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Samsung's leaked Chromebook is a pen-toting premium hybrid
Samsung's Chromebook strategy has so far focused on the budget-conscious crowd, but it's about to change in a big, big way. Chrome Unboxed tipsters have uncovered store listings (and briefly, a landing page) for a Chromebook Pro that would cater to people wanting a high-end Chrome OS experience. The 12.3-inch system would not only have a Chromebook Flip-style 360-degree touchscreen, but a pen -- you could turn this Google-powered laptop into an impromptu drawing tablet. The page hints at a pre-installed ArtCanvas app for creative types, and the pen would no doubt come in handy for promised Android app support.
Acer's latest convertible Chromebook is bigger and beefier
In May, Google announced that it would be bringing Android apps to Chrome OS, finally marrying the two operating systems in a way that makes Chromebooks that much more useful (A million-plus more apps!) All of a sudden, convertible Chromebooks sound way more appealing. Acer must've thought so too, because it unveiled the Chromebook R13 just a few days ago at IFA. Just like its R11 predecessor, the R13 has a 360-degree hinge that lets it seamlessly transition from Chromebook to Android-esque tablet in no time flat.
HP's low-cost Stream laptops now include a 14-inch model
HP is clearly having some success with its cheap-and-cheerful Stream laptops, as it's expanding them in a big, big way. It's refreshing the range with not only some under-the-hood upgrades, but a new model. The Stream 14 (above) effectively replaces the 13-inch version, delivering better performance and a more portable design despite the larger screen. It has faster 2x2 802.11ac WiFi, a 2016-era Celeron processor and a longer 10 hours, 45 minutes of battery life, but weighs less than the old Stream 13 at 3.17 pounds. You won't be blown away by its 4GB of RAM, 32GB of flash storage or 1,366 x 768 resolution, but the Stream 14 will also start at $219 when it arrives on September 7th. Not bad for a mid-size Windows 10 portable, we'd say.
Spin Samsung's Notebook 7 screen right round on June 26th
When we reviewed Samsung's Notebook 9, my editor Dana noted that it was an excellent back to basics model from the company. It didn't feature a touchscreen or even a rotating screen -- it had a pretty good normal screen, though. For the folks who need the above accoutrements, though, Samsung is introducing the Notebook 7 Spin. With it comes a new 1080p touchscreen you can use like a tablet when spun 360 degrees. Hence the name. The 7 Spin can also go into tent mode for watching a movie with its HDR video capabilities. Or, if you're a traditionalist, you could use the computer like a normal laptop.
Huawei's MateBook is its spin on the Surface
Just how hot are convertible PCs these days? Enough for Huawei to make one its very first computer. Today the Chinese electronics giant announced the MateBook, a 12-inch hybrid Windows 10 tablet, at Mobile World Congress. Just like Microsoft's Surface line, it transforms into a functional Windows 10 laptop with the addition of a keyboard cover (which, thankfully, is included in the box). There's also a stylus accessory that looks very similar to the Surface Pen.
Alcatel tries its hand at crafting a 2-in-1 Windows 10 tablet
It turns out the 2-in-1 Windows tablet PC bandwagon is too tempting to resist. Alcatel — a company best known for its cheap smartphones — just pulled back the curtains on the Plus 10. Yeah, that's right: Alcatel just built a PC.
Samsung's Galaxy TabPro S is a crazy-thin Windows 10 2-in-1
Surface Pro 4 not your speed? HP's Spectre X2 not svelte enough for you? Never fear: Samsung's jumping back into the Windows 10 fray with the Galaxy TabPro S, a sleek convertible whose ultra-portable design could win it more than a little love from the Windows community.
Acer's Aspire Switch 12 S: a convertible laptop with USB Type-C
Acer's Aspire Switch 12 was an odd thing. Ostensibly a "five-in-one," it was a low-power Windows tablet that tried to be everything to everyone (with varying success). It'll soon be replaced by the Aspire Switch 12 S, which dials down the crazy in favor of a more traditional design and some improved specifications.
