At Lenovo’s first Tech World, the Chinese PC giants has announced an interesting addition to the affordable productivity tablet segment: the ThinkPad 10. Sporting largely similar specs to the Microsoft Surface 3, Lenovo has also applied some ThinkPad know-how to make the ThinkPad 10 an interesting proposition for the mobile professional.
A refresh of the ThinkPad Tablet 10, the ThinkPad 10 is marginally thinner but also slightly heavier than its predecessor. The big difference is actually in the SoC: the ThinkPad 10 will run on either the Intel Atom X5-Z8500 or Atom X7-Z8700 quad-core processors with Intel HD Graphics integrated GPU. There’s also a choice of 2GB or 4GB of LPDDR3 1600MHz RAM, as well as 64GB or 128GB eMMC internal storage – expansion is possible via microSD card. Also, there’s a full-sized USB port, micro-HDMI 1.4 port, 1W stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Being a ThinkPad, the ThinkPad 10 is also offered with optional 3G or 4G LTE SIM slots, and more importantly, built-in dTPM encryption. As a tablet, this device also features Bluetooth 4.0, AC WiFi, and 5MP AF rear and 1.2MP fixed-focus front cameras. The 10-point multi-touch display is similar in resolution and size to the original ThinkPad Tablet 10, at 10.1 inches across, offering a sharp 1920 x 1200 resolution and sporting Gorilla Glass 3.
The integrated Li-Po battery in the ThinkPad 10 – which will run on Windows 10, of course – is rated for up to 10 hours of continuous use. The tablet measures 256.5 x 177 x 9.1mm, and weighs 617g. There’s even space for an optional fingerprint reader, smart card reader and the ThinkPad Pen Pro – which can be further enhanced in capability with the WRITEit app.
In fact, there’s a host of other accessories designed for the ThinkPad 10 with productivity and protection in mind. The ThinkPad 10 Ultrabook Keyboard offers an uncompromised typing experience, while the slim ThinkPad 10 Folio keyboard acts as a protective cover when not in use. There’s also the ThinkPad 10 QuickShot Cover with a flap that exposes the rear camera quickly, while the ThinkPad Tablet Dock virtually transforms the tablet into a PC, with a host of connectivity ports.
