Recommend a Windows 8 Tablet?

I'm in the market for a new Windows 8 tablet. I'm now going to give as much detail as humanly possible, because I'm really not sure 1) what's out there and 2) what's best for me. For my new job I'm going to be doing a lot of Excel work, and also running Drake tax (necessitating true Windows 8, not RT). I'd also like to run lower end Games for Windows Live...Dark Souls, if possible, even at a crappy setting. I have a Dell XPS 17 at home, so it doesn't need to be a full laptop replacement. Here's what I want:

-Screen around 10-12"
-Full qwerty, either built in or attached like a dock. I'd like it to function as a lid like the Samsung Ativ or Surface
-Keyboard either detachable or completely foldable for a true tablet
-4 GB Ram+
-i5 processor+
-128 GB HDD/SSD+
-Expandable via microsd
-Would like it to be as thin as possible

I'm going to say why I'm having such a hard time deciding. I was initially leaning towards the Surface, but the battery life is a deterrent. Also, the 128 GB model is pretty difficult to find, and I'd like to have it by Friday. Lastly, I'm unsure of this but I'm worried that the type cover isn't really foldable behind it.

The Ativ Pro is what I'm leaning towards, but I wish the keyboard was completely foldable and the angles are limited. I've also heard of connection horror stories with the dock itself. The dock adding battery power would be nice, as well, and it's a little on the larger side. I am a Samsung fan, though.

Otherwise....the Yoga is too big/too expensive, plus the keyboard being on the bottom and permanently exposed is just stupid. The XPS 12 is a little on the big side, PLUS there's no true expandable memory, which kills it to me. Other then that, nothing's blown me away but I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks!

Nothing is perfect and no tablet can have it all, but it would be a no brainer for me.
Surface Pro or nada.
The battery life is good enough, specially when compared to a laptop.
I think it's super well constructed with premium materials and has a fantastic screen.
It may not be everything you want, but none of them are and it's simply the best of the group.

Quote from RockySosua : Nothing is perfect and no tablet can have it all, but it would be a no brainer for me. Surface Pro or nada. The battery life is good enough, specially when compared to a laptop. I think it's super well constructed with premium materials and has a fantastic screen. It may not be everything you want, but none of them are and it's simply the best of the group.

I agree nothing is perfect, surprised to see an early voucher for the Surface. Any reason you don't like the Ativ?

razer edge pro
http://www.razerzone.com/store/razer-edge-pro

Quote from IPT : razer edge pro http://www.razerzone.com/store/razer-edge-pro

WTF? That thing is ridiculous! When's it supposed to come out? It seems a little too bulky for my needs now...but wow. Insane.

Also, the controller attachment is $250? That's unjustifiable.

I actually hate that you showed me it hahaha, it's so freakin' cool. Wish I could justify it, girlfriend would kill me haha.

I'm going the way of Vivo Smart....windows 8 standard. I"m running full desktop apps. But only 2gig of RAM which is not much. VLC running perfect...and takes care of the low volume issue some have complained about....(I can preamp and also crank up the volume 200%.
Anyway....I don't do games..so that's enough for me. Would have prefered and 8 or 7 size...with windows 8 standard but nothing for the moment. Love it....sold my Nexus 7 3G for this.
I know prices will go down later but just could not wait....been waiting for Windows 8 Tablet for years...RT is worthless....The Dell Essentials is another choice..but to get the same exact specs as Vivo Smart you got to pay...Me I don't want bigger screen. I take the tablet everywhere and like smaller size...battery life is 10 hours...vs 4 hours...that's huge. and also very light and thinner than the Surface Pro. Or did I say cheaper too...
Of course cpu is less powefull. I guess for excell and video..stuff. It's good enough...

Quote from JohnnyOnTheSpot : WTF? That thing is ridiculous! When's it supposed to come out? It seems a little too bulky for my needs now...but wow. Insane. Also, the controller attachment is $250? That's unjustifiable. I actually hate that you showed me it hahaha, it's so freakin' cool. Wish I could justify it, girlfriend would kill me haha.

dont bother with the controller attachment, if anything just the keyboard
it has USB so you can plug in a 360 pad and just play games that way

or use bluetooth keyboard/mouse
or even USB keyboard/mouse

I'd second the Surface Pro. I'm still waiting for mine to ship, but based on the build quality of the Surface RT that I have, it's going to be an excellent machine. And yes, the type cover is really foldable behind it. You can fold it as-is & it disables the keys, or you can reverse it & fold it so the smooth side of the KB is against your hand.

And I'd pick it over the ATIV (or any other tablet) simply because this is the first Windows device where the software is actually optimized for the hardware. Microsoft is copying Apple's model on this by being able to tweak all of the drivers specifically for the Surface's hardware, rather than relying on generic or 3rd party developed drivers to make it work.

As far as battery life, there's a trade off between very long battery & a very slim design (people are complainging about the ATIV battery life, too - check the Newegg reviews). If you really NEED a very long battery life, you should be looking at the Lenovo Helix [lenovo.com] (which includes a 2nd battery inside the keyboard). That one's not available yet tho, so probably doesn't help you much.

I ahve a Dell xps12, its not large. It's quite a nice machine. A bit expensive but still nice. I would be you could open it and put a larger SSD in if needed for more storage. I just don't see the need here for a tablet with a ton of storage when you basically want an ultrabook.

