I’ve been using the Lenovo Tab 2 A10 as my primary tablet for the past month and I really like it. It’s the best Android tablet that I’ve owned, and I like it enough that I got rid of all my other tablets, including a first gen iPad Air.
The Lenovo Tab 2 A10 is currently on sale for $179 at Best Buy and Amazon. It normally sells for $199, and even at that price it’s a great deal and is easily the best 10-inch budget tablet on the market.
I was planning on posting a full review of the Lenovo Tab 2 A10 this week, but unfortunately I accidentally deleted the review, mistaking it for a different article that I already posted.
On the plus side I setup backups so the same thing can’t happen again, but I really don’t feel like re-writing the review again so I don’t know if that’s going to happen.
In a nutshell, the tablet has a nice high-resolution screen and the Android 5.0 operating system is zippy and smooth, and the device’s 1.7GHz quad-core processor keeps things moving along quickly with no lag issues.
The overall build quality feels solid, but the back does have some flex to it and makes some creaking noises when handled—not everything can have the build quality of an iPad.
The only problem I’ve had with the Lenovo Tab 2 A10 tablet is there is an issue with the Dolby Atmos app. It does help give the tablet really good sound when using wired headphones or speakers (Bluetooth headphones don’t make use of the Dolby sound features for some reason), but the app is buggy and sometimes causes volume issues.
For instance, the max volume level gets messed up when unplugging headphones, so the external speakers seem really quiet. But rebooting fixes the problem. Plus using a custom setting with the Atmos app and increasing the EQ levels and turning off volume leveling really seems to help make things work better.
Other than that, everything about the Lenovo Tab 2 A10 has been smooth sailing. With most Android tablets I’ve used in the past, I end up getting frustrated with some issue with the Android operating system, but so far Android 5.0 has been smooth as butter. I’ve actually experienced less problems and issues with it than iOS 8 on the iPad Air, which is something I never thought possible.
Lenovo Tab 2 A10 Specs
- 10-inch Full HD IPS Display.
- 1920 x 1200 resolution.
- 1.7 GHz 64-bit quad-core processor MT8165.
- Android 5.0.1 Lollipop OS.
- 16GB internal storage space.
- RAM: 2GB LPDDR3.
- MicroSD card slot.
- Bluetooth 4.0.
- GPS.
- Dual Band WiFi (2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n + 5GHz 802.11 a).
- Cameras: Rear 8MP auto-focus; Front 5MP fixed-focus.
- Battery: up to 10 hours.
- Weight: 1.10lbs.
- Dimensions: 9.72″ x 0.35″ x 6.73″.
- Price: $179 at Amazon.
both the Amazon & BestBuy links are to pages that list the tablet as running Android 4.4 KitKat, not Android 5.0 as described in the article
It originally shipped with Android 4.4 but the 5.0.1 update was released over a month ago. I updated mine the day I got it. Websites often don’t update listings. They also say it has a 1.5 GHz processor but it says 1.7 on the box, in the settings menu, and on Lenovo’s website.
“1.7 GHz 64-bit quad-core Qualcomm processor MT8165”
I believe it’s a Mediatek cpu.
The mislabeled Amazon description must’ve seeped into my brain.
I was considering this or Lenovo Yoga 2 10”. I bought Yoga 2. It’s little more expensive, but has some real advantages:
* really long battery life. I have to charge it only as often as Onyx T68 e-ink reader. But that’s only because T68 sucks.
* really nice to hold. It’s a bit heavier than A10, but has rounded edge which is perfect for holding.
* build in stand, which let’s you read by putting it on something. Much more useful than I ever imagined!
Yoga 2 also has Android 5(though ships with 4.4). Reading comics and books on Yoga 2 is excellent, and I expect A10 to work just as well.
I bought the 10 inch Lenovo tablet a few months ago right after you first mentioned in a post, after my rooted Nook HD+ failed to charge again (has been a random problem for awhile now, unrelated to charger)
I have liked this tablet so much better than my Nooks – faster and smoother. Have you tried the bluetooth keyboard case with it? I’d like to get it but hesitate b/c I’ve had trouble with another BT keyboard with the Nooks.
No, I already had a sleeve and Bluetooth keyboard laying around so I haven’t tried a keyboard case. It doesn’t look like Lenovo has released the official Bluetooth Keyboard case yet, but the generic ones on Amazon have positive reviews.
I wonder that reading scale in this tablet is 4:3 or 16:9? Because we know that 16:9 is good only for watching movies,not reading ebooks.Any thoughts Natan?
It’s 16:10. You’re right, text is completely indecipherable on anything but 4:3 (sarcasm).
Thanks,but again,still readable for non stop several hours?Because I’m a heavy reader with tons of academic textbooks!
It all comes down to personal preference. I’ve personally never had a problem with reading on LCD screens for long periods, as long as the brightness is kept low and there’s some ambient light. The only time it bothers my eyes is at night and if the screen is the only light source, and I use a screen filter app to dim the screen beyond normal limits to help with that. That being said I don’t use tablets for reading ebooks because dedicated ebook readers are much better suited for that purpose. Lately I’ve even been using the Kindle Voyage for PDFs because in landscape it actually works pretty well. Tablets are great for web reading, comics, magazines, etc. But I never really liked reading ebooks on them.
Thanks for further explanation.I recall that in one of your posts,you were mentioning that in Samsung S2 tablets,it will be reading mood with 4:3 scale.I know it’s not in the market yet and it’s been promised for late August,but I want to know your idea.Based on what you have told in the previous reply,does it worth to wait for that Samsung tablet or purchase this budget andriod tablet?Considering the point that a multi-purpose ebook reader combination with tablet in an acceptable inch,here 10 at least,is my favourite.
It’s just that some things like PDFs and magazines tend to fit better on the shorter, wider size of 4:3 ratio screens in portrait mode, whereas 16:10 screens are narrower and taller so they scale a bit smaller and there’s more wasted space. If you like using portrait mode 4:3 ratio screens feel more natural, or they do for me at least. 16:10 screens generally feel more natural in landscape mode. Two-page landscape is pretty nice with 16:10. I kind of liked the Nook HD+’s 3:2 ratio screen; it was the best of both worlds. It’s surprising that ratio isn’t more popular.
Here’s a picture that shows the different ratios: Illustration Comparing Tablet Aspect Ratios
Will 5.0.1 allow apps to be uploaded to the SD card? That’s my main complaint with Android. I can’t seem to find a definitive answer on line before ordering this.
Yeah, downloaded apps can be moved to the microSD card, and it can also be set as the default write disk.
Dang it. I wish I wouldn’t have read this article the other day. I just placed an order for this tablet about two minutes ago. 🙂 (YAY!!) After I had read your article, I mulled over the idea of selling my Samsung Galaxy Note 10 (2012) tablet. I want a tablet that uses a microUSB cord. I can’t stand the proprietary cables. So.. last night I put the Note 10, it’s keyboard dock, another dock, plus other stuff out on eBay for a decent price. I didn’t really need everything the Note 10 offered. I never used the S-Pen, etc. So… my new baby will be showing up at my office on Monday!! (Then I will have to contemplate if I want to root it or not.)