As mentioned a few months back, a new generation of low-cost tablets have become available and they are arriving thick and fast in the shops. What is significant about them is that they run full Windows 8.1. Whilst Windows 8 has come under considerable criticism as an operating system for desktops and laptops, on a tablet it works extremely well. |
The reason they are so affordable - less than £100 - is because Microsoft will allow Windows 8.1 to be used free of charge on devices with a screen size of less than 8". When you consider that the Windows licence fee is actually the most expensive element of most low cost computers, you can appreciate the impact. Also, the very capable quad core Atom processors used in most of these devices are being supplied at a competitive price by Intel, who are keen to compete against the low-cost ARM processors used in most Android tablets.
The specification of these tablets might seem modest - they have just 1GB RAM and only 16GB or 32GB storage, of which Windows itself takes up quite a chunk. However, in practice they perform quite well. In some of them the storage can be expanded with a microSD card, plus the OneDrive cloud service can be used (they come with a 1TB account). Unless you want to carry around a lot of videos and music etc., it is unlikely to be an issue.
The screen size is usually 7" or 8". Unless you really want a device that is as small and light as possible, go for an 8" model. This really is a case where the extra inch makes all the difference!
What is unique about these tablets is that they come with a full copy of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel etc). This is the subscription version - Office 365 - and you get the first year free. As this usually costs £59.95 by itself this is a great bonus. Most people will probably not want to create documents on a tablet, but being able to view Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents in full fidelity plus make small amendments is very useful.
If you are reading this in December, one of these would make a great Christmas present for someone (yourself even?)!