While 2011 was the year when touchscreen tablet computers finally exploded onto the scene, 2012 will be the year when tablets and laptops go head to head for the hearts of consumers. Already, much talk and practice has been had with tablets as a business tool to replace laptops while the normal consumer like a student or a family may easily consider a tablet before a laptop. The following tablets and laptops will be the models to watch in 2012 as they may be the final straw to tip the scales or at least offer users a good time trying it out.
Tablets to Watch for in 2012
Tablets have a bigger advantage over laptops in that the market is still not saturated enough for new innovations. Tablet users still have no clear idea as to what will be the defining factor for that make or break decision in buying a tablet, as such there are a whole lot more choices. Because of this the tablet list is significantly larger with a number of models still not out for consumer consumption just yet. This list includes the:
Apple iPad3
Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201
OLPC XO 3.0
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7
Sony Tablet P
Apple’s iPad3 – Leading the Pack
While the iPad3 fall short a little of our expectations, it is still the benchmark model when it comes to tablets. The new retina display is absolutely stunning display lifelike photos and images with its 2048 x 1536 resolution. Design wise, the new iPad remained largely the same as the previous model except for some small negligible changes.
The most notable new feature on the iPad3 is the quad-core A5 processor that makes multitasking and running apps a lot smoother and breezier than the previous model. Then there is the new 5MP camera that shoots 1080p videos. Connectivity wise, the device is not compatible with 4G LTE networks for high speed internet access.
Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201 – Performance beast
This tablet is currently the one to beat as it not only comes with an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor, it also features an 8MP camera with auto-focus and LED flash along with a Super IPS+ panel. Running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201 also transforms into laptop through its mobile dock, which also extends the battery life by up to 18 hours. In terms of features alone, this tablet beats out everything and anything currently on the tablet market, including the current market leader which is the Apple iPad2. What is notable here is that on top of offering much better 3D graphics and a quad-core processor capable of equalizing with a laptop, is the fact that Asus have also added in a fifth processor to handle background processes, enabling even better battery life. The specifications for the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF201 would include:
an NVIDIA Tegra 3 quad-core processor
an 8MP camera with auto-focus and LED flash
a Super IPS+ screen
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich OS
better 3D graphics
fifth sub-processor (500MHz) for background processes
OLPC XO 3.0 – Tough and Cheap
While this touchscreen tablet from the UN sponsored One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program offers rather mediocre specifications with its Marvell Armada PXA618 guts, 512MB of RAM and 4GB internal storage, it is being offered for just $100. Unlike other tablets, the OLPC XO 3.0 is tough, with a textured, rubberized, waterproof back and a glass display. It should be able to handle rugged third world conditions better than its consumer level compatriots. Its rather bright neon-green color may make it less suitable for the all-black business user but it can handle a much wider range of DC power inputs so you can plug in a hand crank or solar charger if there isn’t a power socket handy. Connection-wise it offers the basics with a USB, microUSB, audio in/out and sensor input port and will run on either Android or OLPC’s own Sugar OS. The notable specifications for the OLPC XO 3.0 would be:
a Marvel Armada PXA618 processor
512MB RAM
4GB flash memory storage
$100 price tag
Rubberized waterproof casing
hand crank + solar panel charger
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 – Display Master
Smaller, slimmer and above all, packing in the brightest, most awesome 7.7” Super AMOLED Plus display around, this tablet will put all other tablet screens, laptops and some HDTVs to shame. Specification-wise it isn’t entirely a slouch either with a 1.4GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, up to 64GB of ROM and the option to expand 32GB further via microSD flash memory. It also does very well in terms of wireless connections, allowing for Wi-Fi twice as fast as the competition and dual band wireless connectivity. Specifications of note for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 would be:
its 7.7” Super AMOLED Plus display
a 1.4GHz dual-core processor
1GB RAM
64GB internal storage + up to 32GB microSD
faster wi-fi
Sony Tablet P – Dual-screen form factor
This isn’t the first time someone has come up with a dual display touchscreen tablet (the Toshiba Libretto comes to mind) but it is from Sony, manufacturers that are known to be just as big perfectionists as Steve Jobs. As such, it is worth noting that a lot of work has been put into the design of the dual 5.5” LCD touchscreens. Sony has used its TruBlack LCD technology for blacker blacks and whiter whites while the 1GHz processor and 1GB worth of RAM is just enough to propel this tablet down the line. While it won’t beat out other performance tablets, it will turn heads with the dual-screen and since it is a Sony product it is rated usable with Sony’s playstation gaming platform. Specifications for the Sony Tablet P include:
a 1GHz processor
1GB RAM
two 5.5” TruBlack LCD screens
Gaming compatibility
Laptops to Watch for in 2012
As the more mature market, the Laptop market is understandably saturated and has less innovation as compared to the tablet market. As such the list of laptops to watch in 2012 is rather small. These include the:
15” MacBook Air
Lenovo Yoga
HP Envy Spectre
15” MacBook Air – Ultimate ultrabook
While the new smaller screen MacBook Air has already been released, the 15” MacBook Air laptops are going to take over the Ultrabook laptop market. This is because, on top of being as slim as ever and packing in some powerful Intel Sandy Bridge processors, the 15” screen will offer more screen real estate without being too bulky. Like the other Apple product above, release dates point to the first quarter of 2012 with 17-inch models also being considered for the upcoming roll-out. Specifications-wise the 15” MacBook will probably feature:
Intel 2nd Generation Core i5 and i7 processors
Intel Thunderbolt technology
SSD internal storage
Multi-touch trackpad
long-lasting battery life
ultra-thin design
Lenovo Yoga – Bend Backwards Convertible
Convertible Laptops that convert into touch screen tablets are not new but what makes this laptop different is that it will bend over backwards to please. Previous convertibles have used a swivel hinge that have almost always broken off or got damaged very quickly. The Lenovo Yoga uses special hinges that allow you to flip the touchscreen over backwards. When in this mode the physical keyboard is automatically turned off, so you can lay this convertible down without worrying about pressing the keys. Since it is going to run on Windows 8 it isn’t available just yet, however, other possible specifications for the Lenovo Yoga include:
17mm thick
13.3” IPS panel touchscreen display
Windows 8
Intel Ivy Bridge processors
Samsung SSD
HP Envy Spectre – Classy and Glassy
This 14” screen laptop may be on the edge in terms of Ultrabook size range with its 13.3” chassis but it brings to the table a design almost entirely devoted to glass. This includes an awesome ultra-thin design with tough, scratch-resistant glass used for both the casing, screen, bezels and trackpad. While this also means that it is also the ultimate smudge magnet, it offers looks that you won’t find on any other laptop in the market. It isn’t a slouch performance-wise either as it will pack in Intel 2nd Generation Core i5 and i7 ULV processors, up to 256GB SSD, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, USB 3.0 support and beats audio. Full specifications for the HP Envy Spectre include:
12.88″Wx8.7″Dx0.79″H
under 4 lbs weight
up to 9.5 hours battery life
14″ diagonal HD+ Radiance LED backlit display
13.3″ chassis
128GB or 256GB mSATA solid-state drive
Intel Core i5 and i7 ULV Processors
4GB or 8GB of DDR3
Mini DisplayPort
1 USB 3.0 port
Beats Audio system (2 speakers and subwoofer)
External jogger dial
Integrated HP Wireless Audio