Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY Convertible Review
For the original German review, see here.
Lenovo's IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY belongs to 10-inch sized convertibles. A Bay Trail processor powered by a Windows 10 operating system works inside - the Pro version in our case. Rivals of the Miix 300 are found in devices like Toshiba's Satellite Click 10 and Asus' Transformer Book T100HA.
Case & Connectivity
Lenovo's convertible weighs a total of 1174 grams. The tablet part weighs 621 grams. It is made mostly of black plastic. A silver-gray plastic ring frames the display. The tablet's back is rubber-coated which increases grip. The device does not exhibit any production flaws. The same is true for stiffness. The keyboard dock is included and does not have to be purchased separately. It is not a folio model, but a solid plastic dock.
The interfaces that are found in most tablets are incorporated in the tablet part. The micro-USB port is always accessible and also serves as the power socket. A separate power socket is present. The keyboard dock adds two USB 2.0 (Type-A) ports to the device.
Although a 64-bit processor is installed in the device, the IdeaPad is shipped with the 32-bit version of Windows 10. The reason: This variant is easier on resources. A recovery DVD is not in the box. The included power cable has a length of approximately 153 cm (plug end to plug end).
Input Devices
The keyboard dock provides an unlit chiclet keyboard. The flat, lightly roughened keys have a short drop and clear pressure point. The keyboard makes a throughout decent impression. However, some time is needed to get used to it. The keyboard's layout is not quite standard. Also, typos happen easily since some keys are rather small and the keys are quite cramped. However, users with large hands will have some difficulties using the keyboard even after some practice. The multi-touch ClickPad has a surface area of roughly 8.3 x 5 cm. The pad's sleek surface does not stop the fingers from gliding. The pad has a short drop and clear pressure point.
Display
The IdeaPad sports a 10-inch touchscreen with a native resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The panel's contrast (1232:1) is very good. However, the brightness (226.9 cd/m²) could be higher. The screen exhibits PWM flickering at a frequency of 50 hertz in a brightness level of 50% and lower. That can cause eye problems and headaches for many users.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 93 %
Center on Battery: 196 cd/m²
Contrast: 1232:1 (Black: 0.19 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 8.65 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.9
ΔE Greyscale 9.86 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
77% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
49% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
53.5% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
77% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
51.8% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.87
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM detected | 50 Hz | ≤ 50 % brightness setting |  |
The display backlight flickers at 50 Hz (worst case, e.g., utilizing PWM) Flickering detected at a brightness setting of 50 % and below. There should be no flickering or PWM above this brightness setting. The frequency of 50 Hz is very low, so the flickering may cause eyestrain and headaches after extended use. In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8648 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured. | |||
The screen has a DeltaE 2000 color shift of 8.65 in delivery state. A rate less than 3 would be desirable. The panel also exhibits a bluish tint.
Display Response Times
| ↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
|---|---|---|
| 32 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 16 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 16 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 84 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (20.9 ms). | ||
| ↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
| 30 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 20 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 10 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 36 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is similar to the average of all tested devices (32.7 ms). | ||
The IdeaPad sports a viewing-angle stable IPS panel. Thus, the screen can be read from every position. The device is not really outdoor suitable. The screen's brightness is dimmed in battery mode, and it is also a glare-type.
Performance
Lenovo adds a 10-inch convertible to its lineup with the IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY. It has enough computing power for basic applications from the office and Internet fields. Our review sample represents the top model of the line. It carries a price tag of approximately 350 Euros (~$389). The cheapest model of the lineup (32 GB storage, Windows 10 Home) is available for 219 Euros (~$243).
Processor
The IdeaPad is furnished with Intel's Atom Z3735F (Bay Trail) quad-core processor. A very low TDP (<4 watts) characterizes this CPU, which also allows passive cooling. The processor clocks at a base speed of 1.33 GHz that can be boosted to 1.83 GHz via Turbo, which is also utilized: The processor performed our CPU tests at 1.58 to 1.83 GHz (single-thread) and 1.58 GHz (multi-thread) in both AC and battery modes.
The CPUs from the next Cherry Trail generation have been on the market for a while already. However, the corresponding CPUs only achieve an insignificant performance plus at the same clock speeds. Looking at the comparison chart confirms that: The Atom Z8300 processor operates at almost the same Turbo speeds (1.84 GHz vs. 1.83 GHz) as the Z3735F. The scores of the CPU tests we performed are largely on par.
| Geekbench 3 | |
| 32 Bit Multi-Core Score (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
| Microsoft Surface 3 | |
| 32 Bit Single-Core Score (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
| Microsoft Surface 3 | |
| JetStream 1.1 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
| Google Pixel C | |
| Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
| Asus Transformer Book T100HA-C4-GR | |
| HP Pavilion x2 10-n013dx | |
| Google Pixel C | |
| Octane V2 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
| HP Pavilion x2 10-n013dx | |
| Google Pixel C | |
| Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
| Acer Aspire Switch 10E SW3-013 | |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
The system runs smoothly. We did not encounter problems. The PCMark benchmark scores correspond to the SoC's performance capacities. Cherry Trail devices score much better than our review sample, which is primarily owed to their stronger graphics cores. While the CPU's performance has not changed much from Bay Trail to Cherry Trail, the GPU's performance has clearly increased. The IdeaPad's system performance cannot be improved any further.
