Review of the tablet Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8

Positioning

First I would like to combine the two almost identical surveys, as it seemed to me, tablets – Lenovo Yoga Tablet 10 and Yoga Tablet 8. But then I decided to make them all the same individual and now just know that I was right. The whole point is that these two tablet for all their resemblance and similarity in the set of programs and so on, are very different. And talk about each of them must separately.

At the presentation of the new tablets in Milan, Lenovo showed both versions of devices with screens 10” and 8”, and then a younger model with eight-inch screen in the dimensions of won, but lost as a display. In the tablet with a 10” display quality used IPS-matrix, and despite the low resolution screen impresses: natural color, a good supply of brightness, rich colors and maximum viewing angles. It has been seen that the use is not cheap screen. Another thing – a model with 8” display. Samples submitted for presentation screen in the tablet was the same low resolution as a senior, but differed for the worse on all other characteristics: small viewing angles, lack of brightness, generally pale picture.

Fortunately, companies have considered this point and buy Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 joined with other high-quality IPS-matrix, so that now two different dimensions of the tablet, the screen size and usage scenarios, but the quality of the display they are equally high.

Supplied

The tablet comes in a compact box inside, except the device, only the absolute minimum – a charging unit, cable and paper instructions.

Design, materials, housing

Externally Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 is different from the older model, but quite unlike all the other plates. And the two features – pull “leg” to install the device in different positions, as well as an extra battery in the form of a cylinder, which is located at the base of the bottom. Tablet stands out from other models on Android, which are increasingly copying “universal” design Apple iPad mini.

The main body – smooth plastic, painted in silver color, textured back is made of plastic, and the “foot” – made of aluminum. Protective screen cover – glass. Materials are chosen well.

Dimensions

Size and weight of the tablet is markedly different from the model with 10” screen. If Yoga Tablet 10 – large and relatively heavy plate (weight about 600 grams), the Yoga Tablet 8 is compact and lightweight: device dimensions – 213 x 144 x7.3 mm (excluding the thickness of the cylindrical part), weight – 401 grams.

The tablet is easy to hold with one hand, two – even more so.

Installation options tablet

One of the main features of the tablet – mount stand in different positions. It is hence the name Yoga. Total available three modes: awning mode stand and hold. As conceived by the manufacturer, they are intended for the following scenarios:

Tent mode – the tablet is placed almost flat on the table with an extended “foot”, in such a situation it is convenient, for example, to print.

Stand Mode – the tablet is placed vertically with an emphasis on extended “leg” mode is designed primarily for video viewing.

Hold – you keep the tablet upright screen, with the grip at the base of a cylindrical shape, “leg” in the folded state. Here manufacturer draws a parallel with the retention of the magazine, whose half pages folded into a tube, when reading.

For each mode has its own color scheme included. Thus, in the hold mode screen tablet with warm colors close to yellow awning mode – on the contrary, with the cold range and mode supports – with an average close to natural. The color scheme is changed automatically when you turn the tablet, but can also be selected manually via a special menu.

In reality, “leg” and different modes of installing the tablet really comfortable, it’s not just another opportunity created for advertising and promotion. If you want to watch a movie, the tablet is convenient to put on a “leg” if you want to work with him on the table, it is convenient to put it with an extended “leg.” The only moot, in my opinion, the mode – holding the tablet in one hand. Acting cylinder, which you have to keep your device, find it convenient not for everyone.

Management

On the body are three keys – two for volume control and a single, large button, good when you pressed – to enable or disable the device or screen, it is on the cylinder. Volume buttons are placed on one of the edges of the tablet.

The front camera is located on the front portion of the screen, the main – on the cylindrical member from the back side of the housing. The memory card slot and microSD miucroSIM are niche, access to both slots, you can get thrown back “leg” of the tablet.

The stereo speakers are located below the screen.

Screen

In the first versions of Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 shown in presentation of the tablet, the screen used inexpensive, so added to the small settlement of bad angles Obora and generally lackluster picture, and display it spoil the overall impression of the device. To start selling this point corrected, now Yoga Tablet 8 installed quality IPS-matrix, and its only drawback – low screen resolution, 1280×800 pixels at 8 inches diagonally.

