Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2: First look

The Tablet 2 is a full Windows 8 tablet that is part of a modular system by Lenovo to integrate the slate into the workflow more easily. There is a desktop dock with multiple connection ports to allow popping the Tablet 2 into the slot and using at the desk. 

A typical arrangement would have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to the dock and instantly available when the tablet was docked.

The Tablet 2 is easy to use in the hands without a keyboard given its light weight. The pen takes full advantage of Windows 8 for handwriting on the screen. It is also a precise pointing device while used with the a tablet when precision is needed.

The ThinkPad Tablet 2 is $729.00 configured as reviewed. All accessories shown in this collection are not included in that price. Each of those prices are indicated on the slides that follow.

The Tablet 2 by Lenovo is slightly narrower and longer than the latest iPad from Apple. It is roughly the same weight at 1.3 lbs. and just as thin.

The Tablet 2 is part of a modular system to fully leverage the utility of the slate. This photo shows the tablet used in the Wireless Keyboard, a Bluetooth accessory that turns the Tablet 2 into a laptop on the go.

The keyboard charges via microUSB and connects wirelessly to the ThinkPad Tablet 2. In place of a trackpad, the keyboard has a trackstick-like nub in the middle of the keyboard. This nub is operated via touch and with a little practice is actually pretty good. It works in conjunction with the 3 mouse buttons on the near side of the keyboard.

The keyboard is available from Lenovo for $119.99 which is fairly expensive.

This photo shows the ThinkPad Tablet 2 used in the Wireless Keyboard, a Bluetooth accessory that turns the Tablet 2 into a laptop on the go.

The keyboard is netbook sized, which is slightly smaller than a full-size model. The chiclet keys are quite good and typing is very pleasant on this keyboard. The red nub is not a typical ThinkPad trackstick, it has a touch surface that works better than expected.

The Tablet 2 is part of a modular system to fully leverage the utility of the slate. This photo shows the Wireless Keyboard, a Bluetooth accessory that turns the Tablet 2 into a laptop on the go.

Due to the small tablet size, the keyboard is slightly smaller than a full-size model. The chiclet keys are quite good and typing is very pleasant on this keyboard.

The integrated stand above the keyboard folds up to accept the Tablet 2 in the designated slot. It holds the slate at a comfortable angle that is unfortunately not adjustable. Given the wireless nature of the keyboard it can be used like any such keyboard. It is good used with the optional desktop dock.

Lenovo offers a sleeve that can carry both the ThinkPad Tablet 2 and the wireless keyboard. It is leather-like and is a simple pocket style. The inside of the sleeve is microsuede and the case offers decent protection for the tablet. It can be used without the keyboard.

Price-- $39.99

Lenovo offers a sleeve that can carry both the ThinkPad Tablet 2 and the wireless keyboard. It is leather-like and is a simple pocket style. The inside of the sleeve is microsuede and the case offers decent protection for the tablet. It can be used without the keyboard.

This is a top-down view of the sleeve with the tablet and keyboard inside.

Price-- $39.99

The impressively named Enterprise-level Docking Station is actually a simple dock with a number of ports for connecting peripherals to the ThinkPad Tablet 2. The tablet is simply popped into the dock and all accessories are connected.

The dock ships with a power adapter that can not only charge the Tablet 2 but the Bluetooth Keyboard via USB cable. It is shown from the side in this photo with the Tablet 2 docked.

The dock is expensively priced at $99.99.

These are the various ports on the back of the dock. They include:

(Left to right)

• microUSB
• HDMI
• Audio in and audio out (2 ports)
• 2-USB 
• RJ-45
• Power

The dock is expensively priced at $99.99.

While the wireless keyboard has an integrated stand to use with the Tablet 2, it can also be used stand-alone. This photo shows the tablet in the desktop dock being used with the wireless keyboard in front.