WHAT'S A HYBRID?
A hybrid is any laptop that can double as a tablet. More than ever consumers want to be able to use their devices as a touch display when they need, and word process with a proper computer on demand. These models solve that conundrum.
High end: Acer Aspire R7
Price: $2099
Upside: This machine has a 15.6-inch screen, runs on an
Intel Core i7 processor with 12GB RAM and 1TB storage. It has SD card,
HDMI and two USB ports.
Downside: Hybrid machines are all the rage but in some cases you're left asking whether the combination works. Its point of difference is its screen that has a hinge allowing four modes: easel, display (where you flip the screen to display it to people sitting across the table), notebook and pad.
That gives it remarkably versatility, but in pad mode you're carrying around a giant, 2.5kg tablet and who wants to do that? Another design issue is the position of the trackpad that has gone to the top of the keyboard making it awkward to use.
Mid range: Acer Aspire S7
Price: $1899
Upside: If you judge an Ultrabook by its cover, you're
going to judge this highly. It's just 12.9mm thick, weighs 1.3kg and has
a back panel of white Gorilla Glass. The keyboard gives that pleasing
click of proper keys, and is well spaced thanks to a design combining
number and function keys.
Our review model had a 13.3-inch touchscreen and ran an Intel Core i7 chip, with 4GB RAM and 256GB storage. The slim design still allows for a full-sized SD card and HDMI ports, plus two USB slots. Acer says the improved design gives this a 33 per cent boost in battery life, giving it up to seven hours. Looks, in this case, are not deceiving.
Downside: The computer looks very cool until you notice all your fingerprints.
Mid range: Toshiba Portege Z10t
Price: $1199
Upside: This is the sort of hybrid device likely to appeal to many consumers. Think of it either as a 11.6-inch tablet with a keyboard dock or a Ultrabook with a detachable screen. It's powered by your choice of a Celeron or Core i5 processor. The screen/tablet has Micro HDMI, USB and SD card connections. Pop it into the keyboard and you gain an extra full HDMI port, another USB and a VGA port to connect it to a larger screen. Road warriors will love its size and 800g weight.Downside: The keyboard buttons are small and require adjustment. One downside is that the screen sits in the dock at a straighter than normal angle and you'll find you want to keep pushing it back.
Low end: Windows Surface 2:
Price: Starts at $529
Upside: Its predecessor, the Surface RT, was met with a
bunch of complaints, most of which have been addressed in this model.
The Surface 2 runs an Intel 4th generation Haswell chip which Microsoft
claims has resulted in a 75 per cent increase in battery life of about
seven hours. The battery has increased in size by 25 per cent too, so
that might also help. Features a Tegra 4 processor, and a full HD 1080p
screen.
The Surface 2 is lightweight and slimmer than the RT. It's made for handbags. Microsoft has also added another angle to the kickstand, allowing it to sit on your lap without risk of falling to the floor and getting damaged.
The app store now features 100,000 apps, a darn site huge improvement from the 10,000 it used to sport. Works well for gamers, delivering smooth playback without any lag or stuttering. Lets you use Xbox 360 controller in conjunction with the device, which is handy, particularly if you're a portable gamer. You can use it as a laptop and a tablet, also comes with a new DJ cover and soft MIDI controller deck designed to work as a portable music solution for any aspiring musicians or DJs. Has a bespoke desktop stand so you can choose the angle you want the device to sit at.
Downside: The Surface 2 runs on a scaled back Windows 8.1 operating system, so users aren't going to be able to see the full potential of the OS. The previous model Surface RT experienced miserable sales, so convincing the market that it has listened might be a challenge for Microsoft. Hopefully consumers will give them a second chance. The price starts at $529.
Multi Flip Sony Vaio 13-inch
Price: TBA
Upside: This computer is a laptop and a tablet all in
one. It has a release mechanism below the screen that allows you to
rotate and flip the screen. The stylus can be used in conjunction with
programs like Adobe Photoshop and other editing software. It contains a
Haswell i7 processor and boasts a 1920 x 1080 display (The 15 inch model
has a higher resolution). It also has an hdmi port, SD card slot and
two usbs as well as a rear facing camera.
