Top 10 Best 10-inch Budget Windows Tablets – Surface 3 Alternatives

Samuel J Tan Personal Technology, Tablets, Technology 0

Microsoft has just announced the latest Surface RT replacement, the Microsoft Surface 3. While the first generation Surface RT runs on a cut down version of the Windows OS, the new Surface 3 runs the same OS as its bigger brother, the Surface Pro 3.

Microsoft has favoured the 64-bit Intel Atom chip to power the full fat Windows 8.1 OS over the ARM processor that powers the first Surface RT running Windows RT operating system. However, it is not be the first to enter the market with an entry level or budget Windows Tablet. In fact, it is entering a market already crowded with budget 10-inch Windows tablets from major manufacturers such as Asus, Acer, Samsung, Lenovo, Dell, HP, Toshiba and more.

How Do The Processors Compare

To understand the performance of these tablets is to look at the processors used and as all the tablets featured here are based on the Intel Atom processor, one would have to look at the different generations and range within each generation to further appreciate the differences and speed.

While most current 10-inch Windows tablets are based on Intel Atom processors from the Bay Trail – T generation, a new generation is emerging. Intel is introducing a range of Atom processors to cover the spectrum of devices from smartphones to tablets, intelligent cars, health care devices, microservers and more.

These ultra low power processors are even more efficient than the Bay Trail. Based on the 14nm manufacturing process vs Bay Trail-T at 22nm, they are so efficient that they do not require active cooling, allowing manufacturers to create slimmer and smaller devices. While some tablets using a generation earlier than the Bay Trail known as Cloverview can still be found in the market.

So you are clear on the processors powering these energy efficient tablets, we have taken the task of listing them out here and to give you an idea of its’ performance.

Cherry Trail

This new and latest family of Atom processors, code-name Cherry Trail (14nm) are currently available in the following variants:

Intel® Atom™ x7-Z8700 Processor (2M Cache, up to 2.40 GHz) 64-bit 14nm – BEST
Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8500 Processor (2M Cache, up to 2.24 GHz) 64-bit 14nm – BETTER
Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8300 Processor (2M Cache, up to 1.84 GHz) 64-bit 14nm – GOOD

Intel Atom x3-C3000 Processor series to be announced for smartphones. Only the latest tablets will be using these processors including the new Surface 3. Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Dell, HP and Toshiba will

Bay Trail – T

The more common processor to grace the tablets are of the Bay Trail – T (22nm) generation. These Quad Core Processors SoCs have the following features:

All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4,^[2] Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST), Intel 64, XD bit (an NX bit implementation), Intel Burst Performance Technology (BPT), Intel VT-x, AES-NI.
GPU and memory controller are integrated onto the processor die
GPU is based on Ivy Bridge Intel HD Graphics, with 4 execution units, and supports DirectX 11, OpenGL 4.0, OpenGL ES 3.0 and OpenCL 1.1 (on Windows)

Intel® Atom™ Z3735F Quad Core 1.33GHz (Burst Frequency 1.86GHz) 2MB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor 2.2W – GOOD

Intel® Atom™ Z3745 Quad Core 1.33GHz (Burst Frequency 1.86GHz) 2MB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor 2W – GOOD

Intel® Atom™ Z3775 Quad Core 1.46GHz (Burst Frequency 2.39GHz) 2MB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor 2W – BETTER

Intel® Atom™ Z3795 Quad Core 1.56GHz (Burst Frequency 2.39GHz) 2MB L2 Cache 64-bit Processor 2W – BETTER

Cloverview

Some older tablets, featured at the bottom of this article are based on the previous generation Atom processor. These processors have only half the L2 Cache and only handles 32-bit instruction set. Cloverview (32nm) Dual Core SoCs with the following features:

All models support: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST), XD bit (an NX bit implementation), Hyper-Threading, Intel Burst Performance Technology (BPT).
GPU and memory controller are integrated onto the processor die