I did get a chance to play with a surface pro the other day and its nice, but the sharp corners were an interesting design choice. Battery life on the thing is pretty bad.

I've never touched a Surface Pro but the Surface RT is pretty slick. We just got a touchscreen laptop so not in the market for the new UltraTablets but IPT and I have talked about that Razer and the Surface before, those are your best options I think.

But, the battery really needs to be put into perspective! The battery can be put to a number and take the opinion right out of the matter...4-5 hrs a charge they are saying. That is right on par with the Ultrabook line. Hell, it is better then my Lenovo T400 at work! It is not just a tablet, so you will not get 8 hours. That is just a fact. It is not terrible...but it is low, and it is also thin and light. Compromises were made.

Quote from nashi20002003 : I'm going the way of Vivo Smart....windows 8 standard. I"m running full desktop apps. But only 2gig of RAM which is not much. VLC running perfect...and takes care of the low volume issue some have complained about....(I can preamp and also crank up the volume 200%. Anyway....I don't do games..so that's enough for me. Would have prefered and 8 or 7 size...with windows 8 standard but nothing for the moment. Love it....sold my Nexus 7 3G for this. I know prices will go down later but just could not wait....been waiting for Windows 8 Tablet for years...RT is worthless....The Dell Essentials is another choice..but to get the same exact specs as Vivo Smart you got to pay...Me I don't want bigger screen. I take the tablet everywhere and like smaller size...battery life is 10 hours...vs 4 hours...that's huge. and also very light and thinner than the Surface Pro. Or did I say cheaper too... Of course cpu is less powefull. I guess for excell and video..stuff. It's good enough...

So you got the regular Vivi, not the Pro? I've considered it, just figured I should go all out if I get anything.

Quote from IPT : dont bother with the controller attachment, if anything just the keyboard it has USB so you can plug in a 360 pad and just play games that way or use bluetooth keyboard/mouse or even USB keyboard/mouse

Yea that'd be my plan. When is this beast coming out, anyway, and for how much?

Quote from Jeffbx : I'd second the Surface Pro. I'm still waiting for mine to ship, but based on the build quality of the Surface RT that I have, it's going to be an excellent machine. And yes, the type cover is really foldable behind it. You can fold it as-is & it disables the keys, or you can reverse it & fold it so the smooth side of the KB is against your hand. And I'd pick it over the ATIV (or any other tablet) simply because this is the first Windows device where the software is actually optimized for the hardware. Microsoft is copying Apple's model on this by being able to tweak all of the drivers specifically for the Surface's hardware, rather than relying on generic or 3rd party developed drivers to make it work. As far as battery life, there's a trade off between very long battery & a very slim design (people are complainging about the ATIV battery life, too - check the Newegg reviews). If you really NEED a very long battery life, you should be looking at the Lenovo Helix [lenovo.com] (which includes a 2nd battery inside the keyboard). That one's not available yet tho, so probably doesn't help you much.

The Helix will be out of my price range, but what you said about the Surface does make sense and was my initial consideration; they're going to do it right. I'm starting to teeter back towards the Surface now lol.

Quote from LiquidRetro : I ahve a Dell xps12, its not large. It's quite a nice machine. A bit expensive but still nice. I would be you could open it and put a larger SSD in if needed for more storage. I just don't see the need here for a tablet with a ton of storage when you basically want an ultrabook. I did get a chance to play with a surface pro the other day and its nice, but the sharp corners were an interesting design choice. Battery life on the thing is pretty bad.

It's just inexcusable not to have some sort of port, and I use my SD port daily, it's something I really need. I do like it, but that bugs me. And I know I could swap the SSD, that's not the issue per se, I kind of need that port.

Quote from Curtieson : I've never touched a Surface Pro but the Surface RT is pretty slick. We just got a touchscreen laptop so not in the market for the new UltraTablets but IPT and I have talked about that Razer and the Surface before, those are your best options I think. But, the battery really needs to be put into perspective! The battery can be put to a number and take the opinion right out of the matter...4-5 hrs a charge they are saying. That is right on par with the Ultrabook line. Hell, it is better then my Lenovo T400 at work! It is not just a tablet, so you will not get 8 hours. That is just a fact. It is not terrible...but it is low, and it is also thin and light. Compromises were made.

Appreciate the input. I agree the Surface is sleek. That Razer intrigues me more by the second...

This youtube clip [youtube.com] may help your decision.

Quote from RockySosua : This youtube clip [youtube.com] may help your decision.

Dang, 30 mins...pretty in depth. But OMFG! @3:55, it just hit me like a ton of bricks...how do we not have a USB port in ALL laptop power adapters???? That is so freaking smart, haha. Don't need to have your laptop around to charge your phone. That is a working man's power brick.

Sorry. I just haven't ever noticed that before.

Quote from Curtieson : Dang, 30 mins...pretty in depth. But OMFG! @3:55, it just hit me like a ton of bricks...how do we not have a USB port in ALL laptop power adapters???? That is so freaking smart, haha. Don't need to have your laptop around to charge your phone. That is a working man's power brick. Sorry. I just haven't ever noticed that before.

cause you know, the laptop power brick's usually lying on the floor somewhere.