Sony 11.6" VAIO Tap 11 Touchscreen Laptop 4GB 128GB | SVT11213CXB

I really want a Surface Pro 3, but I can't justify spending so much money on one.At around $300 used/refurbished this product is great. I got one used for $250, it was beat up but the display only had some minor wear. The original asking price of $799 is crazy considering this has a very low end CPU.I want to stress that this a low end CPU and is best used as a tablet and not a laptop replacement. Its snappy with basic stuff like web and office or light sketching programs... and is pretty slow if you try to do anything too demanding.The display is very nice. The kickstand is really useful. I noticed if I flip the machine upside down it let's me get a nice low angle for drawing, though if you press too hard you'll accidentally close the kickstand.Drawing is great on this thing. But I already knew I liked N-Trig pens because I have a Sony VAIO Flip 14. This is like a way more portable version of my Flip 14 laptop and this portability makes it easier to draw on. It's cumbersome to draw on my 14" 4.2lb laptop. This 11.6" 1.75lb tablet is easier to work with.The performance is comparible to Baytrail tablets. It runs Sketchbook Pro very well. It runs Artrage ~fairly~ well. I assumed it can't handle Photoshop CC with high res files very well, so I've been using Photoshop CS4 and it works fairly well (make sure you get the CS4 update that improved pen lag). I've been working with about 3000 x 2000 canvases with a few layers and it works well. Photoshop lags when using the blending tool. I think artrage lags when using brushes that blend as well. I'd say all and all its quite useable for art, but I'm sure it doesn't compare to a surface pro 3.The 4gb of ram and 128gb of space is very nice for a tablet.The battery life is bad. I'm talking like 3-4 hours? I view it more as a portable art tablet. I can draw on it for a few hours but then I've got to charge it. Oh and it has a laptop sized charger. :/ but at least it seems to charge quickly.The keyboard is pretty nice. I like how it acts as a case. But it makes it from 1.75lbs to 2.25lbs (I think?) and I personally find that weight difference really noticeable. I'm considering selling the keyboard, but it's such a neat option for when you need it that I am torn.Also Case Star on amazon makes a really cute 11" felt bag that fits this perfectly (except for the charging cord unfortunately)

There's a problem apparently with Windows 8.1 and the drivers that Intel and/or Microsoft have put out. The problem is that computer has great difficulty connection via the wi-fi and if you can get connected you can't stay connected. I finally after several days was able to stay connected to download the latest updates but the problem persisted. I got a HP ultrabook and had the same experience...so it must be the software. When you go on the Microsoft forums there are seemingly thousands and thousands of similar complaints. Don't buy one until the problem is resolved. BUT, the machine is really a spectular design with gorgeous functionality...too bad it doesn't work.

To understand my review it may help to know what I am comparing to, and how I use the device. I am upgrading from a Fujitsu stylus (not touch) tablet PC with a 12.5 inch screen running XP. I use my computer in my lap to take longhand notes into a word document, or to search the net while sitting with someone (I'm a psychiatrist). I write reports and spreadsheets and such with the tablet on my desk.Pros: As a slate, with keyboard detached, this device is great for taking longhand notes. It weighs 1.75 pounds, the battery is good for about 6 hours, the screen has the aspect ratio of a piece of legal paper.On the desktop, it is fine for word, excel, access etc. I'm not gaming or anything, so I'm no judge there.It is beautiful. The styling is swank.Cons: The solid state disk is slower than my old computer by, say, 25%. This is noticeable.If I wanted to sit in my easy chair and write notes as I might with a traditional laptop, or convertible tablet, I can't. Even it it were attached, the keyboard is too light to balance the weight of the slate. A lapdesk would fix this.The throw on the keys of the keyboard (which is wireless but not Bluetooth) is short. I expect I will get used to it.Windows 8.1: I cannot emphasize enough to update the VAIO drivers before updgrading. This means several DAYS and MANY restarts and visits to VAIO update before upgrading windows. Then MANY back and forths between windows update and VAIO update, and MANY restarts, before things settle down. Having a task bar is nice, but it might be worth waiting until it ships with 8.1Is it for everyone? Clearly not. As another reviewer noted, if you want to type in your lap, it's just not going to happen. If you want longhand notes in a light, cool looking slate, then this is for you.

Product will freeze and require a hard reboot if battery is overcharged or fully uncharged. Sony is aware of this fault and happy to help customers take apart the computer to find the place to put a pin into to reset the laptop. Not a great computer for a teenager.