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Nokia Lumia 2520

Editor's rating (1-5): Discuss this product Where to Buy

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What's Hot: Slim and attractive, really lovely display, LTE 4G built-in.

What's Not: No WiFi-only model available in US, must get Verizon or AT&T version. No 64 gig internal storage option. Windows 8.1 RT can't run Windows .exe programs.

Reviewed March 1, 2014 by Lisa Gade, Editor in Chief (twitter: @lisagade)

The Nokia Lumia 2520 isn't just Nokia's answer to the Microsoft Surface 2. It's the company's first 10" tablet, and we have high hopes since Nokia once made the world's only chic netbook. Ironically, Microsoft is taking over Nokia's phone and tablet business, so either way you go, MS wins. The Lumia 2520 looks every bit like a Nokia product with tapered sides, a polycarbonate back that's available in matte black (also in gloss red on Verizon Wireless) and white and cyan overseas. Unlike Surface products that are WiFi only, the Lumia 2520 adds 4G LTE. In fact there won't be a WiFi-only model for those who disdain contracts and monthly fees. In the US, AT&T and Verizon Wireless sell Finland's first Windows 8.1 RT tablet.

Design and Ergonomics

This is an attractive tablet and one of the few Windows tablets that's similar in weight to Android 10" tablets. That means it's comfortable hold for longer periods of time and the matte soft touch back feels silky yet grippy. It looks like a high class piece of tech and feels sturdy and rigid despite its waifish design. The tablet has the usual 3.5mm combo audio jack that's easily confused with the small, round charging port also on the left side. That's refreshing: Nokia doesn't go with a USB charger, so you can charge and use the USB port at the same time. Less than convenient is the micro USB 3.0 port rather than a full size port. You may have a hard time finding a micro USB 3.0 to full size USB adapter, but at least it's the faster 3.0 standard. There's a micro HDMI port and a proprietary magnetic docking connector on the bottom for the optional $149 Power Keyboard that adds two USB 2.0 full size ports.

The Lumia 2520 looks slimmer than the Surface 2, though it's the same 0.35" thick; the tapered sides simply make it look thinner. It is lighter at a manageable 1.3 pounds, though it's not much smaller in other dimensions despite the half inch smaller display.

Display

Speaking of the display, it's a gorgeous IPS full HD panel with Nokia's ClearBlack technology and it has an extremely high 650 nits of brightness, making it well suited to outdoor work. In comparison, Surface Pro 2 has a 400 nit display and many laptops hover around 250 nits. The more comfortable tapered design and brighter, more luminous display make the Lumia a more attractive proposition than the otherwise captivating Surface 2. If Microsoft showed the world how to make a high end Windows tablet, Nokia has shown Microsoft how to make it even better. The display has very wide viewing angles and it's protected by Gorilla Glass 2.

Horsepower and Performance

Inside the tablet runs on a 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad core CPU, just like the Nokia Lumia 1520 6" Windows smartphone launched at the same time. That's the same CPU used in top Android smartphones and some Android tablets, and it's the direct competitor to the NVIDIA Tegra 4. The Snapdragon has a mature LTE chipset, so it's the more common pick for devices like phones and tablets with 4G LTE built-in. In terms of performance, it's a close race with the Tegra 4. Like other Windows RT tablets and Intel Atom full Windows 8 tablets, the Lumia has 2 gigs of RAM that's not upgradeable and 32 gigs of internal flash storage (sorry, there's no 64 gig option). You can expand storage using microSD cards (the slot is under the same door as the micro SIM card slot and you'll need a paperclip to open the door). Keep in mind that you can store videos and any sort of file you wish on microSD cards but you can't install programs to removable storage.

Nokia Lumia 2520 Video Review

Windows RT 8.1: the Good and the Bad

The tablet runs Microsoft's RT version of Windows 8.1, and that means you can only install apps from the Windows store. It can't run .exe programs like Photoshop CS, Eclipse or Civ V. It comes with MS Office for RT pre-installed (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote) and it has the same desktop mode with Windows Explorer you'll find on full Windows 8. As always with Windows RT, the Microsoft app store casts a slightly gloomy fog over the tablet: the app selection can't compare to iOS and Android. In a full Windows 8 tablet that can run traditional desktop programs that's less of an issue, but when your only recourse is the Windows Store, you'll feel the pain. The staples of digital life are here, including Kindle, the Weather Channel, Netflix and a growing selection of games. The full web browser with Adobe Flash Player makes up for some shortcomings, since some apps are merely finger-friendly front ends to websites. That means you can watch Amazon Prime video using Internet Explorer and visit the YouTube website even though there are no app store apps for these. But you can't install an alternative web browser like Firefox.

For business users, Windows RT may be more compelling since you get "real" MS Office and not some winnowed-down mobile counterpart. Outlook is now included for business class email. If your world revolves around the web, email and MS Office, then RT has you covered. Driver selection for USB peripherals is strong with most common devices like printers, keyboards and even some MIDI products covered. But if Windows lacks drivers, you can't use the install CD or drivers from the manufacturer's website in .exe format.

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