The 5 Best Windows 8 Tablets

Tablets have moved from the gimmicky fringe to the mainstream, with multiple new touch-friendly models released by every major manufacturer. Spurred on by the tablet-friendly Windows 8 and new hardware that fits PC power into slimmer and lighter devices, these handy PCs won't be going anywhere. But just because they're the hot new thing doesn't mean that every tablet PC is great, which is why we're here in the first place—to weed out the clunkers and help you know what's best, and why.
We've seen several variations on the Windows tablet, from Atom-powered tablets that last all day long to beefy laptop alternatives with Intel Core processors. We've seen standalone tablets, dock-friendly slates, and a collection of accessories that range from keyboards to gamepads to variations on the simple stylus. The unifying thread that runs through all of these top picks isn't hardware, or even accessories, but software. Setting these tablets apart from all of the iDevices and Androids is Windows 8—and not the hobbled look-alike Windows RT. This is full-blown Windows 8, with x86 support for all of your software.
The switch from laptop to tablet also brings some new features to these handheld PCs. Sensors previously seen in smartphones bring new ways to interact with your PC, with accelerometers, gyroscopes, and e-compasses providing positional awareness both for automatic screen rotation and new immersive applications. And let's not forget touch. With capacitive screens that track 5 or 10 finger-tips at a time, you can pinch, swipe, and tap your way through any task, even those that would have required a keyboard and mouse only a year ago.
It's a brave new tablet-filled world, but it's not without new concerns. The thin confines of a tablet make concerns about heat buildup all the more important—especially when that heat is literally in hand. Touch screens add a new opportunity for frustration when taps and touches won't register properly, and the opportunities offered by docks and accessories also open up the chance to misplace a valuable part of your PC while out and about—say what you will about tablets, but you'll never misplace your keyboard while using a laptop.
We've gone wading through the tablet swamp so you don't have to, testing and comparing dozens of tablet PCs to tell you what works and what doesn't. We've picked the best, but this is far from a complete list, so don't forget to check out all of our reviews to learn more.