Lenovo IdeaPad A1
Key specs
Critic consensus
“If you're sold on the 7-inch form factor and want an affordable, capable tablet, the Kindle Fire or the Nook Tablet, which is now available in an 8GB version for $199, are better (and less-expensive) bets. Below-average performance, an older OS, and a subpar screen make the A1 a tough sell.”
“Summarizing, we can say the Lenovo offers a solidly manufactured device with the IdeaPad A1. The device is adequate for surfing on the Internet, watching a little video (no Full HD material) and playing an occasional game and it fulfills its purpose. The tablet doesn't have a HDMI port since it can't ensure a smooth playback of such contents. Slight jerking is noticed in everyday, routine use. The screen has a good average brightness for indoor use and a pleasant feel to the greatest extent. No one can expect high-end hardware for €199, the IdeaPad A1 relies on the good Lenovo workmanship and a proper screen. We can only hope that Lenovo will have an upgrade to even out the one or other weakness and that scrolling in the menu or on the home screen, for example, becomes more pleasant. The competition on the tablet market is great and there is currently a big contender available overseas: The Amazon Kindle Fire. How this much talked about tablet fares in daily use can soon be read in a review from our US colleagues.”
“At $249, the IdeaPad A1 is one of the least expensive full-fledged Android tablets you can buy. The build quality is certainly better than other budget slates we've tested from Ainovo, Archos, and Pandigital--and the battery life is strong. However, in too many ways you get what you paid for with a dull screen, sluggish single-core performance, and an outdated OS. Hardware hackers looking to improve the experience by rooting the IdeaPad A1 and installing a more up-to-date version of Android may find this device a bargain, but most others would be better off with the less expensive Kindle Fire, similarly priced Nook Tablet, or pricier but more powerful Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus.”
“The Lenovo IdeaPad A1 is for all of those Android fans who were drawn to the Amazon Kindle Fire's $199 price tag, but couldn't take the plunge without a few more basic tablet features thrown in, not to mention a more conventional Android software experience. If you can look past the mediocre screen quality, the Lenovo IdeaPad A1 is one of the best tablet values around.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
If you’re on the lookout for a full-featured Android tablet with decent specs and a low price tag, say hello to the Lenovo IdeaPad A1. Priced just a little bit more than Android-powered devices like the Amazon Kindle Fire and the Nook Color e-reader tablet, the Lenovo IdeaPad A1 offers a lot more features from the get go. And it also comes in a highly portable form factor, to boot.
The A1 tablet’s features include a 7-inch 1024×600 pixel resolution touchscreen display that’s held inside a casing that measures 12mm thick. It has dual cameras, with the main one having a 3-megapixel sensor on it, and comes with built-in sensors to detect motion and the amount of ambient light. Hardware-wise, it is fitted similarly to some entry-level Android smartphones released in the past two years, so it’s a sure bet that you are going to find plenty of useful, albeit dated, hardware functions.
And as for the software, the A1 tablet from Lenovo comes with Android 2.3 Gingerbread pre-installed. Unlike similarly-priced e-book readers that also have some form of the Android sofware installed on them, it offers unlimited access to the Google Play app store. That means you can download as much software as you like. That includes the ability to install all manner of official downloadable software, of course.
As feature-rich as the IdeaPad A1 is, however, it simply is not powerful enough with its weak processor and meager amount of RAM. It can still function quite well for most tasks such as Web browsing and document viewing on Android, but if you’re looking to purchase and play the latest 3D games or do some really complex computing, you need to look elsewhere for your tablet.
Need To Know: Lenovo IdeaPad A1
1. 7-inch form factor makes the Lenovo IdeaPad A1 tablet very portable and easy to use. (The Good)
2. Default operating system will let users enjoy plenty of official and third-party software support. (The Good)
3. Comes with relatively low amount of user available RAM. (The Bad)
4. No upgrade path to later versions of the Android software. (The Bad)
What people actually want to know
When was the Lenovo IdeaPad A1 released?
The Lenovo IdeaPad A1 was released on October 6, 2011.
How long does the battery last on the Lenovo IdeaPad A1?
The Lenovo IdeaPad A1 has a 3,550 mAh battery.
Does the Lenovo IdeaPad A1 have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Lenovo IdeaPad A1 has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Where can I get support for the Lenovo IdeaPad A1?
Visit Lenovo's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Lenovo IdeaPad A1 manual?
You can view and download the Lenovo IdeaPad A1 manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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