Apple's iPad, Motorola's Xoom, Acer's Iconia. The list goes on. Are you tired of all the tablet talk? Are you familiar with tablet PCs? Asus has the latest Windows-based tablet. We go over its features and show how it compares to more familiar tablets.
There are tablets, and then there are tablet PCs. Do you know the difference? Tablets like the iPad use a mobile operating system and touchscreen. Tablet PCs like the Axiotron Modbook are more equivalent to the notebooks with which we're familiar, as they support desktop operating systems and rely on a digital pen in lieu of a mouse.
Vanilla tablets continue gaining momentum. They're small. They're sexy. They're generally fast-enough for basic content consumption. But the underlying software infrastructure is a continuous source of frustration for many people. With a Modbook, I can run any OS X-based program. The iPad limits me to apps from the official Apple App Store.
If you're not willing to compromise on software compatibility, dipping your toe into the tablet pool is going to be a chilling experience. The only way to enjoy a similar form factor without trading out your favorite applications is to slide into the more comfortable jacuzzi of tablet PC bliss. Despite a promising introduction by Microsoft, these mobile computers are really pretty rare, which is somewhat surprising given their simultaneous portability and interoperability with Windows-based programs. The performance of a tablet PC is limited only by the hardware a vendor can cram inside.
The latest Windows-based tablet comes from Asus. Dubbed the Eee Slate, it offers something different for those of you tired with all the iPad and Android-based tablet talk.
Specifications | Asus Eee Slate |
---|---|
CPU | Core i5-470UM (Arrandale), 1.33 GHz, 3 MB Smart Cache, 2C/4T, 18 W TDP, 32 nm |
Screen | 12.1" WSVGA (1280x800) |
Memory | 4 GB DDR3-800 SO-DIMM |
System Drive | SanDisk P4 SSD 64 GB, SATA 3Gb/s |
Graphics | Intel HD Graphics, 166 MHz Base Frequency, 500 MHz Max. Dynamic Frequency |
Operating System | Windows 7 Home Premium |
Wireless | 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth |
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