Lenovo Tab M11 Review: The Best Budget Tablet of 2024? I don’t think so

Tablets have carved out a niche as versatile devices that bridge the gap between smartphones and laptops. Among the plethora of options available, the Lenovo Tab M11 emerges as a noteworthy contender, particularly for those in the market for a device that balances functionality with affordability. Announced at CES 2024, this mid-range tablet is designed with a specific audience in mind: students and individuals seeking a reliable tool for education, productivity, and casual entertainment. With its competitive pricing—180$ for the bundle including the Tab Pen—Lenovo aims to offer a full package without breaking the bank.

As we delve into this review, we’ll explore the nuances of the Lenovo Tab M11, from its design and display to its performance and battery life, alongside the software enhancements and productivity features that set it apart. The question at the heart of our exploration is straightforward yet complex: How good is the Lenovo Tab M11, especially when measured against the diverse needs and the competitive market of mid-range tablets?

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Lenovo Tab M11 exudes a minimalist yet sophisticated charm. The unibody aluminum design not only imparts a premium feel but also contributes to the device’s durability, making it more resistant to the wear and tear of daily use. The choice of materials and the matte finish on the back help provide a secure grip, reducing the likelihood of accidental drops. The tablet’s dimensions are thoughtfully balanced to ensure it remains lightweight and comfortable to hold for extended periods. This balance between weight and solidity is a critical aspect often overlooked in this segment, where devices can feel either too hefty or uncomfortably light.

The Tab M11’s layout of physical buttons and ports is both intuitive and functional. The volume rocker and power button are conveniently placed for easy access, offering tactile feedback that is neither too stiff nor too soft. The inclusion of a quad-speaker setup is a pleasant surprise, promising an immersive audio experience often sacrificed in budget-friendly models. The positioning of speakers on both the top and bottom edges ensures that sound is not muffled when the tablet is held in landscape mode, enhancing the viewing experience during media consumption or video calls.

One of the standout features of the Tab M11 is its SD card tray, supporting up to 1TB of expandable storage. However, the absence of a magnetic attachment for the Tab Pen is a noticeable shortfall, the lack of a simple magnetic docking solution feels like a missed opportunity to elevate the user experience.

The front of the device is dominated by an 11-inch IPS LCD, framed by bezels that strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality. While thinner bezels are often sought after for a more modern look, the Tab M11’s slightly thicker bezels provide ample space for a comfortable grip without accidental touches, a practical consideration for a device designed for varied use cases.

Display

The display is often the centerpiece of any tablet experience, serving as the window through which all content is consumed and interacted with. The Lenovo Tab M11’s 11-inch IPS LCD panel is a noteworthy example of balancing cost and performance. With a resolution that offers crisp, clear images and text, the display is well-suited for a variety of tasks, from educational content consumption to media streaming and web browsing. Color reproduction on the Tab M11 is commendable for its price point. The display offers modes such as Standard and Vibrant, allowing users to customize their viewing experience based on personal preference or content requirements. Additionally, the option to adjust the color temperature further personalizes the visual output, ensuring that users can find the perfect balance for their eyes.

One of the standout features of the Tab M11’s display is its brightness, peaking at 400 nits. This level of brightness is sufficient for most indoor and outdoor environments, ensuring that content remains visible even under direct sunlight. However, what truly enhances the viewing experience is the tablet’s ability to dim significantly, coupled with an adaptive brightness feature. Moreover, the display settings include options for lift to wake and double tap to wake, adding a layer of convenience for quickly accessing the tablet.

The inclusion of a 90Hz refresh rate is a significant advantage, particularly in this price segment. The higher refresh rate translates to smoother scrolling and more responsive touch interactions, enhancing the overall user experience. Lenovo has equipped the Tab M11 with several adaptive features aimed at enhancing usability and comfort. The reading mode, with its color effect and black-and-white effect, is especially useful for users who spend considerable time reading on their tablet. This mode reduces eye strain and mimics the experience of reading on paper.

Performance Analysis and Gaming

At the heart of the Lenovo Tab M11 is the MediaTek Helio G88 processor, a chipset designed with mid-range devices in mind. This processor offers a balance between energy efficiency and computational power. With 4GB of RAM, the tablet manages basic multitasking; however, it’s evident that this setup targets users with moderate needs. The processor performs admirably within its intended scope, but it’s not designed for intensive tasks like professional photo editing or high-resolution video rendering.

The Tab M11’s gaming capabilities are a mixed bag. Popular titles like “PUBG Mobile” and “Genshin Impact” are playable at medium settings, thanks to the tablet’s 90Hz refresh rate which provides a smoother visual experience compared to standard 60Hz panels. However, users should be prepared for occasional frame drops and longer loading times, especially with more graphically demanding games. Multitasking on the Tab M11 is feasible for light applications, such as switching between text documents, web pages, and email. The tablet can maintain a few apps in memory, but more resource-intensive applications may need to reload upon re-entry.