Intel Atom Z2760 1.8GHz Dual Core 1MB L2 Cache 32-bit Processor

The Best Budget 10-inch Windows 8.1 Tablets 2015

Here is a quick look at our list of Top 10 Best 10-inch Windows 8.1 Tablets

Linx 10 inch Tablet
Toshiba Encore 2 WT10-A-102 10-inch Tablet – GOOD BATTERY LIFE
Acer Aspire Switch 10 SW5-012 10.1-inch Convertible Tablet – KEYBOARD INCL.
Lenovo YOGA 2 10.1-inch Tablet – BEST BATTERY LIFE, FULL HD, KEYBOARD INCL.
Lenovo Miix-3-10 Convertible 10.1-inch Tablet – FULL HD, BIGGER STORAGE, KEYBOARD INCL.
Lenovo ThinkPad 10.1-inch Tablet – FASTER PROCESSOR, BIGGER STORAGE & MEMORY, FULL HD
Asus Transformer Book TF100TAF 10.1-inch Tablet – KEYBOARD INCL.
Asus Transformer T100TAM Tablet – BIGGEST STORAGE WITH HDD, KEYBOARD INCL.
Dell Venue 10 Pro 5000 Series Tablet – FASTER PROCESSOR, FULL HD
HP ElitePad 1000 G2 Tablet – FASTER PROCESSOR, BIGGER STORAGE & MEMORY or
HP Pavillion x2 Detachable Laptop – KEYBOARD INCL.

Now for a closer look at each of these tablets:

Linx 10 inch Tablet

Here is a budget tablet that has taken the low cost tablet segment by storm. The Link tablets available in 7-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch has claimed their spot in the hall of fame where cheap tablets are concerned with cash back and cash on old tablet promotion. For what you pay for, you will be wondering how they actually make their money selling tablets. All said, it is still a very well built device and great value at that.

Intel® Atom™ Z3735F 1.33GHz Quad Core Processor (Burst Frequency up to 1.83GHz) – GOOD
Display: 10.1″ IPS LCD 1280 x 800 pixels 10 point capacitive multi-touch screen
2GB RAM and 32GB Storage with Micro-SD expansion slot supporting up to 64GB
Cameras: 2MP front and 2MP rear facing cameras
Battery Life: 6 – 8 hours

Toshiba Encore 2 WT10-A-102 10-inch Tablet

Toshiba Encore 2 scores highly on built quality, reliability and good looks. Finished in satin gold, the back plate is clean while the white colour scheme runs to the front edges completing its premium look making it the only white and satin gold tablet in our line-up. The specification is pretty standard and the battery last long enough to power you through the day. At 11 hours, this is second only to the Lenovo Yoga with its ultra long battery life.

Intel® Atom™ Z3735F 1.33GHz Quad Core Processor (Burst Frequency up to 1.83GHz) – GOOD
Display: 25.7 cm (10.1-inch) 1280 x 800 pixels wide viewing angle, high brightness, multi touch screen
2GB RAM and 32GB Memory with micro-SD expansion slot capable of supporting up to 128GB
Cameras: 5MP rear facing camera with Full HD 1080p video capture and auto-focus, 1.2MP front facing camera
Dimensions: 258.9 x 175 x 8.96 mm, 550 grams
Battery Life: up to 11 hours – GOOD BATTERY LIFE
Satin gold finish

Acer Aspire Switch 10 SW5-012 10.1-inch Convertible Tablet – INCL. KEYBOARD

Intel® Atom™ Z3735F 1.33GHz Quad Core Processor (Burst Frequency up to 1.83GHz) – GOOD
Display: 10.1″ TFT LCD WXGA (1280 x 800) IPS screen
2GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB Memory with microSD expansion slot supporting up to 64GB – BIGGER STORAGE OPTION
Dimensions & Weight: 261.6 x 177.1 x 8.9 mm, 585 grams, 1.17kg with keyboard

Also available Acer Aspire Switch 10 SW5-011 with Atom Z3740 Processor and bigger display.

Lenovo YOGA 2 10.1-inch Tablet

Already a popular profile with is wrap around cylindrical tolled edge for easy handling, it sits nicely in the palm of your hand when held upright (portrait mode). The Lenovo Yoga 2 uses the same successful formula with a few tweaks; a built in stand that lets you stand, tilt or hand the device, a black ebony finish to differentiate its Android counterpart in silver finish and front finish speakers built into the cylindrical chamber next to the battery. This tablet is also among the few with a Full HD 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution display.

Intel® Atom™ Z3745 1.33 GHz Quad Core Processor (Burst Frequency up to 1.86GHz) – GOOD
Display: 10.1″ IPS LED LCD Touch (1920×1200) – FULL HD
2GB RAM and 32GB eMMC storage
Cameras: Front 1.6MP FF, Rear 8MP f2.2 AF cameras
Battery Life: 15 hours – BEST BATTERY LIFE
2 large-chamber front facing speakers with Dolby Audio and Wolfson Master Hi-Fi

NOTE: Some vendor offers Bluetooth Keyboard Cover with integrated Touchpad, please check this at the point of purchase.

