Windows Tablets have many advantages in the enterprise and SMB space because there is a lot of legacy software that require working on Windows and so many accessories and peripheral that only have Windows drivers. It’s particularly true for custom made applications that are often built by a small group of expert who don’t have the manpower (or the market) to port it to other OSes. Additionally, the integration with the existing Microsoft infrastructure is just simpler.
This is part of the market that Lenovo is aiming at with the new Thinkpad 10, which can optionally support a pen (Wacom) to take notes and several types of keyboards and docks. You got it: productivity is the name of the game here. Since Windows remains an OS that is not completely touch-friendly when it comes to legacy apps, it’s best to integrate the keyboard from the get go.
The tablet itself is 1.3Lbs, which is close to what the iPad 2 used to weigh. It comes with a nice 1080p (1920×1080) display that looks pretty crisp and has good viewing angles. The system runs on Windows 8 Pro since it’s designed as a business device.
Inside, you will find 4GB of RAM, 64/128GB of storage and quad-core Intel Atom Processor (Bay Trail) that is power-efficient enough to have the system hit a 10-hour battery life – that’s according to Lenovo. There are front (2MP) and back (8MP) cameras, along with options for a fingerprint reader, smart card, and a Wacom pen (we’re not sure if Photoshop supports it).
Pen aside, there are three main accessory that the ThinkPad 10 can upgrade with:
First, a QuickShot case ($59) which launches the Camera app as soon as you pull the back to take a photo. One may think that people don’t take photos with tablets, but walking in a touristy area of San Francisco has shown me that it happens – a lot.
The small Folio case ($119) is a keyboard for light typing which may remind you of the Microsoft Surface one. The keys are more defined, but there is no travel key for say, but it remains faster than typing directly on the screen. I prefer the slightly thicker keyboard case ($129) which looks like a mini Lenovo laptop keyboard with real Chiclet keys.
Finally, there’s a sturdier case ($69) with a hand strap in the back, which has an opening to be compatible with the Base station ($119) because it’s not meant to be removed on a regular basis.