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[Danj]

Does anyone in here have any experience or comments about the Dell Latitude 10? My new boss wants to do a pilot programme of 24 tablets in one particular area of my workplace, given his requirements the best I could come up with was to suggest a Windows 8 tablet and the Dell seemed the best value for money.

 

[tino]

http://dealnews.com/HP-ENVY-Intel-Atom-12-Laptop-for-532-free-shipping-for-students/672922.html

I think you can get the keyboard with this deal

HP Home & Office Store offers students the HP ENVY x2 11-g010nr Intel Atom 1.8GHz 11.6" LED-Backlit Convertible Touchscreen Laptop, model no. C7R31AV, for $531.99 with free shipping, via the directions below. That's $253 under our mention from two weeks ago and the lowest total price we've seen for an HP ENVY laptop with this processor. Sales tax is added where applicable. This convertible touchscreen laptop can be unplugged from the keyboard to function as a tablet and features an Intel Atom Z2760 1.8GHz dual-core processor, 11.6" 1336x768 LED-backlit LCD display, 2GB RAM, 64GB SSD, 802.11n wireless, Bluetooth, 1080p webcam, 2-cell battery, and Windows 8 32-bit. To get this deal:
Click here to get started
create a student account at HP Academy (it's free)
view the HP ENVY x2 11t Intel Atom 12" Laptop for $631.99
add it to your cart and apply coupon code "CAMPUS364" to cut it to $531.99

 

[rykomatsu]

So what's the consensus on the Surface RT? My wife has a hankering for a convertable for web surfing, word processing, Quicken and light casual gaming (Plants VS Zombies). Get the impression people here don't care for the RT OS.

I had the RT and loved it. From a general use perspective, I felt it was hands-down, the best tablet OS aside from the whole confusion about the Desktop that's hit the market (I've gone through iOS, WebOS, Honeycomb, and ICS on various tablets). The gestures take a little bit more to get used to than iOS or android, but once you get into the groove of things, it's a phenomenal OS. Being able to split the screen into a main and secondary pane, you can really multitask...netflix playing in the secondary pane as you browse/work in the main pane...being able to swipe between main tasks without interrupting netflix, etc.

It bogs down once in a while, usually if a flash heavy site gets loaded or a script on a page hangs, but microsoft's been persistent with updates and within the context of limitations, I was extremely happy.

The almost universal Q&A response to others seeing it was:
1) which tablet is that? Surface RT
2) is it better than an iPad or <enter android tablet here>? I think it's better, here's why
3) Show off some of the multi-tasking features, cycling through applications, gestures
4) "whoa, that's pretty fucking awesome..."

A couple of folks at work bought the RT as well for themselves and their loved ones and they absolutely love it. I wanted more of a hybrid since I wanted a single device solution for a tablet and laptop which allowed me to run and demo the software I'm a product manager for, and to be able to paper-prototype rapidly during meetings with a near instant-on system that I could also use casually without the keyboard if necessary.

 

[Birbo]

Ended up getting the Surface RT for my wife. She's still up in the air about it. She likes the OS and the hardware, but the lack (and cost) of apps is really bugging her. Trying to get her in the mindset that it's more of a computer WITH apps, but wondering if getting her an Android tablet with keyboard and some sort of Office-type program instead would be better for her. Told her just to play with it for the next few days and if she doesn't like it, we can (hopefully) exchange it for something else. Any cool tips on things to get het to love this thing?

 

[maeh2k]

Does anyone in here have any experience or comments about the Dell Latitude 10? My new boss wants to do a pilot programme of 24 tablets in one particular area of my workplace, given his requirements the best I could come up with was to suggest a Windows 8 tablet and the Dell seemed the best value for money.

Seems pretty great: http://www.notebookcheck.com/Test-Dell-Latitude-10-Tablet.88062.0.html

Great battery life, replaceable battery, great display with active digitizer, good build quality.
Downsides are its performance as a desktop replacement (Atom), the camera, and the sound quality.

