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ASUS ZenBook Flip S review: An OLED beauty with a few flaws
The ZenBook Flip S is a solid premium ultraportable convertible from ASUS, thanks to Intel's 11th-gen CPU and Xe graphics.
Chromebook Flip C436 review: ASUS missed the sweet spot
It’s a weird niche, but I believe that for a lot of people, the right Chromebook can be a great everyday computer. As such, I’ve kept my eye out for years now on what the best all-around Chromebook is -- and for a few years now, one of ASUS’ Chromebook Flips has been my default answer. Now, ASUS has another Flip for sale, the Chromebook Flip C436.
HP Spectre x360 13-inch review: Stylish, powerful and flexible
HP has been treating its premium Spectre line like fine jewelry for several years now, with an emphasis on flashy designs and thinness. They've looked good, especially for HP laptops. But now with the latest Spectre x360 13-inch, the company finally has an ultraportable that would look right at home alongside gold and diamond wear at the mall. In a word, it's stunning -- HP finally modernized the x360 with vastly thinner screen bezels and a smaller footprint. It's a high point for the company, and together with Dell's XPS 13 2-in-1, the new x360 is a sign that PC-makers are truly beginning to perfect their convertibles. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised about how much progress HP has made with the Spectre though. Last year's leather-bound Folio was also a major design triumph that truly stood apart from every other laptop on the market. The new Spectre x360 isn't a dramatic reinvention like the Folio, but it builds on everything HP has been doing with the convertible since 2015.
Dell's new XPS 13 2-in-1 is its most stylish laptop yet
I don't throw the word "perfect" around a lot, but that was honestly the best way to describe the latest XPS 13. But what if you wanted something more than a traditional laptop? That's where the new XPS 13 2-in-1 comes in. Like other convertibles, you can flip the screen all the way around to turn it into a large tablet. But while it brings over many of the hardware improvements from this year's XPS 13 -- a webcam above the screen and HDR displays -- it also takes Dell's XPS design to a whole new level.
HP's convertible ZBook x360 features a six-core Xeon CPU
HP's ZBook computers have always been targeted at power-hungry professionals, but with last year's X2 detachable hybrid, the company started exploring new form factors. Now HP is adding a convertible PC to its pro family, the ZBook Studio x360 G5. Just like its other x360 machines, it has a hinge that can be flipped all the way around, letting you use it as a large tablet, or in a tent orientation. HP also claims it's the most powerful convertible around, since it can be configured with 8th generation, six-core Intel Xeon CPUs and NVIDIA's Quadro P1000 graphics.
Acer's Nitro 5 notebook is meant for gamers on a budget
As a company with several indistinguishable product lines, the last thing Acer needs is another family of laptops to follow. But with the Nitro 5, it's hoping to make a dent in the increasingly important budget-gaming market. It's not the most powerful laptop around. Instead, the company is hoping to attract people who game once in a while. You can choose from configurations with up to NVIDIA GeForce 1050Ti graphics and seventh-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 CPUs, or AMD FX, A10 and A12 CPUs, with up to Radeon RX550 graphics. Either way, you can stuff in up to 32GB of RAM, and you have the option of PCI-E SSDs to speed up performance.
Apple explores using an iPhone or iPad to power a laptop
The notion of using a phone to power a computer isn't new -- we've seen companies like HP and Motorola try, and ultimately fail, to make it a reality for years. But that's not stopping Apple from considering the idea. The USPTO issued a patent filing this morning detailing how an iPhone, or an iPad, could be used to power an ultraportable laptop, AppleInsider reports. As usual, the patent idea likely won't end up turning into full-fledged product (it was originally filed last September). But it gives us an idea of how Apple is looking at the future of mobile devices and ultraportables.
Pros and cons: Our quick verdict on Dell's XPS 13 2-in-1
Convertible laptops aren't anything new these days, but Dell's XPS 13 2-in-1 still stands out from the pack. It brings in most of the premium design elements we loved about the original XPS 13, including that gorgeous 13.3-inch, near bezel-less display. But it's a lot more flexible, thanks to its ability to fold into several different orientations, and it's also completely fanless. Sure, you give up some performance to get such a multi-functional device, but for anyone who wants to veg in bed with Netflix, it'll be worth it.
Dell's XPS 13 2-in-1 nearly lives up to the original
It was only a matter of time until Dell gave us a convertible spin on the XPS 13, our favorite Windows laptop for nearly two years running. While the original model is still ideal if you need a traditional laptop design, it falls short if you ever want more than just a clamshell. Enter the XPS 13 2-in-1, which has the same style and premium quality as its sibling, but with the added ability to transform into a tablet (and a few other things in between). It doesn't revolutionize the world of convertible laptops, but it makes Dell's high-end laptop lineup that much stronger.
