The Best Windows Tablets of 2017

NameAsus Transformer Book T100HAAsus Transformer Mini (T102HA-D4-GR)Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 700Lenovo Miix 510Microsoft Surface Book (2016, Intel Core i7)Microsoft Surface Pro 4Xplore XSlate R12Acer Switch Alpha 12HP Spectre x2Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16
Lowest Price
Editor Rating
Operating SystemMicrosoft Windows 10Microsoft Windows 10Microsoft Windows 10Microsoft Windows 10Microsoft Windows 10Microsoft Windows 10Microsoft Windows 10Microsoft Windows 10Microsoft Windows 10Microsoft Windows 10
Dimensions10.3 by 6.7 by 0.4 inches0.5 by 10.2 by 6.7 inches0.35 by 8.27 by 11.5 inches0.6 by 11.8 by 8.1 inches0.9 by 9.14 by 12.3 inches11.5 by 7.93 by 0.33 inches0.75 by 12.93 by 8.17 inches0.62 by 11.5 by 7.93 inches0.31 by 11.93 by 8.23 inches0.75 by 16.5 by 10.3 inches
Weight1.2 lbsAlone: 1.18 lbs; With Keyboard Cover: 1.75 lbsAlone: 1.73 lbs; With Keyboard: 2.46 lbsAlone: 1.91 lbs; With Keyboard: 2.72 lbs3.63 lbs1.73 lbsAlone: 3.09 lbs; With keyboard and kickstand: 4.09 lbs1.99 lbsAlone: 1.88 lbs; With Keyboard: 2.72 lbs4.86 lbs
Screen Size10.3 inches10.1 inches12 inches12.2 inches13.5 inches12.3 inches12.5 inches12 inches12 inches15.6 inches
Screen Resolution1,200 by 800 pixels1,280 by 800 pixels1,920 by 1,080 pixels1,920 by 1,200 pixels3,000 by 2,000 pixels2,736 by 1,824 pixels1,920 by 1,080 pixels2160x1440 pixels1,920 by 1,280 pixels3840x2160 pixels
CPUIntel Atom Z8500Intel Atom x5-Z8350Intel Core m5-6Y54AMLogic Cortex A9Intel Core i7-6600UIntel Core i5-6300UIntel Core i5-6200UIntel Core i5-6200UIntel Core m7-6Y75Intel Core i7-6567U
Processor Speed1.4 GHz1.44 GHz1.1 GHz2.3 GHz2.6 GHz2.4 GHz2.7 MHz2.3 GHz1.2 GHz3.3 GHz
Storage Capacity (as Tested)128 GB128 GB128 GB256 GB1 TB128 GB256 GB256 GB256 GB512 GB
Estimated Battery Life10:3214:148:557:4919:1610:198:598:179:386:00
Read ReviewAsus Transformer Book T100HA
Review
Asus Transformer Mini (T102HA-D4-GR)
Review
Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 700
Review
Lenovo Miix 510
Review
Microsoft Surface Book (2016, Intel Core i7)
Review
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
Review
Xplore XSlate R12
Review
Acer Switch Alpha 12
Review
HP Spectre x2
Review
Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16
Review

More Portable Than a Laptop

Although the tablet PC has long been a dream, it's only in the last few years that it's become a reality. Thanks to the popularity of Android and iOS tablets, the advent of the Windows 8 and Windows 10 operating systems, and manufacturers' ability to fit more powerful hardware into ever slimmer and lighter devices, it's now possible to hold in your hand a tablet that can do almost everything your laptop does—and, in most cases, is even more portable.
Just as with any system, however, a Windows tablet requires you to make choices. How big and powerful do you want (or need) it to be? What sort of features are you looking for? And do you care about using it when you're out and about, or will you only need it while you're around a Wi-Fi connection? We'll help you answer all these questions and more, and tell you which of the many Windows tablets on the market are our favorites.

