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UPDATED 11/29 Windows 8 hardware explosion – Comparing the devices

Aug 29, 2012
7 Min Read

UPDATED 11/29 Windows 8 hardware explosion - Comparing the devices

Windows 8 will offer consumers something that, especially in the Apple system, they previously haven’t had this much of in the tablet realm: choices. Sure, there are a lot of Android tablets out there, but with the vast landscape of Microsoft OEMs, consumers are set to have a plethora of options when it comes to picking a Windows 8 device. Here below is a (hopefully) handy table that compares all the current Windows 8 hardware we know about (along with the latest gen iPad for comparison).

We’ll be updating and adding to this as new hardware comes out, so consider that my warning to never consider this final. Note that most of these specs came from official company press releases. That’s worth noting because there have been a lot of incorrect and varied specs passed about as the announcements came. The gray highlighted areas indicate specs yet to be revealed. Also note this list is contained to hybrid and tablet devices (of which Sony’s Duo 11 barely qualifies in). You won’t find Ultrabooks, laptops or desktops here, even if they have touchscreens.

Note on devices – Some people have mentioned the Lenovo Helix and IdeaPad Yoga devices for inclusion. We’ve left of the Yoga 13 because it’s size (13-inches) really takes it out of the realm of tablets or convertibles, even though it’s screen does flip over. We have, however, included it’s Windows RT toting little brother the Yoga 11. The Helix, at this point, seems to be destined for shores other than the U.S. If that changes, we’ll update the list accordingly.

Update 11/29 – Added pricing for Surface Pro. Tweaked details on a few other devices.

Different Chart Views
We’ve added a few different looks at the chart, select from the list below to choose from a few sliced and diced views, all updated on Nov. 29.

Confirmed Oct. or Nov. release dates only
Windows RT devices only
Windows 8 devices only
Full page view of the entire chart

What we don’t know
Here’s the big holes left to be filled:

  • Price – Samsung ATIV Tab, ASUS Transformer Book line, HP ElitePad 900.
  • Release Date – Samsung ATIV Tab, ASUS Transformer Book line, ASUS Taichi.  Note we have timeframe but no firm dates for: ASUS Vivo Tab, HP ElitePad 900.
  • Specs – Samsung ATIV Tab (data options), ASUS Transformer Book Line (battery, dimensions), ASUS Taichi (dimensions), HP ElitePad 900 (ports), Dell XPS 10 (RAM).

 

