Lenovo has started selling a $400 Android tablet that packs nine JBL-tuned speakers and a built-in kickstand, making it a uniquely capable secondary screen for Windows households. The Tab Plus Gen 2, which first appeared in a July gadget roundup by Stuff, is designed first for media consumption—and that’s exactly what makes it a compelling companion to a Windows laptop or desktop.

What the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 actually is

The Tab Plus Gen 2 is a 12.1-inch Android 16 tablet with a 2.5K (2560x1600) LCD running at 120Hz. The display supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and a peak brightness of 800 nits for outdoor visibility. Under the hood is MediaTek’s Dimensity 7400 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of onboard storage. A microSD slot lets you add more space later.

But the headline feature is audio. Fourteen years after the original “boom box” tablets fizzled, Lenovo has embedded a nine-driver JBL speaker system into a chunky chassis. The back of the device bulges out to accommodate the speakers and a circular kickstand that rotates for portrait or landscape orientation. It can even act as a handle or a hanging hook. The tablet is nearly four times as thick as an iPad Air, and Lenovo says that battery life stretches to 15 hours of video playback from its 10,200mAh cell.

The Tab Plus Gen 2 also works with Lenovo’s Tab Pen Plus stylus (sold separately for $40) and can double as a digital photo frame when idle.

Three more gadgets Windows users should know about

The same Stuff roundup that featured the Lenovo tablet highlighted several other devices that solve specific problems for Windows-centric workflows. None is a must-buy, but each fills a niche that the Windows accessory market often leaves empty.

Commodore Callback 8020: the anti-smartphone phone

Commodore—yes, the company behind the C64—has returned with a $399 flip phone that runs Jolla’s Linux-based Sailfish OS. It’s deliberately designed to block web browsers and social media apps, while still supporting WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Spotify, Uber, navigation, music playback, and mobile hotspot functionality. Email is absent, and Commodore warns that some Android apps—especially those relying on Google Play Services or strict banking protections—may not work reliably through Sailfish’s compatibility layer.

For Windows users, this isn’t a replacement for a primary smartphone. It’s a focused communication tool that eliminates distractions—ideal if you’re already staring at a Windows screen all day and don’t need another attention drain in your pocket. Pre-loaded Commodore 64 games and retro ringtones are a bonus for anyone with nostalgia for 8-bit computing.

Nimble SharePower: a shareable USB-C battery for hybrid workers

Nimble’s SharePower ($80) is a 10,000mAh power bank that splits into two magnetically connected 5,000mAh halves. Each half can charge devices at up to 20W via USB-C. When snapped together, the pair can output up to 35W—enough to top up many small Windows ultrabooks, though not a full-speed laptop charger. The split design means you can share one half with a colleague, or keep two small batteries in different bags instead of one bulky brick. For commuters carrying a Surface Go, a phone, and wireless earbuds, it’s a practical way to consolidate power without needing multiple cables or chargers.

Retro curiosities: B&O Beosystem 3000c and Kodak Charmera Millennium

Two other gadgets from the roundup are harder to justify on practical grounds but still carry a Windows connection. Bang & Olufsen’s Beosystem 3000c Dune Grey Edition pairs a restored 1985 Beogram 3000 linear-tracking turntable with modern Beolab 8 wireless speakers. Only 100 systems exist, priced at $30,000 each. It’s a collector’s piece, but the Beolab 8 speakers can connect to a PC over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so a Windows audiophile could integrate them into a desktop setup.

At the opposite end, Kodak’s Charmera Millennium is a $35 keychain camera with a 1.6MP sensor, AVI video capture, and microSD storage. The deliberately low-fi Y2K styling and local storage make it a nostalgia play rather than a tool for serious work. Still, for a Windows user tired of cloud-synced phone photos, the tactile experience and removable storage might feel like a throwback to the days of plugging a digital camera into a PC’s USB port.

What these gadgets mean for your Windows workflow

The Tab Plus Gen 2 is the most immediately useful device for a broad Windows audience. It runs Android 16, not Windows, but that’s not a drawback for its intended use cases:

  • Portable entertainment center: The 120Hz display and loud, full-bodied JBL speakers mean it can deliver a better movie or streaming experience than most laptops—especially in a kitchen, bedroom, or hotel room. Windows users who already rely on their PC for work may prefer a dedicated relaxation screen that doesn’t pull them back into Outlook.
  • Remote desktop client: With a 12.1-inch panel and stylus input, it’s well sized for running the Microsoft Remote Desktop app to access a Windows PC from another room. The kickstand holds it at a comfortable angle, and the long battery life means you can even leave a full Windows session open on the couch.
  • Second display for cloud files: OneDrive, Google Drive, and other cloud services have Android apps that sync smoothly. The Tab Plus Gen 2 can act as a dedicated dashboard for monitoring shared documents, presentations, or project dashboards without cluttering your main laptop screen.
  • Xbox Cloud Gaming: Windows users deep in the Microsoft ecosystem can stream Xbox games via the cloud app. The 120Hz panel, while not fully utilized by many streaming games, still reduces input lag, and the kickstand makes it easy to pair a Bluetooth Xbox controller.

