This Android Tablet Has a 50″ Projector Built In…And It’s Amazing

Lenovo’s new Android tablet can blow up whatever’s on the built-in display and project a 50″ version of it on your wall. The Yoga 2 Pro is perhaps the best entertainment-focused Android tablet we’ve seen to date and is unique enough to rise against the competition as it heads into the holiday shopping season. The Yoga 2 Pro will cost $499 at launch, though we’ve already heard hints that there will be a $50 instant rebate that will drop it to $449 for the holidays.

For much of the past few years it’s been tough to argue why anyone should opt for an Android  tablet rather than an iPad. Besides lower prices, there simply haven’t been compelling arguments to go recommend Android tablets over Apple’s iPads, which have a much more robust ecosystem.  The Yoga 2 Pro changes that and the Android camp has something to truly get excited about. After watching a video on the Yoga 2 Pro’s display at a private Lenovo briefing last week I’ve been yearning to get one  of my own.

Here’s a video demo of the Yoga 2 Pro’s projector in action. The pictures and videos look much better in person than they do here. You’ll need a white screen or a white wall with a smooth surface for best results.

Pico projectors have been around for years and we’ve seen them baked into some pretty miserable phones. This is the first time I’ve seen one that’s so easy to use and of high enough quality that I’d want to use it in my own house. The Yoga 2 Pro has a little kickstand that helps level the projector. Point it at a wall, dim the lights and you’ll instantly be able to share whatever’s on the screen.

The Yoga Pro 2 has surprisingly big sound for a tablet. There’s a pair of 1.5W speakers and a 5W JBL subwoofer. The speakers won’t rattle the room, but they’re much louder than what you’ll find on most tablets and laptops.

The Yoga 2 Pro is of course more than a projection system with a tablet attached. It’s a good-looking device with a really nice built-in display. The 13.3″ Quad HD display is enormous compared to most tablets and very clear. Like its smaller siblings, the Yoga 2 Pro can fold into hang, tilt, hold and stand modes.

Intel is really late to the tablet party and is trying to work its processors into more mobile devices.  Inside the Yoga 2 Pro is an Intel Atom Z3745 processor that runs at 1.86 GHz. The power-efficient processor helps the tablet chug along for 15 hours on a single charge. Battery life is reduced dramatically when using the projector. Lenovo estimates the tablet can run with its projector on for a little over three hours which is enough to watch a movie or a football game.

The Yoga 2 Pro weighs n a 2.09 lbs, which is almost twice the weight of the iPad Air.  That’s okay in my book considering that the Yoga 2 Pro is meant to serve as an entertainment device that rarely leaves the home. The stand can be folded flat, allowing it to be hung on the wall. That might be useful in the kitchen to keep the tablet off of cooking services.

Here’s an introduction to all of Lenovo’s new tablets. There are two smaller Android tablets with similar designs, but without the built-in projector or subwoofer. There are also Windows versions of these tablets.

The Yoga Tablet 2 Pro isn’t the right tablet for everyone, but it will definitely please those that want a better tablet entertainment experience. At $499 this tablet is going to be a winner.

Processor	Intel Atom Processor Z3745 (2M cache, 4 cores, up to 1.86 GHz)
Memory & Storage	Memory 2GB LPDDR3 Storage 32GB, Supporting Micro SD card up to 64GB
Display	Display/Resolution 13.3-in Quad HD (2560×1440) IPS display
Colors & Physical	Weight 2.09 lbs (950 g)Dimensions 13.1 in x 8.8 in x 0.1-0.5 in (333 mm x 223 mm x 3.7-12.6 mm)Color Platinum Silver
Connectivity & Extras	Audio 2x front large-chamber speakers with 1.5W output each, plus a 5W rear JBL®subwoofer for a total 8W surround system. Dolby® Audio, Wolfson® Master Hi-Fi™  Comms Ports Micro USB (OTG), 3.5 mm audio jack, Micro SD card Connectivity 802.11b/g/n Dual-Band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) ,  Optional 4G1 (in select countries, not US): WCDMA (900/2100 Camera 8MP f2.2 rear camera with Auto-focus,  1.6MP HD front camera Projector 40-50 Lumen Pico Projector with WVGA (854×480)
Battery Life	Extended battery life with up to 15 hours on a single charge