Downside: The computer does not have a storage spot for the stylus pen so you'll have to store it in your handbag or pocket, which can be a little frustrating. It's not exactly the thinnest hybrid on the market, and it's quite heavy so not exactly the easiest thing to carry around. The price has yet to be confirmed.
OTHER LAPTOPS:
High end: Lenovo Elite Performance W530
Price: $3999
Upside: The computer takes less than 30 seconds to boot
up thanks to its RapidBoot and BootShare technologies. Lenovo claims
its battery takes as little as 30 minutes to charge up to 80 per cent.
Some models offer 4G mobile connectivity. Features a core i7 and 32GB of
RAM and RAID 0 or 1 storage and a Nvidia Quadro GPU. It can run Windows
7 or 8.
Downside: This is one heavy beast, weighing in 2.4kgs. It's also damn pricey, costing $3,999. You can also choose one of the less "blunged up" models. Prices start at $1,349.
Low end: Lenovo B590
Price: $499
Upside: This is the kind of computer you want to
perform basic tasks like web browsing, word processing and other
business requirements. It runs quietly and has excellent battery life of
up to nine hours.
Comes equipped with an Intel Core i3-3110M, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. Sports 4 USB ports, a VGA, LAN and HDMI cables and a DVD drive. Bluetooth compatible. Its 1366 x 768 display is not heavily reflective, making it good for outdoor use and mobile offices.
Downside: Not a computer who want to play high resolution games or watch movies. Cased in plastic, tends to get dirty easily, fingerprints are quite visible. No docking port. Not the kind of computer to store music, films or big files on as it only contains 4GB of storage. That means this isn't a computer for photographers, videographers, graphic designers or other professions that deal with massive file sizes every day.
Mid range: LG Z360
Price: $1399
Upside: LG'S Z360 laptop will appeal to those looking
for a lightweight, attractive Ultrabook. Its plastic case helps keep
that weight down to 1.5kg, while inside it offers a bright, full
high-definition 13.3-inch screen, an Intel Core i5 chip, full-sized HDMI
connection, and two USB ports. One unusual addition to its connections
is two Micro SD memory card slots, which make it easy to load phone
photos but mean you're going to need a USB adaptor to upload pictures
from a camera. It offers 4GB RAM and 128GB of storage. We liked the
extra column of Windows keys, which helped navigate Windows 8.
Downside: The trackpad doesn't give you any sensation when clicking, forcing you to look down, it also lacks a touchscreen.
High end: ASKS N750
Price: $2299
Upside: It has a 17.3-inch, full high-definition
screen, uses an Intel Core i7 processor, has 4GB RAM and 1TB storage.
There are four USB ports plus an HDMI and SD card slot. It's an
attractive and functional design, with an aluminium shell and a bevel
around the edge of the keyboard.
One of its selling points is the inclusion of four speakers, designed by Bang & Olufsen, plus a subwoofer you can plug in. Another benefit of its size is the space on the keyboard, which includes a full numeric keypad and an extra-large trackpad.
Downside: Tipping the scales at 3.3kg and measuring 41cm wide, this desktop replacement is not the sort of machine you'd want to carry every day. Unlike the smaller model in this range, there is no option for a touchscreen.
A hybrid is any laptop that can double as a tablet. More than ever consumers want to be able to use their devices as a touch display when they need, and word process with a proper computer on demand. These models solve that conundrum.
High end: Acer Aspire R7
Price: $2099
Acer R7
Source: Supplied
Downside: Hybrid machines are all the rage but in some cases you're left asking whether the combination works. Its point of difference is its screen that has a hinge allowing four modes: easel, display (where you flip the screen to display it to people sitting across the table), notebook and pad.
That gives it remarkably versatility, but in pad mode you're carrying around a giant, 2.5kg tablet and who wants to do that? Another design issue is the position of the trackpad that has gone to the top of the keyboard making it awkward to use.
Mid range: Acer Aspire S7
Price: $1899
Acer Aspire S7
Source: Supplied
Our review model had a 13.3-inch touchscreen and ran an Intel Core i7 chip, with 4GB RAM and 256GB storage. The slim design still allows for a full-sized SD card and HDMI ports, plus two USB slots. Acer says the improved design gives this a 33 per cent boost in battery life, giving it up to seven hours. Looks, in this case, are not deceiving.
