Category: Tablets

January 24, 2025
Acer Chromebook Tab 311: The Perfect ChromeOS Tablet for Students
Acer was the first company to bring out a ChromeOS tablet, known as the 2018 Acer Chromebook Tab 10. Even though they continue to release new Chromebooks each year, most of these are standard laptops rather than tablets, though some feature a convertible design. Now, they’ve introduced a fresh ChromeOS tablet — the Acer Chromebook Tab 311 — specifically made for use in classrooms.
Display and Performance
The Acer Chromebook Tab 311 comes with a 10.95” screen that has a resolution of 1920 ×, along with a 60Hz refresh rate and relatively thick bezels. Inside, it runs on MediaTek’s Kompanio 520 processor, which was revealed in 2022 but did not show up in Chromebooks until 2023. Buyers can choose configurations that go up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also a MicroSD card slot that allows users to expand their storage by an additional 2TB.
Camera and Connectivity
This new tablet features a 2MP front camera and a 5MP back camera with autofocus. It supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and has optional LTE connectivity. As is common, it supports a USI 2.0 stylus, but this accessory is not included. However, it does come with a keyboard case in the package, letting it function like a laptop. An optional folio case with a kickstand is available, allowing for multiple viewing angles.
Durability and Battery Life
Acer claims that the Chromebook Tab 311 complies with the MIL-STD 810H military-grade durability standard, but they haven’t specified if it has an IP rating. It houses an 8,000mAh battery, which Acer states can offer up to 10 hours of usage. Charging is done through a USB-C port, and there’s an audio jack included.
The Acer Chromebook Tab 311 is set to be released in the next quarter in North America at a price of $329, €329 in Europe, and AUD 349 in Australia. It will face tough competition from Lenovo, a well-known brand in the ChromeOS tablet market with its Chromebook Duet series.
Competitive Landscape
As of now, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11, featuring a more robust MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, is being sold on Amazon for $399. This price includes both a keyboard case and the Lenovo Digital Pen 2 USI 2.0 stylus.
Acer’s new release will have to prove itself in a crowded marketplace.
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Tags: Acer Chromebook Tab 311, ChromeOS tablet, MediaTek Kompanio 520
January 23, 2025
Cheaper Microsoft Surface Pro and Compact Laptop with Snapdragon X Plus Soon
At this time, the Microsoft Surface Pro (priced at $799 on Amazon) is only available with a 13-inch screen. In contrast, the Surface Laptop comes in both 13.8-inch and 15-inch options. Recent reports from Windows Central suggest that Microsoft is working on smaller versions of both products, which are set to be released shortly.
Upcoming Launch Details
Although the precise release date is still unclear, it is anticipated that these devices will be officially announced in the coming weeks. The new Surface Pro is likely to directly compete with the smaller 11-inch iPad Pro. This Windows tablet will almost definitely come with a keyboard cover that includes a touchpad, and it will sport a display size between 11 and 12 inches. Conversely, the new Surface Laptop is expected to be the next version of the Surface Laptop Go, which currently has a 12.4-inch screen, but the exact size for the new model is still uncertain.
Performance Expectations
Microsoft might equip both new tablets with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X or Snapdragon X Plus, allowing these mini Surfaces to deliver good performance and fairly long battery life, with prices starting around $800. Additionally, Microsoft is reportedly developing new versions of the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11, which will use Intel’s Lunar Lake chips rather than the Snapdragon X Elite. However, it’s important to note that these models are mainly targeted at business users and are generally not available to everyday consumers.
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Tags: Snapdragon X, Surface Laptop, Surface Pro
January 23, 2025
New OLED iPad Pro Expected Before Late 2025 Release
The latest iPad Pro models are still fresh in the market, having been introduced less than a year ago with their sleek 11-inch and 13-inch OLED screens (curr. $1,195 on Amazon) in May 2024. Apple has also upgraded the iPad Pro range by equipping it with the powerful 10-core M4 chipset, which we have tested in both the 11-inch and 13-inch versions.
