Best Windows 8 Laptop Gifts
Dell XPS Duo 12
Whoever gets this unique Windows 8 hybrid will probably spend the first half hour just flipping the screen. Like the earlier Inspiron Duo, the Dell XPS Duo 12 has a 12-inch swiveling display. Instead of detaching, the screen rotates in the middle, allowing users to fold the device flat in tablet mode or use this clamshell as a traditional laptop. The full HD screen is a welcome sight, as is the carbon fiber construction for keeping the weight down. Inside is a Core i5 processor and a 128GB SSD, and a backlit keyboard is also included.
HP Envy X2
Wrapped in aluminum, this Ultrabook is more than the sum of its parts. And HP makes it easy to transform from laptop to tablet mode, thanks to a hinge with built-in magnets. The 400-nit 11.6-inch display is bright, while Beats Audio will give plenty of oomph to the tunes you stream via HP’s Connected Music app. Packed inside the 3.1-pound chassis is an Intel Atom processor and 64GB of storage. The Envy x2 will also play nice with an Android phone; an integrated NFC chip can share photos, Web links and more with a tap.
Samsung Series 5 Ultra
For those who like the look of Samsung’s notebooks, you’re in luck. The $849 Series 5 Ultra is an update to the 13-inch Ultrabook that debuted earlier in 2012, which now includes a touchscreen display to take full advantage of Windows 8. Otherwise, the Series 5 Ultra is a sleek 3.8-pound laptop with plenty of power. We’re talking an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive with 24GB of SSD cache, which will start Windows 8 fast.
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga
The family will be bending over backward to play with this laptop. The IdeaPad Yoga sports an innovative 360-degree dual-hinge flip design that makes this Windows 8 hybrid work in multiple modes. Despite all this versatility, the Yoga measures a mere 0.7 inches thick and weighs a manageable 3.1 pounds. We also like the sharp 1600 x 900-pixel 13-inch touch display and roomy 256GB solid state drive.
ASUS Taichi 21
ASUS is definitely thinking differently with the Taichi. The whole family won’t have to cluster around the display to see holiday photos. Why? This notebook has two back-to-back 1080p displays on the lid. What’s more, users can show different content on both screens, which is useful for presentations. The Taichi 21 is expected to be available in November, with the 13-inch Taichi 21 to follow in December.
Acer Aspire S7-391
This seriously sleek ultraportable is 0.8 inches thick, and has a sturdy Gorilla Glass lid. On the inside, the 1080p display supports 10-point touch and folds flat, making it easier for others to see. Just as cool is the soft blue keyboard backlight. Despite its thinness, this 2.8-pound notebook will hold up to a 256GB SSD and get up to 6 hours of ACER Aspire 4720 Laptop Battery life. It doesn’t skimp on ports either, with two USB 3.0, a microHDMI and a full-size SD Card slot.
HP Envy Spectre XT TouchSmart Ultrabook 4
Your creative family member will get a lot out of the Spectre XT TouchSmart Ultrabook 4, which sports a jaw-dropping full HD Radiance display with IPS technology and an edge-to-edge glass design. It really makes Windows 8 pop, and a lot more live tiles appear on the Start screen than with other systems. Other highlights include an Intel Thunderbolt port for fast data transfers and full versions of Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Elements.
Sony VAIO T Series Ultrabook
One of the sleeker Ultrabooks on the market just got touchy. Starting at just $799, the Sony VAIO T13 is one of the most affordable Windows 8 notebooks you can buy with a built-in touchscreen, allowing you to reach out and tap those Live Tiles and interact with dozens of games. This machine is also beautiful, sporting a brushed aluminum chassis. A hybrid hard drive ensures you’ll enjoy speedy boot and resume times. You can step up from a Core i3 CPU to Core i5 for $100 more.
Toshiba Satellite S955
A number of Toshiba-centric Windows 8 apps, such as DesktopAssist, will help guide users through the new interface, which means fewer calls to customer support — or you. There’s no touch screen, but Toshiba includes a sizable touchpad large enough to execute Windows 8 gestures. The aluminum lid and wrist rest with an Ice Blue finish make this notebook look a lot more expensive than its $599 price. And, despite its 15-inch screen, the Satellite S955 weighs just 5 pounds.
HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14
A notebook for the budget-conscious style maven, the Sleekbook 14 will turn heads long before you boot into Windows 8’s Modern interface. This slim and lightweight laptop will come in Sparkling Black and Ruby Red, complete with a soft-touch bottom that not only feels great but will stay cool to the touch. An HP TrueVision webcam and Dolby Advanced Audio round out the features.
Lenovo IdeaPad S400
They’ll never know it’s not an Ultrabook. The 4-pound IdeaPad S400, which comes in Cotton-Candy Pink, Crimson Red or Silver Gray, has a soft-touch finish on the wrist rest that makes typing a real pleasure — not to mention Lenovo’s Accutype keyboard. The display is a standard 1366 x 768 pixels, but users get Dolby Advanced Audio and about 5 hours of LENOVO ThinkPad T510 Laptop Battery life.