Size Matters

Just as laptops come in different sizes and are built for different users, tablets fall into a few categories. There are inexpensive 8-inch models, designed to let you browse the Web and enjoy streaming a movie from Netflix or Amazon Prime, but because these budget-friendly devices usually rely on low-power processors and minimal storage, you're better off getting one as a second or third device to serve alongside your laptop or smartphone. Then there are larger 10- to 12-inch models that come with a stylus or a docking keyboard, like the soon-to-be-released updated Microsoft Surface Pro. These give you a better way to take notes in class or type up an email or a term paper, and generally provide a well-rounded Windows experience. Finally, there are premium and business systems, designed as productivity tools rather than media consumption devices.
Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 700

Processor

Tablets run the gamut from low-power entertainment devices to potent tools for productivity. A lot of this comes down to the processor. Intel's Atom processors, which are built for low power usage and passive cooling, are perfect for inexpensive tablets. They don't require built-in cooling fans, and they offer usable performance that lasts for hours on a single charge. They lack the processing oomph you might want for applications like Photoshop, but they are ideal if you want to check Facebook and Twitter, then kick back with some YouTube videos.
At the other end of the spectrum are Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors, similar to the kind you'd expect to find in a full-fledged laptop. While these CPUs draw more power and require more cooling hardware, they offer a much higher level of capability, letting you get real work done. Tablets equipped with these processors are priced more like laptops, but you get performance to match the increased cost. Settling in between these extremes are Intel's Core M processors. Like those in the Atom line, these chips keep cool without needing a built-in cooling fan, but they offer more muscle to drive productivity.

Features and Connectivity

The switch from laptop to tablet also brings some new features to these handheld PCs. Sensors previously seen in smartphones bring new ways to interact with your PC, with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and e-compasses providing positional awareness for both automatic screen rotation and new immersive applications. And let's not forget touch. With capacitive screens that track five or 10 fingertips at a time, you can pinch, swipe, and tap your way through any task, even those that would have required a keyboard and mouse only a couple of years ago.
Then there's the question of connectivity. With such mobile designs, it's only natural that some shoppers will want tablets that feature the same sort of mobile data that they enjoy on their smartphones. While there are plenty of Windows tablets on the market that have 4G and LTE connectivity (and thus require a separate data plan), most Windows tablets stick exclusively to Wi-Fi.
Finally, what if you simply can't live without a real keyboard, but don't want the hassle of carrying a separate one around? Convertibles (also called 2-in-1s) have keyboards that fold around the back, so you can use them either as traditional clamshell laptops, tablets, or at any position in between. We've only included detachable hybrids here; to learn more about convertibles, read our roundup of the best 2-in-1 laptops.
It's a brave new tablet-filled world, but it's not without new concerns. The thin confines of a tablet make worries about heat buildup all the more important—especially when that heat is literally in hand. Touch screens add a new opportunity for frustration when taps and touches won't register properly, and the opportunities offered by docks and accessories also open up the chance to lose a valuable part of your PC while out and about—say what you will about tablets, but you'll never misplace your keyboard while using a laptop.
We've waded through the current tablet offerings, and tested and compared dozens of tablet PCs to discover what works and what doesn't. Here are our top 10 picks for Windows tablets. If you're not married to the Windows OS, read our report on the 10 best tablets overall, as well as our roundup of the best Android-based models.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Best Bathroom Scales

What Is Coal's Future?

