A laptop and a tablet "in one bottle", a transformer tablet, a hybrid laptop - they all call them differently, but the essence is the same. The popularity of these devices, although slowly, is growing day by day. Transformers are trying to replace both conventional laptops and tablets, offering the user two-in-one functionality.
With the advent of Windows 8, not only the segment began its rapid growth, but it also gave developers a reason for various experiments. For example, many manufacturers have not yet come to a consensus regarding the form: what will be more convenient, how best to “twist” and whether it is acceptable at all. Some people like sliders with a dynamic keyboard and a tiny clickpad, some can't live without a "book", and some give detachable parts.
Let's try to talk about the latest innovations in this segment and identify the best convertible tablets on Windows 8, providing all the necessary technical specifications, coupled with the capabilities of the models, as well as giving food forreflections for lovers of "assemble and disassemble".
Dell Inspiron 11 3000
Dell's Inspiron 11 is far from a newcomer and has a solid niche in the computer market. Transformer tablets on Windows 8 of this company debuted two years ago, and this year the brand has updated its line in order to update the models.
The series can hardly be attributed to the budget class: on Dell's official resources, the price varies within $ 500. It depends on the filling, and the most expensive modification with a quad-core processor will cost about $650-700.
Features
The Dell Inspiron 11 line is entry-level convertible Windows 8 tablets. They have two main modes of operation (although the company claims that there are four): a presentation screen and a regular laptop. In the first case, the device is installed as a triangle, turning into a convenient touchscreen for viewing photos, videos or any other information.
The gadget's keyboard does not come unfastened during transformation, so the tablet from it turns out to be quite weighty: almost one and a half kilograms with a thickness of 20 mm. Other indicators of the model are simple and clear: a standard display, a screen with a low resolution (1366x768), a 3G modem and, of course, 64-bit Windows 8.1.
ASUS Transformer Book V
Several years ago, the company launched the Book line from ASUS (tablet-transformer). Windows 8 helped the brand improve its models and continue to release new ones, in line with trends.market.
One of the company's most dramatic experiments is the introduction of two operating systems at once. It's no secret that Windows is suitable for desktop devices, while Android has chosen mobile devices, so even in theory the scheme looks very attractive.
Today's Windows 8 convertible tablets are advancing technically quite quickly: both operating systems are located on different devices and switching between operating systems takes place in one click, that is, almost instantly.
Features
Innovative ideas allowed the company to launch the Transformer Book V on the market - a hybrid complete with an integrated smartphone, coupled with five device transformation modes. Modes include Classic Notebook, Tablet, Smartphone, Android Tablet and similar Laptop (KitKat). And this whole set supports the new Windows 8 convertible tablet with 3G from ASUS.
In technical terms, the hybrid is well advanced: a quad-core Atom processor from Intel, LTE capabilities are fully implemented, a modern screen with an IPS matrix, a 500 GB hard drive, 8 GB of RAM and, as mentioned above, switching operating systems from "Windows" to "Android" in one click.
Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
The name shows that the hybrid continues the development of the previous model, taking into account all the errors and shortcomings that almost all transformer tablets on Windows 8 suffer from.
You can start the review with pleasant and very useful little things that seem to be invisible, but without them you won’t be able to work with complete comfort. One of the obvious advantages of "Yoga" is the automatic keyboard lock in the "tablet" mode. An equally important detail of the hybrid is the competent arrangement of buttons to protect against accidental pressing in all modes. Separately, it is also worth mentioning the location of the Fn function keys, which can be seen not in the usual place for Lenovo in the corner, but between the Ctrl and Win buttons.
Features
One of the main advantages of Yoga 2 Pro is the high screen resolution of 3200 by 1800 pixels, which many convertible tablets on Windows 8 lack. User reviews are happy to note this innovation, but complain about such a small display - only 13, 3 inches, and coupled with PenTile technology, the screen loses its appeal altogether.
Users, except for the small screen, are dissatisfied with the autonomy of the hybrid and are ready to turn a blind eye to the weight of the device - if only it worked longer.
The design of the device is quite decent, and in general it looks very attractive, as well as the hardware stuffing of "Yoga": a powerful fourth-generation Haswell processor from Intel can vary depending on the modification from i3 to i7, coupled with 2 or 8 GB of RAM, respectively. The price of the transformer starts at 40 and ends at about 70 thousand rubles.
Sony VAIO Fit A Multi-Flip
Transformer tablets on Windows 8 series VAIO Fit A Multi-Flip "Sony" released withseveral screen options: 11, 13, 14 and 15 inches. The first two models appeared on the computer market in the middle of last year, the rest of the modifications were formed this winter.
As is often the case with the named company, the new line turned out to be both stylish and expensive. The body of the hybrid is made of high-quality anodized aluminum, along its horizontal part there is a shallow recess just a couple of millimeters wide. At the bottom of the device, although you can find plastic, it is of such high quality that the whole device looks like a solid array. Mechanical control, along with connectors, is located on the side faces of the hybrid.
The transformation of the gadget occurs along the horizontal axis during the flip of the screen, for this the aforementioned notch is needed, which serves as a fulcrum during the turn. The display itself is held in place by magnets and an additional mechanical lock for added security.
If you press the device's screen to the keyboard after transformation, you will get a tablet, but, judging by user reviews, it is too big and heavy: the 15-inch version with a weight of two and a half kilograms is not so easy to hold on weight.
Features
Of the advantages of the gadget, one can note the possibility of expanding the RAM up to 16 GB (the standard modification is equipped with 8 GB), as well as the presence of a branded and high-quality metal stylus in the kit, which is powered by AAAA batteries. Service life on one batteryabout a year.
Cons, though small, but they are sometimes very annoying. For example, the volume control, due to its ill-conceived location, can only be used in a flatbed scan. Replacing a hard drive on your own or adding RAM strips is almost impossible, since it is extremely problematic to get to these elements without involving a service department.
Otherwise, it can be noted that Sony deservedly asks for such a lot of money for a hybrid - the price / quality ratio is fully respected. The most inexpensive model in the line is the 11-inch version, which costs about 25,000 rubles, more technically savvy hybrids will cost about 80,000.
