Choice Computing: Pick the Windows 8 PC That’s Right for You


Editor’s Note – Oct. 15, 2012 –

Details on the ASUS and Vizio PCs have been updated since initial publication.

REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 12, 2012 — With the launch of Windows 8 rapidly approaching, a new wave of tablets, convertibles, hybrids, notebooks, Ultrabooks and all-in-one PCs are set to hit the shelves later this month.

Starting today, customers can reserve their copy of Windows 8 Pro and start preordering Windows 8 PCS. Get more info here.

From small and slim tablets to big and beautiful all-in-ones, the new capabilities in Windows 8 have opened the door for a huge array of new and reimagined devices, says Nick Parker, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s OEM Division.

“Windows 8 gives Microsoft and our partners the opportunity to think differently and creatively about hardware design with new materials, hinges, touch panels and edgeless displays,” Parker says. “The approach to hardware design and breadth of innovation across all types of PCs results in an incredible amount of choice for customers.”

Microsoft’s OEM partners have been heads down building more than 800 different devices that are now certified for Windows 8 and Windows RT. “With the new wave of innovation we’re seeing around Windows 8, whatever your needs are, there’s a PC that delivers,” Parker says.

The Tablet Takeover

Get ready for an explosion of tablets, Parker says.

For anyone on-the-go and far from a desk, tablet PCs provide a comfortable, versatile and convenient computing experience. Support for multitouch is already giving Windows 8-based tablets a big boost, and Parker expects more to come to market after launch. 

“We’ve already seen how popular tablets can be with consumers, and virtually every major manufacturer is coming to market with an offering, at a range of price points,” he says.

While consumers are looking for the convenience and flexibility of tablets such as the ASUS Vivo Tab RT, major OEMs are also designing tablet PCs with specific features to suit enterprise scenarios. Hospitals, for example, may want to check out Dell’s Latitude 10 Tablet, which features fingerprint capabilities and a smart card reader for heightened security in dealing with confidential records.

Convertibles and Hybrids: The Best of Both Worlds

Touch is a convenient way to interact with a PC, and there are also times when people want the speed of a keyboard and the precision of a mouse. Students might want tablet functionality to tote to the classroom and a keyboard for late nights writing term papers.

With new convertible PCs such as the Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro and hybrids such as the HP Envy x2, users don’t need to make an either/or decision. Both feature a traditional clamshell laptop design plus a touch screen that separates from the keyboard and transforms into a tablet.

All-in-Ones: Do It All on the Desktop

Even the world of desktop computing is getting a makeover with Windows 8. All-in-ones such as the Acer Aspire 7600U feature large, touch-sensitive displays that can either detach from the desktop station or rotate to lay flat – perfect for playing a game around the dining room table, redesigning that interior living space, or planning a family vacation.

The cool factor kicks up another notch with multipurpose all-in-ones such as the Sony VAIO L Series that feature the X-Reality processing engine found inside BRAVIA TVs. Select models offer latest-generation ‘glasses-free’ 3D technology, turning your office PC into a cutting-edge entertainment device.

Notebooks and
Ultrabooks

Despite all the change that touch-based navigation is bringing to the PC world, the everyday laptop remains a dependable workhorse. For anyone who needs to combine portability with power to compose and create using traditional keyboard and mouse input, today’s notebooks and super-slim Ultrabook computers still offer a premium PC experience.

On the other hand, an executive or sales person who travels frequently — or anyone who likes to travel light — may opt for a new “Ultrabook” form factor, such as the sleek new HP Envy TouchSmart Ultrabook 4 or the razor-thin ASUS Zenbook PRIME UX31A with touch.

“We are excited about the amazing new PCs for Windows 8 coming to market and think customers will be delighted,” Parker says.

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