I need to buy a new laptop for when im out at clients/away from home. But I would rather spend them money on a Windows 8.1 tablet like a surface from or a Dell venue 11 pro.
Obviously I would use this with a keyboard but in reality would it work the same, or would there be any disadvantages. I know people might say screen size but I would only buy a small laptop anyway.
Thanks
Replies (12)
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Just my opinion
My advice would be to try out a Surface for a while before you risk buying. They are very disapointing in my experience, the carpet tile keyboard option is especially naff.
As a result of that we tried out the Dell Venue. Much better all round.
Captain
Dell XPS Duo 12
I'm currently working from one of these (in laptop mode).
http://www.trustedreviews.com/dell-xps-duo-12_Laptop_review
It is a Windows 8.1 laptop / tablet hybrid. Very pleased with it so far. Very light and great screen resolution.
Very light
I can say that the Surface is NOT very light! Far too heavy for a tablet.
Also, when discussung Surfaces, (Surfi?) the RT models should be ignored completely.
Captain
Very light
The Dell XPS Duo 12 is also heavy for a tablet, but very light for a laptop. If think there have to be compromises on any multi-functional devices.
I use mine 95% of the time in laptop mode, but the heavy tablet is very useful for those other 5% of the times when I want to share a document with a client at a meeting.
I like my iPad (which in my view is a superb tablet), but struggle to be able to use it in business.
Hybrid
Just got my girlfriend one of these and she loves it
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/laptops-netbooks/laptops/laptops/hp-pavili...
Pros are it can be used as a tablet and laptop, has two batteries so battery life is great and can run all normal windows apps.
Cons are the processer isn't as fast as you would find in the same price laptop, but is quicker than most tablets, the tablet bit is a little heavier than a true tablet and it only has a 64gig ssd drive, but you can stick in an SD card to increase. As it has USB and HDMI ports can be used on a desk with a normal keyboard/mouse/monitor.
The DELL XPS is a nice idea but as you can't remove the screen you end up carrying around a lot of weight.
Surface RT
Hi Kuaiji - you haven't said what software you will need to run on the tablet. If you only need email, web and MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook), the the Surface RT is superb. I have had one for a year and love it. As my other software is either cloud-based (eg bookkeeping packages like QuickBooks Online) or runs in a hosted desktop, I don't need the full version of Windows 8 on the tablet, so the RT is a perfect choice.
The Surface RT is also MUCH cheaper and lighter (contrary to what Capt Black says, the only heavy version is the Surface Pro) and includes MS Office free (that software alone would normally cost more than the RT).
If you need to run other Windows software locally on the machine, then the RT would not be appropriate (as you can only install apps on top of its pre-installed software) and I would not recommend the Surface Pro, as other tablets are cheaper.
The people who dislike the Surface either dismiss the RT because you can't install full Windows programs apart from MS Office or they dismiss the Pro because it's expensive. I'd agree that the Pro can be bettered by other devices but if, like me, you don't need to install non-MS programs, the RT is a perfect tablet, in my opinion.
Venue
I had a look at my friend's Windows Venue. Seemed really good but would seggust 10" excreen size as, on screen keyboard mode, the buttons are tiny.
Asus
Take a look at the ASUS Transformer range. Andriod, they look and feel like a very good qality laptop, but you can split them, and for any MS programs that you may not be able to use then load up Splashtop to access your office desktop. Works great for me.
Google Nexus
I just use my google nexus 7 (2013) with a bluetooth keyboard - with QuickOffice any office document can be modified!
I *hate* windows 8 like everyone else I have spoken to. The only reason I need my laptop would be if I was writing code on the windows platform. Like Charlie said, it depends on what software you need. I am not sure if QuickOffice can handle complicated pivot tables, calculations etc in Excel.
What do you need to run on it?
Hi Kuaiji - you still haven't said what s/ware you need to run on this device. See my comment above if you don't need local s/ware beyond MS Office. If not, I'd question your choice of Dell Venue 11 Pro Tablet. See prices:
Dell Venue 11 - £478+vat = £573
Surface RT - £229 (incl VAT) - so cheap and includes free copy of MS Office (k/board extra £100 or £110)
Surface 2 - £359 (incl VAT)
If you need to install non-Office full Windows products, the Dell may be a good choice, but it is expensive.