Nokia is all set to enter into the tablet market with their first tablet, Lumia 2520. It’s also the first tablet featuring Windows 8.1 so it will be very interesting to see how Nokia managed to present the new operating system in its own tablet right after the release of Microsoft’s own Surface 2. The tablet comes with built-in LTE feature which keeps the Nokia’s Lumia 2520 ahead of Microsoft’s Surface 2as the Microsoft’s tablet doesn’t even has any LTE option. Let’s see what more the first Nokia tablet has to offer.
Design
The Lumia 2520 looks like a stretched version of Nokia’s phablet 1520 with a big 10.1-inch screen. The tablet is available in four different colors, black, white, blue and red. However, the red version is currently Verizon-only. The design of Lumia 2520 is completely opposite of the Surface 2. Its eye-catching design looks very attractive and warm comparing to the cold Surface 2’s design. Moreover, it’s also easy to hold because of its round edges and plastic body which also works as a fingerprint magnet.
There is a covered port for microSIM, place for microSD memory card, microUSB 3.0 and microHDMI ports, power/lock and volume keys, a keyboard dock and charging port. It can be disturbing to carry an extra cable just for charging but it does make sure that you get 80 per cent charge in an hour which is really amazing.
Hardware
The 10.1-inch tablet offers full 1080P HD resolution with 218 pixels per inch. Its 2.2GHz quad-core processor makes sure you get to enjoy HD movies or games easily without any lagging. You can browse through apps and open one smoothly. The main camera comes with 6.7megapixel and ZEISS optics feature while the front one offers 1.2-megapixel. Other notable features are: Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.2GHz, 32GB memory, built-in LTE, 2GB RAM, microSD supports expending memory upto 64GB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and 8120 mAh battery capacity that ensures maximum 25 days standby time.
Software
Windows RT 8.1 is a god operating system for tablets and Nokia managed to prove that in the Lumia 2520. Most of their smartphones are already running Windows Phone 8 but this is the first tablet from this company that offers tablet-focused Windows 8.1. The OS looks similar to Windows Phone 8 so if you own a Nokia phone, you might find the tablet easy to use. However, very little is shared between the two operating systems. Running two apps side by side is one of the most popular features of Windows and it works just fine on the Lumia tablet. The optional power cover offers extra battery life but you can use it just fine without the extra power.
Another attractive thing and feature of this tablet is, it comes with preloaded Microsoft Office Suite to make sure you get to continue your productivity on the run. The power keyboard is not available yet and this optional keyboard will cost $149. The full HD display looks clear outside as mentioned in the specs and you can watch videos when using it outdoors without worrying about sound because of its good stereo speakers. Microsoft’s Marketplace is nothing like Apple Appstore or Android’s Playstore but you will see most of the popular apps there. Overall, the software experience is also satisfying like it’s hardware part.
Overall, the Lumia 2520 is a great tablet with fast performance, top-notch display, built-in LTE and a reasonable price. The tablet shows what Windows RT 8.1 really has to offer and is also lighter than Microsoft’s own Surface 2. You can surely think about giving this tablet a try if you are looking forward to buy one this holiday season.