Impressive Windows 8 laptop/tablet form factors by various manufacture

Announcement of Microsoft Surface gave us an hint of whats coming. If that was interesting to you, these new Windows 8 laptop/tablet form-actors by other manufacturers will definitely appeal to you.

Source

With IFA 2012 taking place just two months before the launch of Windows 8, it was all but guaranteed that major PC players would have next-generation hardware on display. They did, and this year there’s one particular form factor that stole the show: convertibles, or hybrids whichever label you prefer to slap on the laptop-tablet remixes. Asus, Dell, HP, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba all had models on display.

Source

A Guy
 
HI guy
AS I have often posted in these threads -- THESE are the devices that are the future -- detachable screen etc. Look at the Sony for example -- it's basically a "detachable computer" - especially if it comes equipped with an I7 processor !!!.

I would DEFINITELY consider one of these -- but the basic bog standard "Dumb" tablet IMO is just a passing fad - any decent smartphone is a lot more useful.

Windows 8 on the tablets / "computers" shown here is just fine --when in tablet mode only you'll need the "Touch screen". For "Classical Computer work" docked as shown with a keyboard -- then brilliant - "just what the doctor ordered".

The real crunch for me would be

a) connectivity of Network (via wireless) and external devices such as disks via USB connection -- PLEASE USB3 -- it's late 2012 now and the technology has been out for AGES. At least when operating in "Computer mode" or "Docked to the keyboard".

b) decent video output say HDMI to output to nice LARGE external monitor when required - even if in "Tablet mode".

c) ability still to use a Mouse.

d) enough RAM to run a few classical or standard windows apps concurrently.

I think somebody coined the phrase "Phablets" for these devices -- not sure where that expression came from -- but if the peripherals that can be attached are decent like disks etc then Sony's for instance could be a real Ipad killer.


I was getting slagged off a while ago about not liking "basic dumb tablets" -- seems the manufacturers too have come around to a much more sensible way of packaging these and making them into something useful.

This type of approach will IMO is the only way to greatly overhaul Apple in this type of market -- and the advantage of being able to run standard Windows applications too -- I don't have to go on.

Anyway congrats to Sony who I thought was just beginning to die on its feet - finally slumbering giant awakens. Samsung also will be sure to provide a challenge --if their Smart phones are anything to go by --HUGELY popular here in Europe.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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I wouldn't mind owning one of those. If it has full sized laptop performance and a decent sized screen. And running 8 Pro not RT. I don't know if I could afford one, but I wouldn't mind owning one. Not that I think they are overly expensive, its just that I have very limited finances so they may end up out of my price range. I think I'd rather have the detachable keyboard dock than the reversible screen flip screen.
 

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The catch here will be Windows RT - if normally x86-only things can be ported to ARM (and I've no doubt a lot of it can), the real question will be which architecture will win the "post-pc" devices war. Intel's ultra-low power stuff should see the inside of a shipping device next year or so, but for now it's still really ARM or (and I don't know about this yet) Atom for longer battery life, and Intel i-series for more powerful devices, but at the cost of battery life. I'm thinking the newest Atom devices we're seeing in stuff from IFA might be good enough for people who aren't doing development or PC gaming on their devices, though, which is at least a pretty good compromise if you want to run the odd x86 app from time to time.
 

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The new tablet PCs being revealed are pretty nice. I've a few I'd consider, but none are really making me want a particular one. Right now, I'm still rather set on a Surface. You can pop off a thin colored screen protector that is also a keyboard and prop it up with the kickstand and use the Surface Pro's digital pen possibly as a stylus for precise navigation and designing.

But the thing that is irking me some is how a LOT of these new tablet PCs and AIO PCs look like they have apple influenced design. I guess that might be a good thing to thwart off people from going for apple if you can have a PC that has a similar look to them. But to me, it's a deal breaker. I don't really like the overly rounded corners of some the tablets, screams ipad to me. It's also a bit icky considering the OS doesn't have round corners. I also am not liking how almost all of them are either white or silver colored. Again, apple design here. There are a few that are colored, but the rest aren't except. But I think Dell is on the right track though. They're doing things a bit differently. I also like the ASUS Vivo tablet.

