2 Days before.. Tablet / Windows 8 Gift Help

[Kavvy]

So while it is very close to christmas, but my fiancee and I have been out of town for a while so both of our presents might be late for each other.

I would like to get her a new laptop or tablet. It is my understanding Windows 8 is the only operating system they are one and the same.

Would you try to purchase the surface or chroom book?

Her needs are:

1. 100% NOT gaming
2. She is ending her medical school and starting residency next spring, they still get quized. Apperntly Apple has some good medical aps
3. Surfing the net and checking email
4. She has an IPhone 4
5. I hate Mac, does that count
6. She will be traveling for university interviews in ate Jan and early Feb, it would be nice if she can watch movies on it with ease
7. I would like it to be MS office compatible but it is her device
8. I expect lightweight would be nice as it will be carried around, but as it isn't a gaming device, that shouldn't be hard to get
9. SSD would be nice as well
10. Wifi must
11. USB port would be nice, not needed

Any recommendations?

Thank you!

Kavy

[Rathji]

If iTunes compatibility is a must then don't get a Surface or Windows RT tablet. However, I am not sure that it is given your description.

That said, it is a pretty good unit if you want to consume media and have almost full desktop experience. Typing is reasonably easy with both of the keyboards, but the Touch keyboard is slightly worse in that you need to type fairly hard on it. I don't have a problem with it personally since I am a hard typer. Battery life is acceptable, but not overly spectacular.

It comes with a preview version of Office 2013, and which will include an update to the full version when it is released.

My normal use is watching video on transit, occasionally working on Word docs in split screen mode. I also tend to be using RDP and Team viewer on it to do the occasional task like family tech support or to log in to my PC or work to get a quick task done. If needed, you could plug a mouse and keyboard into it, for more involved tasks, and but there is only a single USA port so would need to find a supported USA hub.

One thing to make sure you note is that it is not an x86 version of windows which means not all devices will have drivers. For example I tried the apple usb to ethernet adapter and it wasn't supported, and but there are similar devices that seem to work. Also ActiveX support is extremely limited, initially only a handful of supported, primarily, MS ones. The end result is that some websites won't work, but it is likely the least impacted tablet Os in that regard.

Typing using just the Touch screen isn't bad, but it is a rather wide device, so you need to use the split keyboard if you are holding the device with 2 hands.

App selection isn't fantastic, but all the basic things are available, as good if not better than the Play book app selection, which is promising given the young age of the RT platform.

Overall, it depends on what you (her) the will be doing g with it. As a productive device it is likely one of the better ones out there, If consumption is really all that she is doing then am iPad Mini or Nexus 7 would be cheaper options.

Hope that answers some of your questions, feel free to all for clarifications if you need anything further.

[Mike F]

What's your limit on spending?

I know you said Surface or Chrome Book, and I generally hate it when people answer an A or B question with X, but from everything I've read, getting a convertible windows 8 laptop that has touch capabilities is the way to go for full usefulness - touch for the new interface, trackpad for the old interface, and full version of windows 8 so that new and legacy apps are fully available.

[Kavvy]

Thank you both for your replies.

Sorry, Chrome book and surface were just ideas.

Rathji, I am confused, I thought ALL windows 8 devices come with a full version of Windows OS installed, is that not true?

I think I am after a convertible laptop for her, something she can type on with a key bored and rip it out and it becomes a tablet.

As for price limitations, probably around 300-700. I would like to buy her the new WI as well (her birthday is also very close by), but her laptop needs to be replaced. Also, replacing her laptop gives me back mine as hers is so bad.

I have done some research and it appears the large touchscreen desktops are not even close to the same quality as their convertible laptop brothers, but in any case I am after a mobile device.


With a windows 8 convertible device, I can install any software I want on it, and still use the Windows App store, that is correct right?

Thank you!!

Kavy

[Rathji]

The Windows 8 tablets are almost all Windows RT, which runs on the ARM processor.

This means it only runs applications designed for it, not for any other Windows operating system. If it makes sense, think of it as a totally new operating system, because it really is. You can only install software from the Windows Store.

There are some Windows 8 laptops, that run a the real version of Windows, that also have a tablet touchscreen interface. These devices can have 'regular software' installed on them, like any other Windows 7 laptop.

Assuming you want the full OS, just make sure it ins't Windows RT.

Something like http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-10-tablet/pd might be more what you are looking for. There are other options, seen here, but as you can see, not really in your price range.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by Rathji

The Windows 8 tablets are almost all Windows RT, which runs on the ARM processor.

This means it only runs applications designed for it, not for any other Windows operating system. If it makes sense, think of it as a totally new operating system, because it really is. You can only install software from the Windows Store.

There are some Windows 8 laptops, that run a the real version of Windows, that also have a tablet touchscreen interface. These devices can have 'regular software' installed on them, like any other Windows 7 laptop.