 

[Danj]

Seems pretty great: http://www.notebookcheck.com/Test-Dell-Latitude-10-Tablet.88062.0.html

Great battery life, replaceable battery, great display with active digitizer, good build quality.
Downsides are its performance as a desktop replacement (Atom), the camera, and the sound quality.

Sounds good. At least in the pilot project it's not intended to do desktop grade work, it's just for users to do internet research on apparently.

 

[dLMN8R]

I finally got my new work machine - ended up going with the Dell XPS 12. Surprisingly nice, all around! Great build quality, materials feel excellent, keyboard every bit as good as the Thinkpads I've used, fantastic display, and it's much thinner than I expected it to be. Still heavier at 3.4 lbs or so, but not unweildy in the least.

The tablet conversion works really well. Seems very sturdy, and is held in place with magnets instead of friction or mechanical latches. As a tablet it's big and heavy, of course, but since it's thinner than I expected I can definitely see myself comfortably using it as a tablet on the couch or on a plane.

Really impressed!

 

[brotkasten]

What is wrong with you guys? Intel is having their developer forum in Beijing, showing off new hardware and tech and this thread remains dead? Jesus.

Windows 8 tablets to go quad-core? Intel talks next chip

ntel discussed the next-generation "Bay Trail" tablet processor today at its annual conference in Beijing. Expect to see a new crop of faster yet still power-efficient Windows 8 -- and likely Windows 8.1 -- tablets later this year.

An "entirely new Atom microarchitecture...will [enable] the most powerful Atom processor to-date, doubling the computing performance of Intel's current-generation tablet offering," Tan Weng Kuan, vice president and general manager of the Mobile Communications Group, Intel China, said today at IDF Beijing.

Bay Trail will allow designs "as thin as 8mm (0.3 inches) that have all-day battery life and weeks of standby," Tan said.

Maybe most importantly, Bay Trail will pack four redesigned Atom processor cores that get closer to mainstream Intel processors in performance. Some of that extra horsepower comes courtesy of an out of order design (like current Core processors) and Intel HD 4000 graphics.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57...ablets-to-go-quad-core-intel-talks-next-chip/

Toshiba's Portege Z10t detachable Ultrabook debuts at IDF (hands-on)

As you can see, unlike Toshiba's previous Windows 8 convertible laptop, this second attempt is a detachable and features an absurdly large hinge sleeve, with the small release mechanism positioned in the middle of the hinge. The keyboard looks pretty slim in most parts, yet it also packs a backlit keyboard plus both a trackpad and a pointing stick; and most importantly, overall the docked device doesn't seem to be top-heavy. The 10-inch tablet itself also comes with a few handy ports, including a USB 3.0 port, a micro-HDMI socket and a full-size SD card slot, all located on the right-hand side along with the power socket, volume rocker, headphone jack and power button.

The reps from both Intel and Toshiba were rather tight-lipped about this elusive device (the latter even said his folks have yet to come up with a name), so all we know is that this is powered by an Ivy Bridge processor (with vPro embedded security options) and it'll be available in Q2 this year. As always, stay tuned here for the eventual announcement.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/10/toshiba-portege-z10t-idf/

Rumor: Acer Aspire P3 Could Be Next Windows 8 Tablet

I understand that the name change from Iconia to the Aspire brand does point towards the very real possibility of the line between the tablet and notebook market being blurred. Rumored specifications of the Acer Aspire P3 include an 11.6” display at 1600 x 900 resolution, an Intel Ivy Bridge processor, and a choice of internal memory options that range from 32GB all the way to 128GB.

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2013/04/acer-aspire-p3-could-be-next-windows-8-tablet/

 

[tino]

Looks like the OEM are ready to dump the W8 tablets now.

Yesterday I say a deal $350 for a Asus RT tablet.

Today we have a $420 for 64GB Asus atom W8 tablet deal.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Asus-VivoTa...-Z-2760-1-8GHz-2GB-DDR3-64GB-SSD/330904596773
Adorama is a major camera store.

