Gigabyte's U2142 Windows 8 Convertible Ultrabook Gets Detailed

[Cristian_25H]

Like pretty much all its rivals Gigabyte Technology is embracing Windows 8 and is preparing to release various PCs running Microsoft's latest operating system. One such PC is called U2142 and is actually a convertible ultrabook featuring a rotating 11.6-inch (1366 x 768) touchscreen. This upcoming 2-in-1 machine packs an Intel Core i3/i5 ULV processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, up to a 1 TB hard drive backed by a 256 GB solid state drive, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, optional 3G, USB 3.0 connectivity, and an HDMI output.

The U2142 will start at about $999 and should become available next month.



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[librin.so.1]

I can already see those screens breaking off for like, every third user.

 

[Tannhäuser]

I can already see typical design failures of the PC-industry while it's desperately trying to merge two different gadgets. Jesus, the bonding ... then sadly Apple has to fix it and everyone at Gigabyte "WTF?!".

 

[FYFI13]

I can already see those screens breaking off for like, every third user.

This would prove that God exists. Computers with 'secure boot' must be destroyed

 

[olstyle]

Convertibles have been available for years as business products from IBM/Lenovo, Dell etc. With Windows 8, they finally make sense.
Even though the hinges were criticized a lot, they nearly never broke.

If you are still not comfortable with this, there is a lenovo version("yoga") coming which uses two hinges which can be bend 360°.

 

[FYFI13]

Convertibles have been available for years as business products from IBM/Lenovo, Dell etc.

Aye, give it to average Joe I'm repairing/building computers for living and from what i have seen by now - these little toys will get broken. Not all of them, ofcourse but the numbers will be much higher then for classic laptops.

 

[kristimetal]

Window 8

As i understand, this ultrabook will run Windows 8 x86 version, not the ARM version Windows RT.
It would be interesting to runthe normal desktop programs on a tablet-like-laptop, especially with that screen tilting and switching,

 

[THE_EGG]

Yeh, convertible laptops/tablets have been around for AGES. I think the first one I used was a little tiny acer thingy (i can't remember the name) and then the legendary Toshiba M200-this thing won't die, it still works today. Even though most earlier convertibles only had a one way turning for the hinge, I've never broken one, even through school where the m200 was dropped a few times by accident in laptop and tablet mode (only the HDD needed replacing). I've had many since the m200 as well.

I currently use a Lenovo X201 for use at uni and work. This is also a tank as a well. Won't break. AFAIK the only decent looking convertibles available are from Fujitsu, but they are a little on the big and heavy side for me. I think it's good that Gigabyte is taking the convertible market seriously, which will hopefully bring some more competition as well.

 

[blibba]

1368*768 just isn't good enough on any device larger than a phone or small tablet.

 

[Frick]

1368*768 just isn't good enough on any device larger than a phone or small tablet.

Naah, for everything up to 13" it's good imo.

I can already see those screens breaking off for like, every third user.

As someone said, these things have existed for quite some time and it seems to work fine.

This would prove that God exists. Computers with 'secure boot' must be destroyed

Herpderpblerp.

 

[blibba]

Naah, for everything up to 13" it's good imo.

I'd say 7". Lower PPIs are ok on desktops where you sit a little further away (1080p is ok for anything up to about 22"), but on a laptop, tablet or phone, chances are you'll be quite close to it. Also, running productivity applications, which is what any device of this size must be able to do, there's going to be a severe lack of on-screen real estate. I'd say that the minimum acceptable res for a Win8 tablet is 1450*1050.

 

[librin.so.1]

As someone said, these things have existed for quite some time and it seems to work fine.

I am saying "that they would break" as a person who gets squealed things like "My computer/laptop/tablet/monitor/I_don't_even_know_what_this_is broke! Please fix it! Please! Please! Please! Please!" at. So I might be *slightly* biased...

 

[Cold Storm]

I have a HP Touchsmart now for 2y and I've taken it through the ringer. Use it to place my food orders, watching anime's, anything and everything to use it as a tablet.. Staying in a sub-0 freezer to check inventory. These things can handle the pressure. If they couldn't, then they would of washed it to the side so long ago.


I'd love to upgrade to something like this. Win 8 is pretty nice on mine. But, I love my win 7

 

[hellrazor]

Give it a bunch of cloud integration and their own version of clippy and it'd be the worst selling laptop ever.

 

[Frick]

I am saying "that they would break" as a person who gets squealed things like "My computer/laptop/tablet/monitor/I_don't_even_know_what_this_is broke! Please fix it! Please! Please! Please! Please!" at. So I might be *slightly* biased...

That is my role too, and i don't think they will break (unless the person does something stupid, but everything will break if enough stupid things is done to them).