10 good Windows 8 tablets
10 good Windows 8 tablets
Windows tablets are getting better all the time, both the hardware and software with Windows 8.1. There are tablets of all sizes, and some with keyboard docks that turn them into laptops.
The ten tablets in this collection are good options to consider for those looking to get a Windows tablet. Only slates and hybrids with detachable tablets were considered for inclusion. While there are quite a few convertible notebooks, those laptops with screens that fold over the keyboard for tablet use, those are usually very heavy for such use and thus not part of this collection.
There are tablets covered that vary from 8-inch models to 11+ inches. Some of them have pen support for those who are looking for inputting by writing on the screen.
Where possible, newer tablets with Haswell technology have been clearly indicated. This is especially significant for tablets as Haswell from Intel provides good performance with better battery life than previous processors by Intel.
No ARM-based tablets are included in this collection to make it easier to compare the different tablets.
With the exception of the last model in the gallery, these tablets have all been used by the author or recommended by those whose input is highly regarded. If you have a tablet not included here, leave a comment below and share what you use and why it's so good.
Microsoft Surface Pro 2
Overview
The latest tablet from Microsoft is a powerhouse that can give many laptops a run for the money. It doesn't come with a keyboard but you'll want to pick up one of the two available covers to take full advantage of Windows 8.1. It has pen support and comes with a pen.
Size: 10.6-inch
Price: Starting at $899
Specs
| Processor | Intel Core i5 (Haswell) |
| Memory | 4 — 8GB |
| Display | 10.6-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 |
| OS version | Windows 8.1 Pro |
| Camera | Front and rear, 720p |
| Storage | 64 — 512GB |
| Ports | USB 3.0, microSDXC card reader, Headset jack, Mini DisplayPort, Cover port |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 8 — 9 hours |
| Dimensions | 10.81" x 6.81" x 0.53" |
| Weight | 2lbs |
Asus VivoTab Smart
Overview
The VivoTab Smart is a good tablet that has an optional keyboard cover that makes it a decent laptop replacement while on the run.
Size: 10.1-inch
Price: $450
Specs
| Processor | Intel® Atom™ Z2760 Dual-Core (non-Haswell) |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Display | 10.1-inch, 1,366x768 |
| OS version | Windows 8 |
| Camera | Front: 2MP; Rear: 8MP |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Ports | Audio, microHDMI, microUSB, microSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-fi 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 9.5 hours; 25Wh |
| Dimensions | 10.31" x 6.73" x 0.38" |
| Weight | 1.28lbs |
Asus Transformer Book T100
Overview
The T100 comes with a laptop dock that turns the tablet into a full laptop. The Bay Trail processor gives good performance with long battery life. There is no pen support.
Size: 10.1-inch
Price: $350
Specs
| Processor | 1.33 GHz Intel Atom Quad-core (Bay Trail) |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Display | 10.1-inch, 1,366x768 |
| OS version | Windows 8.1 |
| Camera | Front: 1.2MP |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Ports | 1-USB 3.0 (dock), audio combo, microHDMI, microSD card reader, microUSB |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 11 hours, 31Whr |
| Dimensions | Notebook: 10.4" x 6.7" x 0.93"; Tablet only: 10.4" x 6.7" x 0.41" |
| Weight | Notebook: 2.4lbs; Tablet only: 1.2lbs |
Dell Venue 8 Pro
Overview
This small tablet from Dell gets good reviews as it is highly portable with full Windows inside.
Size: 8-inch
Price: $300
Specs
| Processor | Intel® Atom™ processor Z3740D (Bay Trail) |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Display | 8-inch, 1,280x800 |
| OS version | Windows 8.1 |
| Camera | Front: 1.2MP; Rear: 5MP |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Ports | microUSB 2.0 , audio, micro-SIM |
| Connectivity | Wi-fi 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 9.9 hours |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 5.12" x 0.35" |
| Weight | 0.87lbs |
Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2
Overview
This tablet has ThinkPad build quality and is a very good portable computer. It comes with a pen to take advantage of the pen support in Windows 8.1. There is an optional keyboard accessory that works well with the Tablet 2.
