A little over a month ago I received a Nokia Lumia 2520. Have been using the device as a secondary tablet (given a Surface Pro 2 is the primary tablet), and I have been very happy with the results of my tests for it. I wish I could say I was typing this on it, but that I would venture to say it’s not too far into the future. Why not now? While I can pair it with a number of Bluetooth keyboards and such, I want to give this review and update in due time, as the cover/keyboard arrives. But, the device is solid.
The Specs
10.1” ClearBlack, IPS LCD Touchscreen. Capacitive Multi-Touch
Full HD (1920 x 1080)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 800
2GB RAM
32GB storage
Expandable MicroSD
LTE – AT&T
NFC
Micro-HDMI
Micro-USB 3.0
Bluetooth 4.0
Primary Camera 6.7 MP
Secondary Camera HD 1.2 MP wide angle
Windows RT 8.1
Pros
A very thin device, as thin as an iPad Air. As light as an iPad Air (if not a bit lighter).
Same solid build we have seen from Nokia in the Lumia 920, 925, 928, 1020 and 1520.
It has LTE!! A big missing piece in any of the Microsoft Surface devices, it makes a difference and it has replaced an iPad Mini with LTE
Cons
I would define this sections as two annoyances, a gripe, and a yet to be fully tested.
The annoyances are around the ports. Yes, it has USB 3.0 and HDMI, but in micro form. That in itself meant having to get connectors for it, some may say … “well, what about Miracast?” sure, but not everybody has a receiver plugged in. I can control my own environment but not others for presentations. Not a huge deal against it, but just an annoying fact. I have to be fair in this as I also believe it has to do with some retraining I need to do with myself. I am still in the “if it has Windows, it must do all this” mindset, which I seem to not have had an issue with when using an iPad.
The one gripe I have … the keyboard/battery cover is not out yet. But I should not complain, I was able to get in on the keyboard/cover offer.
Battery life has not been all that impressive for me, but I also have to make sure some of my settings (for example, power) are not in sync with the rest of my Windows 8.1 devices.
In closing …
I am very happy with the Lumia 2520, it has become my travel companion as I run errands away from my office/home. The fact I have LTE for connectivity plus the functionality of the tools I need (RDP and a Browser). There is more coming in terms of my review, but figured I would get started as I have been working with a Dell Venue Pro 8 as well.