Top 10 Best 8-inch Windows Tablets – Small wonders

Samuel J Tan Education, Learning, Tablets 0

With Windows 10 and Windows Mobile and its’ Continuum feature, the Windows tablets are now more accessible and not as clunky as with Windows 8. There is no denying that the old Desktop mode is still an important part of the Windows experience.

With the right amount of memory, storage and processor speed, combined with a portable Bluetooth keyboard and pointing device, these tablets can double up as portable computers on a platform that lets you run all your desktop applications.

While it may not cope well with heavy weight desktop applications such as Photoshop, it will certain do for most cloud based apps including Office 365 Mobile and Photoshop Express. Simply look for equivalent replacement applications in the Windows Store for your needs.

And now that Windows Store Apps run in its own window on desktop mode, you can make the most of the app in either tablet or desktop mode. No need to switch to tablet mode just to use certain apps.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Best Small Windows Tablets – small in size, big in features

These tablets are also based on the new generation Intel Atom chip, the Bay Trail Atom. With it’s quad-core and Turbo Boost technology, it provides laptop and desktop like performance. Clocking at 1.33GHz with burst frequency up to 1.86GHz, the chip has 2MB cache onboard and support for 64-bit instructions. Based on the 22nm, its lower power consumption at 2W meant better battery life. The Atom range is also used on server class machines as it also supports Intel Virtualisation Technology (VT-X) and Intel 64 (Intel’s 64-bit architecture). Something for the techies to chew on.

Surprisingly, the best 8-inch Windows tablets are also among the most affordable.

HP Stream 8 Tablet with 4G – 4G ENABLED
Lenovo Yoga 2 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet – BEST BATTERY LIFE, 2X MEMORY, FULL HD
Lenovo Miix 3 8 Windows 7.85-inch Tablet – 2X MEMORY
Toshiba Encore 2 WT8-B-102 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet
ASUS VivoTab 8 M81C 8-Inch Windows Tablet – 2X MEMORY

Linx 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet [Linx 810]
VOYO A1 Mini 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet – 2X MEMORY
Lenovo Miix 2 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet – HIGH RES. CAMERAS, 2X MEMORY
Acer Iconia Tab 8 W W1-810 8-inch Tablet
Dell Venue 8 Pro 3000 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet

HP Stream 8 Tablet with 4G enabled

The only 4G enabled Windows tablet on our list with lifetime 4G data plan included in the states with up to 200MB of data free ex-contract.

Intel Atom Z3735G Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz (Turbo Boost to 1.58GHz)
1GB RAM, 32GB Storage, MicroSD Card Slot supports up to 64GB
8-inch 1280 x 800 IPS TFT display
5MP Rear Full HD 1080p camera and 2MP Front Full HD 1080p camera
Battery Life: 8 Hours 20 Mins 4000mAh Lithium-ion battery
WLAN, Bluetooth, micro USB, 1 micro SIM card slot, Accelerometer, GPS, SAR
Windows 8.1 and 1Yr Office 365 Personal subscription

Lenovo Yoga 2 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet

Lenovo is bringing its multi-mode Yoga tablet format to Windows. With more ways to enjoy your Windows tablet, one additional mode to be precise. You can now Hold, Tilt, Stand and HANG. Yes, HANG your tablet. We seen the Lenovo Yoga Android tablet lasting up to 18 hours use between charge and the Lenovo Yoga 2 Windows tablet is just as good at 15 hours making it the best battery life on all 8-inch Windows tablets. The front facing, large chamber stereo speakers uses Wolfson Master HiFi audio processing and Dolby surround sound. And that is not all, we left the best part for last. The Lenovo Yoga 2 8-inch comes with a Full HD screen, packing 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, another highest in the line-up. This has to be the best Windows 8-inch tablet to date.