Also Dell has dumped all its Latitude 10 tablets with a $150 coupon. I missed it.

Hopefully the W8 tablets with good keyboard options like the Tablet 2 or W510 will drop below $400 too. I may pull the trigger if I see a good deal before iPad mini 2 come out.

 

[brotkasten]

During Intel's earnings call, Otellini predicted $200 Atom tablets with Bay Trail, probably this Holiday season.

If you look at touch-enabled Intel-based notebooks that are ultrathin using [Bay Trail] processors. Those prices are going to be down to as low as $200

Intel was late to the party, but damn me, if they aren't beating up ARM.

 

[Blackhead]

During Intel's earnings call, Otellini predicted $200 Atom tablets with Bay Trail, probably this Holiday season.



Intel was late to the party, but damn me, if they aren't beating up ARM.

I'll believe it when I see it. Still waiting for all those Intel Android phones they promised

 

[brotkasten]

I'll believe it when I see it. Still waiting for all those Intel Android phones they promised

It's true that Atom phones are still vaporware, but I was mostly speaking about Intel getting into ARM's territory (price and power consumption).

If they can get the availability sorted out (it was pretty bad during the W8 launch), it's getting even harder to find a reason for Windows RT to exist.

 

[tino]

It's true that Atom phones are still vaporware, but I was mostly speaking about Intel getting into ARM's territory (price and power consumption).

If they can get the availability sorted out (it was pretty bad during the W8 launch), it's getting even harder to find a reason for Windows RT to exist.

Intel phone is not vaporware. I am planning to get the K900 if the price is around $500.

However intel simply is not trying hard enough. They intentionally slow down innovation because their position in the wintel market is dominating.

They will only put out the good stuff if ARM products actually threaten the x86 laptop market sales.

 

[Blackhead]

Toshiba's high-res Kirabook takes on the MacBook Air and Pro all at once

In the Windows 8 world there are high-end laptops, and there are thin laptops, and never the twain shall meet. But Toshiba's new Kirabook, the first in a new line of laptops from the Japanese company, is very much both, and in doing so provides a legitimate Windows-based competitor to the MacBook Pro with Retina Display and the MacBook Air, in a single package.

Its spec sheet is where the Kirabook competes most with the MacBook Pro — and Toshiba's reps said as much, over and over. The Kirabook has a Core i5 or i7 processor, 256GB of solid state storage, and 8GB of RAM. You may need that i7 chip, too, because the Kirabook's 13.3-inch display's 2560 x 1440 resolution is going to require some horsepower — that kind of pixel density is rivaled only by the MacBook Pro with Retina Display and the Chromebook Pixel.

In person, it's gorgeous...

It doesn't feel cheap because, well, it isn't cheap. The Kirabook starts at $1,599.99 — firmly MacBook Pro territory — and can go up to $1,999.99 when you bump up its specifications. Part of Toshiba's justification for the price is a support team dedicated to Kirabook owners, there to help 24 hours a day with any problems — reps called them "our Geniuses." Customers' calls will be answered in 45 seconds, and they can call with everything from problems to simple questions...

Finally!
Now make one in a tablet, convertible, or even Yoga form factor, and I'll bite.

 

[Nero3000]

New interesting design from Acer:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/3/42...s-desktop-laptop-and-tablet-with-one-floating

Spoiler

Looks like a Macbook Pro

 

[Blackhead]

New interesting design from Acer:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/3/42...s-desktop-laptop-and-tablet-with-one-floating

Spoiler

Looks like a Macbook Pro

FullHD display = Meh.

Interesting design but should allow for full rotation not just tilting.

 

[a secret-boss]

Pen?

 

[LukasTaves]

Asus has also shown some really interesting device:

http://www.asus.com/AllinOne_PCs/ASUS_Transformer_AiO_P1801/

It's basically a windows 8 all in one and a Tegra 3 Android Tablet merged together.

