Lenovo Miix2, 8″ Windows 8.1 Bay Trail tablet for $299
HP may complain about competition from the Surface 2 tablets but Lenovo just produces a competitive tablet at a lower price-point and more features.
Lenovo today announced the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch tablet, a Windows 8.1 multi-mode device that packs an Intel quad-core processor and IPS wide-angle, high-definition display into a small tablet form factor.
Paired with an optional stylus and detachable cover, the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch joins its predecessor, the Lenovo Miix.
Underneath the hood, Lenovo Miix2 8-inch packs a powerful punch with an Intel BayTrail-T Quad Core processor, based on Intel® Atom S architecture and integrated Intel HD Graphics (Gen7) with Clear Video HD technology for smooth video performance.
Unlike the Microsoft Surface 2 which runs an ARM processor from NVIDIA, the BayTrail is the latest generation of Atom chips from Intel that is said to provide better performance and longer battery life. Hardware Info compared the BayTrail to Tegra 4 and concluded “The benchmarks do show that Intel is ready to compete in the ARM-market. If the power consumption is comparable as well, this could mark the breakthrough of x86-architecture on mobile devices.”
For consumers this means they can run all programs that work on Windows 8.1 not just apps from the Microsoft Store.
8 inch tablet
This combination of speed and responsiveness separates the 8-inch tablet from the tablet pack, while making the most of the Windows 8.1 OS. Measuring only 8.35mm thick and weighing a mere 350g, the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch tablet delivers a 16:10 widescreen experience that deftly balances visual experience with portability. The Surface 2, a competitive product, has a 10″ display.
The 10-point multi-touch WXGA display delivers an 800 x 1280 resolution and its impressive 178-degree viewing angle means no one is left out of the fun. Equipped with two webcams, one in front (2MP) and one in back (5MP), the tablet is designed for video chatting and photo sharing.
Pre-loaded with Windows 8.1, the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch brings all the enhancements of Microsoft’s latest operating system, including enhanced searching and sharing; improved Web-surfing with the new IE 11, touch optimization and the return of the popular “Start” button.
With up to 128GB of eMMC onboard storage (expandable up to 32GB with micro-SD slot)2 for videos, music and photos, the Miix2 is standout tablet designed for users “on the go.”
Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013
The device comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013, allowing users to easily view, edit and manage their documents right out of the box. The tablet also offers the option of a stylus and detachable cover. The cover protects the screen when not in use and doubles as a stand for viewing content on the device. The stylus is a perfect companion for drawing, sketching or taking notes and further enhances productivity.
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 does not ship with Outlook 2013, which Microsoft includes with Surface 2 and 200 GB of SkyDrive storage for 2 years, at $449.
“Many users want the convenience of a smaller screen tablet, but do not want to lose the performance and convenience of a powerful, quad core Windows 8.1 device. With the Lenovo Miix2 8-inch, users can take advantage of a small, light form factor without sacrificing performance,” said Bai Peng, vice president and general manager, notebook business unit, Lenovo Business Group. “The Lenovo Miix2 8-inch is a great example of how thoughtful design can deliver the best of both worlds.”
The Miix2 8-inch will be available later this month beginning at approximately $299. Lenovo is one of the world’s largest computer makers, having purchased the business from IBM. Lenovo has kept brands like ThinkPad at the forefront of computing.
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