Ideapad

**S Prime** · 07-29-2011, 06:27 AM

I would like to hear some comments from people who have purchased the Ideapad, to give us some insights into Lenovo's tablet efforts.

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**Joelist** · 07-29-2011, 08:29 PM

I'll likely have one tomorrow and can comment in detail then, but from what I have heard both Lenovo tablets are the class of the Android Tablet world.

**S Prime** · 07-30-2011, 03:54 AM

Originally Posted by Joelist

I'll likely have one tomorrow and can comment in detail then, but from what I have heard both Lenovo tablets are the class of the Android Tablet world.

I look forward to your comments. Also, I am surprised to see so little activity in the Lenovo forum here at Android Central.

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**Joelist** · 07-31-2011, 02:46 AM

Initial brief thoughts.

1) Very attractive unit, which multicolored base. Uses mix of aluminum and plastic on back and glass front. Tiny flex in back, none in front.

2) Screen is bright and well colorated. Viewing angles are good. It is a HD display but not IPS (but the angles are good nonetheless). Sound is good quality but a little low volume.

3) Has Mini HDMI and proprietary port. Proprietary port has USB cable included as well as charger (and can draw charge from powered USB as well as its own adapter). Also standard size earphone/microphone jack.

4) Has Micro SD slot as well. Slot is protected behind metal hatch.

Physically this is an impressive unit. It is thicker than the Galaxy Tab and heavier, but so well balanced you don't really feel the weight.

Software wise, Lenovo unleashed their expertise in laptops and Honeycomb here has been both skinned and has its functionality extended. The skin is VERY attractive, featuring eye pleasing colors and well thought out functionality improvements. For example:

- Honeycombs scroll function where you can see running applications now has full task manager functionality. Each running app has an X in the upper right hand corner. Click the X and the app is shut down and unloaded from memory.

- Buttons tend to be programmable by the user. Also, extra selections have been added to the bottom task bar to let the user change keyboards on the fly or easily access an apps special controls.

- Screen Capture is built into the IdeaPad

- Printing is built in

- Full version Documents to Go is baked in.

- Full featured File Manager built in.

Seriously, there are a ton of included apps, many of which are not free in the Market (and some not in the Market). Lots of included games as well. Netflix is fully operational.

I'll have more later, but the overall take so far is that this is a VERY strong tablet entry. I would rate it superior to all the other Android tablets easily.

**S Prime** · 07-31-2011, 03:56 AM

Joelist, did you purchase your Ideapad direct from Lenovo or a retailer?

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**Joelist** · 07-31-2011, 04:54 AM

I bought it at Office Depot.

And the discoveries keep coming. It has a feature for using pieces of larger pictures as wallpaper while keeping the picture intact. And Lenovo's keyboard (included as a choice) is nifty.

One thing I forgot to mention. The first time you turn it on skip Google activation. Just get it up and connected to the web then immediately go to settings and look for update. Lenovo has a big one waiting that implements a lot of the goodness I have been describing.

**S Prime** · 07-31-2011, 05:01 AM

Originally Posted by Joelist

I bought it at Office Depot.

And the discoveries keep coming. It has a feature for using pieces of larger pictures as wallpaper while keeping the picture intact. And Lenovo's keyboard (included as a choice) is nifty.

One thing I forgot to mention. The first time you turn it on skip Google activation. Just get it up and connected to the web then immediately go to settings and look for update. Lenovo has a big one waiting that implements a lot of the goodness I have been describing.

I have not looked at the specs on the Ideapad, but does it come with a mico SD slot rather than the full sized SD stated for the thinkpad? Also, did Office Depot indicate they would carry the Thinkpad?

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**Stu2009** · 07-31-2011, 08:10 AM

This is very good news..thank you for your candid review and please add anything else you discover..does it do GPS?

**S Prime** · 07-31-2011, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by S Prime

I have not looked at the specs on the Ideapad, but does it come with a mico SD slot rather than the full sized SD stated for the thinkpad? Also, did Office Depot indicate they would carry the Thinkpad?

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I checked the specs and answered my question and the Ideapad does have a micro SD slot.

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**Joelist** · 07-31-2011, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Stu2009

This is very good news..thank you for your candid review and please add anything else you discover..does it do GPS?

Yep. And bluetooth too.

**Joelist** · 07-31-2011, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by S Prime

I have not looked at the specs on the Ideapad, but does it come with a mico SD slot rather than the full sized SD stated for the thinkpad? Also, did Office Depot indicate they would carry the Thinkpad?

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According to them yes.

**S Prime** · 07-31-2011, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Joelist

According to them yes.

