2014 Windows 2-in-1 Comparison Guide

The Windows 2-in-1 form factor has seen some of the most imaginative hardware we've seen in recent years.

While desktop operating systems have traditionally been tied to mouse and keyboard, Windows 8 (and subsequently Windows 8.1) has also embraced touch. In addition to a wealth of touchscreen-toting laptops, there are now a range of hybrid machines that blur the line between tablet and notebook, with the goal of providing the best of both experiences. Join Gizmag, as we compare the top Windows hybrids, aka convertibles or 2-in-1s.

While it's getting harder to distinguish the latest smartphones and tablets, the Windows 2-in-1 space is routinely imaginative, and filled with unusual solutions such as Dell’s “easel” display on the XPS 12. Admittedly, most systems here opt for either a detachable (like the Microsoft Surface) or folding (like the Lenovo Yoga) form factor, but other key differences make picking a hybrid tablet/notebook one of the most difficult decisions in consumer tech.

Luckily, Gizmag is here to help. It would be damn near impossible for us to cover every system out there, but we've picked nine machines that represent a range of form factors, specs and price points:

These nine 2-in-1s all run the full Windows 8.1 operating system – including desktop apps (in other words, no Windows RT devices here). The table above shows not only the models we’ll be looking at, but also where you can find them in this comparisons visuals. If you forget which model is which, you can just scroll back up here to get a refresher.

Without further ado, let’s dive into Gizmag's Windows 2-in-1 Comparison Guide.

Size

There’s a fair bit of variation when it comes to system dimensions. The Asus Transformer Book boasts the smallest footprint of the bunch, but when docked with its keyboard, it’s also the thickest device here. Despite having a larger display and beefier internals, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 hybrid is 46 percent thinner than the Asus machine.

You'll want to note that, in the case of devices with detachable keyboards, we included the dock/keyboard component in our thickness measurements.

Weight

The Surface Pro 3 is the lightest device on offer, just edging out its smaller Surface Pro 2 sibling. The HP Split x2 is the heaviest system, coming in at close double the weight of Microsoft’s latest offering.

Once again, all weights include detachable keyboards/docks, where applicable.

Type

Your preference of hybrid type is likely to have a big impact on your choice of system. Broadly speaking, there are two categories on offer here. First up are detachables, that are essentially fully functional tablets that clip in to some form of dock or keyboard. The Asus Transformer Book and HP Split x2 feature a similar keyboard and trackpad setup like you’d find on a conventional notebook, while the Surface Pro 2 and 3 pack their keyboards and trackpads onto a much thinner and lighter cover.

For the Surface Pro 2, we've opted for the physical key-toting Type Cover 2 for the purposes of this comparison, as it offers a more conventional keyboard experience (the Touch Cover has touch-based, non-moving keys). Due to the thin nature of the Surfaces’ keyboard, key travel is slightly more shallow than on many full laptop keyboards. We’d recommend taking a Type Cover for a test drive before purchase.

If you’re not a fan of detachables, then a folding hybrid might be for you. These systems feature displays that (surprise, surprise) fold through 360 degrees to reach a flat tablet form factor. The Lenovo Yoga is the flag-bearer for this type of device, hence there being three different versions of the machine in our guide. The squarer profile of the Yoga 2 11-inch, 13-inch and Pro systems also makes them feel a little more natural in tablet mode than the HP Pavilion x360 (though it's worth noting that their screens have the same ratio/shape as the other devices in this bunch).

The biggest downside of the folding form factor is that you have to put up with a keyboard on the rear of the device while in tablet mode. This is where the Dell XPS 12 steps up to the plate, offering a unique “easel” mechanism that flips the display from a central hinge, allowing the keyboard to remain hidden beneath the display.

Build

Most of these 2-in-1s feature a plastic construction, though the rubberized feel of the Lenovo systems make them feel more premium than the HP or Asus hybrids. The construction of the XPS 12 is also solid and premium feeling, while the Surface Pro 2 and 3 win out with their high-end magnesium builds.

Colors

The Asus Transformer Book is perhaps the most colorful device here, while all three variations of the Lenovo Yoga 2 are available in the device’s trademark Clementine Orange finish.

Display (size)

The percentages above show each device's relative screen area, compared to the largest in the group (the three 13.3-inchers).

