The final version of Windows 8 is set to be released on October 26th although the RTM version is already available for Technet and MSDN subscribers. PC manufactures are busy announcing the various tablets, hybrids, ultrabooks which will be available along with the release of Windows 8. All of these announced tablets and ultrabooks are touch enabled as Windows 8 is best suited for a touch interface.
Here is a list of all Windows 8 tablets, hybrids, ultrabooks and laptops announced. This list does not cover the existing laptops or ultrabooks available running Windows 7 or upgradable to Windows 8. We will update this list with new PCs as and when they are announced.
Acer:
1. Acer Iconia W510:
Iconia W510 is a 10.1 inch touch screen tablet running Windows 8. The most unique part of the W510 tablet is the tri-mode, allowing users to touch, type and view. Aside from the conventional tablet mode, it can be used in productivity mode. A detachable keyboard dock can be connected to the tablet for optimal typing as well as extending the battery life up to 18 hours.
2. Acer Iconia W700 :
The W700 is equipped with an 11.6-inch Full HD(1920 x 1080) touchscreen as well as Dolby Home Theater for multimedia pleasure; it is set to become the optimum-performance Windows 8 tablet for modern day explorers on-the-go, at home or in the office. The tablet includes a host of connectivity options, including Thunderbolt, micro HDMI, USB 3.0 and a power jack on the left side, a pair of red-grilled speakers on the bottom, and a power button, headphone jack and volume rocker on the right.
3. Aspire M3 Touch:
The Acer Aspire M3 sports a 10-point touch display that provides a brilliant navigation experience and is ready to support Windows 8. In an extremely thin and light package – just 22 mm thin for a mere 2.3 kg of weight – the Aspire M3 packs a beautiful, frameless 15.6-inch display offering a larger viewing area for a full web browsing experience and greater multimedia enjoyment. It will be offered with Ivy Bridge processors and discrete NVIDIA graphics.
4. Aspire V5 Touch:
Acer Aspire V5 Series presents added user-friendliness with 10-point touch display and a larger trackpad, designed to enhance multi-gesture content consumption and to take advantage of the features offered by Windows 8. V5 will be available with 14- and 15-inch screens. V5 will also be offered with Ivy Bridge processors and discrete NVIDIA graphics. The 14-inch model includes an optical drive and still is less than 21 mm thin and weights 2.1 kg; the 15.6-inch model, also with an optical drive, is thinner than 23 mm, and weighs 2.4 kg.
ASUS:
1. ASUS Vivo Tab:
Vivo Tab features a 11.6-inch IPS display with a 1,366 x 768 resolution and supports a Wacom digitizer input in addition to 10-point multitouch. The tablet runs an Intel Atom processor with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It is 0.33 inches thick and also sports an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash, plus a 2-megapixel camera in the front.
2. Vivo Tab RT:
ASUS Vivo Tab RT has a slim and light profile that’s 8.3mm thin and 520g light. It features the NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor and 12-core GPU for outstanding mobile graphics performance, along with 2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC user storage. It comes loaded with Windows 8 RT.
3. ZENBOOK Prime UX21A Touch:
The new ASUS ZENBOOK Prime UX21A Touch is the first ZENBOOK with a multi-touch display. Powered by a 3rd Generation Intel Core processor with up to 256GB SSD storage, the ZENBOOK Prime UX21A Touch is a razor-thin Ultrabook that gives a great Windows 8 experience.
4. ASUS TAICHI
The ASUS TAICHI is a slim and stylish ultraportable with an astonishing feature – a brilliant double-sided display. With the lid open, the TAICHI is used like a standard Ultrabook and comes complete with a full-size backlit QWERTY keyboard and trackpad. With the lid closed, however, the TAICHI instantly becomes a multi-touch tablet computer with stylus support. TAICHI comes with 3rd generation Intel Core processors, fast SSD storage and dual band 802.11n Wi-Fi.
5. Transformer Book:
The ASUS Transformer Book is the world’s first convertible notebook and can switch instantly between traditional laptop and tablet modes simply by detaching the screen. Transformer Book comes with full touch screen and features the latest 3rd Generation Intel Core i7 processor, plus a choice of SSD and HDD storage.
Dell:
1. Dell XPS Duo 12:
XPS Duo 12 has an interesting concept in screen, instead of pulling the screen out for tablet use, it has a rotating display where you can rotate it and keep the display on top of keyboard to use as a tablet. It comes with a 12.5-inch touch display and Intel Core processors which can go upto i7.
