Windows 8 ushers in convertibles and
hybrids but are they really worth the money?
We now have a new breed of devices to
choose from, the Windows 8 convertibles and hybrids. With Microsoft’s new
operating system being optimized for touch, these devices try and bring the
touchscreen closer to the user.
So there are hybrids, which are essentially
tablets that have extra keyboards, or convertibles that can transform
themselves from Ultrabooks to tablets.
Windows
8 ushers in convertibles and hybrids but are they really worth the money?
With pricing being what it is, most of
these devices will continue to be niche products for some months to come. The
hybrids are cheaper, but they are also Intel Atom-based devices which might not
be able to perform many high-end tasks. However, these are more portable and
handy, making them the ideal device for those who will need a tablet that can
do a bit more.
The Ultrabook convertibles, on the other
hand, will be able to do most tasks that you assign to it. But they are costly
and a bit too heavy and large to use as proper tablets. They should be
preferred by people who essentially need an Ultrabook, but would like to have
the ease-of-use of a tablet when required.
However, in the New Year you will see a lot
of conversation revolving around the convertible and hybrids, which will be the
showcase devices for Windows 8. At least for now, this form factor is also
unique to this OS as you don’t have hybrids and convertibles in OS X or
Android, except for maybe the Asus Transformer series.
But this is just the beginning, even as you
see touch becoming an essential feature in computers in coming months you will
also see these convertibles and hybrids evolving in design, and, hopefully,
becoming cheaper. They are being projected as the ideal solution for
individuals who are now dependent on two or more devices for their daily fix.
So, the suggestion is to choose a convertible or hybrid over carting around
both a laptop and tablet. No doubt, there will be takers for this concept.
The
Asus Transformer
We can see a lot of design innovation
taking place in the segment - there are said to be around a hundred new designs
in various stages of production. There are also attempts to bring the prices
down by making touchscreens cheaper. Intel, meanwhile, is promising all-day
power with its new fourth generation Core processors. They are also expected to
make the hybrids more enterprise-friendly with added power and laptop-like
security features.
The advent of the convertibles don’t mean
the traditional tablet or laptop is dead on the Windows platform. In fact, the
traditional devices will continue to be made and sold. They will co-exist with
the new premium segment for some time. The older devices will need to bring in
touch into their devices though. Thankfully, touchscreens have already become
affordable with devices like the Asus Vivobook F202E. For the budget conscious,
you will see track-pads and mouse becoming touch enabled so that Windows 8
commands can be executed even if you don’t have a touchscreen. This will be
crucial, for using Windows 8 without any form of touch to exploit the full
potential of the OS could be quite frustrating.
The fifty-fifty
Sony Vaio Duo 11
·
Price: $1,660
·
Specs: Windows 8,
11.6-inch Full HD touchscreen, Intel Core i5-3317U, 6GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Intel
HD graphics 4000, 12.60” (W) .71” (H) 7.84" (D), 1.3kg
Sony claims its Vaio Duo 11 is the easiest
Ultrabook convertible to use with a single motion to do the actual conversion.
So we thought this was the first thing we should test with the Duo 11. Yes, it
is quite easy to pull the display up to reveal the keyboard in one simple
motion. But, no, you cannot do it with one hand.
Sony
Vaio Duo 11
The Duo 11 is a screen-first kind of design
and you can use it as a tablet if you are comfortable with the weight. But then
all Ultrabook convertibles make heavy tablets. At the top of the display is a
small groove, pulling on which makes the screen stand up, revealing a neat
little keyboard below.
But it is not a full-size keyboard and
there is a no place to rest your wrists while typing. So you will have to
adjust a bit while using it. However, you will get used to it in a few hours
and this is a good keyboard to use, if you will need to use it.
This design also shows that track-pads are
becoming redundant in a touchscreen world. In fact, even the track-point, which
has been nestled between the keys, is unnecessary with an 11.6-inch touchscreen
just in front of you. There are also three keys below that work like the keys
on a mouse.
The touchscreen is very responsive and the
pictures are really crisp, that is because this is a 1080p FuII HD display. The
sound quality is also very good, especially when you are using the tablet. Thai
is because he speakers are facing down and are placed Belo the keyboard.
Similarly, keep the orientation lock o when using the device as an Ultrabook,
for the smallest movement flips the screen over.
Like all Ultrabooks, the Duo 11 too runs
3rd generation Intel Core i5 processor and won’t have any trouble munching
through even heavy tasks. It also starts p in a jiffy, but we have come to
expect that from uItrabooks. While other convertibles are for those who will
use the Ultrabooks pan more, the Duo 11 is good in both modes and can be
suggested for those who will have a substantial tablet use as well. Being a
Vaio, there is an Assist button, but ii is sort of hidden under the front edge
near the volume buttons.
Son is pitching this as an enterprise-ready
device a d so there are Iwo USB drives, a card reader, as we I as HDMI and VGA
ports. We also loved the fact that the Ethernet port and power jacks are
behind, and this will add to its usability as a desktop device. Overall, this a
good buy for people who ‘need power in their convertible, which they will use
equally as a tablet and an ultrabook.
