Lightweight Windows 8 Pro Tablets that are “Shipping” Now

November 22, 2012

In my blog two days ago I mentioned that no lightweight Windows 8 Pro tablets were shipping yet, or at least none were really in stock.  Well, there are two models that you might be able to find right now, and they both hold position number six in the Windows 8 chart in my blog (a Core i5 processor).  Both are about 2 pounds, so in my mind both are true tablets.  But neither really competes with the upcoming Microsoft Windows 8 Surface Pro device (due to the keyboards), so you may want to hold off.  But if you need something now, here are your choices (with links into Amazon):

Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T

This device weighs 1.9 pounds and gets good reviews for computer capability and battery life.  But it gets terrible reviews for it’s snap-on keyboard, and that’s why I would wait.  Microsoft’s snap-on keyboard is fantastic.

 

Acer Iconia W700-6691 11.6-Inch 64 GB Tablet (Silver)

This uses an i5 processor as well and weighs 2.1 pounds. Good reviews on Amazon and “in-stock.” But its Bluetooth keyboard still doesn’t match the convenience of the Microsoft keyboard. But that’s just me, you may be okay with it.

Michael

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3 Responses to Lightweight Windows 8 Pro Tablets that are “Shipping” Now

  1. Cal says:

    I’m a college student, and I currently own a 13″ MacBook Pro and an iPhone 4S.
    I’ve found that carrying my MBP around often is quite a pain, because it can be quite heavy when combined with my books and everything else. I’m looking at turning that 13″ MBP into basically a desktop, just keeping it in my dorm, and buying something smaller to carry to class and use when I’m traveling between college and home.
    I’ll basically be using the smaller device for taking notes, surfing the web, possibly making powerpoint presentations or using excel, etc.
    I’m wondering if you all think it would be best to get an 11″ MacBook Air, thus staying in the Apple family, or getting something Windows-based instead. If I were to get a MBA I would definitely end up purchasing the Microsoft Office package because I find Keynote and Numbers to be a pain to deal with compared with Powerpoint and Excel. So do you think there is a reason to go to a Windows-based ultrabook, or would it be wiser to just stick with Apple?
    Alternatively, do you think there is any tablet that could compete with a MBA or ultrabook? I.e. the iPad, the Microsoft Surface when it comes out, or any other tablet out there? Is there one that could do the work that I need?
    Basically I’m looking for the smallest, most lightweight option that can do all the work I need it to in class and such.

  2. Michael Linenberger says:

    Cal,

    Thanks for your note!

    I think the MacBook Air is a fabulous machine! If I were not stuck on the Windows platform I’d have one. Why am I stuck?
    I use a bunch of programs that do not run on the Mac.

    And unfortunately, Outlook 2011 forMac is not that great for my task management principles (see my article on that). But there are other task solutions that do work on the Mac.

    And finally, the MBA is not a tablet.–there are times I really want a tablet that I can hold in one hand and swipe through articles on.

    If you are happy with the Apple ecosphere, you might get both the MBA and the iPad. I really think we live in a 2-PC world still and you need both a laptop and a tablet, and in the Apple kingdom, those are the two I would get.

    Hope that helps!

    Michael

  3. Dayat says:

    This uses an i5 processor as well and weighs 2.1 pounds. Good reviews on Amazon and “in-stock.” But its Bluetooth keyboard still doesn’t match the convenience of the Microsoft keyboard. But that’s just me, you may be okay with it. i Must remember this…

    thanks Michael Linenberger

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