Good Article on Latest Windows Tablets

Feb 16, 2017

Here’s an article with a good rundown of the latest Windows tablets that are out there. https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-surface-pro-5-alternatives/

As you know I am a fan of Windows tablets because they can run a full desktop copy of Microsoft Outlook. You really need a full desktop copy of Outlook to enable the MYN system—don’t try to use a watered-down app or web version of Outlook for that.

However, I am not a fan of the tablet apps available on Windows tablets. The app selection is still pretty lame. I’d only get one because of Outlook, or just to get a thin and lightweight laptop (see next point).

Most of the machines in this list are really hybrids: combination laptops and tablets. So they are not really light enough to replace a ten-inch iPad, say. Two exceptions in the list: The Huawei Matebook, which at 1.4 pounds is the same weight as my favorite Windows tablet the Surface 3 (non-Pro). And the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S which weighs 1.5 lbs. It’s good to see these two because Microsoft’s small Surface 3 line (non-Pro) appears to be discontinued. But even the other, heavier, hybrids listed here still offer usefulness, and most in this list have an active digitizer pen option.

Again, check out the article here: https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-surface-pro-5-alternatives/

Michael

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3 Responses to Good Article on Latest Windows Tablets

  1. Kristen says:

    Michael, I purchased an ASUS Transformer Mini as a Black Friday whim (at the Microsoft store https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/ASUS-Transformer-Mini-T102HA-Signature-Edition-2-in-1-PC/productID.5082192600 ) and I have been really pleased with it. It runs Outlook very well and the pen experience is excellent – I love how I can tie an appointment to Onenote and write out my meeting notes. I’m one of those who feels like I just connect more by writing out notes, but want the convenience of digital. The inking is a great experience. Annotating PDFs with Drawboard is also a good experience.

    It can run a few apps with no slowdown or lag. The keyboard isn’t amazing but works if I need to type something out. I often find myself grabbing the Transformer when heading out to lunch or an appointment because it’s so portable. I still bring my laptop (an HP Spectre x360) if I know I’ll be doing heavy-duty writing or work with spreadsheets, but the Transformer is a nice little sidekick.

    • Michael Linenberger says:

      Thanks Kristen, that’s a favorite of mine too. Not sure why it was not in the article. Like the Surface 3 (non-Pro) the ASUS Transformer uses an Atom processor, and Intel said they aren’t going to make those anymore (which is why I think Microsoft seems to have discontinued the non-Pro Surface line.) So I am wondering what ASUS will do on the next update of this nice tablet. I hope they find a way. Michael

  2. Yahdoood says:

    I’ve been using a surface pro 4 since it came out, prior to that was using a Toshiba Yoga. Surface is the best computer I’ve ever owned! I say computer because I rarely use it as a tablet, I don’t bother with the tablet apps except for instagram, and on the rare occasions where I do use it as a tablet it’s mostly to write notes, or on airplanes when I can use the on screen keyboard.

    I bought the 128 gig version and of between dropbox, google drive and other apps like photoshop and office I quickly ran out of space, and then discovered a nice hack where I added a 128 gig memory card, and was able to re-program the registry so that it recognizes the card as a drive, so my dropbox now resides on it.

    I use the core I5 version and it’s plenty fast, runs several office apps, multiple browsers, photoshop, evernote and spotify all at once without slowing down, about 90% of the time. On the rare slowdowns (no crashes), a quick re-boot will bring it right back up to speed.

    Battery is good for about 4-6 hours depending on how hard I hit it. Ditched my ipad completely. No need anymore. My machead friends are all in awe of the touch screen and pen.

    I’m considering having my business do the subscription model so I can always have the latest greatest version, but so far I’ve not seen a good migratory tool that will transfer files and settings exactly as I have them.

    Apple is very good at that, when you buy a new mac, you can sync fully, takes a few hours but when you reboot your settings / files / layouts are exactly like the previous mac.

    I imagine MS will catch up soon on that.

    Until then, Surface Pro 4 is the best machine I’ve ever worked on.

    Cheers all!

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