 

[Barmaley]

I almost pulled the trigger on the asus vivotab smart, but then I found it demoed in a local hardware shop. After testing all kinds of x86 programs on it for a bit I came to the conclusion that the resolution is a bigger deal then previously suspected. Many graphics look a bit pixelated on it, especially the white text on the metro interface. I guess I'll have to wait for the next generation of w8 tablets, which I expect to be full-hd.
The only thing I wonder is, when those devices arrive, why would anyone but the most casual of the consumers (aka the ipad people) buy other OSed tablets over a W8? Its a portabable pc with an optional tablet-optimized interface, which will gain more apps as the those tablets get more widely available.
(I realize there are already full hd w8 tablets out there, I mean tablets in the ipad price category at ~500&#8364

 

[tino]

I am interested in the 7" Acer Wndows 8 Tablet too actually.

...

The only thing I wonder is, when those devices arrive, why would anyone but the most casual of the consumers (aka the ipad people) buy other OSed tablets over a W8? Its a portabable pc with an optional tablet-optimized interface, which will gain more apps as the those tablets get more widely available.
(I realize there are already full hd w8 tablets out there, I mean tablets in the ipad price category at ~500&#8364

If Microsoft/Intel alliance can't move any currect W8 tablets then they are not going to be able to sell the new tablets in high volume.

MS has lost the window of opportunity to send selling point messages.

Plus, 16:9 is horrible to use in portrait mode, have you tried it?

 

[Windu]

I am interested in the 7" Acer Wndows 8 Tablet too actually.




If Microsoft/Intel alliance can't move any currect W8 tablets then they are not going to be able to sell the new tablets in high volume.

MS has lost the window of opportunity to send selling point messages.

Plus, 16:9 is horrible to use in portrait mode, have you tried it?

The OS is designed around using it in landscape, so why would you use portrait anyway?

 

[MCD]

I thought they are fixing portrait mode in Windows 8.1?

 

[dLMN8R]

I thought they are fixing portrait mode in Windows 8.1?

What is wrong with portrait mode in Windows 8? Only thing I can think of is that the Store UI doesn't support it.

I frequently use my Surface in portrait mode. Yeah, it's tall, but it works incredibly well with Next Gen Reader and other reading apps.

 

[tino]

The OS is designed around using it in landscape, so why would you use portrait anyway?

What kind of argument is that. If the OS is designed to use in landscape only why change the display to portrait at all?

Plus, 16:9 is terrible, its terrible on phones and its terrible on tablets.

 

[tino]

According to IDC,

http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS24093213

In Q1 2013 MS shipped 0.9 millions Surface Pro and Surface RT
there are total of 1.8 millions of W8 and RT tablets shipped, so 3rd party vendors also shipped 0.9 million of W8 and RT tablets.

And breakdown between W8 and RT is 1.6 millions vs 0.2 millions, that's 3.3% of the total tablet marketshare for W8 and 0.4% for RT.

I think I am going to hide the RT portion of my tablet comparison chart from now on, it's not worth anybody's time.

 

[Wiktor]

FullHD display = Meh.

.

wat?

 

[Wiktor]

According to IDC,

http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS24093213

In Q1 2013 MS shipped 0.9 millions Surface Pro and Surface RT
there are total of 1.8 millions of W8 and RT tablets shipped, so 3rd party vendors also shipped 0.9 million of W8 and RT tablets.

And breakdown between W8 and RT is 1.6 millions vs 0.2 millions, that's 3.3% of the total tablet marketshare for W8 and 0.4% for RT.

I think I am going to hide the RT portion of my tablet comparison chart from now on, it's not worth anybody's time.

Do we know that IDC counts as tablets? Do hybrids get thrown into laptop or tablet part? Especially those without detachable screens.

 

[tino]

Do we know that IDC counts as tablets? Do hybrids get thrown into laptop or tablet part? Especially those without detachable screens.

Does it matte? there are maybe 0.1 million of Sony Duo 11 and Taichi sold.

