Lenovo Android Tablets (as an iPad alternative, Intune managed)

[Lolus]

Due to the recent iPad price rises, that were already slightly out of our reach before the increase (and a potential 1:1 device deployment across primary and secondary schools), we started looking at Android tablets (1/2 price of an iPad). Not an easy decision, as we already have 500+ Intune managed iPads, but schools can't afford them moving forward.

Intune Android management with the Microsoft Managed Home Screen app seems to be working well. It's easy to lock down devices, supports Microsoft 365 account authentication, and offers single sign-on, although that can be a bit hit and miss. Not really an issue on 1:1 devices, but it can be more problematic in a shared device setup. We chose Lenovo Tab K11 Gen 2 model because the specification and price is reasonable and it supports palm rejection.

 

Is anyone using Android tablets at a larger scale? How have you found them?
Is anyone using the Lenovo Tab K11 Gen 2?

What is the battery life like after few months of usage?

Experience with Lenovo devices lifespan and reliability?

 

Thanks

[DalekSec]

Looked to move to Android tablets, the feedback was ermmmm.... terrible, we used Lenovo Tabs cant remember what Gen

 

Lots of the Apps are even not supported or just painfully slow

Shelf life of the tablets is a lot lower along with build quality. 

[GK1999]

Has your school considered leasing the iPads instead? 

[Lolus]

2 hours ago, GK1999 said:

Has your school considered leasing the iPads instead? 

 It still doesn't make any difference to us whether the cost is paid upfront or spread over time.

[Lolus]

2 hours ago, DalekSec said:

Looked to move to Android tablets, the feedback was ermmmm.... terrible, we used Lenovo Tabs cant remember what Gen

 

Lots of the Apps are even not supported or just painfully slow

Shelf life of the tablets is a lot lower along with build quality. 

Thanks for your reply. The apps (the Microsoft 365 suite and some other educational apps) worked quite well, although perhaps we haven't tested them enough yet.

I would expect their lifespan to be shorter than that of iPads, but ideally we'd be looking for them to last around 3 to 4 years. They will all be in rugged cases, so the worry is battery longevity.