Want the functionality of a laptop with the speed and ease of a tablet? Don’t all of us. Lenovo has taken another pass at that really Windows 8 dream. It’s called the Miix 2, and it looks promising for its raw power alone.
The Lenovo Miix 2 is essentially a tablet loaded with the complete version of Microsoft’s OS (Windows 8.1, to be specific). It’s its own custom-made dock that gives it a full keyboard plus some additional ports.
We’d our qualms about the initial Miix, in 2012’s Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 10. It likewise docked making use of a magnet, however was strained by Windows RT and sluggish Intel Atom efficiency.
This brand-new Miix 2 seems to have been dealt a much better hand, as RT has been swept under the rug and the Bay Trail chip is bring back faith in Intel’s tablet capabilities.
Like the brand-new Lenovo Yoga 2, the Miix 2 comes 2 sizes, with the smaller sized 10-inch design packing the Bay Trail Atom processor and the 11-inch getting up to an i5 Haswell chipset.
The idea of an i5 in this compact type element has my interest plenty stimulated. I got an early peak at both models at CES 2014, however customers will certainly be able to play with them as quickly as March for the 10-inch and April for the 11-inch. They’ll start at $499 and $699, respectively.
Magnets. Can they be trusted?
I’ve actually examined detachable tablet and stand combinations before and it’s constantly been their delicate nature that dissatisfies me. They break down too quickly yet frequently cannot close up at a minute’s notice like my beloved laptop. The Miix 2 is stronger than all that, remaining together with barely a wiggle as I picked it up.
It’s at its most vulnerable when you collapse it, clamshell design. The base and the tablet are totally separated for a minute, so there’s the possibility that part of it could move out of your grasp. You’ll wish to do it on a desk, or with two hands at the minimum.
Is the keyboard up to Lenovo standards?
Lenovo machines deserve their credibility for outstanding keyboards and great track pads. While I enjoyed the size of the Miix 2’s keyboard and the spacing of its chiclet keys was fine, the vital presses didn’t have depth. This is nothing new in the keyboard dock video game.
I’ll need to wait until my complete review prior to I can judge, but the keyboard looks like the greatest liability for getting genuine work done with the Miix 2. That, and the potential for tipping the tablet from its base.
Rip then flip
If you have used among Lenovo’s Yoga equipments before then you understand about stand mode, where the keyboard tucks behind the monitor. The Miix 2 has this exact same performance, turning it into a simply a touch equipment.
As normal, it appeared like a good means to view motion pictures. It exact same thing lots of iOS fans do with their iPads, standing them up for poking and prodding or watching a motion picture.
Along the base of the stand is a wide speaker grill and a subwoofer, according to Lenovo. We couldn’t really provide it an appropriate test over the program floor din, however we will absolutely be putting it head to head with an iPad Air’s speaker in out full testimonial.
Lenovo rates both equipments for eight hours of battery. That will probably rely on which configuration you pick though. The 10-inch combination is just two pounds, while 11-inch is simply shy of three.
Early verdict
The Lenovo Miix 2 has internals that really intrigued me. It’s also compact, light and attractive. Still, I’ve a hard time picturing a removable in my life.
Then once more, I have never been an iPad and keyboard dock kind of guy, which appears to be Lenovo’s target right here. If the Microsoft Surface 2 is exactly what you want, however the rate is too rich, this could be your equipment. Simply await our evaluation initially.