Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2: Super-Long Battery Life

Microsoft's new Surface Pro tablet computer has taken a lot of flak in recent weeks. One big complaint about the device: its battery life is too short. If you're looking for a tablet computer with a long battery life, then it might be worth checking out Lenovo's new ThinkPad Tablet 2.

Like the Surface Pro, the new Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 uses Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system. Also like the Surface Pro, it offers a 64GB solid state drive for storage and a separate Bluetooth keyboard, which can be purchased for $120.

However, that's where the similarities between the two devices end. So, what sets this device apart from Microsoft's offering?

ThinkPad Tablet 2: Lower Specs, Better Battery

The 10.1-inch ThinkPad Tablet 2 uses a less powerful Intel Atom processor -- the same type of chip that powered netbooks. The ThinkPad Tablet 2 also lacks USB 3.0 support, which some consumers might find troublesome.

However, the Lenovo slate makes up for just average processing power with an extremely long-lasting battery. Lenovo says the device will last up to ten hours before requiring a recharge -- that's about twice as long as the Surface Pro will go before needing to be plugged in.

For on-the-go people without the time to sit and wait for a re-charge, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 will be very appealing. (Source: cnet.com)

And there are other things going for the ThinkPad Tablet 2: like ThinkPad laptop computers, it feels sturdy and well-built. It weighs only 1.4 pounds and comes with a stylus pen that makes navigating Windows 8 very easy.

There's also front- and back-mounted cameras and users get access to a number of useful dedicated applications, including Netflix. (Source: engadget.com)

In comparison to a number of other tablet manufacturers, Lenovo also skimped on the 'bloatware,' which means pre-installed third-party apps won't slow down performance.

Accessories Quickly Add Up

Lenovo has made a plethora of accessories available for the device, including a $100 dock that adds three USB ports and an Ethernet connection.

The only major drawback is the price: $670 to start. Most users will feel obligated to purchase the $120 Bluetooth keyboard and the $100 dock, bringing the overall price up to roughly $900. That's on par with Microsoft's 64GB Surface tablet.

And so the question becomes this: do you want a Windows 8 tablet that's blazing fast, or one with 10-hour battery life?