Size: 10.1-inch
Price: $566
Specs
| Processor | Intel Atom Z2760, 1.8 GHz, non-Haswell |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Display | 10.1-inch, 1,366x768 |
| OS version | Windows 8 Pro |
| Camera | Front: 2MP; Rear: 8MP |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Ports | USB 2.0; miniHDMI; microSD; dock connector; 3.5mm audio |
| Connectivity | Wi-fi a/b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0; GPS |
| Battery | 11 hours, 30 Whr |
| Dimensions | 10.34" x 6.48" x 0.39" |
| Weight | 1.3lbs |
HP Envy x2
Overview
This tablet comes with a laptop dock as good as any available. With the tablet docked it is a full laptop. There is no pen support.
Size: 11.6-inch
Price: $614
Specs
| Processor | Intel Atom 1.8 GHz, non-Haswell |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Display | 11.6 inches, 1,366x768 |
| OS version | Windows 8 |
| Camera | Front: 1,080p; Rear: 8MP |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Ports | 2x USB 2.0; HDMI; SD slot (laptop dock); microSD (tablet) |
| Connectivity | Wi-fi; Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 8+ hours tablet; 14+ hours with keyboard dock (has second battery) |
| Dimensions | Docked (closed) — 0.76" x11.93" x8.12"; tablet — same, but 0.3-inches thick |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs tablet, 3.1 lbs with keyboard dock |
Not appearing on HP site but available on Amazon and other online retailers.
Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 8
Overview
This is similar to the ThinkPad Tablet 2 but in a smaller form, and since it's a newer product it has Bay Trail technology. There is no pen support nor is there a keyboard accessory available at the time of this publication.
Size: 8.3-inch
Price: $399
Specs
| Processor | Intel Z3770 Quad Core (2MB Cache, up to 2.39GHz) |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Display | 8.3-inch, 1,920x1,200 |
| OS version | Windows 8.1 Pro |
| Camera | Front: 2MP; Rear: 8MP |
| Storage | 64 — 128GB |
| Ports | USB 3.0, microHDMI,MicroSD Slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-fi 802.11a/b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 8 hours |
| Dimensions | 5.19" x 8.83" x 0.35" |
| Weight | 0.95lbs |
Samsung Ativ Smart PC
Overview
This tablet is a full PC with a laptop dock and pen support. Both the dock and the pen are included with the tablet.
Size: 11.6-inch
Price: $580
Specs
| Processor | Intel® Atom™ Processor Z2760, 1.8GHz (non-Haswell) |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Display | 11.6-inch, 1,366x768 |
| OS version | Windows 8 |
| Camera | Front: 2MP |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Ports | USB 2.0; microSD; microHDMI |
| Connectivity | Wi-fi 802.11 a/b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 9.7 hours |
| Dimensions | 11.6" x 0.38" x 7.2" |
| Weight | 1.65lbs |
Lenovo Miix 2 8
Overview
This economical small tablet is built well and fits nicely in the hand. It does not have pen support nor is there a keyboard accessory available.
Size: 8-inch
Price: $299
Specs
| Processor | 1.3 GHz Intel Atom Quad-core (Bay Trail) |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Display | 8-inch, 1,280x800 |
| OS version | Windows 8.1 |
| Camera | Front: 2MP; Rear: 5MP |
| Storage | 32GB |
| Ports | audio, microSD, microUSB |
| Connectivity | Wi-fi b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Battery | 7+ hours |
| Dimensions | 5.2" x 8.5" x 0.3" |
| Weight | 0.77lbs |
Vizio Windows 8 Tablet
Overview
This tablet is included in this collection for AMD fans. It is the only tablet that uses an AMD processor. It is heavier than most tablets and has relatively short battery life.
Size: 11.6-inch
Price: $600
Specs
| Processor | AMD Z-60 APU, AMD Radeon™ HD 6250 |
| Memory | 2GB |
| Display | 11.6-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 |
| OS version | Windows 8 |
| Camera | Front: 2MP |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Ports | Audio, microUSB, microHDMI |
| Connectivity | Wi-fi 802.11n |
| Battery | Up to 5 hours |
| Dimensions | 11.66” x 7.53” x 0.39” |
| Weight | 1.8lbs |