Take another look though, ignore some of the news articles riding on the back of the headline PR and you’ll see something interesting. Firstly there’s no obvious consideration of PC evolution into the tablet market. Secondly, there’s a huge opportunity opening up in the 8-13 inch segment. As tablet users start to prefer those smaller, cheaper tablet devices, more value and capability is needed in the larger screen segment.
I’ve finally had good hands-on time with every Clovertrail tablet, hybrid and convertible out there today. There are only 11 so it wasn’t too difficult but it’s a good position to be in. Which one is the best? Which one has the best docking keyboard? Which one is the best value? Which on is the best for YOU?
At MWC this week I took videos of the final seven Clovertrail-based Windows tablets and the results are below. I’ve outlined the targe customers and put some thoughts down about what’s the best Clovertrail Windows 8 tablet or hybrid.
I must be nuts. I’ve just paid 900 Euro for an Atom-based notebook. Or am I?
A few days ago I bought the Samsung ATIV 500T after a disappointing time with the Lenovo Lynx keyboard (of all things Lenovo!) The unboxing went well until I spotted a connectivity problem between the dock and the tablet. I really wasn’t very happy. Today I swapped it out for a new one. I also spotted the 3G version in stock so I end up paying 899 Euro. It’s more expensive than at other retailers too although, for you US people, it’s a business sale which is 19% tax-free here in Germany.
I took the Lenovo Lynx back to my retailer today (because of this keyboard issue) and came away with a Samsung ATIV 500T and docking keyboard. I’m desperately looking for a good, long-battery life Windows 8 Touch writing / blogging laptop and even though the Samsung ATIV 500T is expensive and doesn’t come with an additional battery in the keyboard dock I decided to give it a try. I’ve unboxed it, presented it and tested the keyboard in the video below. I’ve also hit a deal-breaker. The connector between the keyboard and the tablet isn’t working properly and the keyboard disconnects if you move the tablet. You have no idea how annoyed I am at Samsung. The rest of the device was looking near perfect (Note:for me.) Sigh!
At this stage I’ve simply pushed the ATIV to the side of my desk. Clearly it needs to go back to the retailer again but I just can’t face going back-and-forth because of poor quality control on an 800 EURO ATOM-BASED convertible. Why should I waste my time? You’ll see my frustration on the video.
I’ll continue to try and get hold of test models for UMPCPortal but I’m pulling out my 800 Euros investment until I can be 100% sure of a good product.
My son would like to introduce you to the Lenovo Ideatab Lynx keyboard Dock which completes the Ideatab Lynx order I placed last week. I’ve already put an early review out for the tablet but the review won’t be complete until I’ve spent some time with the keyboard.
The unit cost 150 Euro and includes keyboard, mouse, 2xUSB 2.0 and a micro-USB charging port.
This article has been updated after an extended testing session. See [update] sections below.
It was spotted at CES last week but Dell’s PR company in Germany have just sent us official information on the new Dell Latitude 10 in ‘basic’ configuration form. It might be ‘basic’ but the accessory range make it appear very flexible.
The latitude 10 in ‘standard’ configuration has been around on the Clovertrail platform since late 2012 and comes with a digitizer layer. The ‘basic’ Latitude 10 doesn’t have the digitizer layer (and a few more features, see below) but the price goes right down to $499 Euros (post tax. We believe you’ll see this for $499 pre-tax in the USA.)
While there’s no docking keyboard for the latitude 10, it does have a range of interesting accessories. The keyboard case/stand reminds us of those we saw with the Samsung Q1 back in 2007. The docking port, looks something like OQO would have produced back in the same timeframe!
Corning Gorilla Glass and a magnesium frame ensure that the Dell Latitude 10 is relatively rugged even in this basic version; There’s no change here compared to the high-end Latitude 10.
Other differences between the ‘essentials’ and standard Latitude 10: No removable battery (and no extended battery.) No LED flash. No micro-USB for charging. No micro-HDMI. No TPM.No UMTS option.
The docking station offers USB ports (1Xfront, 3Xrear), headphones, HDMI and Ethernet. We’re not sure if these services are offered through USB converters in the docking station. (E.g. via a DisplayLink adaptor for the HDMI.) The KeyFolio Expert case offers a Kensington Bluetooth keyboard but, as far as we can see, no mouse so you’ll have to rely on the touschscreen. Without the digitizer pen, that could be a little tricky for some operations.
Weight of the tablet is 649gm. Screen is 1366×768 10 inch and there are 32GB and 64GB storage options. (64GB is 50 euro extra and available now in Germany.)
Until WiGig docks take off next year the only thing Ultrabook users can use are the USB3.0 docks that are available from Toshiba, Lenovo and others. The problem with those is that they were designed for bigger laptops and assume you’ve already got a DVD drive. The ASUS VariDrive solves that problem.
Gigabit Ethernet, Dual display outputs, USB3.0 hub and DVD drive in one. The only thing that is missing is an analogue audio in and out port for those Skype headphones.
According to a couple of online source the HP Envy X2 should start shipping soon. An offer starting in Japan today promises delivery starting from the 27th December (some reports say 21st) and in Germany a couple of retailers have listed the same timeframe.
I read a few IDC new releases today. The PC outlook is bad. The Tablet outlook is good.
