Lenovo Malaysia announces the IdeaPad Tablet A1

Lenovo today announced a new addition to its family of tablets – the IdeaPad Tablet A1. The 7-inch (LED with 1024×600 pixel resolution) IdeaPad A1 runs Android 2.3 and features a magnesium alloy “roll-cage” that is designed to protect critical internal components. The A1 is Lenovo’s third Android tablet to hit the market — the first two being the 10.1-inch IdeaPad K1 and the ThinkPad Tablet, also with a 10.1-inch screen.

Other vital specs include a single-core 1Ghz Nvidia Tegra Cortex A8 processor with 512MB RAM and 16GB of on board storage. You also get a 3MP rear camera (VGA front), a micro SD card reader and Mini USB connector

The A1 also features a “unique offline GPS navigation technology that allows direct satellite connection regardless of internet access”. We’re not sure how this is unique because virtually all devices can access GPS without the need for internet connectivity. You need connectivity to render the maps not to access GPS satellites but we’re not sure if that is what Lenovo means by this unique offline GPS navigation technology.

The A1 is available in black or white and will go on sale in Malaysia in January 2012 for RM799.

That RM799 price tag is very attractive for a 7-inch tablet but we’re not expecting that single-core 1GHz processor to deliver blazing performance either.

Head after the break for the IdeaPad Tablet A1 promo video.