Laptops are still used by some and it looks like hybrid tablets are the new niche for some portable device manufacturers. Among them, ASUS, Acer, Apple and HP are all meeting the needs of some customers want to alternate between using a tablet and a notebook or laptop.
Reports from IDC analysts predicted that tablets are set to outsell laptops by 2014, citing how tablet shipments increased last year by 78 percent. These figures may change with the addition of new devices on the market that incorporate a tablet with a keyboard dock to make one device.
This hybrid design suits the needs of those who want the portability of a tablet, but then also the power of a portable laptop PC with keyboard capabilities. ASUS Transformer Book and ASUS VivoTab 10.1 were two Windows 8 hybrid offerings from the Taiwanese company.
Another highly anticipated hybrid Windows 8 device is the Acer Aspire R7 which takes a new approach to the tablet keyboard combination. The hinge lets users customize the position of the display to work as a tablet, traditional laptop, or even flat above the keyboard horizontally.
As Patently Apple reported, Apple is jumping on the notebook hybrid bandwagon this summer with its introduction of a convertible hybrid notebook tablet. US Patent and Trademark Office revealed that the patent filing provides details of a display that features retractable magnet mechanisms. When the device is detached from the keyboard dock, the magnets remain out of sight.
Hewlett-Packard released a portable version of its all-in-one Windows 8 desktop, the HP Envy x2 notebook tablet hybrid and is reported to offer another, the HP SlateBook 10 x2 for its summer product lineup. The Microsoft Surface Pro with its think sleek design is also another option for those looking for an all inclusive, tablet and notebook device, although it has a slightly different form factor with a kickstand instead of the detachable keyboard dock.
Computer manufacturers are suiting consumer needs with the introduction of hybrid note book tablets. There are many people who purchase Bluetooth keyboards for their tablets to convert it into a laptop for classic notebook typing.
