Comments on: Does the Windows 8 hybrid overcomplicate a simple problem?

By: Sagat

Sagat — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:33:54 +0000

I have been playing around with Windows 8 for a while. I think the interface is great but it still feels like Windows 7 with new interface layer bolted on. But i guess you have get use to it and over time you will probably love it. http://www.buildeasypc.com/sw/windows_8/install_windows_8.htm

By: Seta

Seta — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:05:28 +0000

I fled from Windows to Apple’s OS X when Vista came out and I have no intention of leaving Apple’s eco system.

But I tried Windows 8, and really like it. Its very fast, amazing start up and shut down times and the interface is novel and interesting – the way I see it, the round start button on the desktop has been replaced (or updated) to the new metro start menu, where everything can be easily accessed.

I would say though that for the majority of users, people who use laptops or PCs without really knowing what’s going on, like my grandma, this might be a step too far for them from what they are used to. Microsoft really should provide good training, for free, to ease the transition to the new interface. I hope Microsoft don’t back peddle and go back to the old way of doing things.

Shame I can’t use Win 8 for work as IE 10 doesn’t work with the application tunnelling I need to access corporate servers. Just have to wait for a fix.

By: Zwandee

Zwandee — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:45:54 +0000

A lot of comments here sound myopic. Just because a certain form factor does not appeal to you doesn’t mean it’s entirely useless.
I love hybrids. I don’t move around much so the weight doesn’t bother. I really like a screen that I can adjust to fit my position instead of the other way round however I’d like a full keyboard when things start to get serious. I also hate managing multiple devices though having multiple devices in one appeals to me. All the hybrids so far fail to appeal to me because I am a gamer and love to dabble with 3D animation/modelling so I’m sort of holding out for the special one. And no, the tablet with the add-on keyboard won’t do because it is almost impossible to have good dedicated graphics on a tablet due to the heat.

By: Aden

Aden — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 21:11:41 +0000

I think the comment about the Atom processor and netbook performance is unfair. The new Atom processor is a completely different animal – much better performance and it can handle “normal” PC tasks – it will happily run Microsoft Office, play video and games. Best of all battery life on my new hybrid is upwards of 9 hours. I am now the proud owner of a hybrid device which runs a full version of Windows 8, has a touch screen, a detachable keyboard and a battery life which can handle a transatlantic flight without missing a beat. Oh and it looks a lot better than the picture of the hybrid in the article.

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:21:07 +0000

@richierace, have a look at the Acer W710, a bit big as a tablet. But docked to a bigger screen and a Bluetooth Keyboard you have a desktop with touch (mirror screens) or extend the desktop and use the tablet to keep email twitter etc open alongside work. (OK it could do with a stand so that I can use it with a BT Keyboard when on the go)

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:42:35 +0000

You have to ask, if there is supposedly a requirement for hybrids, then why hasn’t Apple done it giving they have all the capability and experience in how do it?

By: HairyFool

HairyFool — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:17:28 +0000

I have both a Surface and a touch enabled PC upgraded to Windows 8. I started with the PC and came to the conclusion that touch is an irrelevance on the PC apart from occasional use. Because of that I was developing the feeling that Windows 8 was an irrelivance. Now I have the Surface it makes sense, what I can’t envisage is having anything heavier in my hand so to me the hybrid is not going to fill that role and it will just be a laptop with a clever trick. Now I have to decide if it worth upgrading my main PC to 8 from Windows 7, probably not.

By: mex

mex — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 05:46:19 +0000

Many of you don’t know that this new Atom is more than two times better than the old Atom.
And for 90% of Windows user , hybrids with the new Atom will be more than enough, to trow away their laptops and tablets, and have one devise.
Atom hybrids have same battery life as iOS and Android devices, but can also x86. And most of them have Wacom input.

By: Jack

Jack — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:26:45 +0000

I agree – hybrids are largely useless.

For pure slate use, the Surface RT offers a good compromise. 95% slate but add a keyboard.

For higher end, take the Surface Pro but you lose battery life.

For everything else – touch screen ultrabook or touch screen all in one.

This comment typed on my Surface RT using the type cover – lot quicker than typing on the screen and doesn’t make 50% of the screen real estate disappear.

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:26:33 +0000

Does anyone else think that these 11″-14″ ‘ultrabooks’ and ‘hybrids’ are just too small for laptops for doing productive/creative work?

I’d rather have a laptop that is at least 15.5″ if not bigger(and preferably 16:10). I already have a smartphone and a Nexus 7 for portable media consumption (both could be replaced with a phablet) and can’t see the use for another such small device for productivity.

If it could be made thin and light enough I could see a 15.5″ hybrid being actually quite useful for creative and graphics work when combined with digitizer.