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7 good Windows hybrids that rival the Surface Pro 3

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  • Good alternatives to the Microsoft Surface Pro 3

    Good alternatives to the Microsoft Surface Pro 3

    Microsoft recently unveiled the newest member of the Surface product line, the Surface Pro 3. The new tablet is bigger than earlier versions, and is available in various configurations.

    The biggest change from early models, aside from the 12-inch display, is the availability of Core i3, i5, and i7 processors. The fastest processor turns the Surface Pro 3 into a real laptop replacement when paired with a keyboard cover.

    The Surface Pro 3 ranges from $799 to $1,949 depending on the hardware configuration. The new Type Cover keyboard is an extra $129.99.

    Surface Pro 3 configurations:

    Processor Intel Core i3, i5, i7
    Display 12-inch (2,160 X 1,440)
    Weight 800gm (1.76lbs)
    Memory 4GB - 8GB
    Storage 64GB - 512GB
    Battery 9 hours
    Price $799 - $1,949

    The Surface isn't the only Windows hybrid, a number of them have been on the market for some time. There are models with different screen sizes, and keyboards that are full laptop docks. We've searched the web and come up with the seven best alternatives to the Surface Pro 3. Only models with detachable screens and good keyboard options were considered.

    Caption by: James Kendrick

  • Lenovo ThinkPad 10

    Lenovo ThinkPad 10

    Lenovo has produced a business tablet worthy of the ThinkPad brand. The ThinkPad 10 is a tablet that coupled with the Ultrabook dock turns into a full laptop. 

    The high-resolution display has wide viewing angles, a must for a tablet. The light weight of the ThinkPad 10 makes it a very good tablet, and coupled with one of the optional keyboards it becomes a solid laptop replacement.

    Lenovo ThinkPad 10 configurations:

    Processor Intel Atom Processor Z3795 SoC Quad Core
    Display 10.1” (1,920 x 1,200) IPS
    Weight 598gm (1.31lbs)
    Memory 2GB - 4GB
    Storage 51GB - 128GB
    Battery 10 hours
    Price $599 up

    Product web page

    Caption by: James Kendrick

  • Asus Transformer Book X300

    Asus Transformer Book X300

    The Transformer line from Asus has been around for years, starting with Android and now with Windows 8. The X300 is heavy but that's expected in such a large tablet. 

    The full laptop dock has a battery that extends the life of the tablet with its own battery.

    Asus Transformer Book X300 configurations:

    Processor Intel Core i5, i7
    Display 13.3-inch (1,920x1,080)
    Weight Tablet: 0.95kg; Dock: 0.95kg (with battery)
    Memory 4GB
    Storage 320GB - 500GB HDD with 128GB SSD
    Battery 8 hours
    Price $1,499

    Product web page

    Caption by: James Kendrick

  • Dell Venue 11 Pro

    Dell Venue 11 Pro

    The Dell Venue tablet line has a number of solid peformers. The Venue 11 Pro is a good compromise in size for both the tablet and laptop functions. It is unique among Windows hybrids in that the battery can be swapped on the go for limitless battery life.

    Dell Venue 11 Pro configurations:

    Processor Intel Atom; processor (Quad-Core)
    Display 10.8-inch; HD LCD (1366x768)
    Weight 771.5gm (1.57lb)
    Memory 2GB
    Storage 32GB - 256GB
    Battery User replaceable
    Price $429.99

    Product web page

    Caption by: James Kendrick

  • HP Spectre x2

    HP Spectre x2

    The Spectre is a business class tablet with a full laptop dock that turns it into a laptop replacement worthy of the mobile worker. The Spectre has surprisingly good battery life for such a large tablet.

    HP Spectre x2 configurations:

    Processor Intel Core i5
    Display 13.3-inch IPS (1,920x1,080)
    Weight 2.18 lb (tablet); 4.39 lb (tablet and base)
    Memory 4GB
    Storage 128GB
    Battery 12 hours
    Price $1,099

    Product web page

    Caption by: James Kendrick

  • Nokia Lumia 2520

    Nokia Lumia 2520

    The Nokia is the only hybrid in this collection running Windows RT. It is a good fit for those wanting a lightweight solution and is included in this collection for that reason. The hardware is well-built, typical for Nokia. It features integrated LTE connectivity for those on the go.

    Nokia Lumia 2520 configurations:

    Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (Integrated LTE)
    Display 10.1-inch (1,920 x 1,080)
    Weight 615gm (1.35lbs)
    Memory 2GB
    Storage 32GB
    Battery 10 hours
    Price $399

    Product web page

    Caption by: James Kendrick

  • Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro

    Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro

    The Smart PC Pro is a good tablet and a full laptop dock making it a good fit for the mobile professional. Performance is solid with the Core i5 processor but it takes its toll on the battery life. Overall a good choice for work and play.

    Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro configurations:

    Processor Intel Core i5
    Display 11.6" (1,920 x 1,080)
    Weight 889gm (1.96lbs)
    Memory 4GB
    Storage 128GB
    Battery 5.5 hours
    Price $1,199.99

    Product web page

    Caption by: James Kendrick

  • Asus Transformer Book T100

    Asus Transformer Book T100

    The T100 is a very nice tablet with a full laptop dock that makes it a solid laptop. There are a number of configurations available, including one that has a 500GB HDD in the laptop dock.

    Asus Transformer Book T100 configurations:

    Processor Quad core Intel Atom processor
    Display 10.1-inch (1,366 x 768) IPS
    Weight Tablet only: 1.2 lbs; Tablet with Dock: 2.4 lbs
    Memory 2GB
    Storage 32GB - 64GB
    Battery 11 hours
    Price $299

    See the full review on ZDNet .

    Product web page

    Caption by: James Kendrick

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The Surface Pro 3 is Microsoft's latest entry to the tablet/hybrid space. It doesn't compete with tablets, it's more a laptop replacement device. These alternatives may be a better fit for some than the new Surface.

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Good alternatives to the Microsoft Surface Pro 3

Microsoft recently unveiled the newest member of the Surface product line, the Surface Pro 3. The new tablet is bigger than earlier versions, and is available in various configurations.

The biggest change from early models, aside from the 12-inch display, is the availability of Core i3, i5, and i7 processors. The fastest processor turns the Surface Pro 3 into a real laptop replacement when paired with a keyboard cover.

The Surface Pro 3 ranges from $799 to $1,949 depending on the hardware configuration. The new Type Cover keyboard is an extra $129.99.

Surface Pro 3 configurations:

Processor Intel Core i3, i5, i7
Display 12-inch (2,160 X 1,440)
Weight 800gm (1.76lbs)
Memory 4GB - 8GB
Storage 64GB - 512GB
Battery 9 hours
Price $799 - $1,949

The Surface isn't the only Windows hybrid, a number of them have been on the market for some time. There are models with different screen sizes, and keyboards that are full laptop docks. We've searched the web and come up with the seven best alternatives to the Surface Pro 3. Only models with detachable screens and good keyboard options were considered.

Caption by: James Kendrick

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