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The quest for a single device continues as we approach 2015. Working professionals are the primary target of manufacturers such as Apple and Lenovo. Professionals, such as myself, are in need of one device for applications including Microsoft Office. There are several options to choose from, which puts us working professionals in a challenging position. How do we find one device that can handle complex spreadsheets, allow us to produce presentations, manage work documents, and have the power to churn through multiple gigabyte-sized Outlook .PST files? The Lenovo Miix 2 10 is another attempt for a similar level of productivity, yet with the flexibility of a pure tablet. After several weeks with this device, having ran it through the ringer at work, I believe the Miix 2 10 is not a laptop replacement, but an excellent addition to a professional’s arsenal of productivity tools.
Overview
The Miix 2 10 is yet another creative attempt by Lenovo to provide new options to consumers. It’s powered by Windows 8.1 Pro, not RT, and comes with a dock-able keyboard that is designed
Business Environment
Windows is still the predominate operating system in business. And with that comes familiarity for the end user, lower cost of support for the IT department, and software compatibility and security. Could a company survive on Android or Apple’s OS X? Certainly. But few are willing to take that chance. Unless you work for a smaller company (roughly 100 employees) you won’t have much influence over your equipment. Most likely, you will be issued a leased laptop with middle-of-the-road specifications. Compound work-required security software and other services, and suddenly your laptop is running at slug speed, not the rabbit that Intel i5 Pro sticker will lead you to believe. If you decide to use your own device for productivity, keep in mind you will need to synchronize your files with your work environment. If you use Office for iOS or Android, you’ll maintain file integrity, but likely will need to setup a sync solution to move data unless you’re comfortable with Dropbox or emailing files to yourself. Particularly with iOS, there is a challenge in managing files: there is no native file manager. This is why Microsoft have invested in the Surface line of hybrids. If one device can rule them all, it should be Windows-powered.
What Professionals Need
Technical Specifications
DESCRIPTION | LENOVO MIIX 2 (10 INCH) |
---|---|
Processor |
Intel® Atom™ Z3740 Processor Quad Core (1.33GHz, 2MB)
|
Operating System |
Windows 8.1 32
|
Productivity Software |
Office Home & Student 2013
|
Graphics |
Integrated graphics
|
Memory |
2GB LPDDR3 1066 MHz (on board)
|
Webcam |
720p HD 2.0M front and 5M rear cameras
|
Storage |
|
Audio |
Integrated JBL®-designed stereo speakers (on tablet) and subwoofer (on keyboard-dock)
|
Battery |
Up to 8 hours (WiFi browsing)
|
Display |
10.1″ Full HD display (1920 x 1200) with 10-point touch and 178o wide-viewing angle
|
Dimensions (W x D x H) |
|
Weight |
1.27 lbs
|
Thickness |
Up to 0.3″ thick with a soft-touch rear cover
|
Bluetooth® |
Integrated Bluetooth® 4.0, 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi
|
Connectors |
|
Look and Feel
The Miix 2 10 is eye catching. In the brief time I’ve had with it, I’ve taken it on flights, car rides and used it in several internal and external meetings. I love that I can carry it around in casual settings as well.
Display
The display measures 10.1″ and has a resolution of 1920 x 1200 in a 16:10 aspect ratio. Due to a thick black bezel that surrounds the screen, it looks small and low-tech. Once you get passed that and focus on the images, it’s a nice screen. I do wish it were brighter, particularly when standing and working in docked mode, due to the fixed viewing angle.
Performance
The hybrid is powered by an Intel Atom Z3740, quad-core processor. It was designed to consume minimal power, not to impress on benchmarks. From a business-use perspective, I’m impressed! I’m constantly using the following applications: Mail, Calendar, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Transitioning between applications is not very fast, but once I’m in the application it performs well. And I don’t mean, “for a tablet.”
Battery Life
At minimum screen brightness and WiFi disabled, I managed to squeeze 7 hours and 40 minutes with the tablet docked. Without the dock, I got another 50 minutes of life. These tests were conducted with no activity on the device. Without a controlled environment, this is a challenging task. In my day-to-day activities, which include docked and undocked time, constant WiFi and maximum brightness, I got roughly 4 hours of use from the Miix 2 10 having tested it several times.
Conclusion
Of all the devices I researched, nothing stood out more than the Microsoft Surface 2. But I didn’t want to spend $700-$900 knowing I wouldn’t be able to walk away from my work-supplied laptop and fully dedicate myself to the hybrid. The pricing variance between the Miix 2 10 and the Surface 2 was so great that I could justify a companion device, instead of a true laptop replacement. Overall, I’m happy with the performance and feel of the Miix, but do wish the viewing angle were not fixed. At $350, with the keyboard, this is an excellent value.