As you'll see, there is some significant variation when it comes to display size. The 13.3-inch Lenovo Yoga 2 13 and Pro, as well as the HP Split x2, offer a full 73 percent more screen space than the 10.1-inch Asus Transformer Book T100. The display on the Surface Pro 3 features a 3:2 aspect ratio, giving it the same display area as the Dell XPS 12.

Display (resolution)

Screen resolution is every bit as varied as size, with the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro proving to be the best of the bunch when it comes to sheer pixel count. The device’s 3,200 x 1,800 display actually gives it 104 percent more pixels per inch than the HP Pavilion x360, Lenovo Yoga 2 11-inch or the lower specced version of the HP Split x2.

If you’re looking for a pixel-dense display then the Surface Pro 3 is your next best option, offering just 22 percent fewer pixels than the Yoga 2 Pro.

Processor

This is perhaps the most complex category in our comparison, but fear not, it’s not all as complicated as it seems. The reality here is that the majority of the systems we have under the microscope are actually available in several CPU flavors, making a direct comparison difficult.

However, it is easy to pick out both the weakest and most powerful choices. The Yoga 2 13-inch, Yoga 2 Pro, XPS 12 and Surface Pro 3 can all be configured with high-end Intel Core i7 chips, making them the best choices when it comes to raw performance. Don’t be fooled by the dual core nature of these CPUs – they’re going to be more than capable for the majority of general computing tasks.

The Intel Atom and Pentium chips found in the Asus Tranformer Book and HP Pavilion x360 are the weakest choices here, and are best avoided if your wallet can handle an upgrade to a Core i5 or even i3-packing system.

RAM

With the exception of the 2 GB Asus Tranformer Book, most of the hybrids pack either 4 or 8 GB of memory. In the case of the Surface Pro 2 and 3, RAM configuration is tied to your choice of storage and/or processor, with the more expansive 8 GB offering only available when you select high-end components elsewhere.

Storage

As with CPU selection, there’s a fair bit of variation when it comes to storage capacity. The numbers here show the minimum and maximum options for each device. As always, you'll have to pony up more to upgrade your storage on any given PC.

For the lower capacity options (most notably 32 and 64 GB configurations), it's worth noting that Windows 8.1 takes up a fair bit of hard drive space, meaning your actual usable space will be lower than that listed.

Storage type

While quite a few of the devices here can be configured with fairly spacious hard drives, not all forms of storage are created equally. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are the fastest type of storage here, while hybrid drives (a combination of an SSD and a more conventional spinning hard drive) offer a compelling balance of cost, speed and capacity.

The 512 GB SSDs available in the Yoga 2 Pro and Surface Pro 3 are the best choices when it comes to performance, but they’ll also significantly boost the asking price.

USB Ports

All systems offer at least a single USB port.

USB 3.0

Most of the 2-in-1s offer a single USB 3.0 port, while the Dell XPS 12 goes one better with two of the high-speed ports.

Video out

Each machine offers some kind of video out option (HDMI, Micro HDMI or Mini DisplayPort) so you can mirror your PC's screen on a TV or full-sized monitor.

Ethernet

Only the HP Pavilion x360 offers an Ethernet port. You'll need a USB to ethernet adapter to connect ethernet cables with the other machines.

Card reader

With the exception of the Dell XPS 12, every system here is fitted with some form of media card reader. The Asus Transformer Book T100, Surface Pros 2/3 and HP Split x2 offer microSD slots, while the HP Pavilion x360 and Yoga series opt for larger SD card readers.

Battery

While capacity varies significantly here, the larger numbers don’t necessarily translate to better battery life. Factors such as component selection and display resolution have a significant impact on how long a machine will last on a single charge.

Given that most of the machines here offer some degree of component customization, it’s difficult to pin down specific battery life stats, despite what manufacturers might say. Manufacturers also tend to have different methods for testing the longevity of their systems, further compounding the issue.

The Surface Pro 2 is unique among this group, as you can buy a keyboard cover that actually extends its battery life. You can hit up our review of the Power Cover for more (and note that it isn't compatible with the Surface Pro 3).

Software

All the systems on offer here run either Windows 8.1 or 8.1 Pro. The operating system's dual nature, featuring both desktop and tile-based UI, makes it well suited to the hybrid form factor.

Digitizer-based stylus

While you can use a standard capacitive (simulating finger touch) stylus with any of these systems, only the Surface Pro 2 and 3 support digitizer-based styluses. They include them in the box.

