We’ve been dreaming about cheap Android tablets for some time now and the list we’ve made a while ago didn’t particularly include known brands. As of today we ought to update our list of cheap Android tablet with the Lenovo Ideapad A1, a $200 7 inch tablet launched by Lenovo that will start selling for only $199. That’s the 8GB version.

    The 16 GB will be $249 and you must add another $50 to get to 32 GB. It’s not a bad deal for a tablet that’s essentially last year’s Samsun Galaxy Tab 7. Take a look at the complete specs below:

    Lenovo Ideapad A1 specs (and buying info):

    • 7 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display
    • Capacitive touchscreen with support for 2-finger multitouch input
    • 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor
    • Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system
    • Android Market and Lenovo’s app store Support
    • GPS, G-sensor, microUSB, micro SD, stereo speakers
    • Front and rear cameras (3 MP rear and 0.3 VGA front facing)
    • WiFi, Bluetooth
    • 8GB/16GB/32 GB versions
    • Black, White, Pink, and Blue color options
    • Magnesium alloy case
    • Weight: 0.9 lbs
    • Thickness: 0.5 inches
    Nice clean looks for Lenovo Ideapad A1

    Nice clean looks for Lenovo Ideapad A1

    What I would have liked to see here is a dual core processor, to give the tablet more punch and an option for Honeycomb, which was not denied nor confirmed by Lenovo. The screen resolution is nice considering the 7 inch diagonal: 1024 x 600 px and the 2-finger capacitive touchscreen is enough for most gestures. What Lenovo hopes to set this tablet apart is the magnesium alloy case available in four color options: Black, White, Pink, and Blue, so this is clearly not a business tablet. There will also be no option to upgrade to a 3G/4G modem, which makes sense to keep the tablet price low.

    Lenovo Ideapad A1 uses a magnesium alloy case for durability

    Lenovo Ideapad A1 uses a magnesium alloy case for durability

    If Lenovo managed to launch the Ideapad A1 last year it would have been a killer at $200, but right now I get the feeling specs are not that impressive and this might count for many consumers.

    Lenovo offers the Ideapad A1 in four colour options

    Lenovo offers the Ideapad A1 in four colour options