New Developments on the Horizon
A new report from The Elec hints that the 8th-generation iPad Pro is already in the works, with plans for mass production of new display driver ICs (DDIs) set to begin in April or May, depending on regulatory approvals. The Elec notes that while Apple’s main choice for DDI sourcing is LX Semicron, there is a possibility that they might revert to Samsung’s System LSI subsidiary if LX Semicron does not secure the necessary approvals by March.
Timelines and Expectations
As a result, The Elec believes there will be no significant delays in the 8th Gen iPad Pro’s development. The report does not provide clear timelines for release, but historically, Apple has taken between one year to eighteen months to refresh the iPad Pro lineup. Considering that mass production is likely to begin only after the 7th generation models celebrate their first year, we are skeptical that the new models will be officially launched before the summer.
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Tags: iPad Pro, M4 chipset, The Elec
January 23, 2025
Lenovo S130 Pad: New 2-in-1 with 3K Display and Windows 11
Lenovo has introduced a variety of new gadgets at CES 2025 this month, which includes laptops and 2-in-1s. Yet, the S130 Pad, a fresh Windows-based 2-in-1 device, was not showcased at the event, but is currently up for grabs in China.
Processor and Performance
The S130 Pad is powered solely by the Processor N100 from Intel’s Alder Lake-N series. We had previously evaluated the Processor N100 and its four Crestmont E cores multiple times last year, particularly in the Chuwi Hi10 Max 2-in-1 (available for $399 on Amazon). Overall, the Processor N100 performed admirably in our assessments for its price point, despite having 4 GB less RAM compared to what the S130 Pad can offer.
Display and Battery Life
Lenovo states that the S130 Pad comes equipped with a 13.3-inch IPS display that produces a resolution of 3,000 x 2,000 pixels and brightness of 420 nits, all within a compact size of 207.5 x 288.9 x 10.7 mm. Additionally, this device packs a 5,000 mAh battery, which plays a role in its total weight of 768 g, not including the detachable keyboard or stand.
Pricing Options
The starting price for the S130 Pad is CNY 2,899 (~$399) for the model with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. Alternatively, Lenovo offers the 2-in-1 for CNY 3,199 (~$440) which includes 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage. As for its availability beyond China, there are no updates yet; however, ITHome suggests that the S130 Pad might become a future variant of the IdeaPad Duet 3i.
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Tags: CES 2025, Lenovo S130 Pad, Processor N100
January 19, 2025
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Active 5 Pro Launch Imminent
Samsung is gearing up to introduce the Galaxy S25 series of flagship smartphones soon. However, it appears that new Galaxy tablet models are also on the horizon. A recent report indicates that the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro might be released shortly.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE & Tab Active 5 Pro Coming Soon
The information comes from AndroidAuthority, which provided insights into the upcoming rugged tablet and the budget-friendly flagship tablet from the Fan Edition series. According to the report, the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro, Galaxy Tab S10 FE, and Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus variants have been identified in codes from trusted sources. This means that the South Korean technology company is preparing to launch new tablets from the Galaxy Tab Active 5 series along with the latest FE models.
Details on Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro
It’s worth noting that Samsung revealed the Galaxy Tab Active 5 alongside the Galaxy XCover 7 earlier in January 2024. Just this week, another leak showcased the Galaxy XCover 7 Pro featuring the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, suggesting it will be another robust phone with military-grade certification and an IP rating for water and dust resistance. This leak points towards a potential launch, indicating that the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro might debut alongside this tough smartphone.
Specifications for Galaxy Tab S10 FE Series
Furthermore, it seems the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro will also come equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, similar to the Galaxy XCover 7 Pro. There will be two versions of this rugged tablet: one that supports just WiFi and another that is 5G enabled. In addition, the codes for the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus have also appeared in both WiFi-only and 5G models, likely powered by the Exynos 1580 SoC. These new tablets are expected to be the successors to the Galaxy Tab S9 FE series.
Tags: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE, Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
January 19, 2025
Android 16 to Feature Split-Screen Mode Like OnePlus OxygenOS
Android 16 is in the Developer Preview phase at the moment. It has been a full month since Google launched the second Developer Preview of this upcoming operating system, and there seems to be a new feature in its code that may delight users of tablets and larger screens.