Digitizer-based styluses are pressure sensitive, making the experience of using one closer to that of using real pen or pencil. You'll also see a cursor that moves just by hovering the stylus over the screen, something capacitive styluses can't replicate.

Release

The Surface Pro 3 is the newest system here, and isn’t even available yet in Europe.

Starting price

When it comes to asking price, there’s a huge amount of variation in these systems. The numbers here are starting prices, so its possible to pay a fair bit more for the top end configurations of some of the hybrids.

The Asus Transformer Book is the cheapest device, though its low-end price is echoed by its average specs. The Pavilion x360 is the second cheapest device on offer, but once again suffers from some uninspiring internals. The Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro, Dell XPS 12 and the two Surface Pro devices are the most premium systems on offer, and have price ranges to match.

The Yoga 2 Pro and Surface Pro 3 offer the sharpest displays, and can be fitted with high-end processors and storage choices. On the spec sheet, and in my opinion, they’re the best systems on offer here, but they also come at a significant price premium.

Each device here will likely have its audience, and most are easy to recommend at least in some respect. If you’re thinking about picking up a Windows 2-in-1, then the best thing you can do is decide which devices have the right combination of features, specs and price points that you’re looking for, and then head down to your local electronics store. It's always good to get your own hands on these to see how they feel to use, because ultimately, personal preference is key.

VW's Scirocco gets new engines and a sharp new look

The new VW Scirocco is available with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines

As good looking as the Volkswagen Scirocco is, the current model is six years old. VW has given the Golf-based coupe a major refresh, with a new range of more powerful and economical engines and a sharper look.

To keep the Scirocco’s styling fresh, VW has made some small changes. The front and rear of the car have been styled to more closely fit Volkswagen’s updated design language, and LED taillights are standard across the range. All of the new cars are also fitted LED daytime running lights up front.

Ultimately, the design changes are small. Walter de Silva’s original design, despite being six years old, still looks fresh today, so it's no surprise that Volkswagen has taken an evolutionary approach with the styling.

VW has gone big with its changes under the hood, though. For fans of petrol engines, the new Scirocco will be available with four TSI motors. The base model is a turbocharged 1.4-liter, making 92 kW (127 hp), and is fitted with fuel-saving tech like auto start/stop, which switches the car’s engine off when idling in traffic. Fuel economy was a real focus for VW, who claims a combined economy figure of 5.4 l/100km (44 mpg) and CO2 emissions of just 125 g/km (combined).

The other three petrol engines are all turbocharged 2.0-liter motors. The least powerful of the three puts out 132 kW (177 hp), which is a jump of 14 kW over the engine it replaces. This power boost helps cut 0.6 seconds from the old model’s 8 second sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph). Despite the extra power, the 132 kW Scirocco still returns a combined economy figure of 6 - 6.4 l/100km (37 mpg), and in ideal conditions will emit only 139 - 148 g/km of CO2.

As before, the Scirocco range is topped by the "R" version. In line with the rest of the range, VW’s hot coupe has received a boost. Power is up by 11 kW (15 hp), with a peak output of 206 kW (276 hp), with the sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) taking 5.5 seconds. As the range flagship, the R also gains bigger wheels than the rest of the refreshed Sciroccos. Combined economy is claimed at 7.9 - 8 l/100 km (29 mpg), with CO2 emissions of 185 - 187 g/km.

Beside the Scirocco R, the third petrol engine is the most powerful in the Scirocco range, making 162 kW (217 hp). Volkswagen claims the same economy figures for the 162 kW Scirocco as it does for the less powerful,132 kW version.

Both diesel versions get turbocharged 2.0-liter engines. The less powerful of the two is the most economical engine in the updated Scirocco line up, with its 110 kW (148 hp) output contributing to a combined fuel economy figure of 4.2 - 4.5 l/100km (52 mpg). Top speed jumps from 207 to 215 km/h (134 mph), and CO2 emissions range between 109 and 119 g/km depending on conditions.

If you like diesels but don’t like going slowly, VW has a 135 kW (181 hp) version of its 2.0-liter engine. For all the extra power, there is very little penalty in economy, with a combined figure of 4.4 - 4.8 l/100km (49 mpg). Emissions range from 115 to 125 g/km, once again depending on the driver’s style.

