Windows 8 laptop roundup: Traditional PCs get an upgrade

Windows 8 is enabling a buffet of innovative new laptops. These are our currently our favorite traditional laptops in the launch library of Windows 8 devices, which has grown quite large.

It will definitely take some getting used to — the hands-on nature of the OS already requires a bit of a brain rewire — but change should be exciting. This is the first time in a long time that Microsoft has drastically overhauled the aesthetics in Windows and it should be celebrated for it. Yes, it has its limitations and annoyances, but Microsoft is steadily rolling out updates and responding to customer feedback. There’s nowhere to go but up. 

Windows 8 represents the start of a radical shift in the laptop market. Microsoft’s decision to re-design the Windows interface for use with touch should solve one of the most serious problems facing PC manufacturers interested in touchscreen devices – the lack of a decent interface.

No time has been wasted in the development of new products with new ideas. In fact, some of the products debuting with Windows 8 are concepts first shown nearly a year ago at CES 2012. Looking for a new notebook? We’ve rounded up the laptops that we think are most likely to interest consumers when the new operating system hits store shelves on October 26.

Acer Aspire M5Acer’s Aspire Timeline Ultra M5, one of our favorite Ultrabooks, is being updated for use with Windows 8. The update appears to almost wholly consist of a 10-point touchscreen. Most other components, and the chassis itself, appear largely untouched. We’re not opposed to that. We think the touchscreen model would be a good choice for anyone who wants some touchscreen functionality but intends to still rely primarily on the ole’ touchpad and keyboard. Acer’s priced the model accordingly – it will start at just $800.

Asus Taichi

The Taichi is one of the more bizarre concepts to debut alongside Windows 8. Unlike most convertibles, which turn into a tablet by sliding the display forward or flipping it around, the Taichi simply adds a second display to the top of the laptop. Open, it’s a laptop. Closed, it’s a tablet. It’s an interesting concept. Practical? That remains to be seen, but Asus is outfitting the 11.6-inch laptop with world-class hardware and seems intent on making it a flagship product. It’s powered by Intel Core processors, come with a solid state drive and both of the displays are 1080p. The expected introductory price will be $1,300.

HP Envy Spectre XT TouchSmart

HP has gone berserk on this 15-inch touchscreen laptop. It offers a 1080p IPS display, an Intel Core processor, a Thunderbolt port and, of course, a touchscreen. Unlike most of the other laptops listed here, the Spectre XT is clearly not meant for travel. Its weight of 4.7 pounds makes it the gorilla of the group despite its thin profile. Still, not everyone who buys a laptop needs portability and the hardware specs make it clear the XT will be a competitor for the performance crown among this pack.

HP Envy x2

Buyers looking for a small convertible in the Envy line will want to direct their gaze to the Envy x2. It’s an 11.6-inch dockable tablet that will be shipping with a 1366 x 768 pixel IPS display and weigh in at just 3.1 pounds. It also includes a solid state hard drive, a built-in NFC chip and support for a stylus. It does suffer from the same gotcha as the Asus Vivo Tab, however — an Intel Atom processor. This is made worse by rumors that it will have a price over $1,000 and perhaps as high as $1,400. We have a hard time believing than any Atom powered product would be worth a premium.

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga

The Yoga is a concept that Lenovo showed at CES 2012 as a showcase for both ultrabooks and what might be possible with Windows 8. Its claim to fame is a unique hinge that makes it possible to swing the keyboard almost 360 degrees, which places the display on the “bottom” of the laptop. It then can be used as a tablet. The Yoga can also use the keyboard as a stand for the touchscreen. Lenovo will be shipping the Yoga with Intel Core processors, solid state drives and a 13-inch 1600 x 900 pixel IPS display. These are respectable specifications, and they become all the more enticing in light of a $1,000 starting price. We think this may end up among the most popular convertibles on the market.

Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch

The Samsung Series 5 Touch joins the Acer Aspire M5 as our pick for the everyman’s touchscreen laptop. We have not fully reviewed the Series 5, but we’re not oblivious to it. We think it a well-built, yet affordable, 13-inch Ultrabook. A touchscreen is of course included in the new model, as is a Core low-voltage processor and a mechanical hard drive paired with a solid state cache drive. It’s all conventional stuff, so it’s good that Samsung has barely touched the price. Base price starts at $800.

Conclusion

Our top pick going in to the launch of Windows 8 is the IdeaPad Yoga. This convertible touchscreen laptop offers a unique design, powerful hardware, impressive displays, and an affordable price tag. We haven’t had the chance to fully review any of these products, however, and we’ve had hands-on time with only some of them. Take this list as a collection of first impressions rather than final verdicts. Look for our full reviews on these laptops and more over the coming months.