Samsung's ATIV Smart PC Windows 8 tablets convert to Ultrabooks

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Samsung's relentlessly pursuing the Windows 8 tablet market with the recently released ATIV Smart PC tablets that can run Windows 8 (not Windows RT) and operate as standalone tablets or as 11-inch Ultrabooks with accessory tablets.

Available in two models, Samsung's approach is to offer a consumer and a professional tablet option that runs Windows 8 (and apps from previous Windows versions) and that can double as an Ultrabook when needed.

Although more expensive than the Microsoft Surface and similar Windows RT devices, the ATIV Smart PCs can provide the full-featured functionality of a traditional Windows PC in a portable package.

The more expensive ATIV Smart PC Pro integrates the S-Spen stylus that Samsung introduced with the Galaxy Note line of Android devices and it can work with various PC applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for inputting information directly into the display.

The ATIV Smart PC Pro tablets are currently available in Canada though Best Buy, Future Shop and Staples as well as through the Microsoft Stores.