Cheap Windows tablet

[DervVW]

So recently I saw a win 8.1 tablet a Linx 8 for £49.99

This one but not at that price!http://www.ebuyer.com/664278-linx-8-windows-8-tablet-pc-linx8.

I don't really know much about this and frankly the waters have gotten a little muddy for me on what is a mobile OS or what is a full OS, but if right it looks like this (If its ever that cheap again!) tablet is a full windows PC running full windows.

Has anyone else had any experience of this type of thing, and is it worth moving away from android, or are the apps still too much of a draw?

[boxst]

I bought the HP one in the Microsoft store for #74,99 (there is a thread on here somewhere). It was very good and Windows 8.1 plus office were excellent. However I sent it back as it was unusable with headphones as there was interference making things difficult to hear. Common apparently on some of them.

It certainly made me thing that if a reasonable priced (< #150) tablet came up with Windows on it I would try again.

[sjg]

Pretty much everything that's a tablet running Windows these days is using Intel processors and the "full" (as opposed to RT) version of Windows. So you can get to a regular desktop and run any Windows software you like as well as what's in the Windows Store.

Store apps that are designed for touch are pretty thin on the ground. The store is full of rubbish - Microsoft incentivised submitting apps a while ago, so they have quantity but not quality. You can see what's there via http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows-8/apps#...

Desktop stuff is fine but on an 8" screen it's not a great experience with touch.

I've been using a Dell Venue 8 Pro for about 6 months, it's worked nicely as a way to watch video or make a few notes on the train then sit in desktop mode with my Lync, Outlook, etc open as I work away on a client's computer. Within the expectations of what is pretty low-end hardware, it works very nicely.

[51mes]

I've got one of the Asus TF101 transformers so windows tablet plus a keyboard dock..

11 hour battery life, 10" screen and a keyboard - I paid £220 for it with 2 years warranty from John Lewis. it runs quite well too, even manages HD playback.

SOmething you can just throw in your bag when you're off somewhere and it will just work with stuff - as it's windows...

S.

[RobinBanks]

I bought a Dell Venue 8 Pro around a year ago and I like it a lot. I wouldn't compare it to an ipad or Android - think of it as a pc in that shape rather than a tablet with a pc os

[grumbledoak]

I never really understood the accusation that Window Store was full of rubbish, it still has a long way to go to match the size of the Play Store's st Apps section! Still, that's becoming irrelevant...

RT was a flop, Intel raised their game on power consumption, and Microsoft have been busy targeting mobiles with 512MB RAM. So we are heading back to 'full' Windows on Intel, the same OS and Store on PC, Xbox, tablet, and phone. Not quite there yet with 8.1, but converging already.

I am playing with an HP Stream 8 for my kid at the moment. I cannot make Minecraft work with touch, but that may be just me. Otherwise impressive. OTG cable, PS3 controller, and Steam games working. Stampycat videos in all their glory ('Ha haaaaa!'). MS Office included, though not yet tested.

Early days, but it's good.

[jjr1]

DervVW said:

So recently I saw a win 8.1 tablet a Linx 8 for £49.99

This one but not at that price!http://www.ebuyer.com/664278-linx-8-windows-8-tablet-pc-linx8.

I don't really know much about this and frankly the waters have gotten a little muddy for me on what is a mobile OS or what is a full OS, but if right it looks like this (If its ever that cheap again!) tablet is a full windows PC running full windows.

Has anyone else had any experience of this type of thing, and is it worth moving away from android, or are the apps still too much of a draw?

I have this exact tablet but I only run one application on it specific to windows. So for example I am replying to your question on on my android nexus 7 which is my natural preference. my only true observation of the windows tablet is the battery life is very poor

Given the choice I would always opt for android.

Edited by jjr1 on Saturday 28th February 21:39

[DervVW]

Thanks for the input...

I think its fair to say dropping the android tablet is not the right thing to do for now, but it looks like the game is getting more intresting, perhaps in 12 months a windows tablet for £150ish will be a good purchase..

Even better to get input on the actual device, and intresting that the nexus is the default choice. Funny that you mention battery life, I have since read reviews and this tablet does seem to suffer with the poor battery...

the Asus device mentioned is it more like a laptop?

[DervVW]

Can't seem to get one for £50 now... boo hiss etc

[pacman1]

Just bought this as part of the keyboard and case bundle option for £78.
I'll let you know what I think.

[noell35]

51mes said:

I've got one of the Asus TF101 transformers so windows tablet plus a keyboard dock..

11 hour battery life, 10" screen and a keyboard - I paid £220 for it with 2 years warranty from John Lewis. it runs quite well too, even manages HD playback.

SOmething you can just throw in your bag when you're off somewhere and it will just work with stuff - as it's windows...

S.

I've got one of those. Have you managed 11 hours of battery life?

[DervVW]

pacman1 said:

Just bought this as part of the keyboard and case bundle option for £78.
I'll let you know what I think.

Its android...
It seems an ok price for that screen size, but the resolution is low. And it doesn't say how much RAM it has.

[pacman1]

DervVW said:

pacman1 said:

Just bought this as part of the keyboard and case bundle option for £78.
I'll let you know what I think.

Its android...
It seems an ok price for that screen size, but the resolution is low. And it doesn't say how much RAM it has.

Description said:

1GB DDR3 RAM

[MarkRSi]

Just bought one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361324302167?rmvSB=true

In many way it seems inferior to an android tablet (battery life, app stores, plus android seems more suited as a tablet OS, at least compared with windows 8.1) however I'm liking the fact its effectively a windows laptop that fits on the palm of my hand its even runs Skyrim ffs! (okay with no mods all details low and 10-20 fps but still better than any android game I've ever played )

Few questions;
Is it worth upgrading from 8.1 to 10?
Has anyone tried using an OTG USB cable/hub that allows usb devices (keyboard/mouse) to be used while charging the tablet? I've heard these can be hit and miss so would a bluetooth keyboard/mouse be better?

[DervVW]

pacman1 said:

DervVW said:

pacman1 said:

Just bought this as part of the keyboard and case bundle option for £78.
I'll let you know what I think.

Its android...
It seems an ok price for that screen size, but the resolution is low. And it doesn't say how much RAM it has.

Description said:

1GB DDR3 RAM

oops!

[DervVW]

MarkRSi said:

Just bought one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361324302167?rmvSB=true

In many way it seems inferior to an android tablet (battery life, app stores, plus android seems more suited as a tablet OS, at least compared with windows 8.1) however I'm liking the fact its effectively a windows laptop that fits on the palm of my hand its even runs Skyrim ffs! (okay with no mods all details low and 10-20 fps but still better than any android game I've ever played )

Few questions;
Is it worth upgrading from 8.1 to 10?
Has anyone tried using an OTG USB cable/hub that allows usb devices (keyboard/mouse) to be used while charging the tablet? I've heard these can be hit and miss so would a bluetooth keyboard/mouse be better?

bargin!