As more of the OEMs reveal their new tablet PCs, it's starting to become clear why Microsoft announced their Surface tablets. It's a public viewing of a design template to make Windows 8 tablet PCs in a stylish, modern, and just straight up different and pretty looking tablets instead of building off of the ipad's design.

I'm still camping out in the line for the Surface Pro. :D
 

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    Microsoft Touch Mouse
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The new tablet PCs being revealed are pretty nice. I've a few I'd consider, but none are really making me want a particular one. Right now, I'm still rather set on a Surface. You can pop off a thin colored screen protector that is also a keyboard and prop it up with the kickstand and use the Surface Pro's digital pen possibly as a stylus for precise navigation and designing.

But the thing that is irking me some is how a LOT of these new tablet PCs and AIO PCs look like they have apple influenced design. I guess that might be a good thing to thwart off people from going for apple if you can have a PC that has a similar look to them. But to me, it's a deal breaker. I don't really like the overly rounded corners of some the tablets, screams ipad to me. It's also a bit icky considering the OS doesn't have round corners. I also am not liking how almost all of them are either white or silver colored. Again, apple design here. There are a few that are colored, but the rest aren't except. But I think Dell is on the right track though. They're doing things a bit differently. I also like the ASUS Vivo tablet.

As more of the OEMs reveal their new tablet PCs, it's starting to become clear why Microsoft announced their Surface tablets. It's a public viewing of a design template to make Windows 8 tablet PCs in a stylish, modern, and just straight up different and pretty looking tablets instead of building off of the ipad's design.

I'm still camping out in the line for the Surface Pro. :D


Hi there

apart from the Design - there's a practical Engineering (and even Safety) feature for using rounded rather than "square corners". Square corners can tear / break things when the device say is packed into a tight space - also if you are using one of these say on a TGV (high speed train) and the train stops or brakes sharply then the sharp corners could potentially cause injury especially if it flies out of your hands.

If you travel a lot - with airport security etc and more airlines charging for luggage placed in the hold - one tries to get as much as possible into your hand baggage allowance -- so sometimes you need to pack items tightly. Rounded corners make this job much easier - minimizing damage to other articles.

A lot of laptops have the "slightly rounded corners".

I like the square edged look of the latest sony e-reader the T2 which you can just about get into a decent sized pocket -- its looks are great but I would have given up the better look for slightly rounded corners when the thing is in my pocket.


Cheers
jimbo
 

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+1 - I travel all the time, and wasted space is just wasted. Rounded corners are also indeed somewhat a safety issue, and when you put the two together it just makes sense.
 

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I can see rounded corners being better safety wise on a glass coffee tablet, but not a tablet PC, that is unless if the corners are grinded, sanded, and smoothen out to be as sharp as a knife...

I prefer non-rounded corners. My Nokia Lumia 900 has rounded edges on the side, and no rounded corners. It makes it a sleek looking device. The thing is that since Windows 8's UI doesn't have rounded corners on windows or tiles, the PC will look nicer and look more like it's for Windows 8 if the corners of it weren't rounded, unless if they're VERY subtle. Otherwise, especially a tablet PC, it'll look more like a typical tablet out there which shouldn't be what it looks likes.
 

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    16 gig DDR3
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    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
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    OCZ 500 watt
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    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
I can see rounded corners being better safety wise on a glass coffee tablet, but not a tablet PC, that is unless if the corners are grinded, sanded, and smoothen out to be as sharp as a knife...

I prefer non-rounded corners. My Nokia Lumia 900 has rounded edges on the side, and no rounded corners. It makes it a sleek looking device. The thing is that since Windows 8's UI doesn't have rounded corners on windows or tiles, the PC will look nicer and look more like it's for Windows 8 if the corners of it weren't rounded, unless if they're VERY subtle. Otherwise, especially a tablet PC, it'll look more like a typical tablet out there which shouldn't be what it looks likes.

Hi there
Just try the maths -- slightly rounded corners can fit easier into any shaped baggage container compared with a rigid square or oblong shape.