2. Dell XPS 10:
XPS 10, a Windows RT hybrid device that runs Microsoft’s latest OS on a 10-inch touch-enabled display and it features long battery life and mobile keyboard dock for enhanced content creation and business productivity.
HP:
1. Envy X2:
Envy X2 comes with a vivid 11.6-inch diagonal HD touch display.The HP ENVY x2 also features Beats Audio for the best-sounding, richest audio experience available on a PC. HP ENVY x2 uses solid-state memory designed for improved reliability and faster startup times. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology lets users share content, including photos, contacts and URLs, with a simple tap.
2. HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4:
The HP ENVY TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 delivers powerful performance with the latest Intel processors, solid-state drive options, and the same Intel technologies available on the HP SpectreXT TouchSmart Ultrabook. It offers a 14-inch multitouch HD display, measures 23mm thin and weighs 4.77 pounds.
A backlit keyboard, up to 8 hours of battery life, a booming subwoofer with Beats Audio and an optional AMD graphics card with 2 GB of graphics memory.
3. HP Spectre XT TouchSmart Ultrabook
This one comes with a magnesium and aluminium design and sports a 1080p IPS touchscreen with a 1,920 x 1,080 display. It runs Ivy Bridge processors and can be configured with either solid-storage or a hybrid hard drive paired with a 32GB SSD. The Ultrabook delivers great performance with the latest Intel CoreTM processors, an mSATA solid-state drive with Intel Rapid Start, Intel Identity Protection Technology, Intel Anti-Theft Technology, Intel Smart Response and Intel Smart Connect technologies, and a full array of ports, including Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 and HDMI.
Lenovo:
1. Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2
Based on the upcoming Intel Atom Processor-based mobile platform and Windows 8 Pro, the ThinkPad Tablet 2 features a 1366 x 768 IPS display, a 10-hour battery, optional 3G / 4G, micro-HDMI output and a pair of 2MP / 8MP cameras. The optional ThinkPad Tablet 2 keyboard and dock can be paired with the tablet for more PC-like computing in the office.
Microsoft:
1. Surface Pro / Surface RT:
Both these tablets feature a 10.6” ClearType Full HD Display with Touch Cover, Type Cover. While the RT version is 9.3 mm, the Pro version is 13.5mm thick. RT is also lighter than the Pro version. As the name indicates, RT version will run Windows 8 RT and the other one will run Windows 8 Pro which get the full desktop features. RT version is expected in October while Pro version early next year.
Samsung:
1. ATIV Smart PC (also called Series 5):
ATIV Smart PC features Windows 8 RT and comes with next generation Intel Atom Processor. It has a 11.6 inch screen with a resolution of 1366 X 768 and has nine hours of battery life. It also has 2GB of RAM and a 64GB solid-state drive and optional keyboard.
2. ATIV Smart PC Pro (Series 7):
Core i5-powered Series 7 has almost the same features as Series 5 and sports a 11.6, 1080p inch screen. It is expected to last between four and five hours on a charge. It will come with 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD and the keyboard. Both the models feature mobile broadband.
3. ATIV Tab:
ATIV Tab is a 10.1-inch slate with a 1,366 x 768 display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, a 5MP rear camera paired with a 1.9MP front-facing cam, and ports for micro-HDMI as well as USB. It comes with Windows RT and has 32GB and 64GB storage options. The tab will be available only in October when Windows 8 is released.
Sony:
1. VAIO Duo 11
VAIO Duo 11 is a 11.6-inch, 1080p touchscreen slide out tablet which runs on Core i3, i5 or i7 and comes with a as well as a 128GB or 256GB SSD, NFC wireless, GPS, and HD-capable cameras at the front and back.
Toshiba:
1. Toshiba U920t:
U920t is a 12.5-inch Ultrabook with a slide-out, Gorilla Glass touchscreen. Pushing the screen up reveals a built-in keyboard. It comes with a Core i5 processor, Intel HD 4000 graphics and a 128GB SSD. Like many other Ultrabooks, it also has Intel’s Wireless Display tech on board. It also has two USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, vents, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a volume rocker and a button for turning off screen auto-rotation.
We will update this article with new hybrids and tablets released once Windows 8 goes on sale. Meanwhile, if we have missed any in this list, please do share it in comments.
