Lenovo Unveils $199 Tablet PC: IdeaPad A1

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has in recent weeks stirred up a media hornet's nest by knocking $300 off its discontinued TouchPad tablet.

But the low priced tablets aren't over yet -- Lenovo has just announced a cheap tablet, but unlike the TouchPad, it's not yet obsolete.

On Thursday Lenovo unveiled the IdeaPad Tablet A1, which comes with a relatively small 7-inch screen and runs Google's Android operating system (OS). It's also just 400 grams and is only a half-inch thick, making it a portable little device. According to Lenovo, it also boasts a seven hour battery life. (Source: pcworld.com)

IdeaPad A1 Priced to Sell, say Critics

Of course, the best part of the whole deal is that the 7-inch IdeaPad will be available for just $199 -- that's just twice the price of HP's recently popular TouchPad tablet.

This isn't the first 7-inch tablet PC unveiled this year, but it is by far one of the cheapest. For the record, Samsung's highly portable Galaxy Tab costs $279, while Acer sells its Iconia Tab A100 for about $329.

Lenovo executive director of global marketing Nick Reynolds thinks the price point will give the IdeaPad a major edge in an increasingly competitive tablet market. "This is a very accessible price point starting at US$199," Reynolds noted.

David Douad, a research director at analyst firm IDC, supports that stance. "The price point could put Lenovo in a very competitive position," Daoud added.

Android Platform Gives IdeaPad Much-Need Head Start

Of course, whether or not Lenovo truly sets itself apart from Samsung, Acer and even Apple will depend on what kind of software is available for the budget-priced IdeaPad.

A good start is the use of the highly flexible Android operating system, which should give amateur and professional developers lots of room to be creative. Lenovo adds that the IdeaPad A1 will come pre-loaded with about 40 different apps, including Angry Birds and Documents To Go.

Currently, there are about 250,000 apps available for the Android OS, which should act as a gentle push for the IdeaPad A1 as it sets out to compete with Apple's mighty iPad 2. (Source: newsfactor.com)

The IdeaPad Tablet A1 is reported to hit store shelves soon.