TakeFive

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January 25, 2014
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January 25, 2014
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TakeFive's Reviews

Lenovo - Miix 2 8 - 32GB - Silver

Lenovo IdeaTab Miix 2 8 Tablet: A tablet experience featuring an easy-to-navigate interface and all the right tools to be productive. Accomplish tasks on the go with Microsoft Office. And when it's time to play, kick back and surf the Web, watch a movie or read a book.

Bright screen and internal GPS make this stand out

Customer Rating

5.0

Posted by: TakeFive

from Philadelphia area

on January 25, 2014

Ease of Use

5.0

Features

5.0

What's great about it: Sleek design, GPS, bright screen

What's not so great: Weak audio

I've had the Miix 2 8" for two weeks, and it's definitely a keeper for me. I plan to use this for a different purpose than many of you. I need to mount this in my sailboat for use as a navigation tool (chartplotter) by the steering wheel. I've interfaced it to my boat's instruments using Bluetooth, and all the marine software that I use is written for Windows. So I have a special requirement for a Windows tablet (not Android or iOS) with an extremely bright display for daylight viewability, which this tablet excels at better than all the Windows 8 competitors out there right now. Also, this tablet has a built-in GPS, which makes it perfect for navigation. Most Windows tablets out there right now do not have GPS (though I'm sure they'll become more common over time). A quick note of warning - Windows 8.1 supports tablets with internal GPS chips in a way that only works with Metro apps, not with legacy desktop programs that expect to see the GPS on a COM port or TCP port. But there are free and low-cost programs available that will take the internal Metro GPS and emulate a COM port and/or TCP port, so you can use your old programs with it.

For me, the screen brightness and GPS are the two features that make the Miix2 8" stand out over the other 8" tablets from Dell, Asus, and the others. Those features may not be that important to you, but if they are, this tablet deserves a long, hard look.

The only significant weakness is the low audio volume, but that can be addressed with headphones or external speakers. I plan to get some Bluetooth speakers for use on my boat. The other weakness for some is the bright display. Some have complained that its minimum setting is too high to use in a dark room. Not a problem for me, but maybe it is for you.

Let me also dispel a few myths that are out there:

Myth 1: The Miix2 does not have a GPS. NOT TRUE. It definitely has one. It shows up in Device Manager, works with Metro apps, and works with my legacy PC software when running "Geolocation TCP" freeware. (Google it.)

Myth 2: Because there is only one microUSB port, "it is impossible" charge the device while it's connected to an external device. (Stated in several magazine reviews.) NOT TRUE. You just need a little creativity and a few adapter cables. You need a USB Y-adapter (two Type A plugs at one end, one Mini B plug at the other end) like those used for many portable hard drives, and also a USB adapter with micro B plug on one end and Type A female receptacle at the other end. Plug the power-only USB plug (often colored red or marked "Power only") into the Miix's power cube (or similar 2-amp USB power supply). Plug the other type A plug into the Miix using the micro adapter. Now plug the Mini B plug into a USB 2.0 hub and you have multiple USB ports while the Miix charges that you can plug in mice, keyboards, thumb drives, or another SD card reader. All the required parts are available at Amazon or DX for a few dollars each. I had them all lying around from other old computers.

Myth 3: 32 GB is not enough space. NOT TRUE (maybe). Everyone's need are different, but the first thing I did was put in a 32GB microSD card. I keep it in the microSD slot all the time, and I put everything I can on it, leaving the internal memory free for stuff that can only be installed there. It is true that there is only about 10 GB of available space on the 32 GB tablet, but 7 GB of that is contained on two recovery partitions that can be moved to an external drive, so you can get some of it back. If you need more, spend the extra $$ for the 64 GB version. But I got the 32GB because it was on sale for $100 less than the 64 GB version.

Myth 4: Windows 8.1 sucks because there is no start menu. NOT TRUE. Just install Classic Shell and be done with it. With Classic Shell, it can works just like Windows 7 for PC apps, and you can always switch over to Metro apps for things that a tablet does best.

The Miix2 is not meant to be your primary PC, but if you need a portable 8" Windows tablet for under $300, this is a great one to consider.

This product is... responsive touch screen, Variety of apps available, A nice compact size, Sharp graphics, Comfortable to hold

About me... Budget Conscious, Parent with kids, Technology guru, Business Professional

I would recommend this to a friend!

+30points

30out of 30found this review helpful.

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TakeFive's Answers

Lenovo - Miix 2 8 - 32GB - Silver

Is Microsoft ofiice paid for with the tablet or do I have to purchae it seperatly?

Best Answer

You need an activation code, which Lenovo provides on a sheet of paper in the box. You just need to look for it. You don't have to buy anything.

10 years, 3 months ago

Posted by:

TakeFive

from

Philadelphia area