iPad Pro vs. Lenovo IdeaTab: My Long-Haul Flight Verdict
▼ Summary
– The author chose to travel with a Lenovo Idea Tab instead of their usual iPad Pro due to its lower cost and fear of losing the expensive Apple device.
– The Lenovo tablet proved surprisingly capable for travel sketching and note-taking, with a lightweight design and long battery life that lasted through extended use.
– While the stylus performed well for casual sketching with natural pressure sensitivity, the tablet’s mid-range processor showed limitations with more demanding creative apps.
– The main drawback was the lack of Procreate, as no Android app could match this preferred creative software from the Apple ecosystem.
– Despite not replacing the iPad Pro for professional work, the Lenovo Idea Tab served as an excellent travel companion that provided unexpected freedom and reliability.
Choosing the right tablet for travel involves balancing power, portability, and price. For creative professionals and frequent flyers, the decision often comes down to the premium iPad Pro versus more budget-friendly options like the Lenovo IdeaTab. On a recent long-haul journey, I swapped my usual iPad Pro for the Lenovo IdeaTab to see how it would hold up for sketching and note-taking away from my desk.
Packing for a week-long trip, leaving my trusted iPad Pro behind felt like a gamble. It has always been my reliable creative tool, perfect for quick sketches and handling demanding apps like Procreate with ease. However, after a previous scare where I nearly lost my expensive Apple device, I decided to travel light with the more affordable Lenovo IdeaTab instead. My wallet certainly appreciated the choice, and to my surprise, I found that for most travel sketching and note-taking needs, I didn’t miss the iPad Pro at all, except in one key area.
The Lenovo IdeaTab is a compact 11-inch tablet that feels more like a digital sketchbook than a full studio setup. Weighing just over 600 grams, it slides effortlessly into a backpack without adding noticeable heft. Its slim yet sturdy build held up well during transit, though the glossy screen did catch reflections in bright airport lounges. Once I started drawing, especially during an overnight flight, the glare became less distracting. While a matte screen protector could reduce shine and add a pleasant texture, I adapted quickly to the standard display.
What truly impressed me was the performance of the included stylus. Lenovo’s pen may not have the premium reputation of the Apple Pencil, but it proved precise and intuitive, with natural pressure sensitivity and reliable tilt recognition. I soon lost myself in sketching passing clouds using the Heavy Paint app, barely noticing the tool in my hand. It isn’t as advanced as Apple’s offering, I noticed slight latency in ArtRage Vitae, but for casual, expressive sketches, it worked beautifully.
In terms of raw power, the IdeaTab’s mid-range processor and Android operating system can’t match the iPad Pro’s speed. It handles lightweight apps and note-taking smoothly, but you may experience some lag with complex, multi-layered artwork. For my needs, doodling, brainstorming, and capturing ideas on the go, it was perfectly adequate. I never felt limited by its performance during everyday creative tasks.
Battery life, however, was a game-changer. Lenovo has equipped the IdeaTab with an impressive battery that just wouldn’t quit. Over a full week of travel, which included sketching on flights, checking maps, and occasional video streaming, I rarely thought about charging. By comparison, my iPad Pro requires more frequent power top-ups. This reliability alone transformed my travel experience from anxious to carefree, especially when a 24-hour flight delay left me stranded in a basic motel. With little else to do, I was grateful for the tablet’s lasting power and the creative escape it provided.
Setup was straightforward, logging in with a Google account synced all my essential apps like Gmail, Drive, and Keep. Where I encountered a real limitation was in creative software. While I enjoyed using Heavy Paint and ArtRage Vitae, neither app comes close to Procreate. Nothing on Android truly replicates the seamless, powerful experience of Procreate, and its absence was the one time I genuinely missed the Apple ecosystem. For digital artists who rely on specific tools and workflows, this could be a significant drawback.
Despite that single shortcoming, the IdeaTab offered an unexpected sense of freedom. It became my go-to digital sketchbook, always ready, never demanding a charge, and genuinely enjoyable to use. On this trip, I didn’t find myself longing for the iPad Pro’s raw power or its larger display. I only missed one app, which speaks volumes about how capable and convenient the Lenovo tablet proved to be.
The Lenovo IdeaTab won’t replace my iPad Pro for serious studio work, but as a travel companion for notes, doodles, and casual sketching, it far exceeded my expectations. Lightweight, long-lasting, and easy to use, it demonstrated that you don’t always need top-tier gear to stay creative on the road.
(Source: Creative Bloq)