If you've ever studied "warehousing" with automated palette systems it's NOT a TRIVIAL job maximizing palette sizes and loads to fit on the delivery trucks when having to deal with non full sized loads and different palette sizes such as Euro palette sizes / half palettes etc -- and all these are rectangular or oblong shaped.

Even some hugely expensive systems such as SAP's Extended warehouse management system (EWM) require some pretty highly paid consultants to sort this type of stuff out.

I do prefer the look of the square type shape but sometimes the advantages of the rounded corners are a price worth paying.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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Windows 8 spurs new touchscreen hybrid PC designs

Microsoft's operating system features a touchscreen interface prompting manufacturers to restyle their laptops.

HP, Toshiba, Dell, Asus and Lenovo are among those showing off new products.

Efforts are split between models in which keyboards detach from screens, ones in which the keys remain attached but can be hidden behind displays, and traditional fixed clamshell designs.

Source

A Guy
 

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Thanks again, Bill, for all these sources. You're posting the subject matter all in one place. Cool!

Doesn't surprise me that the OEMs are jumping on the band wagon. This is the future of computing for sure. They are coming up with a lot of interesting designs. I am surprised, however, that they came up with them so quick. Weren't they just complaining about MS introducing the Surface?

Microsoft and its partners have found an opening against Apple. That's rare these days.

The Windows 8 touch screen is the first real change that has come to Windows laptops in a long time.
I would put it right up there with the trackpad and, more recently, the MacBook Pro Retina display.

And it's made more significant by the fact that Apple has rejected the idea of a hybrid device via Tim Cook's refrigerator-toaster analogy. Which gives Apple's less-nimble Silicon Valley neighbor, Hewlett-Packard, a rare leg up.

That's a quote out of the article I presented above. I believe this is important to know. Now that Jobs is gone (God bless his soul. A great entrepreneur and innovator amongst mankind) and Cook has taken over, things are bound to change there. I think he's already made a mistake by making this statement:

During Apple's second quarter earnings call this afternoon, Apple CEO Tim Cook knocked the idea -- which was brought up by an analyst asking about Microsoft's Windows 8 -- calling such convergence a "compromise" to the end user.

"Anything can be forced to converge, but the problem is that products are about tradeoffs, and you begin to make tradeoffs to the point where what you have left doesn't please anyone," Cook said. "You can converge a toaster and a refrigerator, but those things are probably not going be pleasing to the user."

A organization will take on the personality of it's leaders, whether it be a company, church, schools, and even this forum as examples. Here Cook is doubting innovation. There's no way of stopping that.

I don't know about anyone else, but if I'm looking into buying a PADD (or a lappy), I'm thinking I'd rather have a physical keyboard option to go along instead of just an onboard screen keyboard. Besides, without studying the specs of all these yet, they are most likely more powerful machines than just a stand-alone PADD.

I'm wondering if those that own an iPad (or any PADD) or are looking into buying one, are or will be thinking the same.
 

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The hybrid tablet/laptop is what appeals to me. I don't own a PADD at the moment, or a smart phone for that matter. Its all new to me.
 

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    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
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    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
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    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
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    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
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    Stock heatsink fan
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    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
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    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
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    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
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    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
The hybrid tablet/laptop is what appeals to me. I don't own a PADD at the moment, or a smart phone for that matter. Its all new to me.

Really!!? I under the assumptiom you were IT pro. No? But you've been at computers for a while, correct?

It'll be a while before I buy anything, but I've had my eye on the Surface. The hybrid lappy might make more sense, though. There's going to be a whole lot of choices for sure.
 

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    Acer T690
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    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
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    54mbp/s
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    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
I've been around computers for a while yes, but I'm no IT Pro. I'm an Electronic Technician by trade. I worked for about 8 years doing installations of communications, and navigation equipment used for civil aviation here in Canada. Radio Beacons, Instrument landing systems, radar, etc. When I got tiered of all the traveling I transferred to the maintenance side of things. A lot of the equipment is at remote sites and is monitored and controlled by some form of computer. Some of them are custom one offs, and some of them are off the shelf PC's. I had to maintain and repair those as well as the equipment connected to them. That's where my PC background comes from. Along the way I learned some basic networking but I wouldn't begin to call myself an IT pro. Needless to say I build my own desktops and have no problems installing software and hardware. I was forced into an early retirement due to back problems. As a result of that my income isn't what it used to be so I don't get to buy a lot of high tech toys. That's why I don't have a smart phone, I don't have a cell phone at all. There are times I wish I had one but its not on my "must have" list.;)
 

