Is the corporate world ready for Android ? Is Android ready for the corporate world?
Lenovo seems to want us to think so. Due for release on August 23, the new Thinkpad Tablet is being pitched firmly at the corporate market. This 10.1″ WXGA , IPS, Gorilla Glass unit comes with Android 3.1, 64GB storage, up to 8 hour battery life, Wifi and 3G , Native USB 2.0, Micro USB, Fullsize SD slot and mini-HDMI output. The unit has a multitouch display with digitizer input ( pen looks like it’s optional ) and comes preloaded with “business applications” such as Documents to Go, Printershare, Computrace , McAfee Mobile Security and MyScript Notes Mobile. Accessories will include Tablet Dock, Tablet Pen, foldable Tablet Keyboard Folio case and more.
For IT managers they state easy deployment and provisioning with Lenovo’s custom image and zero touch deployment services, Cisco VPN support , device control with Active Directory Password, Microsoft Activesync integration and encrypted user data and SD cards and a client controlled app shop.
Having troubles trying to integrate all the latest technology into your business ??? Take one tablet and call me in the morning.
Available soon from Lenovo starting at $479.99
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Thing is, convertible tablets are the worst of both worlds, not the best. Thinkpads are – or at least have in the past been – especially good examples of the tradeoffs that these ‘verts call for. They’re often very underpowered and overpriced. The keyboard – the very reason you’d spend the extra money on a ‘vert – is dismal and non-standard. And then there’s the glaring lack of a regulation notebook trackpad, forcing you instead to rely upon the crummy Trackpoint nub.
And regardless of the brand, once you’ve got a ‘vert switched into “notebook” mode, chances are really slim that you’ll ever switch it back to the cool, but often impractical “slate” tablet mode. Tablets are fine and can be useful IF you have apps that capitalize upon that’s platform’s strengths. But if you need a keyboard, get a notebook.
Trackpoint is in my opinion the best thing in ThinkPads. I have had T41, X300, now I use T410s and use only trackpoint. My touchpad is turn off. So the point is you should use what you like to use.
I wonder if the new research showing that Android is much more costly to support than iOS will have any negative effect on adoption. This came out yesterday:
http://www.tuaw.com/2011/08/11/tech-support-for-iphone-is-cheaper-than-blackberry-android/
While it’s only a single study, it’s quite damning. Of course, those making the decisions may want to preserve jobs, as Windows PCs have for years, so they will adopt the more complex, cumbersome system to maintain their importance in the pecking order.
ThinkPad continue to be the best computers around. Performance has always been around the top, and the keyboards justify the cost. Really, if you are doing anything productive, you will be typing and not moving the cursor around all the time.
Although the tablet market is not really profitable for all manufacturers, there is cumulative learning process in developing the products. Ironically the ThinkPad was originally designed to be a tablet with a stylus more than 20 years ago!
These new Thinkpad Tablets are not convertibles. They can be tricked out that way, with a dockable keyboard, but essentially they’re touchpads with a digital stylus.
The real question for many of us is quite simple: how good is that stylus? Does it work as well as a Tablet PC stylus? If it does, this will be a big seller, for those of us who still like to use handwriting to take notes.
If it works more like the “styli” of iPads, with their problems with wrist confusion and the hugeness of their lines, then forget it; there’s no read advantage for this tablet over many many others.
I’m waiting for a real review that addresses this aspect of this tablet.
really looks cool! no doubt about it but im looking for a mid-high range laptop just like this
http://www.thinkpadtoday.com/thinkpad-x220-and-x220-tablet-review-the-new-benchmark-for-ultraportables.htm
which gives a little more kick! any suggestion?