Intel Atom Z3745 Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz (Turbo Boost to 1.86GHz)
2GB RAM, 32GB Storage, MicroSD Card Slot supports up to 32GB – DOUBLE MEMORY
8-inch 1920 x 1200 Full HD IPS TFT display – BEST SCREEN RESOLUTION
8MP Rear camera with f2.2 wide-aperture lense, advanced glare-reducing glass and BSI 2 sensor and 1.6MP Front Cameras – BEST REAR FACING CAMERAS
Battery Life: 15 Hours Lithium-ion battery – BEST BATTERY LIFE
WLAN Dual Band MiMo, Bluetooth, micro HDMI, micro USB
Windows 8.1 and 1Yr MS Office 365 subscription

Lenovo Miix 3 8 Windows 7.85-inch Tablet

Now in its third generation, the Miix 3 spots a 7.85-inch screen, slightly smaller than 8-inch and therefore runs at a slightly lower resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. Similar to the first generation iPad mini’s screen resolution, this makes browse the web easier. Unlike other screens in our line-up with a pixel resolution of 1280 x 800, which are between for watching movies and TV shows. In the looks department, the Miix 3 with its lightweight aluminium body and ebody black finish gives it a premium feel. At 375 grams, it is one of the lightest 8-inch tablet in the market. However, the battery life of up to 5 hours is a tad disappointing.

Intel Atom Z3735F Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz (Turbo Boost to 1.83GHz)
2GB RAM, 32GB Storage, MicroSD Card Slot (up to 32GB) – DOUBLE MEMORY
7.85-inch 1024 x 768 XGA display with IPS technology
2MP Front and 2MP Rear Cameras
Battery Life: up to 5 Hours Lithium-ion battery
WLAN, Bluetooth, mini HDMI, micro USB with OTG
Dimensions: H200.3 x W136.9 x D9.2 mm, 375 grams
Windows 8.1 and 1Yr MS Office 365 subscription (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, OneNote, Outlook and Publisher on the go)

Toshiba Encore 2 WT8-B-102 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet

Great screen, sounds good too with Dolby Digital Plus surround stereo speakers, 5MP rear facing camera that is capable of capturing Full HD videos at 24 frames per second. The micro SD support up to 128GB or extra storage.

Intel Atom Z3735G Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz (Turbo Boost to 1.58GHz)
1GB RAM, 32GB Storage, MicroSD Card Slot supports up to 128GB
8-inch 1280 x 800 IPS TFT display
5MP Rear with Full HD 1080 video capture (24fps) and auto-focus and 1.2MP Front Cameras – BETTER REAR FACING CAMERA
Battery Life: 8.5 Hours Lithium-ion battery
WLAN, Bluetooth, micro HDMI, micro USB
Dimensions W x D x H and Weight: 210.62 x 132 x 9.48 mm, 385 grams
Windows 8.1 and 1Yr Office 365 Personal subscription (includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook)

ASUS VivoTab 8 M81C 8-Inch Windows Tablet

Here is a welcome replacement from Asus, the VivoTab 8 M81C is a newer, slimmer and narrower 8-inch Tablet compared to their earlier model, the Asus VivoTab 8 M80TA. While the earlier version had a lukewarm response from buyers, the new VivoTab 8 has the opposite effect. If you want a reliable design and good build quality, the new VivoTab 8 is your answer.

The narrow bezel on the long sides is reminisce of the newer 8-inch Android tablets. This has become the standard for newer 8-inch Windows tablets and you can see this in our line-up from the low cost Linx 8 and Voyo 8 to the mid range Stream 8, Lenovo Miix2 8 and of course the new Asus VivoTab 8 M81C.

Intel Atom Z3745 Quad-Core 1.33GHz Processor 64-bit (Turbo Boost up to 1.86GHz)
2GB RAM, 32GB Storage and MicroSD slot for up to 64GB expansion – DOUBLE MEMORY
8-inch LED Backlight WXGA 1280 x 800 pixels IPS HD display
Battery Life: 8 Hours 15.2Wh Li-polymer Battery
5MP Rear/1.2MP Front facing camera – BETTER REAR FACING CAMERA
Ultrafast connectivity with 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4G/5G), dual band, Bluetooth 4.0, Miracast, MicroUSB, G-sensor, Gyro sensor, E-compass, Hall sensor, GPS and GLONASS
Dimensions & Weight: 330g
Colour Options: Purple, White, Gold, Black
Windows 8.1 and 1Yr Office 365 Personal subscription (includes touch enhanced Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote)

Linx 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet [Linx 810] – WINDOWS 10 PRE-LOADED

The Linx is great value for money. If the specs haven’t convinced you, the manufacturer have thrown in a year’s subscription of Office 365 Personal. Built quality is decent and doesn’t feel cheap. It’s small, lightweight and performs as it should.

