Tablets out for Christmas 2013

[Tips]

Ipad 5 mini is on my Christmas list after using a friends Ipad mini, not sure whether to get the full sized Ipad though.

[cptwhite_uk]

Added Dell range and Asus Memo Pad HD7

[Saracen]

So ipad5 is not on anyone's christmas list? Too expensive? Not VFM?

....

Yup. And worse, too Apple.

What to do about the wife wanting one. Simplez. Ask Santa.

Oh wait ....

[cptwhite_uk]

Added Lenovo Miix2

[cptwhite_uk]

Add Nokia Lumia 2520 and updated notes of iPad Air and iPad Mini 2

[cptwhite_uk]

For reference I went the no expense spared approach and opted for the iPad mini with retina. It least it's a bang up to date device with good resale value when the time comes. I can't really see what else Apple could do it to improve the design beyond reducing weight (always welcome but not a deal breaker when it already weighs only 330g), a faster processor (really this isn't necessary for my needs), extend battery life (again welcome, but when it lasts 10 hours for general use it's a case of diminishing returns of how useful that would actually be) or improve the cameras (I won't be taking photos with it anyway). So yeah, very happy with my choice.

[AETAaAS]

The Dell Venue 8 Pro turned up for £249 for a 32GB version. Quad core Intel Atom Z3740D (up to 1.8GHz turbo), 2GB RAM and ships 3rd of December. Looks like quite good value to me for a full Windows experience in a portable form factor.

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/dell-venue-8-pro/pd?oc=cnv8p01

[scaryjim]

Toshiba Encore is on pre-order at ebuyer: http://www.ebuyer.com/584647-toshiba...-pc-twt8-a-102

Another bay trail, 2GB, 32GB offering. I thought bay trail was meant to enable real windows tablets as cheap as $199? Apparently those aren't making it to the UK market...

Sadly it looks like I'll probably have to wait until after Christmas for any new AMD releases in the category, for designs based around Beema/Mullins. And even then I don't know if we'll get 8" versions...

EDIT: have to say the Venue 8 Pro with active stylus looks like a nice option though... hmmm....

[cptwhite_uk]

I said it elsewhere but the Acer W4 and Toshiba Encore would be my only real suggestions purely for the fact they have HDMI ports so can be plugged in as a mobile desktop PC, the Venue 8 and Miix2 don't have this option meaning they have an OS which while good for productivity are realistically stuck in a form factor which isn't best suited to them. It's an acceptable compromise to have Win8 on a small tablet if I can make it a full desktop, otherwise forget it!

Edit: Just to say I'm so glad I didn't bother waiting for the Dell Venue 11 Pro...this was meant to have a starting price of £350 (then later that was confirmed ex. VAT...so okay....£420)......no it's £450 base price. Screw you Dell, glad I ordered a Sony Vaio Flip 15 now. Idea is to flip the screen around and use that as the main desktop monitor in "presentation mode" (i.e. keyboard away from you behind the screen) and have a full sized keyboard and mouse on the desk to replicate a full desktop setup instead of requiring a dock and full monitor (due to a 10.6" screen being too small for desktop use).

[cptwhite_uk]

Added Advent Tegra Note