Wonder if you’ve chosen the wrong device to spend your time with? Maybe that sexy tablet was attractive at first, but now you can’t get it to do what you need it to? Is your trusty ol’ desktop not doing it for you anymore? You thought you’re freewheelin’ lifestyle and anything goes attitude would work well with a laptop, but now it’s too needy and slow. Fear not, we are here to help.
With Windows 8.1 on the horizon, you may be thinking of ditching your old Windows 7 or (gasp!) XP rig for a sleek new computer that doesn’t take 10 minutes to start up. Maybe you have your eye on a slim and sexy tablet or a gravity- defying hybrid laptop, or perhaps you just want a laptop that doesn’t look like a giant hunk of outdated plastic.
Thanks to Windows 8 and the explosion of the tablet market, there’s a multitude of options when purchasing a new computer. In fact, it’s harder to choose now than ever – should you get a tablet, a hybrid, or a laptop with a touchscreen? That all depends on what you do and how you plan on using your new device. Here’s the right Windows 8 device for how you really live.
The Organizer: Tablet
Is the Container Store your Mecca and do you dream in to-do lists? A tablet for keeping all of those lists handy is the best option for you. Checking off items and scheduling meetings is never more satisfying than when you can immediately tick an item off your list. A lightweight tablet like the HP ElitePad 900 ($650) is perfect for toting around the home or office. Make lists and calendar appointments and reminders for your lists till you feel fully organized – which you probably never will.
The Number-Cruncher: Touchscreen laptop
Excel formulas are in your wheelhouse – we get it. You want a laptop, but it might be nice if you could make it more exciting. The Asus VivoBook S550CA ($720) fits the bill or the equation. Make those numbers come alive with super exciting graphs and charts that you can manipulate to your heart’s desire using the touchscreen, while keeping the traditional keyboard handy for entering data into cells. The laptop’s sleek brushed aluminum design makes up for the less than exciting work you’re doing on it, and its edge-to-edge glass display may even keep your spouse or colleague’s eyes from glazing over as you go over the family budget or company’s quarterly earnings.
The Fact-Checker: Tablet
Everyone likes to be right, especially you. Any time there’s a disagreement amount how many times Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan worked together, you’re the one rushing to the Internet to confirm. A friendly discussion about the best National League pitcher? You’re there with stats and facts to prove your point. Make the most of your annoying habit by using a fast tablet like the Microsoft Surface Pro ($900). You’ll be able to end dinner debates faster than you can pass the salt thanks to its Intel Core i5 processor. Do you really want to prove how right you are? Use the optional Type Cover keyboard to update Wikipedia after your friends leave your house at 9:30 p.m. on a weekend. They’ll say it’s because they have to get up early, but you know it’s really because they are too in awe of your – about everything.
The Wannabe Mogul: Hybrid
You’re going places – fast. You’re already a legend in your own mind, so get a flashy piece of tech to show how ahead of the curve you are. A hybrid like the Acer Aspire R7 ($1,000) is perfect for your important Starbucks meetings and will impress your associates with its futuristic look and multiple positions. While its 15.6-inch floating display may initially seem large, think of how imposing it’ll look sitting in a coffee shop. Nothing says “I have the upper hand” better. Whether you need to write up a proposal for a pitch meeting or video chat with potential business partners, the R7 is a hot-looking hybrid that will keep you wheeling and dealing.
The Jack-of-All-Trades-Freelancer: Touchscreen laptop
Whether your a writer, a photographer, a graphic designer, or a Web developer may depend on what day it is, but you need a device that can do it all while still looking impressive during coffee shop meet-ups with prospective clients. Though you may nurse the same small cup of black coffee for hours, a laptop like the HP Spectre XT Touchsmart ($1,350) with an Intel Core i7 processor gives you enough power to run all of your programs while still impressing the coffee shop crowd with its good looks. Be sure to get there early for a prime spot by an outlet and remember, that prime spot will cost you a second cup of coffee over an eight hour day.
The Burning-the-Midnight-Oiler: Hybrid
Can’t leave the office, even after going home? Do you enjoy regaling your family with cubicle tales and workload complaints at the dinner table? Then a hybrid like the Lenovo Thinkpad Helix ($1,680) balances out the need for work and relaxation. The keyboard allows you to get work done, but you can pop the keyboard off when you’re finally done and ready to veg out to Game of Thrones. We’d suggest hanging out with your family instead, but they’ve probably already gone to bed by the time you’re done working.
The Road-Warrior: Hybrid
Does your job require you to constantly drive from place to place? Whether you’re creating customer estimates or delivering goods, a tablet will help you get your job done quickly. While you’re traversing the earth and racking up fast food receipts to expense, the hybrid Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T ($1,200) will keep you company. With long battery life and an included S-pen digitizer for jotting down quick notes, the Smart PC Pro 700T makes long days in the car easier. Thanks to the detachable keyboard, you’ll be able to quickly type up your TPS reports, leaving you less work to do when you finally return to the office. Another benefit? The front-facing camera on the Smart PC Pro 700T is perfect for quick surveys and for video chatting with the family at home so they don’t forget what you look like.
The Leave-the-Office-at-5pm-er: Tablet
It’s 4:59. Your coat is already on and you’re ready to walk out of the office. For those who aspire to collect a paycheck and keep out of the boss’s sights, a tablet is the device for you. You’re never going to actually write that great American novel or moonlight as a Web designer — sportsball watching and dart leagues take up too much of your time. Hell, you don’t even need Microsoft Office, which comes preloaded on many Windows tablets. All you’ll be doing on it is basic Web surfing, bill paying, and probably some online gambling. Don’t sweat it, you don’t even need a Windows device. Get an Android tablet like the $200 Kobo Arc and don’t worry about making something out of yourself like your brother did.
[Top image via gsn.com]