Mobile – Notebooks, Tablets, etc

Google Nexus 5 Smartphone

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We go through a lot of phones here at PC Perspective and the Nexus 5 is the new favorite amongst the Android users in-house.  The LG-built device combines some of the best hardware found in a reasonable sized smartphone along with the latest version of the Android OS (4.4, KitKat) before its available anywhere else.  The phone is light, slim, has a completely revamp camera application with HDR features and takes full advantage of a 1920×1080 445 pixel-per-inch screen.  This phone is sold fully unlocked and will work on any US network with the unfortunate exception of Verizon.

Apple iPad Air Tablet

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Even though we fancy ourselves PC users here, the iPad Air is among the best tablets you can buy.  The screen is amazing, the form factor is great, it's light and thin; there's a lot to like here.  The price is pretty steep to be sure, but if you are already in the Apple iOS ecosystem then the iPad Air is the best option for a tablet this holiday.  It's available with as little as 16GB of flash or as high as 128GB and can be purchased with Wi-Fi only connectivity or with LTE support.

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro Convertible Ultrabook

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For users that need a new notebook that can handle just about anything you can throw at it, the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro is a great option.  An upgrade from the original Yoga 13, this new version has an Intel Haswell processor and 256GB Samsung solid state drive.  The 13.3-in screen has a resolution of 3200×1800 – and it is VERY IMPRESSIVE in person!  With a 3.1 pound, 0.6-in form factor the Yoga is powerful and portable. 

ASUS Transformer Book T100 Detachable Notebook

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On the complete other side of the spectrum is the ASUS Transformer T100 notebook.  For just $369, this tablet and laptop combination will satisfy 95% of the utility that a user needs.  Powered by the latest Intel Atom processor, codenamed Bay Trail, the Transformer is part tablet, part notebook and a 100% great value.  The CPU is a quad-core design and it ships with a 64GB SSD and 2GB of DDR3 memory.  Long battery life and USB 3.0 support add to the equation.  Best of all, this is a full x86 environment that will run any Windows application and isn't limited by Windows RT.

MSI GT60-2OD-026US 15-inch Gaming Notebook

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If you’re looking for mobile gaming, there are a number of great options, but in terms of 15-inch models, it’s hard to beat the MSI GT60 for the price.  It isn’t perfect, but for $1,850, it’s smoking hot, sporting an Intel Core i7-4700MQ CPU, 16 GB DDR3 RAM, an SSD and storage drive, and a great 1080p matte screen.  Oh yeah, and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M packing 4 GB of GDDR5 memory—which can handle practically anything you toss its way.  Yes indeed; as we said in our review earlier this year, it’s a monster, and one more excuse to avoid the in-laws this year and get in some good old gaming instead.

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