Mack Academy Weblog

I mentioned in a previous post that I have had the privilege of using both the Microsoft Surface and the Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet 2.  I have been using the Tablet 2 for about three months now, and it has completely revolutionized the way I do work or take notes in church or school.  In this post, I will list a few pros and cons of this particular tablet.  I hope to get into how I use the tablet specifically in future posts.

The Thinkpad Tablet 2:

The Thinkpad Tablet 2 is significantly lighter than the Microsoft Surface, and therefore even easier to take with you wherever you go.  While I have a desktop at home for major projects that require multiple screens, the tablet is powerful enough to allow me to use it as my primary computer.  Its small size has allowed me to use it in meetings without being a distraction and the ability to type or switch to drawing mode has let me take more effective notes in school.  But more on that later.

Unlike the Surface, however, the Tablet 2 is rather weak and very fragile.  The backing of the tablet is not very strong and I have already had to send two tablets back because of hardware issues that have developed behind the screen as I simply carried it around.  I finally solved this problem, by purchasing a case for the tablet. The case only cost about $20, but the extra protection it afforded allowed me to be comfortable taking the tablet with me wherever I went or storing it in a backpack - very important for a college student.

The wireless antenna is not nearly as powerful as I would like, which has been a bit limiting, but not enough that I have been unable to work with the tablet.  I have found that I can go about 30 feet from the access point before I lose a signal.

Battery power, which is one of the most important features to me in deciding what devices to use has been exceptional.  I have been able to go about 8 hours without charging the tablet.

The Thinkpad Bluetooth Keyboard:

I have mixed opinions about this attachment.  While I love the flexibility of having the keyboard separate from the tablet, I find that I frequently lose my bluetooth connection with the keyboard or the tablet suddenly stops recognizing the keyboard and I have had difficulties re-establishing a connection.  

I would love to have the ability to attach the keyboard to the Tablet 2 in some way to protect both devices and make it easier to carry around.  Because I have often not wanted to carry multiple devices, I have stopped using the keyboard for all but lengthy composition processes.

I grew up using Lenovo laptops and actually enjoyed the trackpoint.  While I have become used to using a touchpad as a mouse, I have appreciated Lenovo’s clever combination of the two designs.
The keyboard comes with a built-in stand so that the Tablet 2 can act as a laptop screen, but unfortunately the angle that this screen is placed is almost too straight and somewhat unwieldy to use.

The Stylus:

I love Lenovo’s design of building the stylus into the actual device.  It’s always there when I need it and I never have to worry about it falling out and getting lost.  The stylus is lightweight and fits comfortably into my small hands.

Conclusion:

While the Thinkpad Tablet 2 has a few weaknesses, I have found that none of these weaknesses have prevented me from using the tablet effectively.  In fact, the Tablet 2 has become a critical part of my toolkit both as an employee and as a student.  

I am excited, however, for the introduction of the Lenovo ThinkPad Helix as I believe it will fix a lot of the weaknesses of the Tablet 2.  We are in an exciting time of development and I am looking forward to the next tablet innovation.