Multitasking Inspired by OnePlus
As reported by Android Authority, the newest Developer Preview includes a multitasking feature that takes inspiration from OnePlus’ Open Canvas. This could be a huge enhancement for devices with larger screens and foldable phones, since OnePlus’ Open Canvas is known to be the top multitasking solution and provides a smarter way to use split-screen capabilities.
Three Apps at Once
Basically, Android 16 may permit users to view three apps simultaneously on their tablets. In the OnePlus model, two apps occupy 90% of the display, while a third app is in the remaining 10%. A quick tap on the smaller window brings it to the forefront, allowing for a seamless transition in layout. Google appears to be experimenting with a similar setup in Android 16.
The code found in Android 16 DP2 indicates a “flexible” split-screen mode is under development. Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority was able to get this feature running on his Pixel device, but he points out that it’s still in an unfinished state and doesn’t correctly manage app splitting at this stage.
Future of the Feature
Google continues to evaluate this functionality, and it remains uncertain if it will be ready for the final version of Android 16. If it is completed on schedule, it could be made available for all Android smartphones and tablets, with manufacturers like Samsung likely to benefit from these enhancements for their foldable devices that open like books.
Android 16 is projected to achieve platform stability in the first half of this year, followed by a full rollout later on. Should this feature be finalized, users might receive it via updates from their device manufacturers.
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Tags: Android 16, multitasking, OnePlus Open Canvas
January 18, 2025
Lenovo Erazer S130 2-in-1 PC: Intel N100, 13″ 3K, DDR5, 7h Battery
Lenovo has launched its latest 2-in-1 tablet PC, the Erazer S130, which aims to blend portability with functionality in an elegant and modern design. The pricing starts at 2,899 yuan ($396) for the 8GB+256GB variant, while the 16GB+512GB model costs 3,199 yuan ($436). The Erazer S130 resembles Lenovo’s IdeaPad Duet 3i, which was released in foreign markets. Let’s take a look at its main specifications.
Lenovo Erazer S130 Features
The Erazer S130 is equipped with a 13-inch 3K IPS touchscreen boasting a resolution of 3000×2000. It supports 10-point touch input, has TÜV Rheinland certification to reduce blue light, and offers a brightness of 420 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright environments.
This tablet runs on the Intel Celeron N100 processor, featuring four cores and four threads, with a turbo frequency reaching up to 3.4 GHz, providing seamless multitasking for both work and entertainment. Users can choose between dual-channel DDR5 memory options of either 8GB or 16GB, combined with SSD storage of 256GB or 512GB.
Design and Build Quality
The S130 Pad is designed to be lightweight and slim, weighing only 768 grams (without the keyboard) and measuring 10.7 mm thick. Its full-metal body and smoothly rounded edges give it a high-end feel.
The device includes a detachable, lightweight smart keyboard that has a comfortable scissor-style mechanism, a touchpad, and shortcut keys to boost productivity. When connected, the tablet quickly changes into a laptop.
Connectivity and Battery Life
It features a full-function Type-C port that allows for video output, charging, and connecting external devices. Moreover, the device is fitted with dual USB 3.0 ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an additional USB-C port for greater flexibility. For wireless connections, it offers high-speed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2.
The S130 Pad is powered by a 5000mAh battery, providing 6-7 hours of use on a single charge, and supports PD fast charging through the Type-C port. It comes pre-loaded with Windows 11 and includes dual speakers, a 1MP front camera, and a 5MP rear camera suitable for video calls and casual photography.
In other news, Lenovo has also unveiled the Lenovo EA400 clip-on earbuds, which come with 13mm drivers, IPX5 water resistance, 24 hours of playback, and support for spatial audio. Furthermore, they launched the Lenovo Tab, an economical tablet featuring a 10.1-inch display, a Helio G85 processor, and a 5,100mAh battery.