Google's Pixel C tablet now available in the UK from £399
Google's Pixel C might not be the tablet to replace your laptop, but it's still a beautifully put together device with oodles of power. If you've had your eye on the convertible after first seeing it a few months ago, know it's now available through Google's online store, but it don't exactly come cheap. The 32GB model is will set you back £399, while the 64GB configuration demands the pricier sum of £479. But you wanted a physical keyboard to go with that, right? Well, be prepared to pay £119 extra for either the regular or folio options. Still, at least the tablet itself is cheaper than our original guesstimations based on US pricing. With the launch of the Pixel C in the UK, Google's latest product line is now available in its entirety, just in case you're wondering what to get the gearhead in your life this Christmas.
Lenovo's ThinkPad P40 Yoga is a hybrid PC with pro-level power
Lenovo's existing ThinkPad Yoga hybrids have some power, but they're probably not your first choice for heavy-duty graphics work when they're saddled with integrated video. Thankfully, you now have a beefier option: Lenovo is introducing the ThinkPad P40 Yoga, its first 2-in-1 laptop with workstation-level 3D hardware. It still folds back into a tablet (or tent, or presentation mode), but its Quadro M500M chipset should be speedy enough to handle 3D modelling and other GPU-heavy tasks. You'll have greater control over those images, too, thanks to an included pen that promises both 2,048 levels of pressure and specially-tuned software that reportedly gets closer to the "pen to paper" feel.
Samsung's latest ATIV laptop gets a 4K screen, discrete graphics
Samsung's ATIV Book 9 series has mostly targeted Ultrabook buyers with lightweight, powerful and pricey models like the ATIV Book 9 Plus. However, the company's latest model, the ATIV Book 9 Pro is now suited for demanding users like gamers and graphics pros, thanks to workstation-class specs. It's equipped with the latest sixth-gen Intel Core i7 CPUs, a 15.6-inch 4K display with optional NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950M graphics and 6.5 hours of battery life, all squeezed into a 4.45 pound all-aluminum body. Like other ATIV Book 9 models, it also features a slim, tapered front profile.
Toshiba's Surface-like DynaPad is coming to the US next year
Toshiba has unveiled the DynaPad, a 12-inch, Surface Pro-like convertible that packs an exotic Wacom Active Electrostatics TruPen stylus. Microsoft revealed the news on its Windows blog, where it's been keen to promote third-party Windows 10 hardware after launching its own Surface Book. Toshiba says the stylus' 2,048 levels of pressure and specially coated 1,920 x 1,280 3:2 IPS screen help artists feel like they're "writing on paper with a real pen." However, the DynaPad's performance may disappoint artists familiar with the Surface Pro, as it's limited to a 1.44GHz Intel Atom CPU and 4GB of memory.
Toshiba's pixel-packed 4K convertible arrives next week for $1,299
Toshiba has revealed more details about its Satellite Radius 12 Windows 10 convertible, including the price and availability. It looks like a serious contender if you're considering a Lenovo Yoga Pro 3, Microsoft Surface Book or another high-end convertible or Ultrabook, given the claimed all-day battery life, brushed metal case, 0.6-inch thickness and 2.9-pound weight. As for the screen, squeezing 4K into a 12.5-inch screen gives you 352 pixels-per-inch, which is now quaint for a smartphone, but stellar on a laptop (a 1080p option is also available). The screen is also coated with Gorilla glass and Technicolor-certified for color accuracy.
Toshiba's convertible 4K laptop is somehow light, stylish and thin
Yes, 4K devices (that aren't TVs) are everywhere at IFA 2015. If it's not a Sony smartphone packing a ridiculous high-resolution display, then it's Samsung's Ultra HD Blu-ray player -- the first of its kind. Toshiba's getting involved too, with a convertible 4K 12.5-inch laptop. As is the case with most of the PCs and laptops spotted this year at Europe's biggest tech show, the Satellite Radius 12 has Intel's latest sixth-generation Core processor to power it, but still only measures 0.6 inch thick and weighs 2.9 pounds -- quite a feat for a convertible with a 4K display. (Especially since we can still remember Panasonic's hulking 4K tablet from a few years ago.)
