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I have avoided using the word "tablet" in the title, because this word now refers to a few distinct kinds of devices, and I don't want a bunch of iPad fanboys descending on this thread to give me useless advice. So:
I have a Fujitsu T5010 and it's starting to feel heavy. If you don't know what this is, it is a laptop whose screen flips around to lie flat like a tablet. However, it is NOT a capacitive touch screen. The screen itself is actually a Wacom tablet with active digitizer pen (analogous to the Wacom Cintiq series). I use this machine to do all my handwritten research work and note-taking; and since it is also a true laptop, I use it to run Mathematica and write papers as well. But it weighs almost 5 lbs and I'd like something lighter.
Two options I'm considering are:
Lenovo Thinkpad Helix
Pros:
1. Detachable screen for super-light note-taking. (Screen alone is 1.8 lbs.)
2. 11'' form factor for less bulkiness; can fit it in a smaller bag.
Cons:
1. Heavier in notebook mode (3.8 lbs.) Although, extra weight is due to second battery in keyboard.
2. Uses 3rd-generation Intel processor; shorter battery life (6 hours in tablet mode, 10 hours with second battery in keyboard).
3. Mini DisplayPort output requires VGA adapter to connect to my TV or monitor.
4. No SD card slot
And this:
Sony VAIO Duo 13
Pros:
1. Lighter total weight (2.93 lbs.)
2. Uses 4th generation "Haswell" processor for longer battery life (10 hours!)
3. SD card slot
4. HDMI port can easily connect to TV
5. Backlit keyboard
Cons:
1. 13'' form factor is the same size as my Lifebook (although half as thick).
2. Screen does not detach as a separate "slate".
3. HDMI port needs adapter to talk to my monitor.
Between these two, I think the Helix is more suited to my needs. I realize the pros and cons listed seem to favor the Vaio, but not all of these have equal weight. The fact that the Helix screen is detachable is a huge plus, especially if I am sitting through talks where the seats have no writing surface on which to place a laptop. I could hold a 1.8 lb device in my hands and take notes (although that depends on how hot the thing gets...).
If there's something I didn't list in the Pros and Cons (such as how many megapixels the webcam has), it's something I really don't care about. This is a tool for a specific task.
I realize there is also a Vaio Duo 11, in the 11-inch size. However, it uses the 3rd-generation processors and has a shorter battery life (4.5 hours). So it's not really in the running.
In general, between the 11-inch and 13-inch form factors, I'm a little torn between the added portability of 11'' versus the increase screen space of 13'' for writing. And despite being bigger, the Vaio is lighter by a pound over the Helix+keyboard, although the Helix tablet alone is 50% lighter than the Vaio.
So here are my options:
1. Helix
2. Vaio
3. Wait for a new Helix to come out using the Haswell generation of processors.
4. Something else?
This isn't something I intend to buy right away, so the landscape may change. If Lenovo releases a Helix with Haswell processors, then that would win hands-down. But the Helix only came out recently, so I don't think they will release an update in the timeframe I'm looking at (I'm thinking to get something by the end of the year).
I'm especially interested if anyone has similar machines to suggest. Please suggest something with an i5 or i7 processor with an active digitizer pen. No Android or iOS devices, that's not what I'm looking for.
I have a Fujitsu T5010 and it's starting to feel heavy. If you don't know what this is, it is a laptop whose screen flips around to lie flat like a tablet. However, it is NOT a capacitive touch screen. The screen itself is actually a Wacom tablet with active digitizer pen (analogous to the Wacom Cintiq series). I use this machine to do all my handwritten research work and note-taking; and since it is also a true laptop, I use it to run Mathematica and write papers as well. But it weighs almost 5 lbs and I'd like something lighter.
Two options I'm considering are:
Lenovo Thinkpad Helix
Pros:
1. Detachable screen for super-light note-taking. (Screen alone is 1.8 lbs.)
2. 11'' form factor for less bulkiness; can fit it in a smaller bag.
Cons:
1. Heavier in notebook mode (3.8 lbs.) Although, extra weight is due to second battery in keyboard.
2. Uses 3rd-generation Intel processor; shorter battery life (6 hours in tablet mode, 10 hours with second battery in keyboard).
3. Mini DisplayPort output requires VGA adapter to connect to my TV or monitor.
4. No SD card slot
And this:
Sony VAIO Duo 13
Pros:
1. Lighter total weight (2.93 lbs.)
2. Uses 4th generation "Haswell" processor for longer battery life (10 hours!)
3. SD card slot
4. HDMI port can easily connect to TV
5. Backlit keyboard
Cons:
1. 13'' form factor is the same size as my Lifebook (although half as thick).
2. Screen does not detach as a separate "slate".
3. HDMI port needs adapter to talk to my monitor.
Between these two, I think the Helix is more suited to my needs. I realize the pros and cons listed seem to favor the Vaio, but not all of these have equal weight. The fact that the Helix screen is detachable is a huge plus, especially if I am sitting through talks where the seats have no writing surface on which to place a laptop. I could hold a 1.8 lb device in my hands and take notes (although that depends on how hot the thing gets...).
If there's something I didn't list in the Pros and Cons (such as how many megapixels the webcam has), it's something I really don't care about. This is a tool for a specific task.
I realize there is also a Vaio Duo 11, in the 11-inch size. However, it uses the 3rd-generation processors and has a shorter battery life (4.5 hours). So it's not really in the running.
In general, between the 11-inch and 13-inch form factors, I'm a little torn between the added portability of 11'' versus the increase screen space of 13'' for writing. And despite being bigger, the Vaio is lighter by a pound over the Helix+keyboard, although the Helix tablet alone is 50% lighter than the Vaio.
So here are my options:
1. Helix
2. Vaio
3. Wait for a new Helix to come out using the Haswell generation of processors.
4. Something else?
This isn't something I intend to buy right away, so the landscape may change. If Lenovo releases a Helix with Haswell processors, then that would win hands-down. But the Helix only came out recently, so I don't think they will release an update in the timeframe I'm looking at (I'm thinking to get something by the end of the year).
I'm especially interested if anyone has similar machines to suggest. Please suggest something with an i5 or i7 processor with an active digitizer pen. No Android or iOS devices, that's not what I'm looking for.