 

[Wiktor]

Does it matte? there are maybe 0.1 million of Sony Duo 11 and Taichi sold.

Sure it does. would propably at least double the numbers.

 

[tino]

Sure it does. would propably at least double the numbers.

Here, I did the homework for you

Table Notes:

All data are preliminary and subject to change. Vendor shipments are branded shipments and exclude OEM sales for all vendors.
Some IDC estimates prior to financial earnings reports.
Shipments include shipments to distribution channels or end users. OEM sales are counted under the vendor/brand under which they are sold.
IDC considers all LCD-based slate devices with screens between 7 and 16 inches as tablets, regardless of whether or not they include a removable keyboard (such as the Surface RT). Convertible devices with non-removable keyboards (such as Lenovo's Yoga) are not counted as Tablets.

 

[trinest]

Any Haswell yet?

 

[Blackhead]

wat?

Apple and Google have introduced 'Retina' display laptops and tablets over the past year. Even Toshiba has joined the party. 1080p displays don't cut it anymore.

 

[Wiktor]

Here, I did the homework for you

Thanks. Makes sense now why the numbers are so meh

 

[Wiktor]

Apple and Google have introduced 'Retina' display laptops and tablets over the past year. Even Toshiba has joined the party. 1080p displays don't cut it anymore.

Meh. To me retinas are useless specs porn. Especially since to make them look nice you need to use much lower resolutions than 1080p.

 

[Barmaley]

I am interested in the 7" Acer Wndows 8 Tablet too actually.




If Microsoft/Intel alliance can't move any currect W8 tablets then they are not going to be able to sell the new tablets in high volume.

MS has lost the window of opportunity to send selling point messages.

Plus, 16:9 is horrible to use in portrait mode, have you tried it?

Well, as I've said, if the fullhd w8 tablets reach the sweet spot price wise (ipad prices), I think they will perform rather well. I'm not saying MS will steal the crown from Apple (at least not yet), but at least a sizable piece of the market.

I haven't tried the 16:9 ratio, but personally I don't have much use for it. Perhaps for reading comics, but I still prefer physical copies of those

 

[maeh2k]

Some new affordable Sony notebooks. Seem like great value for the money.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-3121_7-57583100-220/sony-revamps-vaio-line-with-new-fit-series/

starts at $650, nice design, touch screen, no 1366x768. They are available with dedicated GPU, too.

Edit: still a very compelling device. I always liked the S13 a lot. But turns out prices can go very high. The Fit 14 can be configured up to $2000+. Unfortunately the base models don't have touch. The touch screen is a $100 option.

 

[maeh2k]

New Sony slider:

@tomwarren: New Sony Windows 8 convertible revealed, shows off slim design in leaked video http://vrge.co/15rFpKB

Looks great. Way better than the Vaio Duo. Not sure I'd really go for that form factor, though. Might prefer a Thinkpad Helix type device or a Surface with an additional dock or something.

 

[Wiktor]

I don't like the sliders because they sacrifice palm rests and not give anything back in return for that. Ultimatelly I think the good old rotating screen remains the most sensible solution for non-detachable device

 

[maeh2k]

Acer Aspire R7 video review: http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=44721

Not quite sure how I feel about it yet.


Edit: the 'presentation mode' could be nice for home use with separate keyboard an mouse, since the notebook keyboard and trackpad would be out of the way. Makes it look more like an additional screen than a notebook.

 

[maeh2k]

First 3200x1800, 14" notebook due "later this summer": http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/23/4357696/hp-envy-pavilion-laptops-3200-1800-touchsmart-ultrabook-display-2013

Looks like OEMs are finally trying.





Still not gonna buy an HP, though...
Some of the current Envys are pretty horrible. The trackpads alone are abysmal.

 

[Wiktor]

First 3200x1800, 14" notebook due "later this summer": http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/23/4357696/hp-envy-pavilion-laptops-3200-1800-touchsmart-ultrabook-display-2013

Looks like OEMs are finally trying.