  Samsung ATIV Smart PC 500t (aka Series 5 slate) Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro 700t (aka Series 7 slate) ASUS Vivo Tab ASUS Vivo RT  Surface Pro Surface RT Sony Duo 11 HP Envy X2 HP ElitePad 900 Dell Latitude 10 Dell XPS 10 Dell XPS 12 Toshiba U925t Acer Iconia W700 Acer Iconia W510 Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx Samsung ATIV Tab ASUS Transformer Book ASUS Taichi New iPad
Screen Size 11.6 11.6 11.6 10.1 10.6 10.6 11.6 11.6 10.1 10.1 10.1 12.5 12.5 11.6 10.1 10.1 11.6 11.6 10.1 11.6/13/14 11.6 9.5
Resolution 1366×768 1920×1080 1366×768 1366×768 1920×1080 1366×768 1920×1080 1366×768 1280×800 1366×768 1366×768 FullHD 1366×768 1920×1080 1366×768 1366×768 1366×768 1366×768 1366×768 FullHD 1920×1080 2048×1536
Windows Version Windows 8 Windows 8 Windows 8 Windows RT Windows 8 Windows RT Windows 8 Windows 8 Windows 8 Windows 8 Windows RT Windows 8 Windows 8 Windows 8 Windows 8 Windows 8 Windows RT Windows 8 Windows RT Windows 8 Windows 8 iOS
HW Format Convertible Convertible Tablet Tablet Tablet Tablet Hybrid Tablet Tablet Tablet Tablet Hybrid Hybrid slider Tablet Tablet Tablet Convertible Tablet Tablet Convertible Hybrib Tablet
Processor Intel Atom 1.5 GHz Intel Core i5 Intel Atom NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core Intel Core i5 NVIDIA Tegra 3 Core i3/i5/i7 Intel Atom 1.8 GHz Intel Atom Intel Atom Clover Trail Snapdragon S3 1.5 GHz Up to Core i7 Core i5 Core i3/i5 Intel Atom Clover Trail Intel Atom NVIDIA Tegra 3 Intel Atom Clover Trail Snapdragon S4 1.5 GHz Intel Core i3/i5/i7 Intel Core i5 Dual-core A5
RAM 2GB 4GB 2GB 2GB 4GB 2GB 4GB/8GB 2GB 2GB 2GB 4GB 4GB 4GB 2GB 1GB/2GB 2GB 2GB 2GB Up to 4GB 4GB 1GB
Storage 64GB SSD Up to 128GB SSD 64GB 32GB 64GB/128GB 32GB/64GB 128GB/256GB SSD 32/64GB SSD 32GB/64GB 64GB SSD 32GB/64GB Up to 128GB SSD 128GB SSD 64GB SSD 32GB/64GB 16GB/32GB Up to 64GB 32GB/64GB 32GB/64GB 128GB SSD 128GB SSD 16/32/64GB
Battery 13.5 hrs. 8 hrs. Up to 8 hrs. Up to 9 hrs. 42 W-h 31.5 W-h (up to 8 hrs.) Up to 4 hrs. 45 min. Up to 14 hrs. Up to 10 hrs. 30 W-h 28 W-h  47 W-h 8 hrs. 54 w-h Up to 9 hrs. Up to 10 hrs. Up to 13 hrs. Up to 8 hrs. 8,200 mAh Up to 5 hrs. 42.5 W-h
Ports USB 2.0, micro HDMI, microSD USB 3.0, micro HDMI, microSD USB 2.0 (2) USB 2.0 USB 3.0, microSDXC, mini DisplayPort microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD USB 3.0, HDMI, Ethernet, VGA, Memory Stick Duo/SD USB (2), HDMI, SD miniHDMI, USB 2.0, SDXC up to 128GB Micro USB, microSD, micro-SIM USB 3.0 (2), mini-display port USB 3.0 (2), HDMI, SD Micro HDMI, USB 3.0 (3), Thunderbolt Micro HDMI, micro SD, micro USB 2.0 USB, microSD, Mini HDMI USB 2.0 (2), SD/MMC card reader, HDMI Micro USB, Micro HDMI, mimcroSD USB 2.0, micro HDMI, microSD USB 3.0 Mini VGA, USB 3.0 (2), micro DVI N/A
Price $649/$749 w/keyboard, $799 on AT&T Starting at $1,119 Starting at $799 Starting at $549 w/dock inc. (could be limited time) $899 (64GB), $999 (128GB) $499-$699 Starting at $1,099 Starting at $849 Starting at $649 Starting at $499 Starting at $1,199 $1,149 Starting at $799 Starting at $499 Starting at $649 Starting at $799 Starting at $599 $649 (unconfirmed) Starting at $1,299 $499-$829
Thickness 9.9mm 11.9mm 8.7mm 8.3mm 13.5mm 9.3mm 17.85mm 19mm (w/dock attached) 9.2mm 10.16mm 9.2MM 20MM 19.8mm 11.9mm 8.8mm 9.8mm 15.6mm 9.45mm 8.9mm 9.4mm
Weight 750g 857g 675g 520g 903g 676g 1.3kg 680g 680g 680g 635g 1.52 kg 1.4kg 1.04kg 600g 600g 1.27kg 640g 570g 652g
Cameras (rear/front) 8MP/1.9MP 5MP/1.9MP 8MP/2MP 8MP/2MP Front and rear HD 720p/720p Full HD 8MP/1080p 8MP/1080p 8MP/720p 5MP/2MP 720p 1.3MP HD/HD 5MP/1.3MP 8MP/?? rear 8MP/2MP 720p/1.0MP 2MP front 5MP/1.9MP 5MP/HD Unspecified dual cams 5MP
Data Yes No No Yes No No No No Mobile broadband support  No  Yes  No No No No Yes No No No No Yes
Other S Pen, dock w/ 2 USB 2.0 ports S Pen, dock w/ 2 USB 2.0 ports NFC, dock & keyboard with extra battery and 2 USB 2.0, stylus NFC, dock & keyboard with extra battery and 2 USB 2.0, stylus Price includes digital pen. Touch/Type covers sold separate. Touch/Type covers for $120/$130. Office 2013 RT. $499 for tablet only, $599 for 32GB w/touch cover. $699 for 64GB w/touch cover. Stylus, convertible but not removable keyboard, NFC. Keyboard included, NFC, Beats Audio. Optional stylus. NFC, Expansion Jacket w/extended battery and USB/HDMI, dock w/expansion slots. Dock adds 4 USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, Full HDMI, removable battery. Sold-separate Keyboard adds USB, HDMI and battery. Pen input support. If you drop 1-yr. support plan, can get tablet only for $399. Backlit always connected keyboard, swiveling screen folds over for tablet mode. Always connected keyboard, screen slides over for tablet mode, NFC Dock and Bluetooth keyboard included. Detachable keyboard dock ($150) adds battery up to 18 hours. $599 for 64GB SSD Stylus Non-removable keyboard flips completely around for tablet mode. Dock ($149) adds 8 hrs. battery, 2 USB 2.0. Office 2013, NFC Convertible tablet with removable keyboard Dual screen hybrid clamshell, stylus. 13-inch variety coming in Dec.
Release Date Nov. 9 Nov. 9 Holidays Oct. 26 January Oct. 26 Oct. 26 Nov. 14  Jan. 2013 Ships Dec. 20 Ships Dec. 20 Ships Dec. 14 Oct. 26 Oct. 26 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 December December Delayed, likely 2013 Current