Assuming you want the full OS, just make sure it ins't Windows RT.

Something like http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-10-tablet/pd might be more what you are looking for. There are other options, seen here, but as you can see, not really in your price range.

Thank you, now I know to stay away from RT, or at least if I go that direction, I am not surprised.

[Mike F]

Based on your described wants, you're definitely looking for a full Windows 8 Pro convertible.

The bad news is, they're out of your budget, running ~$1,000.00.

But the good news is if you can expand your budget now or by waiting and saving, there are, or will be, some very good options.

Windows Surface Pro will be coming out soon (Preview Article).

The Acer Iconia W700 has received good reviews, but is sinfully ugly IMO.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga has also received good reviews, though the keyboard is non-detachable (and I'm not sure of availability in Canada).

Then there's the Samsung ATIV Smart PC. The 700T Pro version would likely be the one I would buy today if I were in the market, as it has top specs and comes with a great Wacom Stylus. There's also the 500T version, which doesn't have the same top of the line (for this generation) specs (e.g. no HD resolution display), but it's the one Windows 8 Pro tablet that you can get that is LTE-enabled, through Rogers, and comes in at a competitive price with the Windows RT tablets.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by Mike F

Based on your described wants, you're definitely looking for a full Windows 8 Pro convertible.

The bad news is, they're out of your budget, running ~$1,000.00.

But the good news is if you can expand your budget now or by waiting and saving, there are, or will be, some very good options.

Windows Surface Pro will be coming out soon (Preview Article).

The Acer Iconia W700 has received good reviews, but is sinfully ugly IMO.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga has also received good reviews, though the keyboard is non-detachable (and I'm not sure of availability in Canada).

Then there's the Samsung ATIV Smart PC. The 700T Pro version would likely be the one I would buy today if I were in the market, as it has top specs and comes with a great Wacom Stylus. There's also the 500T version, which doesn't have the same top of the line (for this generation) specs (e.g. no HD resolution display), but it's the one Windows 8 Pro tablet that you can get that is LTE-enabled, through Rogers, and comes in at a competitive price with the Windows RT tablets.

Sorry responding on bad cell phone on bad air port wifi heading back to yyc


Thank you. So windows pro or bust eh? I thought more would be ready with the marketing
of pentiumims ultra books last year

[Kavvy]

She knows i. Don't have her gift yet I wonder if.I should wait till, boxing day

[FireInTheHole]

I picked up a laptop very similar to this one: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...f0d4c198aden02 but the one I got has an i3 processor in it which is a bit more zippy than the Pentium 987. It's a sweet little laptop that should meet her needs, as I believe it meets your criteria for Windows 8, keyboard, touch screen, price point.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by FireInTheHole

I picked up a laptop very similar to this one: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...f0d4c198aden02 but the one I got has an i3 processor in it which is a bit more zippy than the Pentium 987. It's a sweet little laptop that should meet her needs, as I believe it meets your criteria for Windows 8, keyboard, touch screen, price point.

Thank you appreciate the find!

[FireInTheHole]

No problem Kavy. The model I picked up was at, of all places, Visions. The one at Best Buy is virtually identical except for the processor.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by FireInTheHole

I picked up a laptop very similar to this one: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...f0d4c198aden02 but the one I got has an i3 processor in it which is a bit more zippy than the Pentium 987. It's a sweet little laptop that should meet her needs, as I believe it meets your criteria for Windows 8, keyboard, touch screen, price point.

I'd never heard of those Pentium 987's before - what an interesting chip, it's Sandy Bridge based, but has all the advanced stuff stripped out. Learn something new every day.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

I'd never heard of those Pentium 987's before - what an interesting chip, it's Sandy Bridge based, but has all the advanced stuff stripped out. Learn something new every day.

hmmm.... well at least i have a model on my list to look at within a price range, but still thank you for the info on the chip

[Rathji]

With my experience with both tablet and PC Windows 8, I would highly suggest that the primary interface be touch screen. I know this is kind of obvious, but I don't think a traditional laptop form factor really accomplishes this, even if it has a touch screen.

The reason being, unless you are actively sitting down and creating any content, the keyboard is a hassle and detracts from the experience. If the keyboard can snap on/off or flip behind, I think it becomes a much better device.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by Rathji

With my experience with both tablet and PC Windows 8, I would highly suggest that the primary interface be touch screen. I know this is kind of obvious, but I don't think a traditional laptop form factor really accomplishes this, even if it has a touch screen.

The reason being, unless you are actively sitting down and creating any content, the keyboard is a hassle and detracts from the experience. If the keyboard can snap on/off or flip behind, I think it becomes a much better device.

Thank you, my mind was going there, this reassures me.