When it comes to high-end Android tablets, they don’t come much more unique than the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro. The full-size tablet is equipped with a Quad HD resolution 10.1-inch screen, Intel Atom quad-core processor, a 10,200vmAh battery and has a built-in projector. Its unusual design certainly makes it stand out. But is it any good?
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The device itself is built mostly from plastic, although the gray finish gives it a classy, metal look that matches the actual metal parts. On the front is a 10.1-inch, Quad HD resolution LCD display, above that, running along the entire length of the tablet are rows of machined holes which act as a speaker grille for four JBL speakers powered by Dolby Atmos technology. The sound given by them is fantastic. What’s more, content almost has a surround sound feel to it. The screen is colorful, and at nearly 300 ppi, it’s nice and crisp too.
Design-wise, it’s a little unusual. Running along one edge is sort of a hump, or rounded spine. The tablet, therefore, will never sit completely flat. Saying that, it’s more ergonomic to type on using the onscreen virtual keyboard. On one side of the hump is a button which activates the built-in projector (yep, it has one). On the other side is the power button, a volume rocker and a Micro USB port.
The form factor is unique, and it’s not the thinnest or lightest tablet I’ve ever used. In fact, it’s quite weighty. But it does have a really nice, comfortable pad made of faux leather on the back, which makes holding it that much nicer.
On the back there’s also a really solid, clicky button which releases the kickstand. The stand itself moves smoothly and slowly, and has enough friction that it can hold the device at any angle, as long as it’s not leaning forward. What’s more, it also hides the Micro SD card slot.
It’s this kickstand that gives the Yoga Tab 3 Pro its versatility. You can use it to hold the tablet upright when viewing movies and videos. Or, lay the tablet down, switch on the projector and start beaming content on to your wall.
When you first switch on the 200 lumen projector, you focus it using the on-screen dial and then you’re away. To conserve battery, the tablet automatically switches off the screen after a couple of minutes. I was impressed by how big it could get, although the further away from a surface you are and the bigger the image gets, the harder it is to focus. Clearly, it’s no replacement for a proper full-sized projector, but with the awesome built-in speakers, it’s a pretty good mobile entertainment system.
The tablet has an Intel Atom 2.24 Ghz quad-core processor, 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage, as a 10,200 mAh battery (which seemingly lasts forever) with Quick-Charge compatibility. Without exaggeration, I’ve not had to charge it since I first opened the box on Friday. There’s also a 13MP camera on the back, and a 5MP front camera.
Having used it for a few days, there are a few things that impressed me. Firstly, despite its unusual-ness, the design and build quality is superb. The screen and battery life are equally impressive. The kids loved having their favorite shows show up ‘magically’ on the wall, so it wins my ‘great for families’ vote. I did have one issue though. Performance wasn’t wonderful. Most tasks it accomplished perfectly well. Every now and then however, the tablet seemed to stutter or get stuck for half a second or so.
The Yoga Tab 3 Pro is available to order now direct from Lenovo for $449 in the States, and will be available for £400 in the UK.
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