The tablet adoption rate is becoming more widespread among PC users who want the familiarity of the latest Windows operating system with the portability and functionality of a tablet. Windows 8 promises to bridge the gap between a pc and a tablet with a brand new touch interface and features. With the Windows 8 release on the horizon, Windows 7 can be a stop gap in providing a familiar environment for the pc user.
Some of the top Windows 7 tablets this season include models by Asus, Lenovo and Samsung, providing options for users with different browsing habits and needs.
1. The
Asus Eee EP121 Slate PC is one of the most versatile on the market. It is large and robust for those who value functionality over portability, although its 12-inch screen and 2.5-pound design still offer enough portability to appease most tablet users. The Intel Core i5-470um processor is powerful enough to allow full laptop functionality, making it an ideal compromise between laptop and tablet for size and power.
2. The
Viliv X70 is one of the smallest and most portable tablets on the market, with a screen measuring just 7 inches and a total weight of less than one pound. While there are smaller tablets, they run on the Android operating system instead of the more widely usable Windows. It runs on an Intel next-generation processor for multitasking functionality that is usually impossible in computers of this size. The highly innovative Viliv X70 is the only tablet PC under 10 inches that runs on Windows.
3. The
Lenovo Ideapad Slate PC features a host of Windows features that are exclusive to tablets or other touch screens, including handwriting recognition features that allow fluid use of a digital pen or fingers for easy navigation. It also features an Intel Atom dual-core processor with 2 GB of memory for comfortable use with 7 Home Premium. It merits a high place on the list of top tablets because of its affordable price point without sacrificing function.
4. The
Samsung Sliding 7 PC is a convertible tablet that can slide upward to reveal a fully functional keyboard, allowing the user to work three different ways as a touch-screen tablet, a tablet with a touch screen and a near-full-sized keyboard or a netbook. The Intel Atom Z670 processor is ideal for internet surfing and gentle media use, although a user who relies on heavy media use for entertainment or work may need to invest in a tablet with a heavier processor.
5. The
Lenovo U1 Hybrid is a convertible tablet that offers the functionality of a laptop with tablet features. It is unique because it actually features two separate processors and operating systems with their own batteries that work together to provide double battery life. The U1 Hybrid portion features a 6-cell battery and the Windows interface, while the tablet portion features 3-cell battery and the Skylight interface. It is useful for people who keep their tablet entertainment separate, such as those who use them to listen to music and read e-books, but users who need their tablet to host all their media and information in one place are better suited looking somewhere else.
The jury is out as to whether Windows 8 will be able to make up any ground on the iPad and Android and it is fair to say that it will be a tough challenge to entice users to move from those platforms. But if you are a heavy Windows platform user, then Windows 7 tablets can be a stop gap while you wait for Windows 8.
