The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is an Android tablet with a big display, a speedy processor, and one unusual feature that makes it more than a tablet – an HDMI input lets you use this 13 inch tablet as a portable monitor.

After going on sale in China earlier this year, the Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is now available in the United States. You can pick one up from Lenovo or Best Buy for $680.

While that price makes the Yoga Tab 13 one of the most expensive Android tablets available, it’s also one of the most powerful and versatile models per date.

It features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 128GB of storage. The tablet’s display is a 13 inch, 2160 x 1350 pixel LTPS screen with a 60 Hz refresh rate, 100% sRGB color gamut, support for up to 400 nits of brightness support for Dolby Vision.

Thanks to a built-in kickstand, you can set up the tablet on a flat surface and use it to watch videos or perform other hands-free tasks. And the micro HDMIU input (with HDCP 1.4 support) allows you to connect a laptop, smartphone or other device and use the Yoga Tab 13 as a second screen.

You can also flip the stand out 180 degrees and use it to hang the tablet from a hook.

Other features include four JBL speakers with Dolby Atmos audio support, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C port, WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 The tablet also has an 8GB camera plus a time of flight depth sensor, and support for an optional Lenovo Precision Pen 2 for pressure-sensitive input.

The Yoga Tab 13 measures 11.6″ x 8″ x 1″ at its thickest point (and 0.24″ at its thinnest) and weighs about 1.8 pounds. It features a black chassis with Alcantara fabric covering the back.

via TabletMonkeys

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10 replies on “Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is now available (Android tablet with Snapdragon 870 and HDMI input)”

  1. One of the most powerful and versatile tablets available… that won’t get any operating system updates and may get a year’s worth of security updates. Unless Lenovo has changed their ways or made an announcement to the contrary…

    1. Bingo!

      If this were a Chromebook tablet updated by Google themselves for 8 years, I’d be all over it. But I will not buy an Android tablet because of the short support times and the limited OS – Samsung miiiight be an exception worth considering, if they keep to their promise of 4 years of support. Maybe…

  2. It’s an interesting concept (tablet that can also act as a portable monitor), but the resolution and aspect ratio are not ideal for me as an external monitor.

    They show it connected to a Nintendo Switch, but that sounds awful considering the odd resolution and ratio.

    Personally, I would have preferred Lenovo tackle this problem from the opposite approach. Make a good portable monitor (13″ IPS, 16:9 ratio, and 144hz+), and add decent Android functionality to it. Monitor first, Android tablet second.

    1. Well, it might not be 13.3 inches, but this thing is very close at 13″. Also, it might not be 16:9 aspect ratio, but it’s as good or potentially better at 16:10.

      The only thing is it’s 60Hz, not 144Hz. For the majority of cases (+90%) this is acceptable. Remember, battery life is important. The tablet itself (ie AndroidOS) can regulate the refresh rate so that it doesn’t waste battery on low or static images. BUT you can’t do that as a passive/external screen.

      The only thing that makes me consider a change to the screen would be the resolution. Some devices won’t play well with unusual resolutions. So a flat 1080p may have been the better option. Or even bumping to 4K if they want to go the route of luxury.

  3. I’m really intrigued by this one. What I REALLY want to know though is if I can use the pen input while using it as an external monitor

    1. Extremely doubtful. I highly doubt it’s designed to also talk to the PC as a USB stylus input device while also feeding audio and video. It’s not impossible, but I doubt it was included.

      I think they would promoting this thing as a Wacom alternative if that was an included feature.

      1. Not necessarily (the promoting bit). Their portable monitor m14t has pen support but it’s not promoted as a wacom alternative in any way (I’m guessing to avoid issues with colour calibration and whatnot that wacom users would demand.

        1. That requires power from an external source, and doesn’t function as a passive screen. It uses a USB-C for the connection. It also can be used as a USB hub. It was designed purely as a new-gen external monitor.

          I think the idea of a tablet having a microHDMI port is brilliant. Display out would be great for many reasons. However, a Display-In is a very niche feature.

          I’m glad they did it, but it’s not very appealing to many people. If it was an iPad, I can see how it would be great as the mainstream would adopt many uses for it. But it’s not an iPad.

          If I were to make any alterations, it would be to make two models, a budget and a luxury. The $500 budget would be a 1920×1200 60Hz IPS display, with active pen, probably a QSD 778, 6GB RAM, 128GB and microSD slot, with only BT/Wifi. This would be a hit with the mainstream.

          The $1000 luxury model would step up to 3840×2160 at VRR-120Hz screen. QSD 888+, 12GB RAM, 256GB, microSD slot and other features. Plus it would have a SIM slot and full 5G and phone connectivity. Also a few luxury additions like NFC payments and Reverse Wireless Charging. This would be a flop in the market. But those who want high-end goods will love it since they won’t have any alternatives. Might also sell some models directly as “Developer Edition” where the bootloader is unlocked for flashing Custom ROMs, ChromeOS, a Linux Distro, or even Windows on ARM.

    2. Look into Superdisplay USB/remote display app for Android. Absolutely first rate.

      1. There’s been apps like that forever, but I think it’s very likely this one would need some specially calibrated software to transmit pen inputs to a host PC according to where it was touched when using video in.
        I know it’s tempting to see this thing as a more versatile drawing tablet replacement. You might be able to use this thing as a screenless tablet replacement, but I wouldn’t know if the many android apps for that include stylus support.
        However, in addition to the things everyone else said, I’ve heard that drawing tablets without built in screens are more ergonomic than ones that have them (better posture while using them), with desktops anyway, and they’re MUCH cheaper (heck, even many of the ones with screens are much cheaper). If I wanted to draw on a laptop or portable screen I’d probably just sell my current laptop and get a convertible.

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