At the start of 2018 I began an experiment to see if, as a connected traveller, I could make the full-time switch from notebook to tablet!
All was going well in my ‘iPad Pro only world’ until #CES2018 where Lenovo made an announcement, reached my Top 5 CES Travel Tech list, and left me eager for more!
Lenovo Miix 630
Despite being launched during CES, I was unable to get any hands-on time with the Miix 630, instead I just admired it from afar! However, a month later Lenovo kindly hosted me at #MWC2018 in Barcelona to show off, not only their rather impressive Yoga 730 but also, the Miix 630.
The device is labelled as a 2-in-1 detachable as it can be used in Notebook or Tablet forms, but given the included accessories and, rumored, aggressive entry price; the Miix 630 could be the markets new All-in-One machine!
Features
For travellers, the Lenovo Miix 630 might just be the best portable solution for staying connected, as it offers a near perfect notebook and tablet experience! Out of the box, it includes the Keyboard cover AND the Lenovo Digital Pen. Both are considered expensive optional extras for the Miix’s nearest competitors!
The keyboard is full-sized, backlit and adjustable to suit your typing angle. The keys felt responsive and did not give the impression I was using a cover to type on. When not in use, it will lay flat against the display for protection. There is no lump or bump and doesn’t increase the thickness notably to cause any packing issues.
One of the features that caught my eye was the reported 20 hour battery life! All of us have been caught short on power at one time or another, and the Miix 630 hopes to resolve this. Lenovo achieved such longevity thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 835 processor.
Benchmarked using the same standards as they test their ThinkPad and Yoga models, the Miix 630 performed exceedingly well, and if it does deliver anywhere near the 20 hours under normal use, it will be a travellers dream!
And battery life is important to the Miix because it delivers an “always on” experience. With a nano-sim card slot, and a data plan (purchased separately) the Miix 630 will remain connected when you are on the move. Put it in sleep mode and not only does it conserve power, but it can continue to sync emails and notifications ready for you, and a quick start, when you open it up.
To achieve this, the Miix 630 has Windows 10 S as its base operating system which is somewhere in between a dedicated mobile OS and a dedicated, full fat, desktop OS. For some this could be an issue though. The Windows 10 S OS is fairly restrictive on what you can install. Similar to an Apple iOS device, you can only install apps from the Windows store, where most Microsoft desktop users are used to installing what they like!
As an alternative, Lenovo have indicated there will be an option to upgrade, for free, to Windows 10 Pro with the first 180 days of activation!
In tablet mode, the Miix does feel slightly heavier than other tablets of the same size and this is due to the increased battery capacity, but this works to Lenovo’s advantage!
The finish of the casing and weight makes for a very premium feel to the Miix when handled as a tablet. For my liking, the bezel around the IPS touchscreen display was a bit to thick, but without it, Lenovo would not have been able to provide the full size keyboard. That’s a sacrifice I can live with!
Specifications
The success of the Miix 630 will come down to the battery life and the user experience with Windows 10 S. If the OS upgrade option does materialise after launch I can see this attracting more traditional Windows users over to this mobile solution.
If closed, open in laptop or in hand as a tablet, the Miix 630 looks, and feels, great. The demo version I used functioned well, even when connected to a conference WiFi network!
- Dimension – 210 x 293 x 7.3 mm (without case)
- Weight – 620g (without case)
- Colour – Iron Grey
- 12.3″ WUXGA+ 400nits Multi-Touch Display
- Connectivity – Bluetooth 4.1 LTE & WiFi 802.11 ac
- Audio – 2 x 1W Speakers (on tablet)
- 128GB Storage + MicroSD Card Slot
- 4GB Memory
- Main 13MP + Front Facing 5MP Cameras
Price
The Miix 630 is due to be released sometime during the 2nd Quarter of 2018, and could be as soon as April. The price will be $799. You can sign up here to be notified when the launch date is confirmed.
Nice one, great review