Hey Everyone,
The search for the perfect all in one tab continues. It's great that there are so many on the market nowadays and more and more are coming up with keyboards but I have yet to come across an affordable / generic tab that has both a keyboard and a stylus included? I am aware of the surface pro but I am referring to the sub 400 tabs which keep popping up regularly.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!
I forgot to mention, Dell Venue 8 and 11 Pro uses an active stylus technology whereas Vivotab Note 8 uses wacom technology (like Surface Pro 1~2). I cannot comment on the quality of styluses since I never used Venue stylus, but I think people prefer wacom in general (though that being said, Wacom has its flaws as you'd know.)
Cheers. Just confirming, both are full windows that can be run in desktop mode?
Yeah. (though be careful, Dell Venue has a lot of models including android models which you'd not want). Vivotab Note 8 deal link (feel like self-promoting a little bit). For Venue 8 Pro, you should check out the Dell Outlet (JB HiFi sells model with 1GB RAM which I think would put off a lot of people).
Though, just be careful, you should do your research on these as well. I've heard some bad things about Vivotab Note 8 and Dell Venue 8/11 Pro.
@AznMitch: Thanks for taking the time and writing very detailed replies. While I have your attention are you aware of any good note taking apps for windows tablets? I have been using notability for the longest time on my ipad. Did a search online but it doesn't seem like evernote or onenote are optimised for writing?
@turkz1: I use onenote desktop version, I just use it to take notes on PDF, but since mine is a SP1, the experience would vary from those atom tablets
What kind of notetaking are you planning to use your tablet for? I have a Vivotab Note 8 and regret getting it because the 8 inch screen is far too cramped for taking uni lecture notes . That said, if you plan to just jot down a few things here (i.e. use it as a digital equivalent of a notepad) then the size is OK.
I'd steer away from the Dell Venue 8 if you plan to make good use of the stylus as it reportedly performs poorly for inking (Last time I checked, the latest stylus and firmware makes it usable but not as great as the wacom). I can't comment on the Dell Venue 11 as I haven't used one or researched one. The Vivotab Note 8 is good for inking, however, I'd avoid buying one if you don't intend to use the stylus heavily. The display on mine has mediocre viewing angles(which matters when you place the tablet down on a desk to ink) mediocre colour reproduction and mediocre clarity - remember that this runs full windows with already small fonts.
FYI I also use the desktop version of Onenote and have it set up to sync my notebooks with my iPad and desktop PC.
@akaakmdm: thanks for this..my understanding is that the issues with the venue have been resolved with newer versions of both the pad and stylus. the vivotab note stylus does not look very comfortable. i currently use an ipad mini and an adonit jot so the size shouldn't be much of an issue. i am very keen on palm rejection and better write quality. also, carrying around full windows instead of the very limited ios should be good for productivity.
@turkz1: You can get a surface pro pen (which works so much better according to my brother who've used it) or the Wacom Bamboo pen (which I've use on my surface pro. I personally like it more than the Surface Pro pen because the tip actually feels better).
Actually, the pen that came with the Vivotab Note was awful according to my brother.
@AznMitch: arghhh you almost have me sold mitch but there is no official keyboard case :( also can't seem to find the official folio online? i'm on the edge man.
@turkz1: Bluetooth keyboard does work alright ;) I think you'd not be able to find the tablet type that you'd want if you want a proper keyboard case, stylus and within your budget ($400). I guess if you go around and look for Surface Pro 1/2 second hand, that might work within your budget. Though that being said, I've heard bad stories of Vivotab Note 8 as well.
If you raise your budget to ~$1000, Surface Pro 2 and ThinkPad 10 (I've seen it go down to a reasonable level in US, hopefully that happens here as well?) become viable options as well.
If you don't mind android tablets, Samsung has been building Wacom tablets for ages. I might be slightly biased but I am assuming that the issues like wacom pen not working properly near the speaker area shouldn't happen on Note tablets. Though, note tablets also go over your budget and the keyboard case looks awful as well.
About pens, I've heard alright reviews on recent Venue stylus, but wacom pens still hold a special place in terms of writing because despite its limitations, angle and off centre issues. A youtube video of a person using wacom pen, synaptics pen (bear in mind that I think he has a older version), and N-trig (I think I've heard SP3 improved the pen) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqzv4SSGKmM
@AznMitch: I caved and got the vivo! Thanks mitch! Now to find a stylus and a case! decisions decisions… :)
@turkz1: Hopefully you get satisfied with it. It does have its flaws as I've mentioned. Don't forget to get a screen cover as well (I think someone said that it's not a gorilla glasses on the deal I've mentioned.)
In terms of pens, the good thing about the Surface Pro pen is that back of the pen functions as a rubber and right click is easy because it's pertruding out.
Though Bamboo pen feels better with writing with the rubber tip (against the plastic tip that SP pen has (though it doesn't have the rubber function which gets annoying sometimes).
@AznMitch: Yes just got one of the bay. It's funny how the accessories for this are barely available in AUS. I had to order a protector in from HK even though I was willing to pay a couple of dollars more to buy local. Definitely need to read up on the styli further. Read that one person was very satisfied by samsung S pen's with eraser. Probably won't shell out the $60 for a bamboo feel as the SP pen is about half that.