Thanks for your feedback. I look forward to more information.

**frh1** · 07-31-2011, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Joelist

Yep. And bluetooth too.

Does it connect to a bluetooth microphone for speach to text etc., or is it media audio only?

**Charlesleonard** · 07-31-2011, 05:05 PM

How is the screen in direct sunlight? Also how is the GPS. I log over 1000 miles a week as a repair rep. and will use the unit in my car. Also how is the battery life? Currently using Acer a500.

**Joelist** · 07-31-2011, 06:11 PM

I still have to test battery and gps accuracy. The screen is nice but as it is glossy may have sunlight issues.

**myuser** · 08-01-2011, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Joelist

I still have to test battery and gps accuracy. The screen is nice but as it is glossy may have sunlight issues.

I'm having a lot of issues with the wireless network connection. I have poor signal quality on n and g networks. On the n connection it keeps scanning resulting in dropped connections. I am about to return it as it's really a problem.

**atlantar6** · 08-02-2011, 12:23 AM

Can you ease elaborate on Netflix Caching? Is it as easy as downloading a movie for offline viewing? Is it all titles or only certain ones?

**S Prime** · 08-02-2011, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by myuser

I'm having a lot of issues with the wireless network connection. I have poor signal quality on n and g networks. On the n connection it keeps scanning resulting in dropped connections. I am about to return it as it's really a problem.

Out of curiosity, have you tried a factory reset to see if it eliminates your WiFi issues?

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**Joelist** · 08-02-2011, 07:43 AM

Strange. I am picking up wifi just fine. Did you push the update as I mentioned earlier?

**myuser** · 08-02-2011, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Joelist

Strange. I am picking up wifi just fine. Did you push the update as I mentioned earlier?

If you are referring to the 725 OTA update, then yes.

Originally Posted by S Prime

Out of curiosity, have you tried a factory reset to see if it eliminates your WiFi issues?

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I'll take a look at this... any idea if it will erase any of my data settings?

**myuser** · 08-02-2011, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by myuser

If you are referring to the 725 OTA update, then yes.

I'll take a look at this... any idea if it will erase any of my data settings?

Additional info: my "n" segment is through a Netgear N600 WNDR3400 router while my "g" segment is through a Linksys WRT110. On the n segment, my K1 continuously connects, drops, scans, and reconnects. On the g segment, it stays connected but wth a weak signal. On both networks, I have multiple devices that connect without any issues.

**S Prime** · 08-02-2011, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by myuser

Additional info: my "n" segment is through a Netgear N600 WNDR3400 router while my "g" segment is through a Linksys WRT110. On the n segment, my K1 continuously connects, drops, scans, and reconnects. On the g segment, it stays connected but wth a weak signal. On both networks, I have multiple devices that connect without any issues.

I had the same issue with my HTC Flyer, when using two routers on the same network where both were set to handle DHCP and both were on the same subnet, even though they were assigned different ranges on the subnet. To test it pull the power to one router and see if the issue goes away.

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**myuser** · 08-02-2011, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by S Prime

I had the same issue with my HTC Flyer, when using two routers on the same network where both were set to handle DHCP and both were on the same subnet, even though they were assigned different ranges on the subnet. To test it pull the power to one router and see if the issue goes away.

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I effectively did that with removing the password from the g segment... i use separate ssid's as well. I had the same experience with the n segment's issue of cycling through the stages as associating with the ap. I went ahead and powered off the g router and still had the same issue. As a last step, I removed the security from the n network and still hlave the same issues.

Regarding the g network, I get good performance if I stay wthin 30 feet of th ap.

This whole experience reminds me of the wireless performance I had with the Zenithink ZT-180. It was so bad I stopped using it.

**S Prime** · 08-02-2011, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by myuser

I effectively did that with removing the password from the g segment... i use separate ssid's as well. I had the same experience with the n segment's issue of cycling through the stages as associating with the ap. I went ahead and powered off the g router and still had the same issue. As a last step, I removed the security from the n network and still hlave the same issues.

Regarding the g network, I get good performance if I stay wthin 30 feet of th ap.

This whole experience reminds me of the wireless performance I had with the Zenithink ZT-180. It was so bad I stopped using it.

It does sound like a hardware issue, but I would still try a factory reset before returning it.

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**S Prime** · 08-02-2011, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by S Prime

It does sound like a hardware issue, but I would still try a factory reset before returning it.

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Just noticed you used the term "ap" does that mean you are connecting through a WiFi device configured as an access point? If so I have not been able to connect with my Flyer to any access point configured routers. Also have you tried another WiFi network just as a test?

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