Nokia Lumia 2520

“We are afraid that just like the first Nokia Lumia smartphones, the company's first tablet will not shatter any sales records either. But being the finest Windows RT offering and a logical extension to the Lumia range however, it is certain to attract its fair share of followers.Until this moment arrives, or until Microsoft somehow shatters the wall separating the ARM-based tablets and the Windows Phone devices, the Nokia Lumia 2520 is bound to remain a characterful, but niche product. Like in the case of Windows Phone, it is up to Microsoft to make it a viable mainstream player, as Nokia has already done its job to squeeze the maximum out of the Windows RT platform.”

“The typical Lumia design bears an unmistakable similarity to their smartphone line. The crowning jewel of the Nokia Lumia 2520 is most assuredly its incredibly bright display that glows even brighter than the promised 650 cd/m². Anyone who is often on-the-go or just likes to spend time outside will enjoy this tablet. Its battery life, too, is very good, and the integrated LTE modem makes it possible to get on the Internet easily throughout all of Europe. Because of its very good microphone, phone calls over VoIP are no problem either. But the tablet proves to be plagued with uncommon weaknesses in the area of manufacturing. The device is very sensitive to pressure, and when just holding the tablet waves can form on the display. The panel's visible clouding should not be present in this price class either. Otherwise, the screen has a very high contrast and displays colors vibrantly. When it comes to battery life and recharge speed, the unusual battery and power supply combo do their job well, though unfortunately the tablet can only be charged via the 2.5-mm charging connection. We deducted a little from the overall score for the Nokia Camera app's frequent crashes. The biggest limiting factor is still the small range of apps available in the Windows Store. As soon as this store merges with its Windows Phone counterpart this will be much improved, but compared to the competition put forward by Google or Apple, the selection will still be limited. Nevertheless, Microsoft Mobile's Lumia 2520 is a good tablet that we can easily recommend.”

“I really like a lot of what Nokia has done with the Lumia 2520, it’s a well-made, great performing tablet, with an excellent screen and really attractive price tag. Though the Surface 2 offers some more attractive options, such as the built-in kickstand, USB ports, and better and slimmer keyboard covers, I enjoyed using the 2520 much more due to its wireless connectivity and snappier performance. I didn’t have to rely on flaky coffee shop Wi-Fi, I didn’t have to nag friends and family for their Wi-Fi passwords if I was at their homes, and I didn’t have to deal with trying to tether my phone’s internet connection to the tablet. Having a fast internet connection that requires no hassle or work on my part can’t be overstated.”

“Considering the Lumia 2520 is Nokia's first Windows tablet, the company produced a strong product its first time out. Because it's so lightweight, the 2520 is easier to use in tablet mode than the Surface 2, and that stunning 665-nit display makes the experience even sweeter. Add to that long battery life, a high-quality camera and some generous pricing, and it's pretty clear Nokia did good.At the same time, Nokia didn't get everything right: A cheaper, WiFi-only version would have been nice, and the polycarbonate lid, as pretty as it is, picks up scratches a bit too easily. More than any of that, our most serious complaint has to do with the typing experience: Though the optional keyboard itself is serviceable (and adds a few extra hours of battery life), it's uncomfortable to use in the lap, making on-the-go productivity a little more difficult. If you want a tablet that can pass muster as an occasional laptop replacement, you're still better off with the Surface 2, which was redesigned specifically so that it would be easier to use in the lap. Otherwise, if you want a Windows tablet that's mainly just a tablet, the 2520 is a strong choice.”