ThinkPad Tablet 2: Best Windows tablet

Windows tablet makers are trying different forms and styles of units to try to make a model that will appeal to consumers. Some of them seem to work OK while others miss the mark. Lenovo has chosen to make a simple slate model in the ThinkPad Tablet 2, and it is by far the best of the lot.
I was impressed with the ThinkPad Tablet 2 when I first reviewed it at launch earlier this year. I would have purchased one except I felt the $729 price was too high. When the price dropped recently to under $600 I had to buy one.

I've used over a dozen Windows tablets including convertible notebooks, hybrids, and pure tablets. Some of them have been terrible, others just OK, and one or two nice but not compelling.

Hardware as reviewed:

• Processor: Intel Atom Z2760 (2 cores, 1.8 GHz, 1MG cache)
• OS: Windows 8 Pro (32-bit)
• Display: 10.1-inch IPS (1366 x 768)
• Pen: yes
• Graphics: PowerVR SGX545 in Atom SoC
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Memory: 2GB
• Cameras: 2MP front; 8MP rear (720p video capture)
• Sound: stereo speakers (0.5 Watt x 2)
• Wireless: Wi-Fi a/b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0; GPS
• Weight: 1.3 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.34 x 6.48 x 0.39 inches
• Battery: 30 Whr
• Slots/ports: 1-USB 2.0; miniHDMI; microSD; dock connector; 3.5mm audio

Where most of them have fallen short is in trying to do too much. It seems that when OEMs try to make a tablet that is also a good laptop, they fall short on the tablet side. For tablets to be good models, they must be thin and light enough to be used in the hand for long periods. The slate must also be small enough to be comfortable to handle.