Zebra L10 XBOOK Review

In 2018, Zebra released a series of intelligent tablets called L10, a family of three industrial-grade solutions, XBOOK, XSLATE, and XPAD. The Zebra XBOOK L10 comes with a fully functional and foldable keyboard and an ultra-ruggedized design. It seems ideal for technical work in harsh environments.

But how powerful is this device, and can it meet the demands of industrial-grade workers? This review will hopefully help you answer that question.

Our Verdict

The XBOOK L10 tablet is a two-in-one convertible tablet and notebook that can be at home in offices or at the back of a truck bed for efficient data entry. The foldable keyboard makes it work like a fully functional computer out in the field.

However, its good overall performance only places this device in the “average” category of solutions in the industry. The color accuracy, intense backlight bleeding, and not-so-stable graphics performance keep it from moving further up the list.

Due to average specs compared to most competitors in 2021, our score for the Zebra L10 XBOOK is 5.5.

Zebra L10 XBOOK Pros

• 2-in-1 tablet with a foldable keyboard
• Stable battery life
• Fully rugged design
• Plenty of connectivity options
• An array of accessories
• Three-year warranty

Zebra L10 XBOOK Cons

• The sound could be louder
• Restricted color space
• Heavy design
• HDMI difficulty to access
• Not-so-excellent camera performance
• No USB-C charging support
• It doesn’t run on the latest OS
• Average graphics
• No barcode scanner
• Background bleeding

Specifications of Zebra XBOOK L10

The Zebra’s L10 series consists of three tablets. The XBOOK is designed to be the most compatible device with its foldable keyboard that allows it to function as a tablet and laptop. One of the most remarkable features of the L10 series is the incredibly bright display and the fact it belongs to a broad ecosystem with plenty of exchangeable accessories. An enterprise can get an XBOOK for the office, and an XSLATE, a model resembling a ruggedized consumer tablet, for the fieldwork and easily exchange data and accessories.

The “Kaby Lake Refresh” Core processor in all L10 models, including the XBOOK, is pretty strong and can withstand multitasking just fine. For those that perform less complex work, like simple data entry, there’s an Intel Pentium version featuring a lower-end processor for a more affordable price.

Overall, XBOOK has a stable battery life, a sturdy design, and is highly customizable in terms of processor choice, memory, and even OS models – they come in both Android and Windows. However, most of the specs are nothing we haven’t already seen. Here’s a brief overview of the most notable ones.

Operating Systems and Memory

The Zebra L10 series is available in two operating systems: Android and Windows. Usually, people go for Android tablets because they resemble their phone’s system and make it more straightforward to use the device.

The Windows 10 Pro-64-bit comes with four processor types:

• 8th generation Intel Core i7 vPro 8650U with 1.90 GHz frequency (turbo up to 4.20 GHz)
• 8th generation Intel Core i5 vPro 8350U with 1.70 GHz frequency (turbo up to 3.60 GHz)
• Intel Pentium N4200 with 1.10 GHz frequency (turbo up to 2.50 GHz)
• 8th generation Intel Core i5 8250U with 1.60 GHz frequency (turbo up to 3.40 GHz)

The Pentium N4200 model is available with 4GB and 8GB RAM, while the other models come with 8GB or 16 GB. As for the storage options, the Pentium version has 64GB (up to 512GB), while other versions come with storage from 128GB (up to 1TB). All Windows models act as fully functional PCs with a rugged design.

The Android models have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 octa-core processor with a 2.2 GHz frequency. They run on Android 10 and have the following memory options:

• 4GB/64GB or 128GB eMMC
• 8GB/128GB eMMC

While the Windows version has a more robust performance, the Android one allows for more third-party app integrations. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your needs. If you’re looking for a compact-size computer, go for Windows. If you mainly use third-party apps to run your business, the Android version may be a better option.

Display and Ruggedness

The Zebra L10 XBOOK comes with a 10.1-inch display with a 2K WUXGA (Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array) resolution (1920 x 1200) and an aspect ratio of 16:10. The device has a standard brightness 500 nit capacitive screen and can be used indoors and outdoors.

The capacitive touch means users can pinch, pan, tap, and zoom on the screen, much like on a regular consumer tablet or smartphone. An automatic feature changes the touch mode when the screen is used with gloves or in humid conditions. However, regardless of this feature, the XBOOK’s touch sensitivity decreases when used in these conditions. So, if you plan on using the device in wet deployments or with gloves on, don’t expect much precision from it.

The screen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The 800:1 contrast ratio makes sure images are sharp, but there are moderate grains because of the matte overlay. Consumer tablets, for example, have a glossy overlay and thinner Gorilla Glass protection, making the displays more colorful.

The relatively wide viewing angle of +/- 89 degrees makes it easy to read content off the screen from the sides, and there’s also an anti-glare screen protector that’s user-replaceable.

As for the ruggedness, the XBOOK comes with a fully-rugged, drop-tested design. It can withstand four-foot drops, has IP-65 dust- and water-proof protection, and operates in temperatures ranging from -4F to 140F. In ideal conditions, the tablet can survive up to 26 drops on any surface, including corners and floors, with an unaffected running time.

Data Capture and Compatible Software

As for data capture, the Zebra L10 XBOOK Windows version comes with a 13 MP rear and a 2 MP front camera, an optional NFC, and an optional Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) reader. The barcode scanner isn’t available for the XBOOK version, while the XPAD version has it as an optional feature. This means users can’t use the XBOOK to scan 1D or 2D images.

The Android version has a 13 MP rear and 5 MP front camera and supports NFC. There are no optional UHF RFID readers or barcode scanning options.

