Help me pick a windows tablet

June 20, 2013 8:49 PM

I am a professional poker player and I want to get a tablet that runs full windows operating system so I can play poker on the go (for example get 10 minutes in while im at the bank, or doctors office or waiting for a bus). It must be able to run regular windows programs like a desktop pc would. It must be able to take a sim card so I can use 3g Internet, and be carrier unlockable so I can use it in other countries. I would prefer used or refurbished, and the option for an external mouse and external keyboard would be a nice bonus. Long battery life would also be nice (6 hours+ of internet usage). Please give me specific tablet ideas and give feel free to mention more things I should consider, specs, or problems i haven't anticipated playing poker in public that I hadn't considered yet, etc.
posted by crawltopslow to Computers & Internet (2 answers total)

My boss recently bought a ThinkPad Helix, which is basically a tablet that's also a laptop. The pictures at the link sort of show how the screen part detaches to become a standalone tablet. It does run full Windows and some models have 3G, and of course you get the external keyboard and touchpad. I haven't used it myself, but from what I have seen it's pretty slick and he likes it a lot.

I think other manufacturers (HP, Dell, etc.) also carry similar laptops. Finding any full-Windows tablet used or refurbished may be a challenge as they're so new in general.
posted by pocams at 5:59 AM on June 21, 2013

Best answer: Are you a multi-table player? I think you'll want to pay close attention to the maximum resolution if so, and figure out on your own PC if the same resolution cascades well for multi-table play.

The prices are still pretty high for the newer Windows 8 Pro slates (avoid RT). Among the manufacturers pocams mentioned above, Samsung and ASUS are two other players in the market that are doing a fairly decent job. As a personal preference, I prefer a tablet that can snap into a keyboard tray to convert it into a clamshell laptop over a hybrid twist or flip model. True, you end up with separate pieces...but you also end up with less weight on your arm when using it in tablet mode.

Windows 8 Pro will likely give you the best user experience, and many of the older Windows 7 tablets will run Windows 8 Pro just fine (like the ExoPC, which you should be able to find easily on the market refurbished since it's been out for some time). For peace of mind, I'd personally consider spending the extra amount to get a new tablet with Windows 8 pre-loaded, if not just for the warranty and support. I'd budget from $700 - $1100 for a decent Windows slate.

As for 3G, I wouldn't focus too much on getting this built in, but rather go the USB dongle route so you can use the modem in other devices when needed.
posted by samsara at 5:40 AM on June 24, 2013