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 1094 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 942 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 1133 points | |
Help | ||
| PCMark 8 - Home Score Accelerated v2 (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
| Asus Transformer Book T100HA-C4-GR | |
| Microsoft Surface 3 | |
Storage Device
An eMMC memory module with a capacity of 64 GB serves as system storage. The IdeaPad can score with that since many comparable systems only have 32 or even just 16 GB. Approximately 49 GB can be used in delivery state. The storage device's transfer rates remain slightly behind its potential. That is due to the enabled drive encryption. The transfer rates increase when it is disabled. The storage capacity can be expanded via a micro-SD card.
Graphics Card
Intel's HD Graphics graphics core is responsible for video output. It supports DirectX 11 and clocks at speeds of up to 646 MHz. The 3DMark benchmark scores are on a normal level for the GPU installed here. The outcomes are at the lower end of the performance scale.
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 211 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 14870 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 1177 points | |
Help | ||
| 3DMark | |
| 1280x720 Ice Storm Standard Score (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
| Asus Transformer Book T100HA-C4-GR | |
| Google Pixel C | |
| 1280x720 Cloud Gate Standard Score (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
| Asus Transformer Book T100HA-C4-GR | |
| 1280x720 Sky Diver Score (sort by value) | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY | |
| Toshiba Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 | |
Gaming Performance
Primarily casual games from the Windows store can be played on the IdeaPad. The hardware installed here is much too weak for sophisticated 3D games like Rise of the Tomb Raider.
| low | med. | high | ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trackmania Nations Forever (2008) | 77.1 | 19.4 |
Emissions & Energy Management
Temperature
The IdeaPad performed the stress test (Prime95 and Furmark run for at least one hour) in AC and battery modes in the same manner. The CPU (1.58 GHz) and GPU (600 MHz) ran at high speeds for about 10 minutes. After that, they throttled slightly to 1.33 GHz (processor) and 580 to 620 MHz (graphics core). These rates dropped even further in the course of the test. The graphics core ran at 300 MHz, and the processor reached speeds in the lower 1000 MHz range. The device did not get excessively hot. 40 °C was only surpassed on one measuring point.
(±) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 42 °C / 108 F, compared to the average of 35.3 °C / 96 F, ranging from 19.6 to 60 °C for the class Convertible.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 38.4 °C / 101 F, compared to the average of 36.8 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 28.8 °C / 84 F, compared to the device average of 30.2 °C / 86 F.
(±) The palmrests and touchpad can get very hot to the touch with a maximum of 37 °C / 98.6 F.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28 °C / 82.4 F (-9 °C / -16.2 F).
Speakers
Both speakers are situated on the lower edge of the tablet's back. They will not reveal any sound wonders, and they produce a thin, lightly muffled soundscape. Their maximum volume could be higher. Using headphones or external speakers is recommendable for better sound.
Power Consumption
We measured a maximum idle power consumption of 5.5 watts, which is satisfactory. The requirement climbed up to 13.1 watts in the stress test, making it very difficult for the small USB power supply to keep up. It has a nominal output of 12 watts.
| Off / Standby |   0.2 / 1.3 Watt |
| Idle |  2.8 / 5.2 / 5.5 Watt |
| Load |
10.8 / 13.1 Watt |
    
| |
Key:
min: ,
med: ,
max: Metrahit Energy | |
Battery Runtime
Our real-world Wi-Fi test simulates the load needed for opening websites. The "Balanced" profile is enabled, and the screen's brightness is set to approximately 150 cd/m². The IdeaPad reaches a runtime of 6:47 hours here - a decent outcome. However, rivals like Asus' Transformer Book T100HA and Toshiba's Satellite Click 10 LX0W-C-104 last considerably longer.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Lenovo's IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY has enough computing power for applications from the office and Internet fields. The relatively generous storage capacity of 64 GB is pleasing. Many comparable opponents have less to offer. The device runs noiselessly and barely heats up. The keyboard makes a throughout decent impression. However, some time is needed for familiarization. The speakers' volume could be higher. The IPS panel pleases with its very good contrast, but unfortunately it only achieves a low brightness. Thus, the device is primarily suitable for indoor use. The device can also score with its 2-year warranty period, which is rather untypical for Lenovo.
The buyer gets a solid Windows 10 tablet including a connectable keyboard dock. However, Lenovo demands an exorbitant price: Almost 350 Euros (~$389) is due for our review sample.
Potential buyers should take the cheapest member of the lineup. The model presently costs 219 Euros (~$243). It has 32 GB of storage and comes with Windows 10 Home. The configuration is identical with that of our review sample otherwise.
Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY
- 04/18/2016 v5.1 (old)
Sascha Mölck
Price comparison