For IT professionals who manage user devices, the Tab Plus Gen 2 is an interesting option to issue alongside a Windows laptop, especially for roles that involve presentations, trade shows, or media playback. It’s not a productivity replacement but a media companion that can also handle light tasks.

The Commodore Callback 8020, while niche, addresses a growing concern among Windows power users: smartphone-induced distraction. By blocking browsers and social apps at the OS level while retaining messaging, navigation, and hotspot features, it lets you stay reachable without falling into a scroll hole. It’s a potential secondary device for weekends or evening focus sessions, though its limited app compatibility means it can’t replace a full smartphone.

Nimble’s SharePower solves a very specific travel pain for Windows ultrabook owners: sharing a battery. If you’re in an airport with a colleague whose phone is dying, you don’t have to surrender your entire power bank. And when you’re alone, the combined 35W output tops up a Surface Pro or Dell XPS at a reasonable clip.

How we got here: the slow merge of Android tablets and Windows lives

Lenovo has been building Android tablets for years, but the Tab Plus line is a departure from the thin, iPad-chasing designs of the P11 and P12 series. The first-generation Tab Plus (2022) had a simpler speaker array and a smaller battery. The Gen 2 refines that concept with a sharper display, a more versatile kickstand, and the Dimensity 7400, which prioritizes efficiency over raw performance.

Windows users have long looked to Android tablets as secondary screens. Samsung’s Tab S series supports Windows’ “Second Screen” feature natively, but the Tab Plus Gen 2 doesn’t have that integration. Instead, it relies on third-party apps like SuperDisplay or the built-in remote desktop tools. That’s not a new idea, but Lenovo’s bet—that a tablet with genuinely excellent speakers and a better stand will sell better than one that’s merely thin—is unusual in 2026.

Commodore’s re-entry into hardware (after a few licensing experiments) taps into a broader nostalgia cycle and a backlash against algorithm-driven smartphones. Sailfish OS has been around for over a decade, and its Android compatibility layer has steadily improved, though it still falls short for some apps. The Callback 8020 isn’t the first minimalist phone, but its retro brand and game pre-loads give it a distinct identity.

Nimble, a B Corp focused on sustainable tech, applies the “shareable” concept from its earlier recycled-material chargers to a power bank. The magnetic split is a clever engineering solution that hasn’t been widely adopted in the Windows accessory space, where most power banks are monolithic.

What to do now: practical steps for interested Windows users

If you’re considering the Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2:
- Check the storage configuration. The 256GB model ($440) is a better value if you plan to download movies or large files, but the microSD slot means the $400 128GB version is a viable saver.
- Buy the Tab Pen Plus stylus only if you need note-taking or precise remote desktop clicks. The tablet’s primary value lies in media and content consumption, not drawing.
- Test third-party second-screen apps: SuperDisplay ($10) offers low-latency USB or Wi-Fi mirroring from Windows. The free spacedesk app is a workable alternative.
- For Xbox Cloud Gaming, install the Xbox app and pair an Xbox Wireless Controller via Bluetooth. A 5GHz Wi-Fi connection is strongly recommended.

If the Commodore Callback 8020 catches your eye:
- Verify your essential apps run on Sailfish OS before buying. WhatsApp and Spotify work, but banking apps, Google Maps, and many productivity tools may not.
- Consider it as a secondary device exclusively for calls, texts, and music on days you want to disconnect from the web.

For the Nimble SharePower:
- Check your laptop’s USB-C charging requirements. The 35W combined output is fine for tablets and small ultrabooks, but won’t charge a 65W laptop at full speed.
- Buy a second short USB-C cable to keep in your bag; you’ll need it when sharing a half with someone else.

For the retro gadgets:
- The B&O Beosystem is for serious collectors only. If you’re a Windows user who wants the Beolab 8 speakers without the turntable, B&O sells them separately.
- The Kodak Charmera is a novelty gift. Don’t expect it to replace your webcam or phone camera, but its microSD card means photo transfers to a Windows PC are drag-and-drop simple.

What to watch next

Lenovo has not announced whether the Tab Plus Gen 2 will gain a “Windows Companion” mode via firmware, but demand for better cross-device integration is growing. If Microsoft’s Link to Windows app is updated to support more tablet-specific features, the Tab Plus Gen 2 could become an even more versatile Windows sidekick. Meanwhile, Commodore may iterate on the Callback’s app compatibility, and Nimble’s shareable design could push other accessory makers to adopt modular power banks. For Windows users, the message is clear: the most useful gadgets this month aren’t trying to replace your PC—they’re built to work beside it.