Love tablet computers yet crave the full functionality of a keyboard and lust after the full productivity of Windows? Here, we take a look at the best Ultrabook hybrids your money can buy in the UK.
2012 is the start of a new revolution within the laptop market. Hybrid Ultrabooks are a new way for consumers to access media and content online, rocking near full PC functionality alongside the playful and fun to use nature of a tablet computer. With Windows 8 being released on all touch-screen enabled Ultrabooks not just hybrid ones, the laptop computer has finally moved in to the touchscreen savvy 21st century.
At this years IFA event in Berlin numerous technology companies released new ranges of Ultrabooks to their existing portfolios. On top of releasing updates to pre-existing Ultrabooks such as Acer did with their M3 and V5, this year we have seen a wealth of hybrid Ultrabooks launched all aiming to offer up the full functionality of a traditional laptop alongside the media and app gaming capabilities of a tablet PC.
Here, we are going to take a look at three top hybrid Ultrabooks to be released and available for consumers in 2012 and in time for Christmas. Believe it or not, we are actually less than three months away from that, and as such these brand new to market devices could prove the ideal gift so long as you have some dough to spend.
Without further ado then find below 3 of the top hybrid Ultrabooks your money can buy. As of right now, UK pricing and official release dates are not available for these Ultrabooks, however as soon as we know we will update this post with official product pages. Enjoy!
Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro
The Samsung ATIV (pronounced art-eve) PC Pro is one fantastic looking bit of kit. Announced at this years IFA event in Berlin, the ATIV Smart PC Pro features a gorgeous 11.6-inch 1080p display smothered in almost scratch proof gorilla glass as found in tablets and smartphones. True to hybrid form, this Ultrabooks display can be fully detached from its keyboard thus creating a fully functional Windows 8 tablet.
Inside the ATIV PC Pro you will find a powerful energy efficient Core-i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD allowing for rapid boot up times. Other rather exciting features include 3G & 4G support (perfect for the commute), as well as Micro HDMI and USB ports. Claimed battery life for this Ultrabook hybrid is 8 hours, which is plenty enough for the average consumer, or professional working within a business environment.
Sony VAIO Duo 11
Like the Samsung hybrid Ultrabook listed above, the Sony VAIO Duo 11 rocks an 11-inch full HD 1080p display covered in gorilla glass for super resistance against scratches. This Ultrabook features a new “Surf Slider” design which transforms a full-function traditional Ultrabook PC into tablet operating mode for on-the-go computing, allowing consumers to experience the very best of both worlds.
This hybrid is extremely portable, weighing in at just 1.3kg and measuring a svelte 17.85mm thick. It has good ports too, such as an ethernet port, USB 3.0, Bluetooth, HDMI and VGA outputs for wiring up a screen or monitor. Unlike the Samsung option above, the screen on the Duo 11 does not detach from the keyboard, and instead slides over it.
Dell XPS Duo 12
In case you hadn’t guessed yet, the image at the top of this post is of the Dell XPS Duo 12. In good old fashion, we have saved the best till last. The XPS Duo 12 hybrid Ultrabook features a 12.5″ full HD 1080p display covered in super tough gorilla glass. Unlike the Samsung hybrid who’s screen detaches, or Sony’s hybrid which slides, this Ultrabook does something a whole lot cooler; it swivels.
The hybrid features a rather crazy (yet super effective) rotating hinge, to which the display is attached. When done using the hybrid as a traditional good old laptop, you simply flip the display, courtesy of two swivel hinges positioned at the centre of the left and right-hand sides. The display rotates on these points within the frame until it points out of the back. You can then close the lid and use it as a tablet. The hybrid is built from a mixture of carbon fibre, aluminium and high quality plastics.
Overall
All of the above three hybrid Ultrabook options are solid choices if you are going to be shopping for one in the near future. The Samsung option offers up a design that Asus EEE Pad customers will be very familiar with as will iPad users who have a keyboard accessory, whilst the Sony offering features a unique slide design in order to convert it from Ultrabook to tablet. If you want to impress your mates though, the Dell option above features an incredible design and build with that rotating hinge looking very next-generation.
I really love the design of that Dell. Much better than the other two!
Aye it is certainly unique, the XPS 12 is what ill be buying in the near future.
I’m feeling the Samsung product, chances are its display will be better than the others for viewing angles etc. Those who rattle on about the glass producing glare and reflections (not on this site but others) have missed a trick; you can easily buy matte screen protectors for machines like this. They cost less than 5 pounds!
The first thing I did with my new iPad was treat it to an anti-glare screen cover. I would not be without it.
I wonder when a coating for glass will be created which is completely non stick including fingerprints, smudges. There must be one mad scientist out thete at least.
I think there are nano-sized silicon particle coatings out there that perform such a task. Don’t hold me to that though!
Still thicker than fully fledged tablets though
Well yeah, they have a ‘fully fledged’ keyboard as well as real ports…
That’ll be the major benefit to a detachable display over a fixed one, the best of both worlds.
Yup, a keyboard adds proper functionality to any tablet as it is.
The ATIV stands out to me, the display will be great. You know how I love Sammy products though
Chances are, the Dells screen is bought from Samsung anyway. Their displays are in almost everything.
Any word on how that Dell bezel is? Look like it could be a little bit flimsy?