Lenovo Ideapad A1 Review and Rooting guide.
Table of Contents
I am going to do a preliminary review of the Lenovo A1 hardware and software. This tablet is the cheapest of the bunch and should retail for Rs, 14000 – 14,999. It was first launched in China as the Lenovo LePad A1. I wonder why Lenovo has pegged the price at Rs. 14,999 , while it is selling it in China and elsewhere at $199.00 (Rs. 10,000 approx). Seems like every one is out to fleece the Indian customer. Any way, here is the review. You can buy the Lenovo Ideapad A1 22282MU 7-Inch Tablet (Black) here
What the Lenovo Ideapad A1 has to offer?
| Processor | TI OMAP 3622 |
| Processor Speed | 1000 Mhz (1 Ghz) |
| Display | 7 inches , 1024 x 600 pixels |
| Touch-screen | Multi-touch Capacitive |
| RAM | 512 MB |
| ROM / Internal Memory | 1.9 GB |
| USB / External Storage | USB 2.0 OTG, microUSB/32 GB expandable |
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g//n |
| GPS | Yes |
| Primary camera | 3.1 Mega pixels |
| Secondary Camera | VGA – 0.3 Mega pixels |
| Optical Zoom | 1X |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| FLASH Media Streaming | Supported |
| Browser | HTML, Flash |
| Sensors | G-Sensor |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 2.1 EDR |
| Battery | 3700 mAh |
| Operating System | Android Gingerbread 2.3 |
| 3G / 2G | None |
This is a revised model of the Lenovo Lepad A1, with some improvements to the primary camera and battery. You can expect this Lenovo Ideapad A1 to launch sometime in November 2011.
What you can do with the Lenovo Ideapad A1?
First have a look at the Lenovo Ideapad A1
Video, Music and Social networking
This device has an HD quality screen and a powerful graphics processor but there are not word about HD video playback capability. I saw the internal data sheets of the product and the chipsets definitely have the capability. The Lenovo Ideapad A1 can support full Flash based streaming videos, so you can watch videos from sites like Dailymotion, metacafe, megavideo etc. The Idepad A1 Android tablet can play many audio formats like MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG etc. On the video front it can play MPEG4, WMV, H.264 etc. You can use Facebook, Twitter native clients also.
Office Work
The Lenovo A1 Ideapad comes with an installed viewer for Word, Excel, Powerpoint. But you can not edit those files. If you want to create and work on MS Office files, download the Google Docs app or the Quick Office app from the Android market and you are good to go.
Ebook Reader, PDF, Magazine
You can install Kindle Reader app from the Android Market or any other ebook reader and shop app like iBook, iKobo etc and read your ebooks in EPUB, MOBI, PRC, etc formats. You can also read and view PDF files using the Adobe Acrobat Reader for Android.
Browsing
The stock browser works well and has full Flash streaming support. You can watch videos from youtube inside the browser itself or in the youtube app. There are many alternative browsers available in the Android market. I recommend Dolphin HD.
Gaming
The Lenovo A1 Idepad comes with a powerful graphics processor, so playing 3D HD games will be a pleasure. The tablet also has G-Sensor so tilt based games can be controlled very smoothly.
Communication
The stock GMAIL client can serve your email needs, you can plug your email account into it and it will send and receive emails. If you want something else, download any one of the good email client from the market. I use the K9 Mail app for tablet and am quite happy with it. Almost all instant messengers are supported. You can download messengers like Fring, IMO, Nimbuzz to chat on multiple networks
VOIP
You can use SKYPE to chat and do voice calls, you can also use other VOIP client apps to make voice calls.
Buy this tablet if,
1. You do not want 3G. This tablet has USB OTG but I do not know if it will support 3G dongle or not
2. You want a powerfull ebook reader with many options
3. You want a handheld gaming machine that runs on Android and offers lots of free and paid games.
4. You are an avid online video watcher.
Tech Stuff
Lenovo has not released any details about the exact version of Gingerbread they are using on this tablet. But here is what I know about the hardware that powers the system.
THE CPU that runs Lenovo Ideapad A1
The Lenovo Ideapad A1 runs on a OMAP 3622 processor manufactured by Texas Instruments. It is a 32 bit RISC CPU that supports ARM v7 instruction set and has a Cortex A8 core. This CPU can be overclocked.
