Tablets, either Android or iOS-based, have always been the ideal option for multimedia consumption. Still, if you want a device that combines the mobility of a tablet with the optimization of a full-fledged laptop OS, Windows tablets are the safest option on the market. To that end, I’ve been using Alldocube’s iWork 20 Pro tablet for about three weeks now. So, does it compete against the budget tablets available on the market? Let’s find out on this review of the Alldocube iWork 20 Pro.
Currently the Alldocube iWork 20 Pro costs USD 319 for an 8+128GB configuration where you get a bundled keyboard in the box.
Alldocube iWork 20 Pro Specifications:
- Design & Build: Metal build, 180.8 x 254.8 x 9.6, 600 grams
- Display: 10.5-inch IPS, FHD (1920×1280), 3:2 aspect ratio
- Keyboard: Full-size keys
- Trackpad: Multi-touch trackpad, Windows Precision drivers
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4120 CPU, 4C/8T, 2.60GHz Max Turbo Frequency, 16MB L3 Cache, 14nm process
- RAM: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Graphics: Intel UHD 600
- Audio: Stereo speakers
- Battery: 3500mAh
- Camera: Front (2MP), Back (5MP)
- Connectivity: WiFi 5 (ac), Bluetooth 4.2
- I/O Ports: 2 × USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 × USB Type-C (w/PD), 3.5mm headphone jack, Micro HDMI
- Price in Nepal: N/A (USD 319)
Alldocube iWork 20 Pro Review:
Performance
With that out of the way, let’s start with what I consider to be the most reliable aspect of this machine— performance. It gets the Intel treatment with the quad-core Celeron N4120 processor that boasts 1.10GHz of base and 2.60GHz of burst frequency.
Memory-wise, our unit has 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB of SSD—which is the only available configuration for this machine. While neither of them is user-replaceable, it does accept a microSD card of up to 512GB.
With those specifications, you might have figured out that the iWork 20 Pro is not intended for gaming or other graphics-intensive tasks. But it does have all the firepower required to handle my daily workloads. The majority of my office time is spent editing documents on LibreOffice writer, 6-7 tabs open in a web browser, and Spotify running in the background. And to my surprise, there have been no irritating delays so far. As a result, this has been my portable daily driver in most places where a gaming laptop would otherwise draw strange looks from the crowd.
Not for gaming, obviously
Moreover, I also run Photoshop every now and then, which is unsurprisingly a demanding task for this machine. Using it for a while, I noticed a significant performance dip here.
I also tried playing CS: GO on its lowest possible setting, but every second or so, the frame dip is observable. Even if you have to cope with stutters, a few lightweight titles like Temple Jungle Runner are still enjoyable on the iWork 20 Pro. And yeah, running such apps for some time does warm up the tablet on the back.
Windows 11
Moreover, Alldocube ships it with Windows 10 out-of-the-box, and the RAM management leaves no room for complaint either. It doesn’t come with any bloatware apps pre-installed and navigating through the interface is a breeze too. On top of this, the iWork 20 Pro is ready for the Windows 11 experience as well.
Design
Moving on, this tablet cuts no corner on the design front either. It gets a metallic makeover, complete with a matte finish and rounded edges on the rear. Likewise, it is 9.6mm thick and weighs 600 grams, so you’ll need your true grit to hold it in your hands for a long period.
To make things easier, there’s a built-in kickstand that allows you to prop up the tablet on your desk. The stand is solid enough to hold the device steady on a level surface, but it isn’t as secure as a laptop base when trying to use it on a lap.
On the back, you’ll also find a 5MP camera, while the front gets a 2MP lens. In terms of connectivity options, the right edge has a USB 3.0 Type-A and a DC charging port whereas the left edge features another USB 3.0 Type-A, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a micro HDMI, and a USB Type-C port that supports Power Delivery. On the other hand, the top frame houses the aforementioned microSD card slot.
Keyboard and Touchpad
Aside from that, the iWork 20 Pro’s lower edge contains a 5-pin POGO connector that unites the tablet and keyboard. It solely weighs 249 grams and measures around 5mm thick. You can use it in either a completely flat or an angled position by simply folding the lid. Personally, I preferred using it in an inclined posture since it tilts the keyboard to the most comfortable typing position.
Besides, this keyboard has nearly all the keys you’ll find on a standard 13 or 14” Windows laptop. The keys here demand a firm push and have rough feedback, yet are easy to get accustomed to after a few days of usage. There’s not much of a keyboard flex either, which is nice.
However, what irritates me the most are the accidental taps on the touchpad every now and then. So, I disabled it entirely and used an external mouse instead. Given its compact form factor, this touchpad isn’t particularly exciting to use either.
Display
Let’s now talk about the display. The iWork 20 Pro boasts a 10.5” fully laminated IPS panel with a Full HD resolution and 100% sRGB color gamut. Alldocube hasn’t stated the panel’s brightness level but it’s bright enough for indoor use. The viewing angles are decent too, and watching movies or YouTube videos is quite a satisfactory experience on this thing.
Apart from this, it’s a touchscreen which means you can use this device even in tablet mode. One interesting detail to point out here is that the Windows logo on the right bezel is actually a touch-capacitive sensor that launches the Windows start menu.
Likewise, this screen also has 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, but unfortunately, you don’t get a compatible stylus inside the box. Finally, you’ll have to cope with the pretty unsightly bezels on all four sides, although this does not severely affect the user experience at all.
Audio
Anyway, the iWork 20 Pro has two speakers buried inside the kickstand slit that deliver fairly average audio quality. It doesn’t get loud enough and the lows and highs don’t sound particularly appealing, although the vocals are quite clear.
Battery
Getting to the battery, this tablet is powered by a 26.6WHr cell that charges via a 24W power supply unit. On my regular usage, I got about 3 hours of screen-on time, which isn’t terrible for a Windows tablet. Similarly, it takes over 2 hours to fill up this battery.
Camera
So, what else is there to say? Oh, the cameras! As I mentioned earlier, the rear and front cameras have 5MP and 2MP lenses, respectively. The output from the selfie camera is respectable enough for Zoom meetings and video chats, but make sure there is no light source directly behind you.
Alldocube iWork 20 Pro Review: Conclusion
To sum it all up, the Alldocube iWork 20 Pro is a pretty decent budget Windows tablet for the price. It basically ticks all the necessary boxes required for students and for enterprise-level users whose workload doesn’t consist of anything particularly demanding. Furthermore, its solid metal construction and decent battery life make it an even more appealing deal. Yet, it would have been the icing on the cake if Alldocube had offered a decent camera and reasonably better speakers.
Alldocube iWork 20 Pro Review: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Metal build
- Reliable performance
- Decent keyboard
- Windows 11 support
- Decent battery life
- Value for money
Cons:
- Under-par cameras
- Mediocre speaker
