It is a happy
outcome that there are dozens of Android tablets for schools to choose from,
rather than a pair of basic iPadn slate designs. Unfortunately, it’s been my
experience that no two Android Tablets are alike, producing an embarrassment of
riches.
Choosing the
right one is more than a bit complicated. Take Lenovo’s IdeaPad S2110 and
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1. Both are prime 10.1-inch tablet contenders for the
classroom that share the same basic layout. Under the skin, they couldn’t be
more different.
Based on the
same version of Android software, they both have 10.1-inch screens, but the
Galaxy Note is a high-performance screamer that has some slick school-centric software.
It might prove to be too expensive for schools, though. Meanwhile, the S2110
may not be as fast, but it has a snap-on keyboard that can also extend its
battery life to several days of typical schoolwork. Together, the slate and
keyboard cost roughly what the Galaxy Note does on its own.
Decisions,
decisions. Both are A students that will add to any teacher’s abilities in the
classroom, from Web research or an English grammar seminar to a chemistry lab.
Which you get depends as much on your budget as much as what you plan to use
these slates for.
Lenovo IdeaPad S2110
Like so many
of the latest Android tablets, Lenovo’s IdeaPad S2110 is two (or more) devices
in one. On its own it is a competent slate for classroom use, but snap on its
keyboard and it becomes the equivalent of a netbook for typing, Web journeys
and general schoolwork.
At 1.3 pounds
and 0.4- by 10.2- by 6.8-inches, the S2110 is among the thinnest and lightest
10.1-inch tablets around and undercuts the Galaxy Note 10.1 by 3 ounces and a
tenth of an inch here and there. Plus, I prefer the textured back of the S2110
over the smooth Galaxy Note 10.1’s back.
It has a
flush screen that can display 1,280 by 800 resolution images, respond to up to
10 finger inputs and work with gestures, like pinching the screen to zoom. On
the downside, it lacks a stylus, like the one on the Galaxy Note. It worked
fine with a Wacom Bamboo pen.
The S2110 is
in a class by itself with micro-USB and HDMI ports, compared to the no-port
approach that Samsung took with the Galaxy Note. This means that it’s easy to
plug it into a PC or use with a projector.
While it is
fine on its own and sits flat on a desktop without a hint of wobble, the S2110
really comes into its own with the snap-on keyboard. As the slate is inserted
into the keyboard base it reassuringly locks into place; there’s a mechanical
button to release it.
The screen is
hinged and can go from being closed to sitting at up to a 45-degree angle, but
as you rotate the display, it raises the front of the keyboard and like other
similar systems, the S2110 tends to tip over if you start using your fingers to
move tiles, draw or tap on things.
Together, the
pair have everything you’d expect, from 17mm keys to a touchpad for maneuvering
the pointer. It really is the equivalent of a small notebook with 2 extra USB 2.0 ports. The whole thing weighs a
svelte 2.6-pounds.
Based on
Android 4.0 software, the S2110 has a pair of cameras: a 1.3-megapixel cam for
doing video chats and a 5-megapixel in the back for taking snapshots or
recording HD video. Along with a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core
processor, the system comes with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of flash storage space. It
has a 32GB microSD card slot for increasing storage by up to 32GB.
That’s a
couple steps down from the Galaxy Note’s 2GB of RAM and quad-core processor,
although the S2110 runs 100MHz faster. Its on-screen keyboard is easy to get
used to and has audio feedback for when keys are touched.
It all adds
up to a reliable system that won’t set any performance records, but will
satisfy just about any in-class need. It scored a 6,939 overall on the Antutu Benchmark
tests, well off the blistering pace set by the Galaxy Note. To no surprise, the
biggest difference between the two was that the S2110’s dual core processor was
less than half as capable as the Galaxy Note’s.
As far as
battery life goes, the S2110 ran for 6 hours and 48 minutes playing online
videos on a charge by itself, just enough to get it through a full day of use,
but two hours short of the Galaxy Note’s run time. With the keyboard in place,
that rises to 13 hours a 10 minutes, making it the long distance champ and
capable of being used for a few days at a time without a recharge.
While the
S2110 comes with a good mix of software, it lacks the Galaxy Note’s ability to
run split screen and turn scribbles into math formulas. Still, the S2110 with its
keyboard dock has a list price of around $500. If you shop around, it can be
had for closer to $430, making it the IdeaPad S2110 is the best buy among
Android tablets today.
A
Lenovo IdeaPad S2110
Price, slate and keyboard, $430
+ Inexpensive
+ Snap-on keyboard has own battery
+ Battery life
+ Thin and light
- Lacks stylus
- 1GB RAM
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
The Galaxy
Note 10.1 is a curious device in that for every step forward is takes, there’s
a half step backwards. Yes, it has a great pressure sensitive stylus and great
software, but it’s a little clunky, like other Samsung tablets, it lacks any
ports and requires getting the dock. More to the point, its price can put it
out of reach of many districts.
To start, it
is bigger and heavier than the S2110, but only by a little at 0.4- by 10.3- by
7.3-inches and 1.4-pounds. It has a similar 10.1-inch display that can respond
to 10 individual finger inputs, handle gesutres and can show 1,280 by 800
resolution. Along the bottom of the device is Samsung’s slide out S-Pen stylus
that has a square profile, is pressure sensitive and can simulate a variety of
brushes and pen points so that artwork takes on new creativity. It comes with a
copy of Photoshop Touch and Kno’s excellent digital textbooks.
The slate is
powered by Samsung’s 1.4GHz Exynos quad-core processor that while slightly
slower than the S2110’s dual-core chip, is much more powerful overall. It came
with 2GB of RAM and 16 GB of flash capacity for storing material. There’s a
slightly higher resolution 1.9-megapixel face cam as well as a 5-megapixel
camera in the back of the device.
As is the
case with the S2110, the Galaxy Note comes with Android 4.0 software, but adds
a slew of Samsung apps. My favorite is the one that lets you divide the screen
into two halves and go between them. It is so useful that it is sure to be
copied by others. The slate also has innovative software for taking notes and
writing math formulas.
I really like
that the on-screen keyboard has audio feedback that makes it quick and easy to
get the hang of. It, however, lacks the S2110’s snap-on mechanical keyboard
that can speed up typing.
Like the S2110, it can sit flat on a tabletop, but
doesn’t come with a keyboard dock. While the Galaxy Note has a micro-SD card
reader for boosting its storage by 32GB, it has no other connections available.
There’s an $80 keyboard dock that includes connections for audio as well as a
smaller $35 Multi-Media dock that offers audio and HDMI to drive a projector.
As far as
performance goes, the Galaxy Note blew the doors off of the S2110, with a score
of 12,454 on Antutu’s benchmark suite of tests. That’s nearly double the
performance potential of the Lenovo tablet and opens new vistas for school
slates. It was able to run for 8 hours and 50 minutes while playing online
videos continuously, two hours longer than the S2110 on its own, but lacks a
self-powered dock that could have added extra run time.
All told, the
Galaxy Note 10.1 is a slate that doesn’t compromise on performance, battery
life or creativity, but at $500 – more than the S2110 with its keyboard – it’s
a tough sell for cash-strapped schools these days.
A
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Price: $500
+ High performance
+ Excellent software
+ Stylus
+ Good battery life
- Expensive
- No ports
- Requires dock for projector use