On the face of it, coal is under fire from all sides. Subsidies for the world's dirtiest fuel are being phased out by rich nations. Local governments are also on a warpath against the commodity. For example, the mayor of New York City is trying to convince the city's pension funds to divest their coal holdings, which amount to about $33 million. Global demand is also slowing down. The Energy and Information Administration projects lower domestic coal consumption and exports because of the entry of other, major coal producers from the developing world. The Environmental Protection Agency is also cracking down on the industry with regulations, such as the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (MATS), which has resulted in the closure of a number of coal-fired plants. Natural gas is increasingly replacing coal as the fuel of choice for electricity. According to EIA forecasts, the share of natural gas in generating electricity is forecast to increase to 30% from 27%. And yet things are not as bad they seem. Coal is expected to be the largest source of fuel for generating electricity in the United States by the end of this decade. Even as it predicted lower domestic coal consumption, the EIA report projected that coal production in the U.S. will remain relatively constant over the next three decades. That is because coal represents a cheap and viable source for economic development in developing markets, such as China and India. Given these mixed signals, what then is coal's future? Why Coal Fell Out Of Favor Coal's declining fortunes are a contrast to its earlier status as the fuel of choice. The black rock, as it is popularly known, has been used as an energy source since prehistoric times. It was the invention of the steam locomotive, which was used to ferry coal stacks to different regions, that propelled coal to the center stage of energy choices. Although the industrial revolution started in Britain – it was there that the steam engine was invented, coal made helped the U.S. immensely. Pittsburgh coal mines powered the country's own industrial revolution before the two world wars. The country became the world's largest producer and exporter of coal. After a post-war boom in the 1950s, coal's fortunes began to decline during the 1960s, when alternate sources of fuel, such as oil, became popular. It has been a downhill ride since then. There were just 1,300 coal mines in the country in 2011, down from 9,331 in 1923, when the National Mining Association began measuring industry statistics. The number of workers in the coal industry declined by 87.5% during the same time period. The precipitous change was mainly brought about by the realization of coal's adverse effects on the planet's health. A number of studies over the years have confirmed the culpability of coal in raising global temperatures. The fuel is responsible for emissions of 1.7 billion metric tons a year of carbon dioxide out of the 5.3 billion tons that the U.S. emits annually. In addition to public pressure and government regulations, high operational costs, competition from other fuels and sliding prices have buffeted the coal industry. (See Also: How To Trade In Falling Coal Prices.) The problem is especially acute in the U.S., where 24 coal-mining companies have closed in the last three years alone. For example, the Appalachian coal-mining region became a flash point during the 2012 election cycle, when presidential candidate Mitt Romney blamed the region's problems on EPA regulations. In reality, a combination of cheaper imports from Colombia, rising labor costs and less productive mines brought about the closure of mines there. Mining costs at Powder River Basin, which account for over 40% of America's coal reserves, are comparatively cheaper. But those costs have been rising. The news for exports isn't that good, either. China powered much of the demand for coal in recent years and is the world's largest producer. (See Also: What Country Is The World's Largest Coal Producer?) But the Middle Kingdom is already working to reduce its reliance on coal. In addition, a deep dive in its economy has affected a global commodity slowdown, affecting a diverse swathe of commodity exporters. India is the other big coal consumer, but uses its internal reserves to fire up its economy. Is This Coal's Endgame? Even though it is besieged from all sides, coal still packs a powerful punch in sheer numbers. In fact, according to a report by research firm Wood Mackenzie, coal is expected to surpass oil as the dominant fuel by the end of this decade. Consider this: At 36 quadrillion British thermal units, oil has the maximum standby capacity among all fuels. Despite the forces stacked up against it, coal still ranks third in that list with a capacity of 26 quads. In an essay two years ago, Armond Cohen, director of the Clean Air Task Force, made a persuasive case for coal. “Coal will be central to economic modernization in the developing world, where most energy supply will be built in the next three decades. People who wish otherwise, and simply hope for the demise of coal are not facing the facts,” he wrote. Subsequently, Cohen listed three facts – the role of coal in aiding development in emerging markets, such as China and India, which is expected to become the largest importer of coal by 2020; the relatively miniscule capacity generation by alternate renewable energy sources; and the emergence of new technologies that remove carbon from coal, such as sequestration – to bolster his argument. (See Also: Why Coal Deserves Your Attention Right Now.) The Bottom Line Based on available evidence, it is certain that we are moving away from a world where coal is the primary source of energy to one characterized by a diversified and renewable energy mix. But coal's death won't occur suddenly. Coal's decline will be slow and measured because much of the world is still economically dependent on the fuel as a cheap source of energy. Read more: What Is Coal's Future? | Investopedia http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/101315/what-coals-future.asp#ixzz4ivSJVM5p Follow us: Investopedia on Facebook