Lenovo's Thinkpad X1 Yoga will make you want OLED everywhere
The dream of large OLED screens has, for the past few years, seemed perpetually on the horizon. LG has had OLED TVs on the market for a while, but they're still far more expensive than comparable LCDs. If you've wanted to get your OLED fix recently, you'd have to get it on a smaller phone or tablet screen. Now, the technology is finally making its way to laptops from the likes of Dell's Alienware, HP and Lenovo. So you can bet that I jumped at the opportunity to test out the new OLED-equipped Thinkpad X1 Yoga as soon as review units appeared. For the most part, it's a pretty typical Thinkpad convertible PC, but its screen is truly a thing of wonder.
Pixel C review: Google's first tablet makes rookie mistakes
All of a sudden, pretty much every computer maker wants a Surface-like convertible of their own. Apple's got the iPad Pro, of course, but Lenovo, Dell and HP are getting in on the action too. And now there's the Pixel C from Google, a premium hybrid tablet built in-house (just like the Chromebook Pixel), with a keyboard accessory that attaches via frickin' magnets. Much like the iPad Pro, the Pixel C seems like an experiment to see just how far you can take a mobile OS into productivity territory typically handled by desktop platforms. But while it certainly feels like an obsessively designed device, it's a bit too clunky to recommend, especially compared to the Surface 3 or other Android tablets.
Life after Sony: Vaio shows off hybrid laptop prototype
Lenovo proved that its possible to buy an unwanted business (PCs) from a giant company (IBM) and turn it a massive success. After buying Sony's portable PC business, Vaio is hoping for the same and just revealed its first prototype: a 12.3-inch hybrid tablet that would cost at least 200,000 yen ($1,800). This is the first prototype it created without any Sony influence (though it still sells Sony's current models) and the Japanese company has shown it's taking a completely different tack than Lenovo.
Lenovo ThinkPad Twist review: an old form factor gets new life with Windows 8
It used to be that "convertible PC" could mean only one thing: a laptop whose display swiveled around, folding down into tablet mode. Now that Windows 8 is here, though, the category has become a bit muddied. How else to describe our recent collection of reviews? In just the past few weeks alone, we've tested a laptop whose screen folds all the way back, an Ultrabook whose display flips inside the hinge and yet another with a slide-out keyboard. Anything goes -- at least until consumers decide which form factor they like best. But when Lenovo calls its new ThinkPad Twist a convertible, you can rest assured it's using the old-school definition. As the name implies, it has a rotating screen that allows it to be used as a 12-inch slate. And, like all the business-friendly ThinkPads that came before it, it sports a well-engineered keyboard, a secondary set of touch buttons and, of course, that signature red pointing stick. Now, though, it runs a much more finger-friendly OS, and has a touchpad that can support all the new gestures in Windows 8. It's one of several new touch-capable notebooks from Lenovo, but it's the only one geared toward business users. So is this worth the upgrade from an older ThinkPad? And is it a better buy than Lenovo's other Win 8 convertible, the IdeaPad Yoga 13? Read on to find out.%Gallery-171580%
Dell XPS 12 review: with the launch of Windows 8, 'convertible' takes on a new meaning
More Info Dell announces XPS 10 Windows 8 hybrid, XPS Duo 12 convertible Dell XPS 12 Windows 8 convertible priced at $1,199 and up, ships this month with pre-orders starting today Toshiba unveils U925t Ultrabook with slide-out touchscreen A Windows 8 PC that can be used in a tablet mode? Those will come a dime a dozen this fall. But what's fascinating is how each PC maker has approached the challenge of mixing a touchscreen with a more traditional mouse-and-keyboard setup. For some OEMs, this means going the hybrid route, with 10- or 11-inch tablets that slot neatly into an optional keyboard dock. For others, it means a full-fledged PC with a slide-out touchscreen. And for a few, it means a laptop whose screen can fold down, leaving you with what can only be described as an oversized slate. That's how we would describe the Dell XPS 12, a 12.5-inch notebook whose screen flips inside its hinge, allowing you to use the machine in tablet mode or, if you prefer, with the screen facing away from the keys. (Yes, Dell is giving this form factor a second try.) It starts at a relatively steep $1,200 but then again, this is a fairly premium machine we're talking about: it combines all the ingredients of an Ultrabook (lightweight build, Ivy Bridge processor and a solid-state drive) with a 400-nit, 1080p, Gorilla Glass touchscreen. So what's it like to use this form factor? And how does it fare as a regular ol' Windows 8 PC? Let's see.
