While we are hearing about everything coming to Android 11 later this year, there are plenty of devices still waiting for Android 10 to arrive. When it comes to Android tablets, the conventional wisdom is ‘you get what you get’ – if you don’t expect any updates you will never be disappointed.
Berlin’s annual IFA show is the largest consumer electronics event in Europe with “more digital lifestyle products in one place than any other show worldwide.” After walking the show floor, sitting in on private pre-briefings, standing inside packed press conferences, and attending media-only showcase events, these are the items we’ve chosen for Gear Diary’s Best of IFA 2019 Awards.
The folks at Lenovo pop out so many amazing devices, I’m starting to think they never sleep. Every few months, they’re taking products that already made you go “Whoa…” and making them even better. New Yoga laptops, tablets, all-in-ones, and monitors are redefining what to expect from your computing arsenal!
Lenovo lavished attention on their business line with a ThinkPad refresher, but heading into IFA they’re showing some love to consumers as well with new lineups in monitors, laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, and desktops!
One of the big debates behind the scenes at Gear Diary is whether a tablet makes more sense than a low-end computer like a Chromebook. The consensus is that sometimes you still need a computer, but there’s a lot of potential benefit to a good tablet. Samsung agrees, and they’re throwing all sorts of features into the Android-powered Galaxy Tab S6!
If you’re starting the hunt for back to school supplies for your favorite high school or college student, Huawei has some deals for you. Save $200 off their popular MateBook X Pro and MateBook 13, and get $150 off their MateBook D. If you need a tablet, they’ve got $20 to $30 off their MediaPads, including my fave MediaPad M5.
If you’ve wanted a capable under $300 Android tablet that also doubles as an Alexa display, you’re going to love the Lenovo Smart Tab P10 2-in-1 Smart Dock. It’s an Amazon Alexa enabled device with a 10.1″ FHD screen, but you can pull the display from the dock and use it separately as a regular Android tablet, too.
One of the MWC announcements that most captured my attention was for the new Lenovo Tab V7. An affordable 7” tablet, the Tab V7 is ideal for someone who doesn’t want the expense, or the juggling act, of carrying a phone and a tablet. It blurs the line between the two categories.
Tablets went from being the next big thing in computing to almost an afterthought. Phones have gotten bigger, computers have gotten smaller and even picked up touchscreens, so it means the humble tablet has to work even harder to stand out. Luckily for Huawei, the new MediaPad M5 Lite covers what you need and what you didn’t know you wanted!
You may not have paid much attention to Huawei in the past, but if you’re in the market for a solid Windows laptop or an android tablet, Huawei should be one of your top stops. The new MateBook 13 and MediaPad M5 Lite are designed to make your computing and mobile life run as smoothly as possible.
Making a splash at CES, ASUS debuted a new line of Chromebook products aimed at the Education sector, called the ASUS Chromebook Education series. These ruggedized, classroom-ready laptops feature an ergonomic design and are easily serviced. The line-up includes the first-ever ASUS Chrome OS Tablet, two 11.6” Chromebooks in clamshell and convertible configurations, and a larger 14” clamshell.
The only thing more sought-after than cold fusion and alchemy is a tablet/laptop hybrid that actually delivers on the best parts of each. Microsoft laid the groundwork with the Surface line, and now Samsung is jumping in with the Galaxy Book 2, boasting Windows 10, LTE connectivity, and an eye-popping 20 hours of battery life.
The faster technology improves, the better the features are that trickle down to mid-tier devices. Samsung is definitely proving this to be true with their newest smartphones, the Galaxy A6, J3, and J7, and their new tablet, the Galaxy Tab A 10.5″.
For a market that’s supposedly dying, tablets are getting an awful lot of attention again. There’s still demand for a screen that’s bigger than a phone, smaller than a computer, and able to entertain you or be productive. Alcatel’s new 3T 8 isn’t flashy, but on paper it’s a solid workhorse tablet for a very good price.
The death of the Android tablet has been greatly exaggerated. Or at least premature. Lenovo seems to think there’s some life in the tablet market still, and they’ve a slew of budget Android tablets to prove it.
Easily one of the best portable tablets I have ever used or reviewed, the Huawei MediaPad M5 (WiFi version) is now available for purchase. Whether you are looking for the 8.4″ version I reviewed, the 10.8″, or the 10.8″ MediaPad M5 Pro, you’ll be able to get yours from Amazon or NewEgg for $319, $359 and $449 respectively.
Last year when I reviewed the Huawei MediaPad M3, I called it the best Android tablet for the money; I was impressed with its solid build, sleek styling, Harman Kardon sound, and excellent price. Now comes the Huawei MediaPad M5, and what was already a fab tablet is now a possible iPad killer — assuming you don’t mind a non-iOS device.
Kicking off Mobile World Congress this year, TCL Communication has announced that their all-new Alcatel 1T tablet series will be a tandem of two portable tablets – the Alcatel 1T 10, and the Alcatel 1T 7.
Whether you are on the go or on your couch, the Miix 630 delivers. The Miix is Lenovo’s first Always On, Always Connected PC and it’s also a 2-in-1, with a removable keyboard and pen support for writing on the screen directly. It also packs in 4G connectivity with a sim card slot, so you can work from anywhere there is cell signal and not rely on WiFi or carrier pigeon – or any other local network.
If your phone screen is too small for reading and your tablet is too large for convenient use on the go, then the 8.4″ Huawei MediaPad M3 may be just right. Available in either a 32GB or 64GB model; with its sleek style, Kirin 950 processor, 5100mAh battery, and Harman Kardon sound, it’s the best sub-$300 tablet available.
This review of the Huawei MateBook has been a long time coming. I like the MateBook a great deal, but I’ve been struggling to figure out exactly what this Windows 10 mobile device is. From the specs, it looks to be Huawei’s answer to the Microsoft Surface, but it is more complicated than that. Let’s take a look.