Comparison: Six 8-inch tablets running Windows 8.1

If with Windows 8 manufacturers became imaginative with all kinds of shapes and mechanisms for their new devices, with Windows 8.1 the fashion has been to reduce the size to 8 inches Since the release of the update last June, Microsoft has targeted this new segment and partners have progressively responded.

There are currently a good number of options to choose a tablet under 10 inches with the Redmond operating system. In this case, Microsoft's requirements in terms of specifications are noticeable, with the presence of very similar characteristics.Even so, there is room to choose thanks to some differentiating proposals from manufacturers. Let's see where they're hiding in our rundown of the Top 6 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablets

Acer Iconia W4

The Acer Iconia W4 takes over from what was the first tablet with Windows 8.1 under 8 inches: the Iconia W3 . That one had more of a first attempt than anything else and it failed in numerous sections, highlighting a screen that was not at the level of what one expects to find in a current tablet. Acer has taken good note and tried to improve it.

The Acer Iconia W4 now has a screen of the same dimensions (8.1 inches) but with a considerably better IPS panel. The resolution remains at 1280x800 pixels, which seems to have become the de facto standard on these devices.Intel Atom Z3740 processor on the Bay Trail platform, 2 GB of RAM and options of 16 or 32 GB of storage complete a team that you can find from 329 euros

ASUS VivoTab Note 8

ASUS was not very discreet about the existence of this tablet. For months rumors pointed to the presence of support for Wacom stylus and these ended up being confirmed at the last CES in Las Vegas. The VivoTab Note 8 thus added to standard specifications the differentiating component of its digital pen included in the package.

Otherwise the Asus VivoTab Note 8 looks a lot like its competitors: 8-inch IPS screen, 1280x800 resolution, Intel Atom Z3740 processor, 2 GB of RAM and options of 32 or 64 GB of storage. Of course, it has the added advantage of a starting price that, when it arrives, should be around 300 euros

Dell Venue Pro 8

Dell last October presented its commitment to tablets with Windows 8.1 under 10 inches, and it did so gaining a lot of attention due to its adjusted price. Since then the Venue Pro 8 has seen its processor updated to try to catch up with its rivals, although without opting for exactly the same one.

Thus, the Dell Venue Pro 8 now comes with an Intel Atom Z3740D processor, slightly less than the Z3740. The rest of the specifications repeat once again with an 8-inch IPS screen, 1280x800 resolution, 2 GB of RAM and 32 or 64 GB of storage. 4G/LTE connectivity continues to appear among its specifications but does not seem to be available yet. Its base price of 289 euros makes it, by little, the cheapest of the comparison.

Lenovo Miix 2

Lenovo also decided to enter the sub-10-inch Windows 8.1 tablet industry in October last year. He did it with the 8-inch Miix 2 Without differing too much from its rivals, it does become the thinnest and lightest, with 8.35 millimeters thick and 350 grams of weight.

For the rest, the Lenovo Miix 2 8 is similar to the other tablets in the comparison: similar 8-inch IPS panel with 1280x800 resolution, same Intel Atom Z3740 processor accompanied by 2GB of RAM and 32 or 64 GB of storage, and similar 5 and 2 megapixel cameras. With a price of 300 euros it also remains among the cheapest in the group.

Lenovo Thinkpad 8

A Lenovo was not satisfied with having an 8-inch tablet with Windows 8.1 aimed at the consumer market and decided to take the idea to the professional market. This is how the Thinkpad 8 emerged, the best-equipped tablet in terms of comparative specifications but also the most expensive.

The Lenovo Thinkpad 8 stands out for the 1920x1200 pixel resolution of its 8.3-inch IPS screen. That's enough to put it above its rivals, but it doesn't stop there and also includes the best of the latest Intel Atom processors, the Z3770, accompanied by the de rigueur 2GB and storage options that go up to 128GB. Lenovo also introduces the option of adding 4G/LTE connectivity to your device, the cost of which must be added to the starting price of around 400 euros

Toshiba Encore

Toshiba responded quickly to the fashion for this type of tablet and presented its 8-inch tablet Toshiba Encore at IFA last September with Windows 8.1. The small tablet from the Japanese company marked the way for those who would come later with specifications that we have already seen that have been repeated over and over again.

Toshiba Encore features an 8-inch IPS display with 1280x800 resolution. Inside we find an Intel Atom Z3740 processor, 2GB of RAM and options of 32 or 64 GB of storage. Its 450 grams of weight put it at the level of the Acer Iconia W4, although its price is in line with those that are below 300 euros

Comparison: the best are yet to come

Speaking of raw specs Lenovo takes the lead thanks to the best features of its Lenovo Thinkpad 8It is the only one that strays from the norm and that has a price: it is 100 euros more expensive than its rivals. Its main problem is that it is not yet available.

The absence of stylus support is also a major flaw for a tablet that aims to target the professional market. Presented with this option is the Asus VivoTab Note 8 which includes stand and stylus as standard without compromising price. The problem is that it is not available either.

The similarity of the rest of the characteristics makes it difficult to opt for the rest of the tablets. Here aesthetic issues and personal preferences in terms of design and taste for the user's brand come into play How the tablet feels once you have it in your hands is , as almost always, the best way to choose the right device for each one.

	Dell Venue Pro 8	AcerIconia W4	Asus VivoTabNote 8	LenovoMiix 2 8	Toshiba Encore	Lenovo Thinkpad 8
Screen	8">	8, 1">	8" IPS	8" IPS	8" IPS	8, 3" IPS
Resolution	1280x800					1920x1200
Density	189 ppi	186 ppi	189 ppi	189 ppi	189 ppi	273 ppi
Processor	Intel Atom Z3740D	Intel Atom Z3740				Intel Atom Z3770
RAM	2 GB
Storage	32/64 GB					32/64/128GB
micro SD	Yes
Drums	4830mAh8 hours	4960mAh8-10 hours	3950mAh8 hours	4730mAh8 hours	--- mAh8 hours	--- mAh8 hours
Size	216mm 130mm9mm	218, 9mm 134, 9mm10, 75mm	220, 9mm 133, 8mm10, 95mm	215, 6mm 131, 6mm8, 35mm	213mm 136mm10, 7mm	--- mm --- mm8, 8 mm
Weight	395 gr.	450 gr.	380 gr.	350 gr.	450 gr.	430 gr.
Cameras	5 and 1, 2	5 and 2 MP			8 and 2 MP
Ports	Micro USB 2.0	Micro-USB 2.0, Micro-HDMI	Micro USB 2.0	Micro USB 2.0	Micro-USB 2.0, Micro-HDMI	Micro-USB 3.0, Micro-HDMI
3G/4G connectivity	Announced	No				Yes (optional)
OS	Windows 8.1
Now available	Yes	Yes	Coming soon	Yes	Yes	Coming soon
Price from)	289 euros	329 euros	$299	299 euros	299 euros	$399