Lenovo has debuted its $200 IdeaPad A1 tablet. The Android Gingerbread device boasts a 7-inch display (1,024 x 600), a 7 hour battery life, weighs approximately 400 grams (0.88 pounds) and is under 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) thick.
IdeaPad is powered by a single-core, ARM Cortex-A8 processor and features two cameras (front & back), along with 32GB of storage and MicroSD/micro USB slots for expandable storage.
The tablet also features a customized user interface along with Social Touch, a platform that provides a unified interface for e-mail/social network feeds. As IDG’s Agam Shah notes, IdeaPad will be among the cheapest 7-inch Android tablets available from a top manufacturer.
To be sure, most competing devices weigh in at more than $250, like the Iconia Tab A100 ($329) and Samsung’s 7-inch Galaxy Tab ($279).
Lenovo’s IdeaPad A1 has already been reviewed by Engadget’s Tim Stevens, who says the tablet feels like something far above its price point.
“[Sure], the specs don’t compare to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7, but something tells us you won’t be able to score one of these for the $199 asking price that the A1 starts at.
“We’re told only the 16GB and 32GB models will be shipped to the US, which is a bit of a shame, as with both microSD and SD expansion it’ll be fairly easy to add more. Connectivity is limited to WiFi, but there is a GPS in there, so it could make for a passable navigation device.”
IdeaPad is slated to roll out at the end of September.
