8 inch windows

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Dreal

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#157470 2-Dec-2014 12:54

Anyone found 8 inch windows tablets useable?

I am curious about getting a windows tablet for my next tablet, but I am concerned about the useability of the smaller form factors. I don't see a great deal of point in a 9.7 inch, because at that size its not much harder to carry a netbook or laptop, and you have to hold it in two hands much of the time.

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gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#1187077 2-Dec-2014 13:24

They are good if they have the Baytrail chipset and 2GB RAM minimum. The 64GB models are quite capacious, 32GB is a bit cramped. You can easily use them lying on the couch. Easy to hold with one had though the second is needed for swiping and tapping. I love the Wacom stylus support but if I'm honest I don't use the pen much. The Baytrail systems have excellent battery life. Most of the 8 inch units can only accept USB devices via an OTG cable. If you treat them as a companion device you will be happy. You are not getting an iPad, they look like an appliance but they are still a PC under the hood. Even though I spend 99% of my time in the metro interface I do like the ability to access computer management, schedule tasks, participate in the homegroup, print to the network laser printer, connect the xbox360 controllers and install my own codecs etc... just consider how technical your expected users are.

Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek

#1187080 2-Dec-2014 13:28

Had it, used it.. Didnt like it. When it comes down to it, apps are simply lacking. In the 8 inch factor, an android tablet is much more usable.

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1187131 2-Dec-2014 14:37

Saw the title and thought maybe you were building a dolls house :0)

Dreal

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1187250 2-Dec-2014 17:14

Krishant007: Had it, used it.. Didnt like it. When it comes down to it, apps are simply lacking. In the 8 inch factor, an android tablet is much more usable.

This is my concern. My friend said he couldn't use windows well on a smaller tablet, only really just comfortably on a 9.7 or 10.1.

Android is great, but obviously windows has better programs/games etc, because its a desktop platform. And a large tablet is only slightly more portable than a laptop, although for around home it might be okay, but even then it lacks the one handedness of 7-8.

I've enjoyed the convenience of my 7 inch too much to go to 9.7 easily.

A real balance of factors...

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Dreal

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1187260 2-Dec-2014 17:39

Don't you find it hard to tap the smaller icons and such in windows?

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gbwelly

1243 posts

Uber Geek

#1187262 2-Dec-2014 17:40

Dreal:
Krishant007: Had it, used it.. Didnt like it. When it comes down to it, apps are simply lacking. In the 8 inch factor, an android tablet is much more usable.

This is my concern. My friend said he couldn't use windows well on a smaller tablet, only really just comfortably on a 9.7 or 10.1.

I like mine and still wouldn't consider using windows classic desktop for any length of time; -stick to the 'modern' interface. That said you can tolerate it for a while when setting everything up. As I said before it's a companion device, I actually think giving away office with them actually does the devices a disservice, as you'll quickly get a headache trying to use office on an 8" screen. The lack of apps can be a problem if you're into a lot of social networking stuff that isn't facebook. I've got an app for everything I want to do. Been there, done that with Android. You get what you pay for.

Dreal

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1188362 4-Dec-2014 00:18

^ but programs themselves have pretty smaller icons/buttons, yes? And the programs being the major benefit of windows, makes it seem like the form factor ruins windows.

I mean the modern interface is great and all, but if you want to run the sort of thing you'd actually get a windows tablet for, it seems like your boned with 8 inch?

I wouldn't use a tablet/phablet/powerbook just as a supplement. When I am travelling, at friends, doing mobile business or whatever, its not a supplement, its the actual thing. Sure when I am home it serves as a more convenient computing portal for less typey/mousey/hardware heavy jobs - but android does that fine, its just that the apps are too limited (too many low demand phone users make up the consumer base, so coders don't write higher quality stuff as often)

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Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1188404 4-Dec-2014 06:51

Too small to do work with

No apps to play with

Wasted my money

Dreal

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1191671 8-Dec-2014 16:05

What about 8.9 inch? Has anyone tried that form factor?

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nathan

5695 posts

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Inactive user

#1191682 8-Dec-2014 16:16

Dreal: What about 8.9 inch? Has anyone tried that form factor?

whats the device?

Dreal

417 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1191696 8-Dec-2014 16:43

Oh I have just seen one 8.9 inch windows tablet on the chinese market. Not really considering any specific products yet, just wondering if 8.9 inch would be big enough to use with windows without too much headache.

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