Dell XPS 12 Windows 8 convertible priced at $1,199 and up, ships this month with pre-orders starting today
Well, that's a form factor you don't see that often. Of all the Windows 8 PCs we've seen so far, the Dell XPS 12 is tough to forget, if only because it's the only one whose screen flips inside the hinge like an easel. We already got hands-on at IFA last month, but now we're learning some key details -- you know, like pricing and availability. Dell just announced that it will go up for pre-order today, starting at $1,199. (It will ship October 26th, the day Windows 8 launches.) That's a princely sum indeed compared to some of the other Windows 8 ultraportables we've seen, but it's important to remember that this runs not on an Atom processor, but an Ultrabook-grade CPU. And while you might assume that 12.5-inch display makes do with 1,366 x 768 resolution, it's actually a dense 1080p panel. Hopefully we'll get to review a final unit soon, but in the meantime feast yourself on a fresh round of hands-on shots below.
Lenovo announces ThinkPad Edge Twist, a business-oriented convertible coming this month for $849
Lenovo was first out of the gate with a form-shifting Windows 8 machine when it unveiled the IdeaPad Yoga at CES. Now the company's back with a convertible for its business customers, the ThinkPad Edge Twist. In many ways, it's a convertible in the most conventional sense of the word: unlike the Yoga, whose screen folds all the way back, the Twist has a 12.5-inch display that can swivel all the way around and fold down into tablet mode. As a member of the Edge family, in particular, it blends design elements from Lenovo's business and consumer lines, with metal accents, rounded edges, an island-style keyboard, a magnesium frame and, of course, that signature soft-touch finish. Stealing the show is that 12.5-inch, 350-nit, Gorilla Glass-coated display, which uses IPS technology for wider angles. On the inside, the Twist runs your choice of a Core i5 or i7 processor, with up to 8GB of RAM and either a 128GB SSD or a 7,200RPM hard drive (320GB or 500GB). Battery life, meanwhile, is rated at up to seven hours. At 3.48 pounds, it's heavier than some larger-screened Ultrabooks, but at least that 0.79-inch frame makes room for a full-sized Ethernet jack. (It also has a memory card reader, two USB 3.0 ports, mini-HDMI output and a mini-DisplayPort.) As for business-friendly features, the laptop offers TPM and can be configured with an optional 3G radio. Look for it on October 26th, starting at $849. Until then, enjoy those hands-on shots below.
Samsung demos Series 5 Ultra Touch and Series 5 Ultra Convertible Ultrabooks, we go hands-on
Well, look at what we have here! We just swung by Samsung's booth at Computex, and the outfit is showing off not one, but two touch-enabled variations of its Series 5 Ultrabooks. These include the Ultra Touch, a classic clamshell laptop, along with the Ultra Convertible, whose 13-inch display folds all the way back (not unlike the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga). Both devices are on their way stateside; it's just not clear when or how much they'll cost. Until then, we've got hands-on preview photos below, along with detailed impressions and a pair of walk-through videos. So join us, won't you?%Gallery-156971%%Gallery-156973%
Novero Solana convertible netbook gets flipped by the FCC
If you're excited about convertible tablets but can't wait for the IdeaPad Yoga to arrive, then perhaps Novero's Solana might give you a temporary fix. It's a dinky netbook (yes, netbook) that runs both Windows 7 and Android, but you can flip the display over in its frame to turn it into a tablet PC. It's packing a dual-core 1.6GHz Intel Atom N2600, Intel GMA 3600 IGP Graphics, 2GB of RAM and a choice of 32 or 64GB of solid-state storage. Fortunately, it looks like it won't be long before we get to clench it to our chests since it's now been given the thumbs-up from the assembled experts down in the FCC's underground bunker. For around $800, you too can pretend it's 2009 all over again, just remember to bring the Flo Rida.
Novero's Solana is an $800 netbook running Windows 7 and Android, we go hands-on
The last time we saw the Novero Solana, we were prowling Intel's booth at CES in search of prototypes. Because it was Intel, not Novero, showing the device, the emphasis was on that Cedar Trail processor inside, as well as that kooky form factor -- a netbook with a titling, easel-like touchscreen. What we didn't know then was that the Solana also runs Android, and that it's almost ready for prime time: it's expected to hit Europe and North America within the next two to three months, priced at about €699 or $799, respectively. We had a chance to play with some more polished hardware here at Mobile World Congress, and also see the machine running Gingerbread. Follow past the break for some early impressions or, if it's too early in the US to stomach reading, have a gander at our quickie demo video.%Gallery-149169%%Gallery-149172%
Lenovo leaks ThinkPad X61 convertible tablet
Tablet PC Review has discovered a tantalizing spec sheet buried on an IBM website, one which details an upcoming convertible tablet that is presumably the successor to the popular X60: say hello to the Thinkpad X61. Although pics aren't available, word is that the new model will retain the same form factor as its predecessor (pictured), but offer beefed up options such as a 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo L7500 ULV CPU, up to 1,400 x 1,050 pixels on the 12.1-inch screen, as much as 160GB / 2GB of storage / RAM, and all the ports and wireless options you could ask for (well, except for maybe 802.11n and WiMax). Since the posted document is dated today, and it is the season for laptop releases after all, we'd expect an official announcement on this one to come any day now. [Via Tablet PC Review]