Inside, the Scirocco’s interior has once again been refreshed. VW has added some gauges atop the dash, and there is a raft of tech available on the new car that wasn’t on the old mode. Blind spot warning and hands-free parking can be specced on the new Scirocco.

The new models go on sale from mid-August in Europe, with a standard 6-speed manual on all engines. A DSG gearbox will be available as an option.

Pricing has not been announced.

Olaf Diegel reveals first prototype of 3D-printed alto saxophone

Olaf Diegel's prototype 3D-printed alto sax

While attending Euromold 2013 in Frankfurt, Germany, last December with a band playing 3D-printed instruments, Olaf Diegel was set a challenge by the head of 3D Systems, Avi Reichental. The Professor of product development at Lund University, Sweden was given the task of creating a 3D-printed working saxophone. The first ODD prototype was revealed last week in a short demonstration video, which you can see after the jump.

For the latest addition to the 3D-printed band, Diegel used a traditional alto sax as a design template to match the various key spacings and mechanisms. He worked in SolidWorks CAD software to produce the STL files needed for printing the nylon blower on a selective laser sintering (SLS) printer. The process took around 6 months due to a move from New Zealand to Sweden and other projects that demanded his attention, and the working prototype is made up of 41 components, not including springs and screws.

"This first one was printed from my own analysis of a sax, but based on measurements, and the mechanisms/linkages from a traditional sax," he told Gizmag. "It really surprised me as to how mechanically complex a sax was and it did make me wonder as to whether the mechanisms could be simplified."

Diegel has manually installed all of the metal springs for all of the keys for the current prototype, but says that the next iteration will include springs as a direct part of the keys, as well as integrating the pads in the keys (if he can get access to a multi-material printer).

"On a conventional sax most of the springs are just bits of spring wire that are hammered into the metal upstands of the sax, and then bent into shape to provide the right amount of tension to each key," Diegel revealed. "But, when I try the same thing on a plastic upstand, there is not quite enough grip, so the springs rotate themselves into a position that doesn’t give the right spring tension for the key. That’s why I want to integrate the spring directly into the key. So in this case I am doing it because I think it will work better than a hybrid traditional sax design. But the down-side is that it will take me several iterations of key design to figure out a ‘formula’ that allows me to get the right amount of tension (it’s quite complex as some keys need more tension than others depending on whether they trigger more than one pad at a time)."

Initial assembly of this prototype is said to have taken a couple of days, but only a single note could be produced after that so he then spent a few more weeks working out which keys were affecting each other or not closing properly. The finished 3D-printed sax tips the scales at 575 g (20 oz), which is said to be less than a quarter of the weight of the traditional instrument it was modeled after.

As you can see from the short demo video below, the white nylon sax is playable and, in spite of a couple of misfires, sounds pretty good.

The next step is to attack the overall design of the instrument to best show off the kind of envelopes that can be pushed with 3D printing technology, in much the same way as he did for the beautifully intricate ODD Guitars (Diegel has also released a video detailing the making of an Americana model 3D-printed guitar, which we're sure you'll find as interesting as we do).

"The aesthetic redesign shouldn’t take too long, but I am guessing the redesign of the keys will take me a few months of iterations to figure out the magic formula that makes it all work," he said. "So my guess for the final version is early next year. Not sure yet whether the sax will be available for purchase. Once I’ve got the final design done, it will be a matter of seeing whether it’s commercially viable. I am very much hoping it will be, and that’s one of the reasons why I am working on changing the design to keep the assembly and tweaking down to a minimum."

Could the eco-friendly Binishell dome be set for a revival?

Nicolo Bini's company has devised three new models of the Binishell

It may not come as a surprise that a papier-mâché-like building technique using an inflatable membrane and concrete dome is yet to really take hold. It was in the 1960s that architect Dr Dante Bini pioneered the Binishell as a cheaper and more eco-friendly way of construction. While this led to the building of more than a thousand domes, the practice was largely abandoned, due in part to concerns surrounding their stability. Dante's son Nicolo, also an architect, is now looking to revive the Binishell method, with a view to providing low-cost housing solutions around the world.

In the 1960s, as they are now, Binishells were championed for their relatively quick construction time and low environmental impact. A foundation slab is laid and a large bladder anchored to it, stretching right to the perimeter. Concrete is then poured on top and the bladder inflated, creating a dome structure as it sets.