*Last updated 11/29/2012 Gray cells indicate unreleased specs


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Phil Lozen

16 Comments

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  • The Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro (aka Series 7 slate) at $1,119 is more expensive than I would have thought……..until I noticed it has a 256GB SSD. I think that’s what put it over the $1000 mark. I’m hoping the Surface Pro, with its smaller capacity SSD, is able to hit that price point.

  • Thanks, I’ve been finding it difficult needing 7 tabs open to compare!.
    One really minor thing though. According to the spec sheet on the Surface website you have the battery (w-h’s) the wrong way round. RT should be the lower and the Pro should be the higher.
    Thanks again!

  • Thanks all. We’ve updated the Surface line. We’ll continue to add as more devices come out, so please continue keeping us honest if you see other things wrong.

  • This is just a quick cut and paste from an old list, but you’re missing a bunch of devices unveiled at Computex. While all the details may not be available, I think it’d be nice if they were in the chart and missing info can be filled in as it becomes available.

    Intel
    -Surface Pro (10.6″/Tab/x86)
    -Acer Aspire S7 (13.3″/LT/x86)
    -Acer Aspire S7 (11.6″/LT/x86)
    -Acer Iconia W510 (10.1″/Convert/Atom)
    -Acer Iconia W700 (11.6/Tab/x86)
    -Asus Taichi (13.3″/LT/x86)
    -Asus Taichi (11.6″/LT/x86)
    -Asus 810 (11.6″/Convert/Atom)
    -Asus Transformer (11.6″/Convert/x86)
    -Asus Transformer (13″/Convert/x86)
    -Asus Transformer (14″/Convert/x86)
    -Asus Transformer (18.4/DT/x86″
    -MSI Slider S20 (11.6″/Convert/Chief River?)
    ARM
    -Surface RT (10.6″/Tab)
    -Asus Tablet 600 (10.1″/Convert)

  • Thanks Joel, we’ll see what we can rustle up for these. The Surface Pro is on there, and this chart is to track tablets or convertibles only, so the larger devices like the 20″ Sony aren’t on here, nor are the notebooks or Ultrabooks that are in standard clamshell format.

  • +Phil Lozen

    Man, thanks for your job. I was going to do exactly the same to help me (and others too) decide what device buy to replace my Sony Vaio (15,6″ i3 4GB 500GB).

    I wanna a device that I can take off the keyboard and use like a tablet (thanks Asus to launch Transformer line hehe).

    First point: Windows 8 vs Windows RT
    I prefer Windows RT because is cheaper, lighter and the advices are thinner.
    I know that a lot of programs will be adapted to “Metro” (Microsoft can’t use this, but I can hehe) style, but I still afraid about an incomplete Windows.

    I just need Photoshop (complete) and uTorrent (or other good torrent program), other things I can use Metro. Maybe I need programs like Odin or something to change my smartphone (Galaxy Note today), but maybe, if Samsung launch a Galaxy Note with Windows Phone 8 and this OS complete integrate with Windows 8 and RT (when I change something on smartphone, on computer change too vice versa), maybe I go to WP8 too.

  • It would be awesome if Adobe came up with some sort of “Metro” creative suite, something akin to the Photoshop Elements product it delivers today. RT’s success will be very tied to how many software companies adopt the metro-style apps in the Windows Store.

  • Phil, anyway the chart can be pop out-able? Scrolling back and forth on the small width view is kind of tedious, also, locking the headers and far left column would be nice. Thanks!

  • Excellent work Phil. I don’t think there’s as comprehensive a chart anywhere else.

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