Lenovo Miix-3-10 Convertible 10.1-inch Tablet – INCL. KEYBOARD

Intel® Atom™ Z3735F 1.33GHz 1333MHz 2MB (Burst Frequency 1.86GHz) – GOOD
Display: 10.1-inch Full HD display (1,920 x 1,200) with 10-point touch and 178 wide viewing angle – FULL HD
2GB RAM and 64GB EMMC Storage with Micro-SD expansion slot supporting up to 32GB – BIGGER STORAGE
Cameras: 720p HD 2MP front and 5MP rear cameras
Battery Life: 2 Cell 25 Watt Hour Li-Cylindrical, up to 7 hours
Integrated Premium JBL Sound Stereo Speakers, includes AccuType Keyboard Dock for Stand Mode, Laptop Mode and Tablet Mode. Micro USB 2.0, Micro SD, Mini HDMI-out, audio combo.

NOTE: Please double check screen resolution with vendor prior to making any purchase decisions as some models carry a lower resolution display

Lenovo ThinkPad 10.1-inch Tablet

Intel® Atom™ Z3795 1.56GHz Quad Core Processor (2MB Cache, up to 2.4GHz) – BETTER CPU
Display: 10.1″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS Multi-touch, Digitizer Pen, Black – FULL HD
2GB or 4GB RAM – MORE MEMORY
64GB or 128GB Flash Memory – BIGGER STORAGE
Cameras: 2MP fixed focus front camera, 8MP auto-focus rear camera with flash
Battery Life: up to 10 hours
Mobile Broadband option available, image shown below with optional keyboard cover.

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Asus Transformer Book T100TAF 10.1-inch Tablet – INCL. KEYBOARD

Intel® Atom™ Z3735F 1.33GHz Quad Core Processor (Burst Frequency up to 1.86GHz)- GOOD
10.1″ 16:9 IPS HD (1366×768) IPS display with Multi-Touch Screen
2GB RAM
32GB eMMC storage
2 Cells 32W Hour Polymer Battery up to 11 hours
1.2MP Webcam, Integrated Microphone, Combo jack, USB 2.0 port, Micro USB, Micro HDMI.

Asus Transformer T100TAM Tablet – INCL. KEYBOARD

Intel® Atom™ Z3775 1.46GHz Quad Core Processor (2MB Cache, Burst Frequency up to 2.4GHz) – BETTER
10.1″ 16:9 IPS HD (1366×768) IPS display with Multi-Touch Screen
2GB RAM
32GB / 64GB eMMC or a combination of solid state and hard disk drive (32GB eMMC with 500GB HDD or 64GB eMMC with 500GB HDD) with micro-SD card expansion slot – BIGGER STORAGE
2Cells 31 Whrs Polymer Battery up to 11 hours
1.2MP Webcam, Integrated Microphone, Bombo Jack, USB 3.0 port, Micro USB, Micro HDMI.

Dell Venue 10 Pro 5000 Series Tablet

Intel® Atom™ Processor Z3795 Quad-Core Processor 1.56GHz (2MB Cache, up to 2.4GHz) – BETTER
10.1 inch HD 1280×800 IPS Multitouch Display or 10.1 inch FHD 1920×1200 IPS Multitouch Display – FULL HD
2GB DDR3L-RS
32GB / 64GB eMMC Hard Drive – BIGGER STORAGE
8MP rear facing camera, 2MP front facing camera
Primary 2-cell 32WHr Battery 8-10 hours of use
Full-size USB, Micro HDMI, BT 4.0, GPS (with LTE), Proximity (with LTE), Accelerometer, Gyroscope, e-Compass, Security Cable lock – Noble Lock

HP ElitePad 1000 G2 Tablet

Intel Atom Z3795 1.56GHz (2MB Cache, up to 2.4GHz Quad-Core) – BETTER
4GB RAM – MORE MEMORY
64GB/128GB SSD – MORE STORAGE
10.1”diagonal WUXGA (1900 x 1200) Touch Screen, wide-viewing angle outdoor display; 16:10 Aspect Ratio – FULL HD
Cameras: 2.1MP (1080p) front facing camera, 8MP rear facing camera with flash
LTE/HSPA+ Gobi 4G Option available, Battery life up to 8 hours
Dimensions & Weight: 178 x 261 x 9.2 mm, 680 grams