We've compiled a list of every Windows 8 and Windows RT tablet and hybrid device about to launch to help you get clued up on what'll be available
With Microsoft’s Surface tablet due to hit the shops imminently and a veritable avalanche of other Windows 8 and Windows RT based hardware on the way, we thought it’d be a good idea to list every Windows 8 tablet we could find in one place.
Here you can get an idea of what features each model has.
Some of these devices are just tablets, some turn into laptops, others can even be converted into desktop computers, but at their core what they all have in common is some kind of distinct tablet mode which distinguishes them from other Windows 8-based PCs.
The list is sorted by manufacturer (in no particular order) and each model is specified as being either a Windows 8 or Windows RT device.
Before going any further it’s important to distinguish what the differences are between Windows 8 and Windows RT, seeing that Microsoft clearly isn't bothering.
A most basic summary is that Windows 8 runs on devices using Intel processors and it can install and run existing (‘legacy’) software and games such as the ones you might already have on your Windows 7 PC.
Windows RT runs on ARM processors (such as those made by Qualcomm and Nvidia) and cannot run legacy software – this means that if you buy a Windows RT device you can only run apps you acquire through the Windows Store. You have been warned.
For more information on the subject read our in-depth articles:
Windows RT vs Windows 8: Which is best?
Microsoft will not allow 16+ PEGI games in the Windwos 8 Store
Samsung
Samsung Ativ Tab – Windows RT
Samsung’s Ativ Tab uses a 1.5GHz ARM Cortex-A9 dual core processor with 2GB of RAM and has 32GB or 64GB of internal storage space.
It also features MicroSD capability for cards up to 32GB and high-capacity cards up to 64GB.
The display is a 10.1-inch LCD multitouch panel with a 1366x768 pixel HD resolution. There are MicroHDMI and MicroUSB ports, as well as additional connectivity via Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, NFC and GPS.
An 8200mAh battery provides the power and you get both a 2-megapixel front-facing webcam and a 5-megpaixel rear-facing primary camera with LED flash.
The Ativ Tab is a standalone tablet with no keyboard dock (though third party Bluetooth or USB keyboards may be compatible).
Samsung Ativ SmartPC – Windows 8
The Ativ SmartPC is a hybrid Windows 8 device with a detachable keyboard dock.
It sports an 11.6-inch display with the same 1366x768 pixel resolution as the Ativ Tab, but it’s powered by a ‘next generation’ Intel Atom processor with 2GB of RAM and an Intel SGX545 graphics chip.
The front camera is rated at 2-megapixels while the rear is 8-megapixels.
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and optional 4G/3G while the battery is said to last for nine hours of video playback or around 13 hours for mixed use.
Samsung Ativ SmartPC Pro – Windows 8 Pro
The Ativ SmartPC Pro is very similar to the regular Ativ SmartPC – it’s still an 11.6-inch hybrid device with detachable keyboard.
However, it’s a little more powerful and the display has a higher 1920x1084 pixel resolution.
There are two processor options, both Intel Ivy Bridge chips with a choice of either the i3 or i5 – both come with Intel’s 4000 HD graphics chip and 4GB of RAM.
The camera setup isn’t quite as good as it uses a 2-megapixel front-facer and a 5-megapixel primary while the battery life lasts for five hours of video playback.
Lenovo
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 – Windows RT
The Lenovo Yoga concept involves a laptop design which can fold the keyboard around the back of the display to form a tablet.
As the name implies, the Yoga 11 is an 11.6-inch device with an IPS LCD display and a 1366x768 pixel resolution.
It uses an Nvidia Tegra 3 quad core ARM Cortex-A9 processor chip with 2GB of single-channel RAM. There’s 32GB of built-in storage and MicroSD for cards up to 32GB and high-capacity up to 64GB.
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI and USB. Battery life is said to be 13 hours.
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 – Windows 8
Despite sharing the Yoga name, the Yoga 13 is quite different from the Yoga 11.
For a start it has a 13.3-inch IPS LCD multitouch screen with a 1600x900 pixel resolution. However, it also uses Intel’s i3 processor chip with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB storage drive and runs Windows 8 instead of Windows RT.
Battery life is quoted as eight hours.
Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx – Windows 8
The IdeaTab Lynx is a standalone Windows 8 tablet, but it does have the option of becoming a hybrid device if you want to buy the compatible keyboard dock, which is sold separately.
It has an 11.6-inch IPS LCD display with a 1366x768 pixel resolution and runs an Intel Atom Z2760 dual core ‘Clover Trail’ processor clocked at 1.8GHz with 2GB of RAM.
It’ll be available with either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage and will take MicroSD cards up to 32GB. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, MicroHDMI, USB, MicroUSB and a proprietary charging port.
The battery life is pegged at eight hours.
Lenovo ThinkPad Twist – Windows 8
Lenovo’s ThinkPad Twist (aka ThinkPad Edge Twist) is another Windows 8 hybrid with a keyboard and neat mechanism which allows the display to rotate 180 degrees.
The screen is a 12.5-inch IPS LCD with a 1366x768 pixel resolution and the device is powered by an Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7 processor with integrated graphics processor (GPU) and 8GB of RAM.
The tablet is available with either 128GB of SSD (solid state) storage or a 500GB hard drive and has card support.
Connectivity includes full size USB ports, an Ethernet port, MiniHDMI, Wi-Fi, stylus support, Bluetooth and optional 3G while the battery is supposed to run for seven hours.
Asus Vivo Tab – Windows 8
The Asus Vivo Tab (Tablet 810) has an 11.6-inch multitouch IPS LCD display with a 1366x768 pixel resolution. It’s based on an Intel Atom chip with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space.
Connectivity is the same as the Vivo Tab RT.
Asus Taichi/Taichi 21 – Windows 8
Asus’ Taichi concept involves a laptop-style device but with a display on each side of the lid – meaning that when the device is closed it functions as a tablet.
The base Taichi model has an 11.6-inch IPS LCD display with a 1920x1080 pixel resolution and an Intel Ivy Bridge processor chip (CPU). Not much else is known about it at this point other than Wi-Fi connectivity.
There’s also a version with a 13.3-inch display and the Taichi 21 which has the same display as the base model but a different processor: an Intel Core i5 (i5-3317U) with an Intel 4000 HD graphics chip, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
Connectivity includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and video out. There’s a removable battery pack with five hours of use and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with 720p video capture.
Asus Transformer Book – Windows 8
This is Asus’ flagship Windows 8 hybrid. Details are limited at present but it features a detachable keyboard dock, an Intel Ivy Bridge processor (available as Core i7, Core i3 and Core i5 options) with 4GB of RAM and an Nvidia GPU.
The display is an 11.6-inch HD IPS LCD (though 13-inch and 14-inch models will reportedly also be available).
There’s a 5-megapixel primary camera on the rear and Wi-Fi and USB connectivity.
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