>13'' Laptop-Tablet Hybrid for Math Student

[scherz0]

As a math student, my main goal for my new laptop is to take notes on mathematics on it and write math on it with a stylus pen. Therefore, I’m looking into laptop-tablet hybrids because I can use the hybrid as the digitised form of paper.

I’ve done some research that I present below but would like to ask for your advice and recommendations. Thank you very much!

My Requirements:

I. The diagonal of the screen must be at least 13 inches. The bigger the better, so that I can write more on a single “sheet.”

II. Screen resolution must be at least HD1080 = 1920 x 1080.

III. This is NOT mandatory, but I would prefer a detachable screen. Then I would need to bring only the tablet to lectures.

I eliminated the SONY VAIO Duo 13 because “the slant of the screen when the device is in laptop configuration, cannot be adjusted” (http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/06/sony-vaio-duo-13-tablet-laptop.html).

I eliminated the Lenovo Yoga because in tablet mode, the keyboard faces and is exposed downwards. The sales representative told me that because writing on the Lenovo Yoga on a hard surface would quickly wreck the keyboard.

Results of My Research:

1. Acer Aspire R7

2. Asus Transformer Book TX300

3. Wait for new models?

TIME Magazine says that more than 50 will be released: http://techland.time.com/2013/06/04/intel-dont-worry-many-more-hybrids-are-coming/

4. Did I miss a model that’s available and meets my requirements?

 

[crashtestdummy]

I don't think it's going to "wreck" the keyboard on the yoga to have it on a hard surface. There are rubber stand-offs to give it some space. I plan on getting the next generation of the yoga myself.

Try waiting for the next round of ultrabooks in the coming months. As you said, you're probably going to see a larger selection of convertible designs in this round.

 

[kevinsbane]

As a math student, my main goal for my new laptop is to take notes on mathematics on it and write math on it with a stylus pen. Therefore, I’m looking into laptop-tablet hybrids because I can use the hybrid as the digitised form of paper.

I’ve done some research that I present below but would like to ask for your advice and recommendations. Thank you very much!

My Requirements:

I. The diagonal of the screen must be at least 13 inches. The bigger the better, so that I can write more on a single “sheet.”

II. Screen resolution must be at least HD1080 = 1920 x 1080.

III. This is NOT mandatory, but I would prefer a detachable screen. Then I would need to bring only the tablet to lectures.

I eliminated the SONY VAIO Duo 13 because “the slant of the screen when the device is in laptop configuration, cannot be adjusted” (http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/06/sony-vaio-duo-13-tablet-laptop.html).

I eliminated the Lenovo Yoga because in tablet mode, the keyboard faces and is exposed downwards. The sales representative told me that because writing on the Lenovo Yoga on a hard surface would quickly wreck the keyboard.

Results of My Research:

1. Acer Aspire R7

2. Asus Transformer Book TX300

3. Wait for new models?

TIME Magazine says that more than 50 will be released: http://techland.time.com/2013/06/04/intel-dont-worry-many-more-hybrids-are-coming/

4. Did I miss a model that’s available and meets my requirements?

Not all styli are created equal; if you're looking to write equations, what you really want is an active Wacom digitizer with pressure sensitivity (or equivalent). Capacitive styli are poor substitutes for pen/paper for diagrams, graphs, equations and such free-form sketches.

The Sony so far is the only one that really fits your needs. Yes, non-adjustable angle, but it's actually got the proper stylus for what you want to do compared to the other two.

Others:
Microsoft Surface Pro (<13", battery life is poor for what you want to do with it, also non-adjustable angle)
Lenovo Thinkpad X230t (<13", only 1366x768)

 

[IntelUser2000]

There's the Lenovo Thinkpad Helix, which has a Wacom digitizer, and is a detachable hybrid. If you are willing to pay for it of course.

 

[sm625]

I eliminated the Lenovo Yoga because in tablet mode, the keyboard faces and is exposed downwards. The sales representative told me that because writing on the Lenovo Yoga on a hard surface would quickly wreck the keyboard.

That sounds like complete nonsense to me. But you seriously have to ask youself why you need x86 at all. If you were to find an excellent note taking software package for android/iOS, one that included cloud/dropbox support for compiling your notes on your desktop at home, then would that be enough to simply go with a tablet + desktop combo instead of an extremely overpriced notebook/tablet combo? Given the outrageous pricing of x86 notebooks it seems like it makes more sense to go tablet + desktop....

The simple fact is that it is far cheaper to own a something like a nexus tablet and a desktop than to own one device that can adequately serve as both. I dont know why that is, but it doesnt look like it is going to change any time soon, despite the hype.

 

[IntelUser2000]

The sales representative told me that because writing on the Lenovo Yoga on a hard surface would quickly wreck the keyboard.

The keyboard actually recesses slightly when you go more than 180 degrees, plus the keys are slightly lower than the surface so when you put it on a flat surface, keys wouldn't touch.

III. This is NOT mandatory, but I would prefer a detachable screen. Then I would need to bring only the tablet to lectures.

Again, the Thinkpad Helix.

I eliminated the SONY VAIO Duo 13 because &#8220;the slant of the screen when the device is in laptop configuration, cannot be adjusted&#8221; (http://smallbiztrends.com/2013/06/so...et-laptop.html)

There's an advantage in that configuration. The entire device won't wobble when using the touchscreen without holding the device, and gives you an easier to work surface with the digitizer.

Biggest worry for me is the after-sales support. Like how good are they with fixing your problems, and answering them? Do they or not ignore widespread issues and fix them without getting a new device out?

