Tablet shopping, endless options.
October 27, 2013 9:34 AM Subscribe
I've been researching tablets with detachable keyboards (hybrid tablet/laptop) and want to see if I'm missing anything.
I currently use a MacBook circa 2007, and the only thing that's wrong with it is that Apple will stop doing security updates. I see that there are new laptops that have detachable keyboards, which would suit my laptop/table needs perfectly. I'd rather not have two separate devices.
My price range is in the $400-600 range. I'm looking for models with a Bay Trail processor (Atom is older and slower, i4/i5's are too expensive), Windows 8 (Sorry, Apple, ya lost a customer!), 1920 x 1080 screen resolution, and no bigger than an 11 inch screen. Hard drive space I care less about because I don't need a lot of space, and RAM honestly I'm not sure what I need. The most resource-hogging thing I do is have multiple programs running simultaneously, one of them streaming video, which I don't think is too memory-intensive. I think 2-3GB is enough, but not sure about the whole DDR thing.
So far the Dell Venue 11 meets my needs perfectly, but it seems to be the only game in town - the game changer seems to be the high screen res. I was between the Dell Venue and the Toshiba Satellite Click, but the Toshiba only had a screen resolution of 1366 x 768, which was a dealbreaker.
I was also looking at the Lenovo IdeaTab A10, but an Android OS makes me nervous because I've had issues with my phone, and I'd like a good spreadsheet and word processing program. Not sure if Android offers that or how good it is. (I welcome comments on this too, as it opens up my options a bit).
My question is - are there any models I'm missing for comparison that come close to the Dell in terms of price range and the specs I'm looking for?
I currently use a MacBook circa 2007, and the only thing that's wrong with it is that Apple will stop doing security updates. I see that there are new laptops that have detachable keyboards, which would suit my laptop/table needs perfectly. I'd rather not have two separate devices.
My price range is in the $400-600 range. I'm looking for models with a Bay Trail processor (Atom is older and slower, i4/i5's are too expensive), Windows 8 (Sorry, Apple, ya lost a customer!), 1920 x 1080 screen resolution, and no bigger than an 11 inch screen. Hard drive space I care less about because I don't need a lot of space, and RAM honestly I'm not sure what I need. The most resource-hogging thing I do is have multiple programs running simultaneously, one of them streaming video, which I don't think is too memory-intensive. I think 2-3GB is enough, but not sure about the whole DDR thing.
So far the Dell Venue 11 meets my needs perfectly, but it seems to be the only game in town - the game changer seems to be the high screen res. I was between the Dell Venue and the Toshiba Satellite Click, but the Toshiba only had a screen resolution of 1366 x 768, which was a dealbreaker.
I was also looking at the Lenovo IdeaTab A10, but an Android OS makes me nervous because I've had issues with my phone, and I'd like a good spreadsheet and word processing program. Not sure if Android offers that or how good it is. (I welcome comments on this too, as it opens up my options a bit).
My question is - are there any models I'm missing for comparison that come close to the Dell in terms of price range and the specs I'm looking for?
Surface Pro 2 with addon keyboard?
posted by blue_beetle at 10:00 AM on October 27, 2013
posted by blue_beetle at 10:00 AM on October 27, 2013
If you want an office suite, get a Windows 8 tablet.
posted by Precision at 11:13 AM on October 27, 2013
posted by Precision at 11:13 AM on October 27, 2013
Microsoft Surface Pro 2 is by far the most compelling entry in this category, and their high-spec keyboard is, while pricey, a wonder to behold.
posted by killdevil at 12:49 PM on October 27, 2013
posted by killdevil at 12:49 PM on October 27, 2013
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'd reopen this option. Android on my tablet is fast and stable. See also: Office Suite Pro.
posted by DarlingBri at 9:53 AM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]