Lenovo Tab Extreme Review: A Powerful Tablet That Points to the Format’s Practical Limits

Lenovo Tab Extreme Review

In the ever-evolving landscape of tablets, where productivity and entertainment converge, Lenovo introduces its latest contender: the $949.9 Lenovo Tab Extreme. Boasting a formidable array of features and specifications, this device aims to redefine the boundaries of what a tablet can achieve. From its expansive 14.5-inch OLED display to its powerhouse performance driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor and 12GB of memory, the Tab Extreme caters to the needs of remote workers, multimedia consumers and gaming enthusiasts.

But as with any innovation, the Tab Extreme is not without its issues. Its imposing size and weight may challenge those accustomed to more portable solutions. I have to ask if a 14.5-inch tablet isn’t just a little too big for the form factor (Of course, this is smaller and lighter than Lenovo’s Fold, which raises even more questions about the definition of a tablet. And I’m not including graphics tablets, which can be the size of a desk and still feel small for some artists).

While an impressive tablet, the Lenovo Tab Extreme’s productivity potential hinges on the addition of Lenovo’s accessory keyboard cover—an investment that further elevates its price point. The Tab Extreme’s gorgeous display isn’t enough to cover poor camera performance and a lack of onboard storage options.

What we like

Pros

• Impressive Performance
• Stunning OLED Display
• Versatile Productivity
• Second-Screen Functionality
• Solid Gaming Performance
• Solid sustainability investments

Powered by an eight-core MediaTek Dimensity 9000 CPU and backed by a generous 12GB of memory, the Tab Extreme delivers solid performance across various tasks, making it one of the best-performing Android tablets available.

The highlight of the Tab Extreme is 14.5″ 3K (3000 x 1876) OLED, touchscreen, which offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or working on documents, the high-resolution screen provides an immersive viewing experience. The display includes DCI-P3 cinema color, 500 nits, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision^® and support for HDR10+. It is beautiful.

With its large 14.5-inch display and accessory keyboard cover, the Tab Extreme can be a versatile productivity tool. Its ability to multitask with up to four apps simultaneously, along with features like split-screen mode, enhances productivity for tasks like email management and document editing. The keyboard is OK for a tablet keyboard, though the keys softly boing when depressed. For this keyboard size, the trackpad is very small, smaller than the 4-inch trackpad on Apple’s 12.9 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard, with significantly less overall real estate.

The tablet’s two USB-C ports allow for flexible connectivity options, including using it as a second screen for laptops or extending its display to external monitors. This feature enhances productivity, especially for professionals who require dual-screen setups.

Despite its size, the Tab Extreme delivers commendable gaming performance. It handles demanding titles like Genshin Impact with ease, and its performance remains smooth, providing an enjoyable gaming experience.

The Lenovo Tab Extreme impresses with its performance, display quality, and versatility, making it a compelling choice for remote workers, content creators, and gamers alike.

The 100% recycled aluminum body and plastic-free packaging offer a compelling value proposition for those seeking technology that demonstrates a real commitment to sustainable manufacturing.

What could be improved

Cons

• Awkward Size and Weight
• Limited Productivity Without Keyboard Cover
• Suboptimal Aspect Ratio for Multimedia
• Storage Limitations
• Average Camera Performance
• No Thunderbolt
• A bit of bloatware

The tablet’s large 14.5-inch display and hefty weight of 1.6 pounds make it cumbersome to handle, especially when using it as a traditional tablet. Holding it for extended periods or using it on-the-go can lead to fatigue, limiting its portability and convenience.

While the Tab Extreme is marketed as a productivity device, its full potential is only realized with the purchase of Lenovo’s expensive supplemental keyboard cover. Without the keyboard, using the tablet for tasks like typing or multitasking becomes challenging, hindering its effectiveness as a laptop replacement. The case design is also awkward, with a stand that must fit precisely for the keyboard to fit. The magnets mostly manage the alignment, but it feels under-engineered and over-engineered. Of course, third-party stands, keyboards and mice also work, but using those requires other decisions.

The tablet’s 16:10 aspect ratio results in black bars when viewing 4K content, detracting from the immersive viewing experience. While the aspect ratio is suitable for productivity tasks, it compromises the tablet’s multimedia capabilities, particularly for movie enthusiasts.

Despite offering 256GB of built-in storage, the Lenovo Tab Extreme onboard storage cannot be customized at purchase. Users who require additional storage must rely on microSD cards, which can be slower and less convenient compared to internal storage options offered by competing tablets.

While the tablet features dual rear cameras and a front-facing camera, the image quality produced by these cameras is mediocre. The images lack the vibrancy and detail found in photos taken with current smartphones, limiting the tablet’s utility for photography, though it would be suitable for video calls.

Unfortunately, neither of the USB-C ports supports Thunderbolt, and only one is 3.2 Gen 1. The other is limited to USB-C 2.0.

The pre-loaded software suggests a device that is conflicted in its audience. Titles range from Google Kids Space and Clip Studio Paint to Netflix and WPS Office. I would rather see Google, Microsoft, and Lenovo configuration/management software and not much else.

Lenovo Tab Extreme: The bottom line

The Lenovo Tab Extreme emerges as a device of dichotomy, balancing formidable strengths with notable shortcomings. Its expansive OLED display and robust performance capabilities make it a compelling option for those seeking immersive multimedia experiences and seamless multitasking. Yet, its unwieldy size and reliance on additional accessories for optimal productivity may deter users seeking portability and convenience.

While the Lenovo Tab Extreme excels in certain scenarios, such as serving as a secondary display or facilitating high-definition streaming, its limitations become apparent when compared to more versatile computing solutions. The need for a supplementary keyboard cover to unlock its full potential, coupled with its hefty price tag, raises questions about its value proposition in a market replete with alternatives. Keep in mind, however, it is no more expensive than an Apple iPad Pro.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is its competition. Unlikely Apple, which hones its devices to an ecosystem despite differences in operating systems, the smooth flow of a cursor from MacBook Pro to iPad Pro still brings a bit a awe with it, as does a shared clipboard and other features inherent in Apple’s design. With the Tab Extreme, the extension as a display becomes Windows to Android, two very different systems. So rather than seamless connections between Windows and Android, the Tab’s display becomes a Windows display.

The other concern with the Lenovo Tab Extreme when compared to the iPad Pro, a concern that didn’t start until the second week of May 2024, is how well positioned the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 will be to the M4 from Apple. Both have some AI capabilities, but Apple’s are considerably newer and more evolved multi-generationally from the M1. Will the Lenovo Tab Extreme’s combination of Android and Media Tek be able to compete with AI workloads against an Apple iPad Pro and its M4? It’s early to tell, but for buyers with AI front-and-center of consideration, those benchmarks will be meaningful.

Ultimately, the Lenovo Tab Extreme caters to a specific niche of users—those who prioritize screen real estate and performance over portability and affordability. For remote workers and multimedia enthusiasts willing to overlook its drawbacks, it represents a viable option for elevating the digital experience. However, for the broader consumer base seeking a more balanced blend of functionality and convenience, alternative solutions may offer a more compelling proposition.

Lenovo provided the Tab Extreme for review. Images courtesy of Lenovo unless otherwise noted.

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