Camera Specifications

The Lenovo Tab M11 features an 8MP rear camera and a front-facing camera designed primarily for video calls and selfies. On paper, these specifications seem adequate for a tablet in its price range. However, the real performance of these cameras provides a more nuanced understanding of their capabilities.

The rear 8MP camera captures images that are satisfactory under good lighting conditions. The photos show a decent level of detail and color accuracy when taken in well-lit environments. However, the camera struggles in low-light situations, with images often appearing grainy and lacking in detail. This performance is typical for tablets and smartphones in the budget category, where advanced low-light capabilities are usually sacrificed to keep costs down.

For users looking to capture notes, documents, or the occasional snapshot, the rear camera does the job. However, the camera setup on the Tab M11 is not intended for serious photography. Features like HDR and AI enhancements are available to improve photo quality slightly, but they don’t bridge the gap to high-end tablet or smartphone cameras.

Video Quality

The Tab M11 supports video recording at 1080p 30 frames per second, which is standard for budget to mid-range devices. The video quality is adequate for capturing lectures, presentations, or short clips. However, like its photo capabilities, the video performance suffers in low-light conditions, resulting in reduced clarity and increased noise. The microphone placement also complements the video experience, picking up the voice clearly without capturing excessive background noise.

Operating System

The Lenovo Tab M11 ships with the 13 version of Android, providing a clean and user-friendly interface. Lenovo’s commitment to software support is notable, promising four years of security patches and at least two major Android version updates.

One of the standout features of the Tab M11’s software package is its focus on productivity and multitasking. The tablet includes various tools and modes designed to facilitate educational and work-related tasks. Features like the taskbar for app switching and the option to create floating windows enhance the user’s ability to multitask efficiently. These capabilities, combined with the ability to have up to two floating windows alongside a split-screen setup, cater to the needs of students and professionals who require a device capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously.

The Nebu app integration for note-taking, which takes full advantage of the Tab Pen’s capabilities, is another highlight. The app’s ability to convert handwriting to text and its responsiveness with the 90Hz display make it an invaluable tool for students and anyone who frequently takes notes or drafts documents.

Lenovo’s software also emphasizes customization and accessibility, allowing users to tailor the tablet’s functionality to their preferences. The Lenovo Freestyle and control center customization options enable users to connect various devices seamlessly and adjust quick action settings for easier access.

A unique feature of the Tab M11’s software suite is the PC mode, which transforms the tablet’s interface into a more desktop-like experience. This mode rearranges the layout to resemble a PC setup, with apps docked at the bottom of the screen and windowed apps featuring minimize, maximize, and close buttons.

Battery Life

The Lenovo Tab M11 is equipped with a 7,040mAh battery, a capacity that suggests a potential for all-day usage under moderate conditions. Lenovo’s marketing materials tout up to 10 hours of video playback, a claim that serves as a benchmark for evaluating the tablet’s real stamina. However, battery life is notoriously contingent upon a myriad of factors including screen brightness, the types of applications being used, and the presence of background processes.

For general web browsing, video streaming, and document editing, the Tab M11 demonstrated commendable endurance. With the screen brightness set to 50% and adaptive brightness enabled, the tablet comfortably lasted through a full workday (approximately 8 hours) before requiring a recharge. When subjecting the Tab M11 to more demanding tasks such as continuous gaming, video editing, or using high-brightness settings, the battery drain became more pronounced. In a gaming test, where titles like PUBG and Genshin Impact were played at medium settings, the battery life was reduced to around 5 hours.

The Tab M11 supports fast charging, a feature that is increasingly becoming standard across devices but remains appreciated in the mid-range segment. From a depleted battery, the tablet reaches full charge in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours with 15W charging.

Final thoughts

In the market of mid-range tablets, the Lenovo Tab M11 emerges as a compelling contender, offering a blend of affordability, functionality, and durability that is particularly appealing to students and casual users. With its robust aluminum build, a display that balances brightness and smoothness thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate, and a user experience enriched by thoughtful software features, it positions itself as a versatile tool for both educational and leisure activities.

However, the Tab M11 is not without its limitations. Performance, while sufficient for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, may not satisfy the demands of those seeking a seamless experience with more intensive applications. Similarly, while the battery life is commendable and supports fast charging, heavy usage can see it deplete more rapidly than some may expect. The absence of a magnetic attachment for the stylus and the merely functional camera setup reflect compromises inherent at this price point.

Despite these drawbacks, the Lenovo Tab M11’s strengths in design, display quality, and overall value proposition cannot be overstated. For individuals in search of a budget-friendly tablet that doesn’t skimp on essential features, it offers a balanced package. The commitment to software updates promises longevity, a rare assurance in the budget segment, potentially extending the tablet’s relevance far beyond its immediate competitors.