Downside: The computer looks very cool until you notice all your fingerprints.
Mid range: Toshiba Portege Z10t
Price: $1199
Toshiba Portege Z10t
Source: Supplied
Upside: This is the sort of hybrid device likely to appeal to many consumers. Think of it either as a 11.6-inch tablet with a keyboard dock or a Ultrabook with a detachable screen. It's powered by your choice of a Celeron or Core i5 processor. The screen/tablet has Micro HDMI, USB and SD card connections. Pop it into the keyboard and you gain an extra full HDMI port, another USB and a VGA port to connect it to a larger screen. Road warriors will love its size and 800g weight.Downside: The keyboard buttons are small and require adjustment. One downside is that the screen sits in the dock at a straighter than normal angle and you'll find you want to keep pushing it back.
Low end: Windows Surface 2:
Price: Starts at $529
Surface 2 shows Microsoft is listening to its consumers.
Source: Supplied
The Surface 2 is lightweight and slimmer than the RT. It's made for handbags. Microsoft has also added another angle to the kickstand, allowing it to sit on your lap without risk of falling to the floor and getting damaged.
The app store now features 100,000 apps, a darn site huge improvement from the 10,000 it used to sport. Works well for gamers, delivering smooth playback without any lag or stuttering. Lets you use Xbox 360 controller in conjunction with the device, which is handy, particularly if you're a portable gamer. You can use it as a laptop and a tablet, also comes with a new DJ cover and soft MIDI controller deck designed to work as a portable music solution for any aspiring musicians or DJs. Has a bespoke desktop stand so you can choose the angle you want the device to sit at.
Downside: The Surface 2 runs on a scaled back Windows 8.1 operating system, so users aren't going to be able to see the full potential of the OS. The previous model Surface RT experienced miserable sales, so convincing the market that it has listened might be a challenge for Microsoft. Hopefully consumers will give them a second chance. The price starts at $529.
Multi Flip Sony Vaio 13-inch
Price: TBA
Sony Vaio 13-inch
Source: Supplied
Downside: The computer does not have a storage spot for the stylus pen so you'll have to store it in your handbag or pocket, which can be a little frustrating. It's not exactly the thinnest hybrid on the market, and it's quite heavy so not exactly the easiest thing to carry around. The price has yet to be confirmed.
OTHER LAPTOPS:
High end: Lenovo Elite Performance W530
Price: $3999
Lenovo Elite Performance W530
Source: Supplied
Downside: This is one heavy beast, weighing in 2.4kgs. It's also damn pricey, costing $3,999. You can also choose one of the less "blunged up" models. Prices start at $1,349.
Low end: Lenovo B590
Price: $499
Lenovo B590
Source: Supplied
Comes equipped with an Intel Core i3-3110M, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. Sports 4 USB ports, a VGA, LAN and HDMI cables and a DVD drive. Bluetooth compatible. Its 1366 x 768 display is not heavily reflective, making it good for outdoor use and mobile offices.
Downside: Not a computer who want to play high resolution games or watch movies. Cased in plastic, tends to get dirty easily, fingerprints are quite visible. No docking port. Not the kind of computer to store music, films or big files on as it only contains 4GB of storage. That means this isn't a computer for photographers, videographers, graphic designers or other professions that deal with massive file sizes every day.
Mid range: LG Z360
Price: $1399
LG Z360
Source: Supplied
Downside: The trackpad doesn't give you any sensation when clicking, forcing you to look down, it also lacks a touchscreen.
High end: ASKS N750
Price: $2299
ASKS N750
Source: Supplied
One of its selling points is the inclusion of four speakers, designed by Bang & Olufsen, plus a subwoofer you can plug in. Another benefit of its size is the space on the keyboard, which includes a full numeric keypad and an extra-large trackpad.
Downside: Tipping the scales at 3.3kg and measuring 41cm wide, this desktop replacement is not the sort of machine you'd want to carry every day. Unlike the smaller model in this range, there is no option for a touchscreen.
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