Toshiba unveils a 12-inch convertible laptop with a 4K display
Toshiba may have been, er, less than original when it unveiled its Yoga-like Satellite Radius series, but the latest model in its laptop-slash-tablet line does quite a lot to stand on its own merits. The newly launched Satellite Radius 12 packs a 12.5-inch 4K touchscreen into a compact convertible that measures a scant 0.6 inches thick and weighs 2.9 pounds. That's more than a little impressive when you consider that Lenovo's equally new (and equally light) ThinkPad Yoga 260 sticks you with a 1080p display. You'll also get your choice of speedier, more energy-efficient sixth-generation Intel Core processors and an infrared camera that can sign you in using facial recognition.
Dell unveils a range of affordable PCs ahead of Windows 10
While Dell managed to surprise us with its rather handsome XPS 15 -- the sibling of the thin-bezel XPS 13 laptop -- at Computex, it's also bringing us a range of both new and refreshed models ahead of the Windows 10 launch. Starting off with the headliner, we have the Inspiron 15 7000 series laptop (pictured above) that runs on Intel's quad-core Core i7H chip, and it's garnished with Waves MaxxAudio enhancement plus a "performance class" NVIDIA graphics processor with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, so you'll get some good gaming action on it. Most importantly, the machine's 15-inch FHD display has an optional 4K touchscreen upgrade that looks stunning, though it isn't clear as to how long that 74WHr battery can last for. The price? All we know so far is that it'll start from 5,999 yuan or about $970 when it launches in China on August 7th.
ASUS' new Transformer Book is a Windows 10 hybrid with USB Type-C
As we approach the launch of Windows 10, we'll be seeing more and more devices -- especially portables -- featuring the slim and reversible USB Type-C port. One such device is the refreshed ASUS Transformer Book, aka T100HA, a 10.1-inch two-in-one that will arrive in Q3 2015 with Intel's new Atom x5 ("Cherry Trail") processor plus 4GB of RAM. The tablet part weighs just 580 grams and is 8.54mm thick, but still offers up to 14 hours of battery life and a rear camera. Alas, that's all we know so far about this machine, so we'll keep an eye on further information when it's ready.
Would you ditch your MacBook Air for this thinner Windows detachable?
"Our Chi is thinner than Air." That was how ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih opened his CES keynote today. If you're not following, what he meant was the super-slim ASUS Transformer Book T300 Chi that was teased at Computex. Well, the time has come. This 12.5-inch, all-aluminum convertible laptop is now confirmed to carry Intel's latest Broadwell Core M processor (the new 5Y71 or the already-available 5Y10) to enable its fanless design. And don't worry, it'll still have that sweet WQHD (2,560 x 1,440) IPS screen option on top of the 1080p base configuration, plus a 128GB iSSD to keep it running smoothly.
Acer's 12-inch Switch tablet is five devices in one
Thought Acer's Aspire Switch 10 tablet was a true jack-of-all-trades? It's already outclassed. The PC maker has officially revealed the Aspire Switch 12, a 12.5-inch sibling that's a little more flexible. On top of the tablet, laptop, display (screen facing out) and tent (upside-down) modes from before, the new Windows slate adds a fifth desktop mode where the keyboard is detached. Yes, if you don't mind the small screen and keyboard, this latest Switch can do its best impression of an all-in-one.
With seven different use modes, Toshiba's Kirabook is a Lenovo Yoga on steroids
Lately, Toshiba's all about multitasking laptops -- at CES, the company showed off a "5-in-1" laptop concept with a detachable keyboard, and here at Computex, we're getting a look at the "7-in-1" Kirabook L93. Like Toshiba's Satellite Click, the L93 includes a detachable keyboard base, so it works in standard laptop and tablet modes. The L93's flexible hinge also lets you use the device in display mode, with the base either attached or separated. While it's arguably another iteration of Toshiba's Lenovo Yoga-style devices, you do have more modes than ever to flip through.
