Microsoft Surface Pro is Microsoft’s attempt of creating a tablet which can easily replace the average laptop. The most recent version of Surface tablets is the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 which comes along with Windows 8.1. The Surface Pro 3 with its 12 inch display is a hybrid tablet with a screen larger than its predecessors. You can choose from core i3, i5 and i7 processors and Ram between 4GB and 8 GB. The keyboard is not included as a part of the out of the box accessory, so users who wish to use a keyboard along with the Surface Pro 3, have to invest additionally in it. Windows based tablets have commonly seen a need for the keyboard very often, so investing in the keyboard may become imperative if you want a complete laptop experience. While Microsoft’s flagship Surface series has interested a lot of users, here are some budgeted alternatives to the Surface Pro worthy of consideration.
Dell Venue 11 Pro
Keeping in mind, the Surface Pro and cheap alternatives, Dell Venue Pro 11 is another hybrid tablet which caters well to the needs of its users. With a screen that is 11 inches in size, the tablet is powered by a quad-core Atom Processor. The display is brilliant in comparison to other tablets at the same price range and it offers good viewing angles as well. Audio is not at its best in the Dell Venue 11 Pro, and you may feel the bass is almost negligible. The Venue 11 Pro comes with a detachable keyboard available with the tablet as a part of the accessories.
Asus Transformer Book T100
In an attempt to provide a powerful laptop with good battery life, Asus has come up with the Transformer Book T100. With a 10-inch display, the T100 is a lightweight tablet which comes along with a detachable keyboard. The design of this Asus tablet is not very stunning, with a plastic finish. The T100 boasts of clear display and exceptional sound quality. The quad-core Atom Z3740 processor and 2 GB RAM help the tablet perform satisfactorily. An Intel HD graphics chip ensures good video quality and superb gaming experience on the tablet. The battery life is considerably decent with Asus claiming it to last as long as 11 hours. Running on Windows 8.1, when you consider the Surface Pro and cheap alternatives, the T100 can hardly be taken off the list.
Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2
Tablets are quickly taking over the market and Lenovo has kept abreast the market with the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2. This Windows 8.1 tablet fits well as a cheap alternative to the Surface Pro with outstanding battery life and a detachable Bluetooth keyboard. The 10.1 inch display produces vivid colours, but viewing becomes a slightly challenging in bright sunlight. With a quad-core Intel Atom processor and 2 GB RAM, the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 2 works without much of lag. The audio system is good and the front and rear cameras produce decent pictures.
Acer Aspire Switch 10
Powered by a 1.33 GHz Intel Atom Z3745 quad-core processor and 2 GB RAM, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 is worthy of consideration when we look at the Surface Pro and cheap alternatives. The tablet works well without getting sluggish when you open multiple applications. It may not be the most powerful tablet in the market, but it provides great display and good sound quality. The Switch 10 faces strong competition from other tablets in the market however, it is a cheaper alternative and provides value for money.
Toshiba Encore 2
Toshiba entered the slate market with the 8-inch Toshiba Encore, and has now launched the Encore 2 with a 10.1-inch display. To begin with, it has a vibrant display and great viewing angles but the screen is not at its best in direct sunlight. The sound system is average in comparison to other tablets and the design is good with a faux-aluminium body. It has been noticed that the tablet runs hot with heavy usage. The Toshiba Encore 2 runs on the Atom processor and is supported by 1 GB RAM. Overall the tablet works without lag when running multiple applications on it. This tablet is a great choice for those looking for a budgeted tablet.
Conclusion
The Surface Pro is an excellent hybrid, but considering the world of competition, we do have tablets that can easily replace the Surface Pro and that too at a much affordable price. We have already looked at the Surface Pro and cheap alternatives that the market has to offer. While the market for tablets and hybrids grow relentlessly, we may soon have more options to consider from. The Surface Pro is certainly one of the best-in-class hybrids but the others are not very far behind either.
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