to carry around. The tablet is also one of the first to employ the Bay Trail quad-core processor, which Intel has designed to perform faster and yet consume less power than its older chips. For its price, users also enjoy a generous amount of RAM at 2GB.
Lenovo Miix2 Specs
- Windows 8.1
- 8-inch IPS LCD (1280×800), ~189ppi
- Quad-core Intel Bay Trail-T processor
- Intel HD Graphics
- 2GB RAM
- 32/64 GB internal storage
- microSD support up to 32GB
- 5-megapixel main camera, no autofocus and no flash
- 2-megapixelfront camera
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
- Optional 3G connectivity
- Bluetooth 4
- GPS
- Dimensions: 215 x 132 x 8mm
- Weight: 349g
Bundled with the device is Microsoft’s productivity suite, Office Home and Student 2013. For an extra $20, users can also avail of the optional smart cover with stylus.
While a good supplement to the 10-point multi-touch display, the stylus and its digitizer are capacitive. That means they’re not as accurate as active digitizers found in the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The display itself comes with a low screen resolution, resulting to a scantly pixel density at 189ppi.
Battery capacity is not known, but Lenovo has mentioned that the Miix2 can last up to 7 hours—a duration that personally seems too short for a Bay Trail-powered device. Yet another shortcoming of the tablet is its mediocre camera that is without an autofocus and flash. There’s also no native e-mail client in the device, requiring users to visit the Windows Store for an app that can retrieve their emails for them.
With a suggested retail price of $299, the Lenovo Miix2 is scheduled for an October 2013 release. Philippine prices and release date are not yet available.