Overall, about data capture, this tablet does a great job at taking documentation images and assisting field workers over video calls. Other than that, the data capture features are just average compared to competitors like the Sonim 80, which has an integrated barcode scanning engine.

The Android version comes with the Zebra Mobility DNA, a suite of enterprise apps designed to help users maximize productivity and make app development more straightforward. Users can find their misplaced tablets with the Device Tracker, identify device issues with the Zebra Repair Center, or maximize Wi-Fi performance with the WorryFree Wi-Fi software.

The Windows version comes with Zebra OneCare Essential and Select suite of services that improve the tablet’s operational efficiency and support. Also, Zebra Visibility Services provide device management data to make the most out of its use. They include cloud services, Mobile Device Management (MDM) functionality, help desk support, and more.

Zebra L10 Design and Aesthetic

The device comes with an ultra-rugged outer shell. It has a magnesium frame enclosed with a rugged casing, and it’s squeezed into an 11 in. x 8.3 in x 2.36 package. The fold-out backlit keyboard makes this tablet suitable for laptop configuration use. It has a compact and easy-to-use keyboard. This feature was primarily designed to be robust rather than accurate, so don’t be surprised to see more typos on the screen than usual.

The left-hand side of the device features heat exchanger slots along with an I/O block with a 3.5mm audio jack, USB-C, USB 3.0 ports, and a micro SDXC slot. On the right-hand side are the power switch, the security button, and the volume controls. In the bottom right-hand are the LAN jacks with a protective door.

There’s no difference design-wise between the L10 series and its predecessor, the B10. The main difference is in the display aspect ratio which used to be 16:9, and now it’s 16:10. Also, the XBOOK has the keyboard and kickstand addition that makes it a decent laptop replacement.

The model also has a stylus you can clip into the body of the tablet. The keyboard can be locked to the rest of the device, giving the screen an additional layer of protection. The IP65 rating is in place even with the ports open, meaning accidental spills won’t make it much further than the surface of the device.

When describing the L10 XBOOK, there’s no room for words such as “fancy,” “stylish,” and even “modern.” This tablet is made for rough conditions, and it’s more accurately described as sturdy and bulky. Compared to other models from the series, the increase in weight makes it less convenient to carry around, and it’s best used mounted on a flat surface rather than carried around.

Industry Applications

• Storage and warehousing
• Manufacturing
• Oil and gas
• Telecommunications
• Field service
• Construction
• Mining
• Public safety
• Government

Camera

As mentioned previously, the Zebra L10 XBOOK has two cameras, one at the front and one at the back of the device. Both the Windows and Android versions have a rear camera with a 13MP resolution color autofocus camera with a flash. Meanwhile, the front camera on the Windows version is 2MP in Windows, with a 5MP front camera on the Android version. They all provide a decent video conference experience as well as image quality.

The overall quality resembles an average consumer smartphone, and it’s nothing we haven’t seen before in a tablet. The camera’s primary purpose is for users to capture documentation or work progress without using their mobile devices.

Any advanced image editing needs to be done with the help of third-party apps available on Google Play (for the Android version) or the Microsoft Store (Windows.)

Battery Life and Power Options

XSLATE comes with an average battery life of up to 10 hours running time after a 2.75-hour full charge, which is pretty standard. An extended battery takes 3.25 hours to charge and lasts up to 27 hours, which is almost three times longer. Additionally, the L10 series tablets draw from 3W up to 11W, depending on the brightness level.

The standard battery comes with a one-minute swap time, with the standard input voltage being 12-20V. The AC adapter has an input voltage of 19V. The hot-swappable batteries make it easy to change the dying ones without having to shut the device down. It’s important to note that this device doesn’t support USB-C charging. It only relies on the AC adapter.

Overall, the XBOOK is an energy-efficient tablet. Its predecessors from the B10 series consumed more energy with weaker performance.

Accessories

The Zebra L10 series is known for its wide array of accessories. Whether you’re looking for a docking extension, an extended battery, or a kickstand, they have it all. The whole idea behind the L10 series was to create devices serving different purposes and make them compatible with a unique set of accessories.

Here’s a list of all accessories compatible with the XBOOK tablet:

• Kickstand
• Soft handle
• Extended life battery
• Industrial dock
• Vehicle dock
• Office dock
• Battery charger

Similar Devices

The Zebra L10 XBOOK is a good tablet for performing basic data capturing and input tasks in various industries. It comes with a sturdy design and plenty of accessories. However, it certainly isn’t among the most functional devices out there.

Two other options on the market are the Getac T800 or the Honeywell RT10A.

Getac T800

The Getac T800 is rugged, with a MIL-810H certification, and an IP65 rating for dust and dirt resistance. It has an 8MP rear camera and an FHD webcam.
The T800 is smaller than the L10 XBOOK, with an 8.1-inch screen, but the body is both slimmer and more lightweight than the Zebra. The Getac T800 has a memory capacity of 128GB, with an option for an external SD card of up to 256 GB.

The Getac T800 is priced higher than the Zebra L10, but it far surpasses it in both memory and sleek build.

Honeywell RT10A

The Honeywell RT10A carries a significant 4GB of RAM, with 32GB of Flash memory, and up to 512GB of additional SSD card. It is also a rugged device, with MIL 810G certification, and has the same size screen as the Zebra L10- 10.1 inches.
The Honeywell RT10A runs on an Android system, unlike the L10’s Windows OS, and does not require any training to use; everyone knows how to use Android.

Get a Bulk Quote

Energy Electronics is among the largest mobile communication device distributors in the U.S. We can advise you on the best tablet solution for your needs and provide you with quotes for bulk purchases.

Contact us today to get a quote (or a bulk quote) for Zebra L10 XBOOK devices, or similar devices like the Getac T800, or the Honeywell RT10A.

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