Lenovo IdeaTab A1000 review: A budget tablet that cuts too many corners

Even when compared to other sub-$200 tablets in its weight class, the Lenovo IdeaTab A1000 comes up short in features, performance, and screen quality. While the microSD storage expansion is welcome here, it's not reason enough to buy the tablet. There are plenty of other microSD-toting budget tablets with higher quality screens and more useful features.

5.7

Lenovo IdeaTab A1000

The Good

The <b>Lenovo IdeaTab A1000's</b> Dolby Digital audio enhancement features make almost any pair of headphones sound great, and the microSD expansion slot is a welcome addition.

The Bad

The tablet's screen is unfashionably low-res, with washed out color and narrow viewing angles. Graphics-heavy games chug something awful, apps sometimes stutter when launched, and Netflix video doesn't play.

The Bottom Line

The <b>Lenovo IdeaTab A1000</b> is a meek 7-inch tablet that cuts far too many corners to reach its budget price.

Speaking of features, the tablet’s inclusion of Dolby Digital audio enhancement is its one possible saving grace. It's geared toward audiophiles, but due to its headphones-only functionality and a lack of user-friendly integration, it's not as easily accessible as it should be.

If you're looking for an inexpensive tablet, the $149 Asus MeMO Pad HD 7 is a better choice for an audio-enhancing budget tablet. Also, the Kindle Fire HD is currently available for a mere $159 and the Nook HD packs gobs of value into its $129 price. And if its $229 starting price isn't too much of a splurge, the Google Nexus 7 is the best way to go for a small low-priced tablet.

Lenovo IdeaTab A1000 is a buggy and boring budget tablet

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Design
The Lenovo IdeaTab A1000 is an unremarkable tablet with a simple design. It has a slim border that wraps around the bezel and is available in black or white. Our review unit was black but, in certain lights, the dark border looks like a deep purple with a glittery shimmer.