Other claims to the screen no, he maximum viewing angles, a good supply of brightness and picture juicy and natural color reproduction.

Performance and memory

The tablet is based on MediaTek MT8125 platform with quad-core processor 1.2 GHz and 1 GB of RAM. With daily use the tablet for simple tasks – reading the news in the browser is open with a pair of tabs, watching videos, listening to music and playing simple toys – no problem. On the other hand, if you open the browser on the tablet (especially Google Chrome) with a dozen tabs – already noticeable freezes and delays. Just when many programs running, the tablet also starts a little “thinking.” Can not say that your platform is too unproductive, but if you use the device very active in terms of quantity or software for beautiful and demanding games gland – should probably be prepared to troll.

With video playback all excellent. Tablet “cool” video in 720p and 1080p without any problems. If the movie does not start in the standard player, you can always install MX Player or Dice Player, as a rule, with their installation problems are solved.

In the tablet 16 GB of internal memory available to the user of about 13 GB. You can also use a memory card.

Most games, if we do not take the newest and not run them at maximum graphics settings, go to the plate with no problems, as an example of such a game can give GTA Vice City. No delays, hang-ups and other things – the game goes smoothly.

Camera

In the tablet has two cameras – a main 5 megapixel resolution and autofocus, and a front facing 1.6 megapixel resolution. Consider their options and discuss the quality of images, in my opinion, it makes no sense, not too many will use the camera to take pictures of the tablet something important.

Battery operating time

As with the case of the older model (10 “), one of the main features of Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 – runtimes. In the tablet has two batteries, one under the cover of textured plastic, the second cylindrical shape – in the corresponding housing bottom. Data capacity of the batteries the company itself does not provide, preferring simply to give information about the maximum possible running time – 18 hours without recharging.

My sample Yoga tablet 8 video playback 720p at medium brightness and medium volume runs at an average of 14 hours. If you use the tablet a couple of hours a day to access the Internet, then charge it enough times a week or less. By the time the work is one of the best among all models of tablets based on Android. For use in tablet travel is also ideal because of the time of work: If you have a long flight, and before that you need to get to the airport on arrival and get to the hotel, all this time the device may remain sufficiently charged, even if you throughout trip looked at it video or read and work with documents.

In the tablet there is an application for adjustment of energy consumption, it is possible to select the mode of the device, see the drain on the battery and change some other settings.

Interfaces

The tablet is equipped with modules Wi-FI and Bluetooth, is also a version with support for 3G (work on the data and send / receive text messages). Trouble with the interfaces for the month during which I used the tablet active arose.

Platform software

Powered tablet based on Android 4.2 with the original shell. According to the structure, it resembles iOS 7 or firmware MIUI (smartphones Xiaomi) / shell Flyme (smartphones Meizu), ie there is no application menu, all installed software and all the basic program settings and shortcuts are placed on the Home screen or in a folder, if you prefer . In appearance reminded me shell MIUI, provided the skin, so that the future of the icons can be changed.

There is a full set of required settings and options for you to “adjust” the interface for yourself. Preset programs a bit of that, in my opinion, is a plus. Uses standard gallery, calendar, and does, have an email client, video player (though video is better to put MX Player), as well as applications to work with the services Google – Gmail, Books, maps and so on.

Conclusion

In Russia, the tablet is available in Wi-Fi and 3G versions with 16 GB of internal memory, the cost model with Wi-Fi is about 12 000, with Wi-Fi and 3G – 13 000 rubles. Older version (with a screen diagonal of 10”) is worth about 14 000 in the base case. Yes, for less money can be found on Android tablets with the same or better (almost all) of the characteristics of Chinese companies, but Yoga Tablet at MTK is stable and without surprises, but most of the devices on the same platform of small Chinese firms leavers Sale still very raw. Secondly, Yoga Tablet has two truly unique reality features – awesome battery life and comfortable “foot.”

Therefore, if you are looking for a compact tablet with a good running time, and Apple iPad mini you do not like for some reason or just an expensive, carefully note the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8. This is one of those devices that will drive the tablet market Android OS ahead of its current stagnation and hundreds of clones with the same characteristics.