Top 10 convertible ultrabooks

Presenting the best of the transformers

Hybrid notebooks have always had a niche market with Asus's Transformer series. However, with the introduction of Windows 8, we're beginning to see more specialized devices carrying the OS. This is especially so in the case of convertible ultrabooks that can function as either ultrabooks or as tablets in a given situation.

Here we present our top 10 convertibles and hybrids. Some devices run on Windows RT while others use the full version of Windows. Some utilise the energy saving Intel Atom Clovertrail CPU and NVidia Tegra 3 while others utilise the more powerful Intel Core i5/i7.

1. HP ElitePad 900
Price: Rs 43,500

For the business types, the HP ElitePad 900 offers an Intel Atom Z2760 clocked at 1.8 GHz with 2 GB of RAM. It features a 32 GB eMMC solid-state drive along with a rear 8 megapixel camera. It weighs 680 grams and measures 0.36-inch thick without a keyboard. The tools needed to convert the ElitePad 900 into a convertible from the tablet mode are a docking station and Bluetooth Keyboard that are both sold separately.

The 10.1-inch display features a 1280x800 resolution and is covered by scratch resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 2. For security purposes, HP has bundled several applications such as Security Manager, Credential Manager, Password Manager, Sparekey and Drive Encryption to help protect data in case the device is misplaced.

2. Acer Iconia W510
Price: Rs 46,349

Acer's Iconia W510 features a docking keyboard for converting it from a tablet into a compact ultrabook. It features an Intel Atom Z2760 CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz with 2 GB of RAM. There is 64 GB internal storage along with a microSD slot for further expansion. The Iconia W510 weighs 1.27 kg and measures 0.39-inch thick.

It features a 10.1-inch, 1366x768 LC display along with a rear 8 megapixel camera.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

3. Sony VAIO Duo 11
Price: Rs 89,011

Sony's convertible device features a keyboard that slides out from beneath the display. It has an Intel Core i5-3317U clocked at 1.7 GHz with 4 GB DDR3 RAM. There is also a 128 GB solid-state drive for storing information and an Intel HD 4000 GPU.

The VAIO Duo 11 measures 0.70-inch thick and weighs 1.3 kg. The 11.6-inch LED backlit display features a 1920x1080 resolution. Due to the amount of power of the device, battery life runs for roughly 4.5 to 5 hours with normal usage.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

4. Asus Taichi 31
Price: Rs 1,40,000

The Asus Taichi 31 features two displays: When the lid is closed, it functions as a tablet. The lid itself becomes a 1080p display, fitted with Gorilla Glass to prevent scratches. When the lid is open, it functions as an ultrabook.

This too features a 13.3-inch, 1080p display. An Intel Core i7-3517U clocked at 1.9 GHz is also available along with 4 GB of DDR3 RAM. The solid-state drive features 256 GB of internal storage. The entire device measures roughly 0.69-inch thick and a stylus is available separately.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

5. HP Envy X2
Price: Rs 59,990

The HP Envy X2 comes equipped with a keyboard right off the bat. Like the ElitePad 900, it has an energy saving Intel Atom Z2760 clocked at 1.8 GHz with 2 GB LPDDR2 RAM.

There is a 64 GB solid-state drive along with an Intel GPU. The display measures 11.6-inch and has a 1366x768 resolution. The entire device measures 0.75-inch and weighs 1.39 kg.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

6. Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro 700T
Price: Rs 73,500

With an Intel Core i5-3317U clocked at 1.7 GHz and 4 GB of RAM, Samsung's Ativ Smart PC Pro 700T is another addition to the hybrid market. It features a docking keyboard that can be removed in favour of using the device like a tablet. There is a 128 GB solid-state drive and an Intel HD 4000.

The LED display measures 11.6-inch and has a 1920x1080 resolution. The device measures 0.47-inch thick and weighs 0.89 kg.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

7. Dell XPS 12
Price: Rs 96,503

Dell's flagship convertible device features a display that can flip on its hinges. It can thus be flipped 180 degrees to either work as an ultrabook or as a tablet. The XPS 12 features and Intel Core i5 3317U clocked at 1.7 GHz with 4 GB DDR3 RAM. A 128 GB solid-state drive provides the storage solution while an Intel HD 4000 functions as the GPU.

The 12.5-inch True Life display features an LED backlight and 1920x1080 resolution. Overall, the device weighs 1.54 kg and measures 0.79-inch thick.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

8. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13
Price: Rs 79,214

The display on Lenovo's IdeaPad Yoga 13 can be twisted backwards by a full 180 degrees and used as a tablet. In this position, the display reorients itself and works as if one were using a tablet. When positioned at a 90-degree angle to the keyboard, the display is "up right" and can be used as an ultrabook. The Yoga 13 has an Intel Core i5-3337U clocked at 1.8 GHz with 4 GB of DDR3 RAM. It also features a 128 GB solid-state drive along with an Intel HD 4000 GPU.

The 13.3-inch IPS display features a wide-screen, 1600x900 resolution. The device reportedly lasts for 5.5 hours and weighs 1.54 kg while measuring 0.67-inch thick.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

9. Asus VivoTab RT
Price: Rs 61,999

Armed with an NVidia Tegra 3 quad-core CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz and 2 GB of RAM, the Asus VivoTab RT presents a docking keyboard hybrid. You can choose from either a 32 to 64 GB eMMC solid-state drive with 32 GB of free Asus Web Storage Space valid for 36 months. There is also a microSD card reader for up to 64 GB more space. It also features a 10.1-inch HD Glare display with 1366x768 resolution. There is also an 8 megapixel camera with CMOS sensor on the back.

The battery life is touted to run roughly 8 hours. The device weighs about 1.06 kg and measures 0.74-inch thick.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.

10. Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11
Price: 56,279

Like its bigger brother the Yoga 13, the IdeaPad Yoga 11's display and lid can be twisted backwards by 180 degrees and function as a tablet. It can also be set at 90 degrees to either use as a docking station or as an ultrabook, depending on the orientation of the display's contents. It features an NVidia Tegra 3 quad core CPU clocked at 1.3 GHz with 2 GB DDR3 RAM.

There is also a 64 solid-state drive and card reader. Graphics are provided by an integrated ULP GeForce GPU. The 11.6-inch display features a 1366x768 resolution. The device weighs 1.27 kg overall and measures 0.61-inch in thickness. Due to the Tegra 3 CPU, it reportedly lasts for a good 9 to 10 hours.

Reader Invite

Are you a gadget/gaming wizard/afficianado? Would you like to write on gadgets, gaming, the Internet, software technologies, OSs and the works for us? Send us a sample of your writing to gadgetsandgaming@rediffmail.com with the subject as 'I'm a tech wizard/afficianado' and we will get in touch with you.