Tags: 2-in-1 PC tablet, Erazer S130, Lenovo
January 17, 2025
LG V50 ThinQ Transformed into InkReader Duo E-Reader
Before LG decided to end its smartphone venture, it introduced some fascinating devices. One such device was the LG V50 ThinQ Dual Screen, which came with a case featuring a second screen, offering a fresh perspective on dual-screen technology. This innovative phone seems to have inspired the creation of the inkReader Duo, a new concept for an e-reader.
Unique Design Features
Similar to the LG V50 ThinQ Dual Screen and its successor, the LG G8X ThinQ Dual Screen, the inkReader Duo comes with a case that includes a display, but this time it’s an E Ink screen. The main device resembles a smartphone, much like the BOOX Palma 2, which is priced at $279.99 on Amazon.
Specifications and Functionality
Created by Mechanical Pixel, the inkReader Duo features a 6.2-inch Carta 1300 E Ink display with a resolution of 300 ppi. The case’s screen is also 6.2 inches and matches the main display type, connecting to the main device using pogo pins. When the e-reader is not in use, it can show a static image or a note.
The case includes a 360-degree hinge, allowing it to fold back completely. While it supports a stylus, it’s uncertain whether it functions on both screens. However, users will likely be able to read on one screen while jotting down notes on the other.
Potential Challenges Ahead
Creating the inkReader Duo should not present many challenges, but developing software that optimally utilizes the second screen may be a tougher task. While Amazon’s Kindle software may not be capable of achieving this, an Android-based custom operating system could potentially make it work.
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Tags: E Ink Display, inkReader Duo, LG V50 ThinQ
January 16, 2025
OnePlus Pad 2 Gets Live Alerts and AI Reply with Android 15
The Pad 2 comes equipped with a stunning 3K variant of OnePlus’ distinctive 12.1-inch 7:5 ReadFit display. Additionally, it features 67W SuperVOOC charging and the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, which was once the flagship processor. Thanks to the latest software update, the tablet now runs on the most current version of Android.
OxygenOS 15 Upgrade
OnePlus has revealed that it is rolling out OxygenOS 15 to the Pad 2 models in Europe, India, and worldwide. This update brings new features, including Live Alerts, which are real-time notifications similar to OnePlus’ Dynamic Island clone (known as the “capsule”). These alerts can display information such as delivery updates, ride-share notifications, or even the battery status of the device.
AI Reply and System Improvements
The update, OxygenOS 15.0.0.401, also introduces the AI Reply feature, which is designed to create automatic chat responses based on the context of the conversation, aiming for a “natural” feel. Furthermore, this version is expected to improve overall system stability and, in some cases, extend battery life.
Security Updates and Availability
Interestingly, the security patch level has been updated to December 2024, despite it being January 2025 now. The rollout for the new OxygenOS 15 version will be done gradually for the targeted tablets starting now.
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Tags: OnePlus Pad 2, OxygenOS 15, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
January 16, 2025
ESR Geo Digital Pencil: Affordable Apple Pencil Alternative with Find My
Modern Apple tablets allow for both touch and stylus input. Using a compatible pen gives users the ability to jot down notes and create drawings with much better quality while providing a pretty natural writing feel. The new ESR Geo Digital Pencil is a stylus that claims to offer a solid range of features at a very affordable price of just $30.
Compatibility and Charging
This stylus works with any iPad that was released in 2018 or later, which includes the Pro, Air, Mini, and standard versions. While it can stick magnetically to certain iPads, it doesn’t support wireless charging. The battery can be fully charged in just 30 minutes with a wired connection. The Geo Digital Pencil includes a shortcut button that can be clicked once or twice for different functions. It also features tilt sensitivity, allowing users to change the thickness of their lines by tilting the stylus – an essential option for artists. With palm rejection technology built-in, you can lay your hand on the tablet without fearing accidental touches.
Limitations and Features
Despite its advantages, the product misses out on some exclusive features found in the Apple Pencil, like hover and pressure sensitivity. Nevertheless, the Geo Digital Pencil has a Find My feature, which helps you track it down quickly if it gets lost.
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Tags: ESR Geo Digital Pencil, iPad stylus, touch and pen input