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    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
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    PC/Desktop
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    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
I see. Interesting work, no less. Sorry to here about your back problems. Working construction for 40+ years put a toll on mine, although I'm far better off than most guys. I guess I was lucky. I was a weight lifter and wrestler in high school, so I learned early how to pick up weight with the legs. But the trouble with that it wore out my knees. Can't win for losing sometimes I guess.

I started early with a bag phone, a brick, then a razor, now a Droid X2. I haven't had a land line in 12 or so years. I get to write the phone off through the business. They are expensive.My screen went out lately which is common for that model. They sent me a replacement under warrantee, but it really isn't up to par either. I'm up for my new-in-2 in January. I'll most likely get a Windows phone this time.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Some of the technology is pretty cool, especially when you get into stuff like Instrument Landing Systems. The big thing I miss is the interaction with fellow workers. Some aspects of the job I miss some I don't. One of the things I don't miss is being called out in the middle of the night, in the middle of a snow storm, to try and put some equipment back on the air.

I have good days and bad days. The irony for me is that when I was working I didn't have the time to site in front of a computer as much as I'd like to. Believe it or not but sitting is one of the worst things you can do if you have a bad back. Now I have all kinds of time to actually sit at my PC, but I can only tolerate it in short bursts. :( The other thing that some people might find hard to believe is, the novelty of sitting around doing nothing wears thin pretty quick. After about a month I was getting shack wacky. I'll still do things that I know will aggravate my back but mentally it makes me feel a whole lot better.

My step daughter has gone though countless phones for various reasons. Dropped on the ground, dropped in the tub, keyboard wore out from texting, etc. For her its a must have item. I don't know what she's got now, its some touch screen Android smart phone. The one before that was a Blackberry. She's the one that's buying them so more power to her.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
Wait, I'm not old enough obviously to know what a bag phone is, but I think I've once seen a backpack that contained the guts of the phone and hand piece out of it, is that what you're talking about Hippsie? I'm impressed that you haven't had a landline for 12 years, well done! :D I personally hate land lines, don't really know why...


I don't find the hybrid laptops all too pleasing to me. It just don't like the bulk of the keyboard and trackpad. The Surface Pro does a better job of it I find. It's the ideal tablet hybrid.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Yes. A bag phone. You probably saw a military phone if it was in a backpack. A bag phone was the size of a purse and had a hand piece with the dialer on the inside of the handle. It broadcasted at about 5 watts if I remember correctly. Never ever dropped a call. Today's phones are at about 1 watt. The brick phone was about 3.

No land line for 12 years. I did have what they called pure DSL for a bit. I'm sure you know what that is. It replaced dialup. No need for landline no mo! Dialup was as slow as an inch worm. It seemed like 1 byte a second. Now we talk gigs! Then connections got lost. Ugh! Glad it's all behind us now.

When 5G comes out I think most everything will go cellular. It'll broadcast on what they call super WiFi. It'll change voice to digital just like online phone systems do except in a radio wave. Sometimes I wonder what all these waves we create do to our bodies.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Wait, I'm not old enough obviously to know what a bag phone is, but I think I've once seen a backpack that contained the guts of the phone and hand piece out of it, is that what you're talking about Hippsie? I'm impressed that you haven't had a landline for 12 years, well done! :D I personally hate land lines, don't really know why...


I don't find the hybrid laptops all too pleasing to me. It just don't like the bulk of the keyboard and trackpad. The Surface Pro does a better job of it I find. It's the ideal tablet hybrid.

Thats the whole beauty of the different designs, you buy what you like. A lot of the hybrids add more than just a keyboard and track pad. In some you'll find a second battery, additional USB ports, etc. I would think it would be a lot easier to use a hybrid with the keyboard dock attached, on your lap like a laptop than the Surface. In tablet only mode they'd be the same thing but different. ;)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
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