Embedded TI TMS320C64x DSP,
Embedded image signal processor for 12MP camera support
2D/3D graphics acceleration,
POWERVR SGX530 graphics core
OpenGL ES 1.1,
OpenGL ES 2.0,
OpenVG
M-shield mobile security
ARM TrustZone
Composite and S-video TV output,
XGA/WXGA 16M-color display suppor
High Speed USB2.0
Rooting the Lenovo Idepad A1 Tablet
It is most likely that Lenovo Ideapad A1 will run on Android 2.3.4+ , so rooting the tablet with SuperOneClick, Z4Root, Gingerbreak will not work. However, replacing the kernel with a rooted on just might work. Kernel like CF-Root, Voodoo etc may work.
You can buy the Lenovo Ideapad A1 22282MU 7-Inch Tablet (Black) here
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[...] Lenovo Ideapad A1 Review and Rooting guide. [...]
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If am not mistaken then the price for lenovo lepad is 15k for 16gb storage. You can still get the device at 10k for 2gb storage.
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A1 in india has 16/32gb internal and 16gb come with price tag of 14,999 price… at Spec u have written 1.9gb..
and model A1 8GB is has price $ 199(Rs 10,000) which will not available in india dnt knw why…
btw i found ur site is very nice & very useful, u r giving deep n good explanation on every gadget.. keep-it up bro…
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I talked to a Lenovo sales executive at their HO, the Lenovo Ideapad A1 2G will be launched in November, in India.
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Did Lenovo Ideapad A1 2G ever got released in India?
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Lenovo has Launched 3 tablets A1, K1 , and Thinkpad. The A1 will come in two flavors (2gb/16gb). The 2GB one will cost Rs. 10,000+. I talked to a exec from the Lenovo office in USA.
Thanks for your encouragement.
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Thanks for all of your work on this web page. I am looking forward to reading more of your posts in the future.
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Arpan any news they launching Ideapad A1 3g model too?
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I have my ears to the ground, no news so far.
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November is just round the corner! One supremely good thing I read about this Ideapad A1 is that it has OFFLINE GPS NAVIGATION, i.e., you won’t need any internet connection to use this device as a in-car navigator!
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Hi Arpan! Could you compare the CPUs of Ideapad A1 & NXG Xtab, please?
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i just got the Lenova A1 pad yesterday from Shanghai.. its only 8000 INR (1000 RMB) here… unfortunatley all the free applications are in chinese.. so i am busy deleting them and have to find a way to upload in English
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I some times buy stuff directly from China. But the DHL guys are either stupid or running a nice little business on the side, sine I end up having to pay duties on the imports.
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Hi Achu,
Does it support USB dongles, like Reliance NetConnect?
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I’m wandering what is the screen quality? Is it real IPS, or they finally used cheaper one? When you have your hands on, please examine it and let us know, thanks in advance.
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3g version is for 17k . Shall I buy it ?
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dude where do u get the 3g version like i m living in mumbai can u pls lemme know ..cuz the guys at lenovo sales office claims they dont have 3g yet in ideapad A1 ?
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Can you do _video_ calls with Skype ?
Skype website does not list this as a certified device, but skype for android can work with Froyo+ devices and this is one. Has anyone (Arpan ?) tried this ?
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does it supports 3g data cards?
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does it have a sim card slot?
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has skype audio&video issue been fixed?
as far as I know skype only works with audio on this tablet
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Where i’ll get Ideapad A1 in Mumbai. waiting this one for long time… now they removed this model from Lenova indian website..
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want to buy this tab in kolkata…but not available…any help guys…
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Lot of tablets are releasing in India, most of them have only Wifi connectivity. None of them except Reliance is have broadband connectivity( thro SIM card). I dont know without sim connectivity, what is the use of the tablet. In india where wifi is available. Mostly only in air ports and IITs. Most of the other educational institutions is not having wifi. Why even India companies are not think about this limitations. They should introduce tablets with wifi and sim connectivity. then only the tablet become popular.
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Tablets with SIM costs more than Rs. 12K. Many homes that have internet connection have wifi or can simply install a wifi router. Most existing phone (Android/Symbian) can be made in to portable wifi hot spots and you do not have to take a separate internet connection. You can also buy Tata Photon, MTS, Reliance, Aircel, Airtel, Vodafone 3G USB dongles and plug them in the tablets to access the internet or buy a 3G modem + Wifi router to have wifi at your home or on the move. Tablets have already become popular
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I just bought the Lenovo Ideapad A1 but it is not detecting 3G USB dongle? Is there any work around possible for using internet on this tablet via 3G dongle?
Would really appreciate your help.
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