Still not gonna buy an HP, though...
Some of the current Envys are pretty horrible. The trackpads alone are abysmal.

Lol..love the HP's philosophy "people don't recognize our brand so let's make everything look like Macbooks"

 

[maeh2k]

The Acer R7 has just been verged: http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/31/4380132/acer-aspire-r7-review

In a fit of late-night frustration, I picked the R7 up, held it aloft, and shouted at it: "WHAT ARE YOU?!" I still don't know.

Spoiler

5.8

 

[maeh2k]

Time for Computex.

New Acer PCs: http://blogs.windows.com/windows/b/windowsexperience/archive/2013/06/02/acer-introduces-8-inch-iconia-w3-new-aspire-pcs.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Unsurprisingly, their 8" device is overpriced and won't stand a chance going up against the competition. $380 for the 32 GB version... Edit: &#8364;329.-/&#8364;379.- for 32GB/64GB.

A new Aspire S7. 33% more battery life thanks to Haswell. Looks like there'll be a version with a 2560x1440 display: http://microsoft-news.com/acer-announces-updated-acer-aspire-s7-touch-ultrabook-with-2560x1440-touch-display/
"will start shipping in July starting at &#8364;1,450"

And another 13.3" device with a GeForce GT735M.

 

[opticalmace]

So how long until we can buy Haswell Ultrabooks?

 

[Blackhead]

So how long until we can buy Haswell Ultrabooks?

Right above you (the Aspire is a haswell ultrabook): "will start shipping in July". Although given the track record of Windows OEMs there probably won't be produced in large quantities until 3 months after...

The Aspire is very interesting:

Taking advantage of the touch benefits offered by Windows 8, the touch-enabled screen on the S7 can be opened a full 180°, and the image orientation reversed with a simple hotkey combination for easy touch-and-show sharing.​

 

[maeh2k]

Right above you (the Aspire is a haswell ultrabook): "will start shipping in July". Although given the track record of Windows OEMs there probably won't be produced in large quantities until 3 months after...

To be fair, I added that info after his post
Don't know if maybe some other Haswell products will ship before July. (Maybe the new MBAs)

I'm not holding my breath, either. But once a really compelling device hits I might replace my now 5.5 years old notebook. I'm mainly interested in hybrids like Intel's Haswell reference device.


(maybe there should be a thread about new Computex devices that's not hidden in Community)

 

[opticalmace]

To be fair, I added that info after his post
Don't know if maybe some other Haswell products will ship before July. (Maybe the new MBAs)

I'm not holding my breath, either. But once a really compelling device hits I might replace my now 5.5 years old notebook. I'm mainly interested in hybrids like Intel's Haswell reference device.


(maybe there should be a thread about new Computex devices that's not hidden in Community)

Computex is a pretty major show, no? I think a new thread would be dandy once reports start coming in.

 

[maeh2k]

ASUS Zenbook Infinity: 28W Haswell with Iris 5100 Graphics, 2560 x 1440 Panel?

 

[Nero3000]

Dell XPS 11: Coming later in the year. Dell's version of the Lenovo Yoga. QUAD HD screen as standard is nice.

ASUS Transformer book Trio: Runs Windows 8 on an i7 when docked, and Android 4.3 "Jelly Beam"

Spoiler

lol typo

on an Atom when detached. Seriously why would anyone want to run Android when you have Windows 8 already? I think Windows 8 is by far the better tablet operating system (coming from a Surface RT/Pro and Nexus 7 owner). Plus just having the synergy of one system across each mode.

 

[Milchjon]

ASUS Transformer book Trio: Runs Windows 8 on an i7 when docked, and Android 4.3 "Jelly Beam"

Spoiler

lol typo

on an Atom when detached. Seriously why would anyone want to run Android when you have Windows 8 already? I think Windows 8 is by far the better tablet operating system (coming from a Surface RT/Pro and Nexus 7 owner). Plus just having the synergy of one system across each mode.

More apps when you're using it as a tablet only?