The same pneumatic wedge method was employed by a team at the Vienna University of Technology to construct a concrete shell structure last month.

The construction method was efficient, but structural issues were reported and in some cases, led to their demise.

"Of the 1,600 Binishell buildings that were built between 1964 and 1980, two have had to be demolished for structural reasons," Nicolo Bini tells Gizmag.

One of the dismantled domes was used as a venue for exams, conferences and graduation ceremonies at Monash University in Victoria, Australia. The 11 m (36 ft) high dome was designed by Nicolo's father and constructed in 1979 using 300 tons of concrete, steel and membrane. A risk assessment conducted in 2009 revealed structural issues with the building and it was promptly demolished in around fifteen minutes.

"Reactive clay in the soil caused the footing of the Binishell to twist, subsequently causing the shell to crack," said Facilities and Services campus manager, Brian Start, following the demolition. "In more recent times the external thermal membrane had started to fail."

So while the principle largely remains the same, what makes Nicolo Bini so confident his approach can negate the issues that plagued the Binishell's early iterations?

"We have totally re-engineered every aspect of the technology to not only make them safer, and easier to build, but also greener and more affordable," he says. "Everything from the anchoring system in the foundations, to the reinforcement bar, to the concrete mix, the design and materials used for the bladder."

Nicolo Bini says that these enhancements make the new domes compliant with international building codes, as well as more resistant to to the forces of nature.

"Our domes have a lower center of gravity, are monolithic and continuous point of connection to the foundations," he reports. "All this makes them far stronger in resisting loading from earthquakes and high winds. Their natural aerodynamics, derived from the construction process itself, also minimizes wind loads. The fact they are made from concrete makes them more able to resist fires and flooding."

Nicolo Bini's company has devised three new models of the Binishell: one designed for middle income housing and educational facilities, another for low-cost and disaster relief housing and also a more flexible option, designed for customized private homes and resorts. It is claimed that the Binishells use half the resources of comparable traditional buildings, cost half as much, use half the energy and can be constructed three times faster.

The company is set to to put the new Binishell design to the test and will begin construction of a full-scale home in Malibu later this year.

Top or proprietary applications for Windows Phone

Foundbite

Foundbite is a new social network, allowing users to capture and share pictures accompanying sound.With visual and auditory, users can re-create the atmosphere of a particular place. Similar to other social networking services, you can create an account and share your moments. You can also make friends with other users to track their shared content. Foundbite support good interaction with sharing features through internal social networking on Windows Phone or via email and SMS.

Office Lens

Office Lens is an application that helps owners of Windows Phone devices can easily scan and save documents into OneNote. This is an application or help you not miss important information in a presentation, loss of documents or other information on paper (such as receipts or business cards, etc. ..). Applying technology OCR, Office Lens quickly recognize text in documents, business cards, or even writing on the table, then convert them into electronic files have the ability to search.

WPCentral

WPCentral app is currently free of charge and free of charge within 36 hours. WPcentral is a newscelebrities, dedicated to providing news and offers almost the latest Windows Phone, Windows, computer equipments.

Nokia Camera

These are applications that support video playback, animated GIFs, photos and continuous autofocus after shots before without having to switch to another application today. Nokia Camera also allows applications to switch to Creative Studio for photo editing, with video, you have more tools to cut the appropriate length.

TipRanks

With the application, users can monitor financial analysts and their investment portfolio. Besides the reference track and opinions on the financial status of experts on buying or selling a stock.

SongArc

A product of NokiaAppCampus contest, developed by Microsoft and Aalto University. This is music game, you will touch the song, listen to the melody and then guess the song name to record very high scores.

This is a completely new application exclusively for Facebook. This application will allow you to search all the events taking place at a location near where you live.

Users can play Halo on PC or your Xbox device but with mobile platforms, only Windows Phone favor.This is an extremely attractive game with beautiful 3D graphics, combined with vivid sound.

Track Runner

This is a health monitoring application is very useful for users of Windows Phone.

SophieLens HD

Sophielens HD picture is stunning applications for Windows Phone, with the ability to save high-resolution photo, front camera support, photo display information from Wikipedia / HERE and impressed a lot of filters.

Nokia Collection

With Nokia Collection users can easily search all of Nokia applications. In that very attractive applications such as: Storyteller, Beamer, Creative Studio, refocus ...