Intel Atom Z3735G Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz (Turbo Boost to 1.58GHz)
1GB RAM, 32GB Storage, MicroSD Card Slot supports up to 64GB
8-inch 1280 x 800 IPS TFT display
2MP Rear and 2MP Front Cameras
Battery Life: 7 Hours 4000mAh Lithium-ion battery
WLAN, Bluetooth, mini HDMI, micro USB
Windows 8.1 and 1Yr Office 365 Personal subscription

Since the launch of Windows 10, the Linx 8 is now available with Windows 10 pre-loaded and sold as Linx 810. Enjoy all the new features on Window 10 including Cortana (the personal digital assistance), Continuum (for smooth transition between tablet and desktop interface), Edge (the new Internet browser), Office Mobile Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote), OneDrive (15GB online storage) and access to Windows 10 Store.

VOYO A1 Mini 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet

If you have to decide on an ultra low budget and super affordable unit, between the Linx and the Voyo, we would recommend the Voyo. It comes with double the memory compared to the Linx and has a CPU with higher turbo clock speed. The battery life is also better compared to the Linx. While the built quality isn’t not notch, it is sufficient. The case and the screen is plastic instead of alloy or glass but you can’t ask too much considering how little you pay. The Windows 8 license alone would set you back more than a hundred. It is available in Gray, Blue or Yellow, with cues from Apple’s iPhone C.

Intel Atom Z3735F Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz (Turbo Boost to 1.83GHz)
2GB RAM, 32GB Storage, MicroSD Card Slot – DOUBLE MEMORY
8-inch 1280 x 800 IPS TFT display
2MP Rear and 2MP Front Cameras
Battery Life: 8-10 Hours 5000mAh Lithium-ion battery
WLAN, Bluetooth, mini HDMI, micro USB with OTG
Windows 8.1

Lenovo Miix 2 8-inch Windows 8.1 Tablet [Lenovo Miix 3 8-inch]

The Lenovo Miix 2 is the successor to Lenovo Miix also featured here. It includes VeriFace, a facial recognition software that lets you log on to your tablet without complicated password or on-screen key taps. Program the software with an image of your face captured with the integrated webcam and use this to verify you as the user.

Intel Atom Z3740 Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz (Turbo Boost to 1.86GHz)
2GB RAM, 32GB Storage, MicroSD Card Slot supports up to 64GB – DOUBLE MEMORY
8-inch 1280 x 800 IPS TFT display
8MP Rear and 2MP Front Cameras – BEST CAMERAS
Battery Life: 7 Hours Lithium-ion battery
WLAN, Bluetooth, micro USB
Windows 8.1

NOTE: The Lenovo Miix 2 is end of Line. While stocks last. See replacement: Lenovo Miix 3 8-inch Tablet

Acer Iconia Tab 8 W W1-810 8-inch Tablet

Sleek new addition to the aging Iconia W4, also featured at the bottom of this list. The Iconia Tab 8 W is lighter, thinner and faster than the Iconia W4 but has only half the memory at 1GB RAM.

Intel Atom Z3735G Processor Quad-Core 1.33GHz (Turbo Boost to 1.86GHz)
1GB RAM, 32GB Storage, MicroSD Card Slot supports up to 32GB
8-inch 1280 x 800 LED TFT display
5MP Rear auto-focus capable of 60fps and 2MP Front Cameras
Battery Life: 8 Hours Lithium Polymer battery 4600mAh
WLAN, Bluetooth, micro HDMI, micro USB, headphone and microphone combo
Dimensions and Weight: 214mm x 128mm x 9.8mm, 370 grams
Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 Edition Trial (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Dell Venue 8 Pro 3000

For dependable build quality and support, the Dell Venue 8 Pro 3000 is your choice. The slimmer but not the slimmest side bezel and the 5MP rear camera is appealing. Miracast makes up for lack of micro HDMI port for connecting to a big screen.

Intel Atom Z3735G Processor Quad-Core, 2MB Cache, up to 1.83GHz
1GB RAM, 32GB Storage, MicroSD Card Slot supports up to 128GB
8-inch 1280 x 800 (WXGA) IPS display
5MP rear camera, 1.2MP front camera
Battery Life: 8 Hours
Dimensions: Length: 8.51″ (216.2mm) x Width: 5.11″ (130mm) x Thickness: 0.35″ (9.0mm), Weight: 88lbs (391g)
WLAN with Miracast, Bluetooth, micro USB, headphone and microphone combo
Windows 8.1 with Bing and Office 365 Personal 1 Year Subscription.