Best windows 8 touch laptops

Best windows 8 touch laptops

The digital world is about to be shaken with the arrival of Windows 8 laptops and tablets. Windows 8 (and Windows RT for tablets and phones) are Microsoft's answer to tablets, smartphones and iPads. It looks like a winner, though customer reviews have yet to come in. That's how new this is.

It's an accident, but I've featured one laptop for each common laptop size: starting with 11 inch all the way up to 15 inch. Smallest first.

Shown here: ASUS 11.6-Inch Convertible Touch Ultrabook

The multitouch gestures will take some getting used to, however, you don't have to worry whether legacy programs will work: Windows 8 has been designed to be backwards compatible. However, you will have to switch to the Classic Mode (as opposed to Metro Mode) for them. That means of course you don't get all the touchscreen effects.

What to look out for when buying a touch screen laptop

• 1Touch screen
  This one makes sense, but I'll put it in anyhow - you do need to check whether that laptop does actually have a multitouch ready touchscreen. Windows 8 has ten finger sensitivity for the screen, so getting less in the hardware is not a good idea.
• 2Touchpad
  If you don't get a touchscreen, do get a multitouch ready touchpad. It's second best, but still.
• 3Weight
  To protect your back it's a good idea to not get a laptop that's too heavy.
• 4Battery Life
• 5Size
  Personally I'm partial to 13 inch laptops: large enough to type 10-fingered, small enough (if you take care to buy a light one) to carry around in a backpack without breaking your back.

ASUS VivoBook 11.6-Inch Touch Laptop

The touchscreen makes this netbook on the expensive side.

The only reason I call this a netbook, is because it is only 11 inch (going on 12). Otherwise, this is really a decent beast. 500.0 GB hard drive, i3 Intel processor (not the fastest on the block, but it will do), 4 GB Ram etc.

ASUS VivoBook X202E-DH31T 11.6-Inch Touch Laptop

Amazon Price: $499.99 (as of 11/29/2012)

2.9lbs

Lenovo Twist S230u 12.5-Inch Ultrabook

Windows 8 Ultrabook with touchscreen

This ultrabook sports a touchscreen as well as a multitouch touchpad - as you'd expect from a twist laptop ready for Windows 8.

Users give this baby rave reviews, happy with speed, touchscreen and weight.

Lenovo Twist S230u 12.5-Inch Ultrabook (Black)

Amazon Price: (as of 11/29/2012)

Battery life about 5.5 hours (officially 7)
500 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
3.5 pounds
Screen turns around so the laptop can be used as a tablet and contents on the screen can easily be shared with others.

Sony VAIO T Series 13.3-Inch Touch Ultrabook

This laptop is available with touchscreen or without, but I definitely recommend getting the touchscreen version. Windows 8 was designed for touch, so it makes no sense to do without the feature.

i5 intel processor, 500 GB hard drive and 6GB ram - there is a reason this laptop costs more than others on this page.

Sony VAIO T Series SVT13126CXS 13.3-Inch Touch Ultrabook (Silver)

Amazon Price: $899.72 (as of 11/29/2012)

Weight: 3.54 pounds
Up to 5.5 hours of use

ASUS VivoBook 14.1-Inch Touch Ultrabook

Again - touchscreen, 500GB hard drive, 4GB internal memory and Windows 8. Yes, this laptop too has a touchscreen. The only thing that's different from the previous laptop is the weight (heavier at 4.4 pounds). 4-5 hours battery life.

ASUS VivoBook S400CA-DH51T 14.1-Inch Touch Ultrabook

Amazon Price: $684.98 (as of 11/29/2012)

Acer Aspire 15.6-Inch Touch Screen Laptop

With 5 hours battery life, a touchscreen (essential for Windows 8), 500 GB hard drive (necessary if you save movies on your PC) and multi-touchpad this is a great buy.

Acer Aspire V5-571P-6642 15.6-Inch Touch Screen Laptop (Silky Silver)

Amazon Price: $729.99 (as of 11/29/2012)

5.3 pounds is a very lightweight 15 inch laptop