On a side note, any thoughts on the versasleeve? The case is about 15% of the device's purchase price. Quite steep.
@turkz1: Yes, s-pen does work with the tablet as well :) Though, I personally didn't like the s-pen (from Note 1, which my dad used to use) because it was small. I prefer Bamboo pen because it writes better and it feels more like a pen (SP Pro pen feels more plasticky).
I bought Bamboo pen because my SP pen was getting rusty, at least the right click button had that rust smell.
@AznMitch: you are referring to the bamboo feel specifically right?
On a side note, I really appreciate your help man. OzB needs to have a reddit gold equivalent for guys like you. Any way I can send a coffee in your direction?
@turkz1: Nah, I simply wanted to procrastinate. Besides, I am glad that I helped.
Yes, I think it was Bamboo Stylus Feel. SP pen is fine as well. It was just that I was lucky enough to get the Bamboo Pen at $50 which isn't that much away from SP Pen. I think at that time, I wanted something else to make myself feel better about getting a replacement, so that's why I spent little bit more. It wasn't that SP Pen is bad.
Also, I was just googling Bamboo Stylus Feel, and this popped up.
http://www.mwave.com.au/product/wacom-bamboo-stylus-feel-bla…
If you want to be adventurous, I think the pens like ThinkPad 10 tablet pens work with Vivotab Note (they use Wacom Feel techonology I think).
@AznMitch: Cheers for that. mwave and the bay are about the same price when you add in shipping. unpackaged SP3 pens are going for $30 on the bay at the moment. Do you think the feel of the well.. 'feel' is better enough to warrant twice the price? In all honesty budget is not that much of an issue.. I just like feeling that I am getting my money's worth as is the OzBargain way!
@turkz1: SP3 pens wouldn't work on your tablet. SP 3 uses N-trig pens. I am not sure whether you can find a SP1 pen to be honest.
Though, as much as I prefer Bamboo Stylus feel, that's just my preference.
Also, if you can try Lenovo Yoga 3 (I think), the stylus that comes with that is also a wacom techology one (don't quote me on it though, I am just working from my memory). So if you can find it offline at JB HiFi or somewhere and try it, that might give you a better idea. Also, try Staticice or google, I found that those pens can be cheaper at online stores as well. Usually brands like Lenovo and Samsung sells their pen as part of accessories, so they can actually be an option as well. I personally think these things are something that boils down to preferences, so :S I cannot be much of a help other than this.
I personally use a Note 10.1 S-pen which has an eraser tip (This is different to the small S-pens you find on the Note 1/2/3/4 phones in that it's a full size pen). I bought mine off eBay a few weeks ago for $30 and it feels like a huge upgrade to the one that comes with the vivotab. It also comes with a variety of pen tips which increase the friction, making it feel more like a real pen. That said, I think there are better pens on the market - you'll have to shop around :)
For my screen protector, I got an iPad screen protector and cut it to size although I really wish I could find a tempered glass screen. Without a screen protector, the screen is an absolutely ridiculous fingerprint magnet.
@akaakmdm: Thanks for chiming in. I also am looking at the S pen for now as I want to try something with an eraser before deciding that I may not really need it.
@akaakmdm: I personally think s-pen for tablet is small as well (Surface Pro pen and the Banboo Feel pen are actually close to the pen in terms of size, though, I've never used S-pen before I got SP, so it might be simply me being used to the SP Pen size.)
Though that being said, only times I've used them are in Dick Smith and I think the size can be slightly bulky if you want something that's really portable.
@turkz1: I am not sure, I've seen some OTG cables that even has a port for charging but there seems to be variations between Windows tablets in terms of how much OTG can do according to some forum posts I've seen (i.e. Some can power portable hard drive easily whereas some don't)
This is a quite popular one:
http://www.dicksmith.com.au/computers-tablets/asus-10-1-tran…
Asus Transformer Book T100 is two computers in one. Its a stylish and lightweight ultra-portable laptop with Intel® Atom® quad-core processor for great productivity performance with included MS Office Home & Student 2013.
Detach the 10.1- inch IPS display from the keyboard dock and the Transformer Book is also a capable Windows®8.1 tablet for easy entertainment at home and on the move. Up to 11 hours battery life, it wont tie you down.
no active digitiser on that one, so stylus recognition won't be as good (can still use the rounded end stylus though). Otherwise really great device.
Only one that I know that has a stylus and has a keyboard that is in your budget is…
Dell Venue 11 Pro (which would more than likely go over the budget if you get the keyboard and the stylus as far as I know).
I am not sure whether Dell Venue 8 Pro comes with the keyboard, but that would also be in your budget.
(whether it would go over $400 would depend on the price of the keyboard and stylus)
I personally don't think there are many tablets with a keyboard dock specifically designed for them, so why not wait for another MS cashback event and get a bluetooth keyboard. If you choose to get a bluetooth keyboard, I think Vivotab Note 8 is also within your budget. I got a wedge keyboard, and I actually use this more than the keyboard dock (because it allows me to change angle more with the stand it comes with and I can move the keyboard around)