Android Gamer: Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 8-inch design and hardware: smaller is better

Lenovo has been around the block more than once when it comes to tablets. Much of the company’s focus has been on large, media-centric tablets, such as the 10-inch Yoga Tablet 2 or even the monstrous 13-inch Yoga Tablet 2 Pro. But the company has also worked on smaller 8-inch tablets, its latest offering being the Yoga Tablet 2 8-inch. While media is still a focus, portability become a larger factor at the smaller size.

The design of the Yoga Tablet 2 8-inch is identical to the Yoga Tablet 2 10-inch; it’s just been shrunk by two inches. That’s certainly not a bad thing, as we’ve loved the design of previous Yoga tablets. The iconic kickstand remains on the bottom of the device and allows the tablet to be used in four different positions, including hanging it by using the hole in the kickstand.

Flanking the kickstand are two stereo speakers, which output a surprising amount of sound even if they are lacking in bass. The ends of the kickstand are repurposed to include a power button on the left end and a headphone jack on the right side. To the right of the kickstand’s rear is its camera. The right edge of the device contains the microUSB charging port as well as the volume rocker. While the kickstand and sides are made of aluminum, the rest of the back is made of plastic to cut costs and, more importantly, weight.

The front of the Yoga Tablet 2 8-inch is plain and simple: a slab of black glass with a camera located on the left (or top, depending on how you hold it) side of the display. Powering the device on reveals an 8-inch display with a resolution of 1920×1200. Other Lenovo devices I’ve reviewed have had problems with discoloration, light bleed and pixelation, but I’m happy to report that none of these problems exist on the Yoga Tablet 2 8-inch. The display is colorful and bright without any sign of jagged edges. Blacks are nice and dark for an IPS display, and the light bleed that was present on previous models isn’t here. Whites are quite white, though maybe a tad warm. Colors are fairly good, although they are a bit oversaturated. Nonetheless, the display is pleasant and easy to look at, making for a great multi-media experience.

One thing to be noted is the weight and feel of the device in the hand. Holding the Yoga Tablet 2 8-inch is far more pleasant than holding its 10-inch brother. The device is surprisingly light for being made of metal and having a bulky kickstand. While the weight distribution is uneven because of that kickstand, it makes the kickstand act as a natural grip when holding the device. All in all, the Yoga Tablet 2 8-inch is pleasant to hold and carry around, making it great for portability as long as you’re not going to try and fit it into any tight spaces.

With the Yoga Tablet 2 8-inch, Lenovo has a very well-designed tablet on its hands. Its design remains innovative and useful and its small size benefits portability. The screen is bright and vivid, with no signs of any glaring problems. For those looking for a small tablet that’s useful for both consuming media and productivity, the Lenovo Yoga Tabelt 2 8-inch could be a great option.