 

[MoxJr]

the yoga 13 is pretty awesome.... get it

 

[Fox5]

The XPS 12.
http://www.dell.com/us/p/xps-12-l221x/pd?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

Alternatively, get a normal laptop (Sony Vaio Pro?) and then get a cheap tablet.

 

[Ichigo]

That sounds like complete nonsense to me. But you seriously have to ask youself why you need x86 at all. If you were to find an excellent note taking software package for android/iOS, one that included cloud/dropbox support for compiling your notes on your desktop at home, then would that be enough to simply go with a tablet + desktop combo instead of an extremely overpriced notebook/tablet combo? Given the outrageous pricing of x86 notebooks it seems like it makes more sense to go tablet + desktop....

The simple fact is that it is far cheaper to own a something like a nexus tablet and a desktop than to own one device that can adequately serve as both. I dont know why that is, but it doesnt look like it is going to change any time soon, despite the hype.

Because Onenote 2013 is a godlike application and nothing on Android/iOS compares.

This is my opinion after *many* tablets.

I think the Duo 13 is your best option. You can use it on a lap unlike the Surface. It has an active digitizer. Unlike the Helix, it doesn't need to detach to be used in tablet mode. I don't think the slant would bother me honestly.

 

[vbuggy]

The new Samsung Q is also an option with the two-way hinge, which looks to be more versatile than the Duo. You get Android too, which is an intriguing (if probably useless, but I'm not judging it until I get it) mix.

After bearing with the XPS 12 and the Yoga 13 since early this year I've been itching to get something I actually want touch-wise - both are boat anchors for what they are, and while both are worthy they struck me as first-gen stabs. (If I had to pick one of these now I'd say the better road companion is the Yoga, despite the keyboard - you get used to it. It's just a nicer machine overall IMO) In fact I'm now pretty much full time with the (obviously non touch) Series 9E when I'm carrying an ultrabook-class machine.

The Duo 11 was never in contention but despite my bias against Sony I'm actually looking at the 13 with renewed interest despite the hinge limitation.

I've come this close to pulling the trigger on the Helix a number of times especially as the lower-end model is now regularly in stock in my market, but that all-up weight really bothers me - and the reason for the weight, the dual-battery affair, now seems pretty redundant with the launch of Haswell. Given the reviews for Haswell notebooks I've definitely decided to skip the Helix.

And finally with Haswell, I'm starting to see machines I actually want to buy - though one reason why Apple sells a boatload of gear is that you can actually buy it when they announce it, yet still in many cases the same doesn't hold true on the Windows side (the Yoga, if everyone recalls, was almost a year from announcement to actual availability).

What I'll probably do is to buy - in this class - the ATIV 9, Q and Duo 13 to start with and figure out which one I like best. But I'll wait until all are actually buyable first (Out of those three only the Duo can be ordered now).

If Lenovo re-releases the Helix in Haswell format with a batteryless keyboard around the 1.3Kg max mark I'll consider it. I wouldn't need a Haswellized(sic) Helix with a 15-hour-plus life, because I don't see the point in lugging the batteries for significantly more than a genuine 8 hours of useful utility out of the thing.

Most importantly, if you want to write symbols on the screen limit yourself only to models with an active digitiser - touch-only models will suck, even with those 'I'm special' capacitive pens.

Well that was a bit of a ramble. Hope I said something of use in there somewhere.

 

[IntelUser2000]

If Lenovo re-releases the Helix in Haswell format with a batteryless keyboard around the 1.3Kg max mark I'll consider it. I wouldn't need a Haswellized(sic) Helix with a 15-hour-plus life, because I don't see the point in lugging the batteries for significantly more than a genuine 8 hours of useful utility out of the thing.

Maybe we'll see it thinner and lighter with the same battery?

But yea I do agree with you. Although rather than current configuration of 42WHr Base + 28WHr dock, 45WHr Base and 15W dock could work out.

The base would get 9 hours of battery and dock would add further 3 hours, while being lighter.

 

[Aarondeep]

I own a Yoga, but for what you are saying with the pen input and such I think you would like the Helix better. It is quite expensive though what's your budget?

 

[sm625]

Yeah but how hard is it really to port something like onenote to android, and not screw it up? I assume you have tried the android version of onenote, and it sucks? Have you tried the iOS version? Since all versions are by microsoft, wouldnt it be safe to assume that they will converge in functionailty at some point?

 

[vbuggy]

Yeah but how hard is it really to port something like onenote to android, and not screw it up? I assume you have tried the android version of onenote, and it sucks? Have you tried the iOS version? Since all versions are by microsoft, wouldnt it be safe to assume that they will converge in functionailty at some point?

There's a difference between 'how hard' and 'whether they want to'.

Besides, clearly you've never used Onenote - the desktop vs mobile functionality is as KITT to a Trabant, even more so if you take into account the Office integration.

 

[gorcorps]

There are VERY few models with both a digitizer and detachable, and the newest/best one is the Lenovo Helix. It's very expensive but it looks worth it if those are truly your needs. I'm assuming you want one before school starts in August and I doubt the Haswell stuff will be out by then, so it's up to you when to act. Price can go down in a couple months but I don't really expect it to.

 

[rituraj]

if you can live with your pen and notebooks for a while I think you will come across something that suits your needs. And as far as your requirement of a 13" screen goes I think a bigger surface pro should be out sometime in the future as one MS spokesperson once indicated. I am hoping for the same as I teach in a college and had to stop myself from considering the helix mainly because of the price and upcoming (now released) haswell processors but if you need one urgently that is the most suitable choice. And thanks for the good news of more upcoming products.


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