Lenovo Tab E8 8″ Tablet – Review
In a market flooded with high-end tablets boasting cutting-edge features and hefty price tags, the Lenovo Tab E8 stands out as a budget-friendly alternative. Priced in the lower range, this 8-inch tablet caught my attention with its promise of functionality without breaking the bank. However, my initial scepticism grew as I unboxed the device and encountered some performance hiccups.
What Lenovo say:
The Lenovo Tab E8 tablet in sleek grey is a versatile device perfect for on-the-go entertainment and productivity. With an 8-inch HD display, it offers crisp visuals for browsing, streaming, and gaming. Powered by a quad-core processor, it ensures smooth performance. This tablet also features dual front-facing speakers for immersive audio. Its lightweight and compact design makes it an ideal choice for portable computing, while the ample battery life keeps you connected all day.
Capable
The first impression of the Lenovo Tab E8 was marred by a seemingly clunky performance. Booting up the tablet and attempting to access essential apps like Gmail, YouTube, and the Play Store left me questioning the efficiency of its processor. The responsiveness was less than optimal, and in a world where we crave instant gratification, this initial experience was a bit underwhelming.
Fortunately, as I persisted and managed to load up the apps, the tablet seemed to settle down. Gmail now runs smoothly, and YouTube, while functional, exhibited occasional low-resolution video quality issues that left me scratching my head. Despite these minor glitches, the tablet proved capable of delivering the basic functionalities expected from an entry-level device.
Technical Info:
- Android 12 Go installed
- HD screen – for great picture quality
- 32GB of storage with up to 8 hours battery life
- 5MP rear camera & 2MP front camera
- 3GB of RAM easily handles light multitasking
Convenience and capability
When it comes to audio, the Lenovo Tab E8 brings stereo sound when held horizontally. While the bass leaves room for improvement, the volume is sufficiently loud for a tablet in this price range, and the overall sound quality is pretty good. It’s a decent compromise for users who prioritise cost-effectiveness over audiophile-grade sound.
One of the tablet’s notable strengths lies in its battery life. The combination of a less powerful processor and, perhaps, a darker display contributes to its good battery performance. This lets you get a decent run at what you want and need to do, without rushing around for a charger and charging point sooner than you’d wished.
Design-wise, the Lenovo Tab E8 is constructed with plastic. The inclusion of a USB-C port and a standard headphone jack offers convenience and compatibility with various peripherals. The cameras, with resolutions of 2 and 5 megapixels, deliver functionality for casual photography or video calls. The tablet’s slim profile at 8.9mm and a weight of 320g is quite nice and makes it easy to handle and carry around.
The Verdict
In summary, the Lenovo Tab E8 proves to be a commendable entry-level tablet. It’s a nice piece of kit, especially given its affordability. While the initial clunkiness may raise eyebrows, the tablet’s performance stabilizes after the initial setup hurdles. In my household, it’s found a place as the ‘family’ tablet, residing in the lounge for quick internet searches and checking TV schedules, and it serves as a reliable companion for short journeys in the car. As we approach the holiday season, it’s set to come along to family gatherings, proving its worth as a functional and cost-effective device for everyday tasks.
If you can overlook the occasional performance blips and prioritise budget-friendly options, the Lenovo Tab E8 could be a suitable choice for your tablet needs.
Available from AO.com. RRP: £129
