Get ready for the next revolution in ICT technology. the first glimpse of the new tabletop tablet. Many PC manufacturers have embraced the new innovation.
This new category of PC can be hard to pin down. To some, these are all-in-one desktops, similar to the Apple iMac, but with the added ability to either fold down flat or detach their screens. To others, these are battery-powered megatablets, with screens measuring between 18 and 27 inches, but are otherwise similar to Windows 8 slates such as Microsoft's Surface Pro. But, I think they're an entirely different animal, with features of a personal computer, a piece of consumer electronics equipment, and even living-room furniture.
That's why I call them tabletop PCs, and since late 2012, we've reviewed four models, from Sony, Asus, Dell, and Lenovo. The Dell and Asus models look the most all-in-one-like, with screens that detach from traditional-looking stands. The Sony and Lenovo models are giant battery-powered screens with built-in kickstands that can stand up or at an angle, or fold down flat. All of them function just fine facing straight up from a coffee table or kitchen counter, and you can expect plenty of custom built-in furniture options should this trend take off.
None of the early examples are quite ready for broad mainstream audiences yet, but of these, the 18-inch Dell XPS 18 is thin and light, and it's the easiest to carry around, while the Lenovo Horizon is the most ambitious, with a giant 27-inch display, custom software interface, and a small collection of included accessories for tabletop gaming.
Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon 27
It functions perfectly well as a desktop all-in-one, but to see it really shine, push the spring-loaded hinge down and lay the system flat on your table, desk, or even the floor. Aura, a touch-centric operating-system overlay, switches on automatically when you fold the system down, and a collection of several custom apps and games is available in this mode, including the requisite air hockey (seemingly the first app everyone thinks to install on a tabletop PC), Texas Hold 'Em poker, and Monopoly. Read the full review of the Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon 27.
It functions perfectly well as a desktop all-in-one, but to see it really shine, push the spring-loaded hinge down and lay the system flat on your table, desk, or even the floor. Aura, a touch-centric operating-system overlay, switches on automatically when you fold the system down, and a collection of several custom apps and games is available in this mode, including the requisite air hockey (seemingly the first app everyone thinks to install on a tabletop PC), Texas Hold 'Em poker, and Monopoly. Read the full review of the Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon 27.
Sony Vaio Tap 20
Sony's 20-inch version of the tabletop PC deserves credit for being the first out of the gate, but subsequent systems have done better on weight, features, and price. Also, it has a 1,600x900-pixel resolution screen that just isn't adequate for such a large screen. Read the full review of the Sony Vaio Tap 20.
Sony's 20-inch version of the tabletop PC deserves credit for being the first out of the gate, but subsequent systems have done better on weight, features, and price. Also, it has a 1,600x900-pixel resolution screen that just isn't adequate for such a large screen. Read the full review of the Sony Vaio Tap 20.
Asus Transformer AIO
The Transformer AIO essentially gives you two computing devices. One is an Intel Core i5 CPU base unit that behaves like a standard Windows 8 all-in-one. Lift the 18.4-inch display out of its cradle and the screen switches over to its built-in Nvidia Tegra 3 chip, becoming a giant, 5.6-pound Android tablet.Read the full review of the Asus Transformer AIO.
The Transformer AIO essentially gives you two computing devices. One is an Intel Core i5 CPU base unit that behaves like a standard Windows 8 all-in-one. Lift the 18.4-inch display out of its cradle and the screen switches over to its built-in Nvidia Tegra 3 chip, becoming a giant, 5.6-pound Android tablet.Read the full review of the Asus Transformer AIO.
Dell XPS 18
Thanks to its light weight and portability, the Dell XPS 18 is probably the most useful of the current crop of tabletop PCs, and it's fun for playing touch-friendly games. However, the Microsoft app store doesn't make appropriate software easy to find, and the screen's top coating had too much finger drag to really work for fast-paced air hockey/Pong-style games.
Thanks to its light weight and portability, the Dell XPS 18 is probably the most useful of the current crop of tabletop PCs, and it's fun for playing touch-friendly games. However, the Microsoft app store doesn't make appropriate software easy to find, and the screen's top coating had too much finger drag to really work for fast-paced air hockey/Pong-style games.
No comments:
Post a Comment