Help me choose the perfect Windows 8 Slate

[Valken]

OK, i have been stuck the past month on deciding on a Windows 8 Slate and i need some thoughts please!

First the list of slates/hybrids i'm looking at (In no particular order of preference)

1. Sony Vaio Duo 11 - 11.6inch, Core i7, 256GB SDD, 8GB RAM, Active Digitizer Pen (Ntrig) Price: R15300
http://store.sony.com/c/VAIO-Duo-11-Ultrabook-Laptops/en/c/S_D_SERIES_PAGE

2. Asus Transformer Book - 13.3inch, Core i5, 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, No Stylus. Price: R13700 http://www.asus.com/vivo/en/transformerBook.htm

3.Samsung Ativ Smart Pc Pro - 11.6inch, Core i5, 128GB SDD, 4GB RAM, Active Digitizer Pen. Price: R17600
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/tablet-pcs/XE700T1C-A01US

Now some background:
I am not so much concerned with the weight - I have pretty big strong arms ;-)
The price is not an issue!
I'm not an Olympic typist - still using 4 fingers after 20 years in IT

I am an Solutions Architect so basic use will be office, Visio and Project Pro (With the occasional Angry birds)

Please share your thoughts on which of the three you would buy and why?
Any feedback good or bad will be appreciated.

 

[mic_y]

depending on how urgent it is, I would wait it out till Surface Pro is released... at least that is what i am doing...

 

[Pho3nix]

I'd say go for the Transformer Book. A little more sturdier when I played around with it in the shop compared to the Ativ. Honestly haven't seen that Sony before though. Any South African site's selling it?

 

[Valken]

@Pho3nix

Where did you get to actually play with the transformer book? Must say i am leaning towards the Transformer book as the keyboard gives you the extra 320GB HDD and extra battery. Oh, and a bigger screen. Just a pity there is now active digitizer pen.

The Sony Vaio duo 11 is available at Sony stores (Eastgate) and some online retailers. The Sony has nice specs though: Core i7 and 8GB RAM and the bigger 256GB SSD??

 

[Rickster]

Any reason why you want a "Windows 8 Slate"?

You can get a better laptop for much cheaper...

 

[iceman23]

was in the same boat with regard to buying a slate but seem to be convinced that asus taichi is what I "need". do a lot presenting (about 4 times a year lol) so i definitely need dual screens...

 

[Valken]

Any reason why you want a "Windows 8 Slate"?

You can get a better laptop for much cheaper...

I have enough laptops.. lol. Need something lighter to travel with! (But still powerful enough) I Spend at least 10 days a month in airport lounges...

 

[Space_Chief]

OK, i have been stuck the past month on deciding on a Windows 8 Slate and i need some thoughts please!

First the list of slates/hybrids i'm looking at (In no particular order of preference)

1. Sony Vaio Duo 11 - 11.6inch, Core i7, 256GB SDD, 8GB RAM, Active Digitizer Pen (Ntrig) Price: R15300
http://store.sony.com/c/VAIO-Duo-11-Ultrabook-Laptops/en/c/S_D_SERIES_PAGE

2. Asus Transformer Book - 13.3inch, Core i5, 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, No Stylus. Price: R13700 http://www.asus.com/vivo/en/transformerBook.htm

3.Samsung Ativ Smart Pc Pro - 11.6inch, Core i5, 128GB SDD, 4GB RAM, Active Digitizer Pen. Price: R17600
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/tablet-pcs/XE700T1C-A01US

Now some background:
I am not so much concerned with the weight - I have pretty big strong arms ;-)
The price is not an issue!
I'm not an Olympic typist - still using 4 fingers after 20 years in IT

I am an Solutions Architect so basic use will be office, Visio and Project Pro (With the occasional Angry birds)

Please share your thoughts on which of the three you would buy and why?
Any feedback good or bad will be appreciated.

The best you can get.
http://www.dynamism.com/top-notebooks/panasonic-ax-series.shtml

(It's the only device on this page which is made in Japan.)

 

[CryZCat]

I'm much in the same space at the moment. (I've been using windows tablets for the last 7 years and have been waiting for ultrabook tablets for a long time.)

Here are my thoughts (On Intel Core HD screen options.):

1. Sony Vaio Duo 11

+ VGA port
- Heavy, non detachable
- Battery
- Compact Keyboard
+ Good for typing on an airplane tray
- Loose stylus
Nice integrated business option but non detachable

2. Asus Transformer Book
-- No stylus (This kills it for me personally. I want to be able to write on my screen)
+ Battery and HD in keyboard
- Bit bigger and heavier (Plus and minus)

3. Samsung Ativ Pro
+ Light Detachable
- Samsung stylus integrated
- Battery life, no battery in keyboard.
- Some early models had build problems (risk)

4. Panasonic: Similar to the Sony Duo, more practical.

Other options.
Lenovo Helix:
Personally I want to wait for the Lenovo Helix before making a decision. The thinkpad series has a reputation for solid business machines, it has a series of well designed features, integrated stylus and 10 hours battery life with base is not to be sneezed at. (http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/tablet/thinkpad/thinkpad-helix/) but that means waiting until middle of the year :-( If I run out of patience I would personally probably go for the Samsung.

The next big thing: Intel is releasing the new Haswell architecture towards the end of the year. This will give a drastic drop in power consumption and a huge increase in power, especially for graphics. If nothing is chasing you it may be worthwhile to wait for that.