ASUS VivoTab TF810C (11.6" - Atom Z2760 - Windows 8 - 64 GB Flash - 2 GB RAM)

Pros: Thin and light tablet; thin and light laptop; Intel Atom Z2760 processor (the Atom processor because it runs all the x86 legacy programs while allowing for a true tablet form factor); Windows 8 for its versatility and speed; long battery life.

Cons: The touchpad is very sensitive and I've had to adjust to it; limited memory.

Summary: I have an Android tablet that I use for fun, but it was not a tablet I can use for work. I am a lawyer and wanted a computer that I could use as a tablet in court or at meetings when I needed to be able to hold my computer like a notepad, such as when I am standing and speaking. This computer does that. Mostly I use it as a laptop because I need to type, but if I go to court, I can take the tablet off the dock and hold it in my hand like a notepad, but one that has my entire case file on it (for all my cases).

I bought the Asus 810c over the Samsung Ativ 500 or 700 because they did not have a battery in the dock. That caused them to be top heavy, and I read that they had connection problems with their docks. The Ativ 700 has more computing power but is too heavy and thick to use as a tablet. That is also the problem in my view with the Surface Pro. It is too thick and heavy to use as a tablet, and you can't even put it on your lap to use as a laptop. The surface also has a smaller 10 inch screen. Reviewers who like the Surface Pro put to much emphasis on raw computing power and not enough on the impractical form factor. If you want a usable tablet, it has to be thin and light. If you want to type on the device, you need to be able to dock it like a laptop and type on your lap.

I find that the Z2670 processor delivers crisp performance and handles all of the word processing, web surfing, and document manipulation I do with reasonable speed. More power would be nice, but only if the form factor is preserved. A tablet that is not thin and light is not useable as a tablet.

I have never seen the HP Envy 2 or the Lenovo Lynx, but they are built on the same Z2760 platform. They are less expensive, and might be better buys. Maybe Asus is charging more for build quality and appearance, which are good. The device comes with a carrying case that doubles as a tablet stand, and that is worth something. I don't feel as though I've overpaid. I realize I could have gotten a more powerful ultrabook for the same price, but it would not be a tablet. When you need a computer you can hold while standing, you need a tablet. I also considered the Lenovo Yoga 13, but thought it was too heavy to use as a tablet. Maybe the Yoga 11s will do, but it is not out yet.

The battery life on this device is in the range of 15 hours when docked. I leave home with the device charged up in the morning, and I just don't have to worry about plugging in.

The memory is limited. I have about 20 gigs left over after loading various apps and all of my work files. Eventually, I will get a high capacity micro sd card, but I do not plan on using this computer for a lot of media storage.

When the Windows 8 market place matures with more and better apps a Windows tablet such as the Vivotab will be the best.