Lenovo is adding a budget tablet to its lineup. The company already offers the 10 inch IdeaPad K1 Android tablet for consumers, a ThinkPad Tablet for professionals, and plans to launch the IdeaPad P1 Windows tablet soon. Now the company is adding a 7 inch model called the IdeaPad A1 to the mix.

Not only is the A1 smaller than Lenovo’s other tablets, it’s also cheaper. In fact, the Lenovo IdeaPad A1 will be one of the least expensive tablets from any major computer maker when it hits the streets in late September. Lenovo plans to offer the tablet for $199 and up.

As you may have guessed, the company made some tradeoffs to keep the price low. It doesn’t have the same processor, screen resolution, or other specs as the IdeaPad K1. The smaller tablet also runs Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread instead of Android 3.2 Honeycomb.

But that said, it actually looks like a pretty good device for the price. Here are some of the key specifications:

  • 7 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display
  • Capacitive touchscreen with support for 2-finger multitouch input
  • 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor
  • Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system
  • Support for the Android Market and Lenovo’s app store
  • GPS which works whether you have an internet connection or not
  • G-sensor
  • Front and rear cameras
  • WiFi and Bluetooth
  • Up to 32GB of storage.
  • Black, white, pink, and blue color options
  • Magnesium alloy case

The Lenovo IdeaPad A1 measures about 0.5 inches thick and weighs about 0.9 pounds. It also includes some custom software including a widget that you can place in the center of your home screen for quick access to frequently used applications, and Lenovo’s SocialTouch app for connecting to your social networks.

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15 replies on “Lenovo introduces a 7 inch, $199 Android tablet”

  1. It’s all about the screen.  Either the screen is good and this is a decent product,or they cut corners with it, and it’ll be crap.  2 finger capacitive multi-touch isn’t necessarily a good sign, since that’s a short cut in and of itself, although one not related to the visual quality of the screen.

    We’ll see when they actually come to market.  Until then I’m curbing my enthusiasm.

    +1 GPS, -20 1ghz single core A8, my phone is better.

    1. Oh just noticed the magnesium case.  At least if it sucks you can light it on fire!  +10 for that.

  2. We’ll have to wait to see how good the screen is. Plus: It has GPS! (the one thing I really with the Nook Color had). The G-sensor might be an accelerometer.

  3. The main concern is the screen. At this low price point, it’ll more likely than not to have a TN LCD with bad viewing angles, like the Acer A100.

    BTW, specs wise it’s very similar to the B&N Nook Color. Points for the NC is that it has an IPS display, already has Cyanogen support, and is easily found today for under $200. Reportedly, the Lenovo will only show up in the US at $249 (16GB).

    Bottom line: If you want a good low-end 7″, the NC is already here, is cheaper, and likely better.

    1. I’m sure there will be a custom rom for rit shortly after release.

      1. Actually Android 3.2 supports 7 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel displays. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s the processor that’s holding this little guy back from official Honeycomb support. 

      2. I agree with Brad, the one thing all the honeycomb tabs have in common is more powerful chips, be they single core 1.5ghz or dualies.

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