I need some advice concerning tablet/laptop hybrids

thermatix

Honorable
Aug 15, 2013
2
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10,510
Right, I want a tablet and that's why I've held off from buying one, I have the money to buy things I need, not want.

Still, I want a tablet so I've decided to combine it with a need. I need a light laptop I can do work on, specifically Ruby programming.

So what I'm thinking is getting a laptop/tablet hybrid (like the surface pro) and trying to dual boot it with a more useful environment (ubuntu, hackintosh) but still have it as a tablet.

The other idea is get a nexus 9 (when it comes out) and use that.

But I don't know, which is why I'm asking you lot for some advice.

p.s. it's not just because there a tablet but also because there super light compared to normal tablets.
 
Solution
If you're on a budget, you could take a look at the ASUS Transformer Book line. They're essentially little netbook/laptop devices with a detachable keyboard that becomes a tablet once detached. Not the most powerful things, but perfectly adequate for general use. It does, unfortunately, run Windows 8.1, but that might be a good thing for your uses. You mentioned that you would dual boot it, and that's probably possible, however, I don't know how functional it would be as a tablet running another OS. Have never tried it, but it could work out just fine.

The Nexus 9 is supposed to be an absolute beast, though, and definitely something you should consider. It's easy enough to pick up a Bluetooth keyboard that would work with it. As for...
If you're on a budget, you could take a look at the ASUS Transformer Book line. They're essentially little netbook/laptop devices with a detachable keyboard that becomes a tablet once detached. Not the most powerful things, but perfectly adequate for general use. It does, unfortunately, run Windows 8.1, but that might be a good thing for your uses. You mentioned that you would dual boot it, and that's probably possible, however, I don't know how functional it would be as a tablet running another OS. Have never tried it, but it could work out just fine.

The Nexus 9 is supposed to be an absolute beast, though, and definitely something you should consider. It's easy enough to pick up a Bluetooth keyboard that would work with it. As for the Surface line, I've never been a fan but I hear that the newest one (3, I think?) is much improved upon the original.
 
Solution
I would recommend something along the lines of a Sony Vaio Flip because they can be pretty tricked out but Titillating's recommendations I hear are also great devices.
 
The main problem with hybrids are that they are made for portability rather than power. When you are programming, you need a lot of cpu power which mist of these hybrids will not have. The best I can think of is the yoga line from lenovo as they have all the different modes and should be enough for basic programming.
 
I'm thinking I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet, buy a macbook pro 13inch (it's as light and as big as an air with a case) and just get the nexus 9, not exactly what I want but... I think it's the best solution.