Lenovo IdeaTab S6000 10.1″ Android Tablet Review

A Closer Look

The easiest way to visualise the dimensions of the IdeaTab S6000 is to place it beside one of the most well know tablets on the market – the iPad Air. Over the iPad, the S6000 is slightly wider and longer, measuring in at 26cm long and 18cm wide (2cm longer and just over 1cm wider than the Air). The S6000 is also just under 90 heavier than the Air, so even though it may feel bigger if you’re used to the iPad, it won’t feel that much different in terms of weight.

Whilst the S6000 may be notably longer and wider than the Air, it is only a fraction over 1mm thicker, which to me is virtually noting to feel sad over.

Now when we are looking at a tablet and in the same way we all focus on our phones, the screen is the core component which attracts many users to a particular device. It is all and well in having a fantastic unit in all other areas, but if the screen is not up to the job, then potential buyers are likely to be deterred. For the S6000, Lenovo have incorporated a 10.1″ IPS panel into the body and with a resolution of 1280×800 and on the upper edge (with the tablet in landscape mode) there is a small 0.3MP front facing camera.

Around the rest of the tablet, on the upper edge of the tablet, to the left of the front camera is a 3.5mm stereo headphone and mic combo port and a power come screen lock button which virtually all smartphone or tablet users will be used to.

On the end of the tablet we find a little more going on with volume controls, micro-HDMI port for connection to a MHL-HDMI capable monitor, micro-SD card slot and a micro-USB port for charging. The USB port also supports USB-OTG (On The Go) connectivity to plug-in a compatible flash drive for extra storage or easy sharing of files to a USB flash drive.

Turning the IdeaTab over and having a look at the back, we find that Lenovo have given the S6000 an all-plastic body which helps to keep the weight down, but the trade-off here is that the tablet doesn’t feel as rigid so some of the more premium units with metal frames that are available on the market. The thick band that runs across the main bulk of the case has a nice textured finish to it and in the middle of this is another Lenovo logo. At the bottom of the unit is two clear stickers with the S6000’s serial number and the other with a number of logos to show that the tablet conforms to a number of set regulatory standards.

Also on the rear of the chassis we get a second camera, this time with a 5MP resolution, although no flash is present so don’t expect things to work out so good when the light level gets low. Next to the camera is one of two tiny speakers which do give a reasonable level of volume, although with this unit being aimed towards the entry to mid level end of the market, don’t expect any all-round clarity here.