Pros
- Incredibly zippy processor
- 1080p display is gorgeous
- Solid build quality and design
- Good battery life, comes with a spare
Cons
- Some may lament lack of stylus
- Limited UMTS and LTE frequencies
Bottom Line
With a beautiful display, super-fast processor and other top-of-the-line features, the Optimus G Pro is a rock-solid Note II competitor sans the stylus.
Pros
- Beautiful, high-res display
- Incredible build quality
- Great keyboard and trackpad
Cons
- Limited OS functionality
- Poor battery life
- High cost
Bottom Line
Google's Pixel is far and away the nicest Chromebook on the market and rivals the best for build quality, but it's far too expensive for a machine with such limited functionality.
Pros
- Pleasing design
- Lots of built-in storage for the price
- Good camera
- Optional keyboard is easy to pack, comfortable to type on
Cons
- Middling battery life
- Optional cover isn't always sturdy when folded up as a stand
Bottom Line
For people who want a relatively inexpensive device running full Windows 8, the VivoTab Smart offers far and away the best value.
Pros
- Strong performance
- Pen support with S Pen apps
- Comfortable keyboard
- Crisp 1080p display
Cons
- Unsophisticated design
- Middling battery life
Bottom Line
The Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro is a promising Windows 8 hybrid thanks to strong performance and a comfortable keyboard dock, but we wish it had better battery life.
Pros
- The most beautiful Sony phone yet
- Water resistance on a flagship device
- Strong performance
Cons
- Disappointing battery life
- Poor viewing angles
Bottom Line
The Xperia Z proves that Sony has what it takes to make a compelling phone in an increasingly competitive market, but issues like battery life need to be confronted, even at the expense of the design.
Pros
- Exceptional build quality
- Robust mounting kit
Cons
- Expensive
- Limits usability of iPhone
- Muffled audio
Bottom Line
The Outride is an interesting concept that proves remarkably compromised in real-world use.
Pros
- Decent battery life for a touch system
- Attractive design
- Narrow bezels, responsive touchscreen
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- Some touchpad issues
- Heavy, even for a touchscreen Ultrabook
- Other laptops offer the same or better specs for less money
Bottom Line
The Series 5 UltraTouch is a solid mid-range Windows 8 Ultrabook, with decent battery life, a responsive touchscreen and a tasteful design. If you wanted, though, you could get the same specs for less money.
Pros
- Long battery life
- Comfortable keyboard
- Allows for pen input
- Wide viewing angles
Cons
- Pen support isn't standard
- Bluetooth occasionally causes typing lags
- USB port doesn't work with USB hard drives or external optical drives
Bottom Line
The ThinkPad Tablet 2 is the best low-powered Windows 8 tablet we've tested, thanks to its 10-hour battery and an unmatched typing experience.
Pros
- Smooth, confident handling
- Incredible power delivery
- Plenty of tech toys
- Best-in-class range
Cons
- Limited charging stations
- Occasional lack of attention to interior detail
Bottom Line
Tesla's Model S is light-years beyond the Roadster in terms of refinement, and is the current benchmark for production EVs.
Pros
- Solid performance
- Attractive design
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Low-res
- Somewhat awkward to hold
Bottom Line
The SV is a solid option for people who want an LTE device on the cheap.
Pros
- Solid-feeling design
- Great 1080p display
- Good performance
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Noisy, annoying fan
- Un-optimized experiences
Bottom Line
Microsoft's Surface with Windows 8 Pro is the best tablet running Windows 8 we've yet seen, but still feels like a compromise when used as a tablet or laptop.
Pros
- Attractively priced
- Good battery life
- Performance matches higher-end devices
Cons
- Middling camera performance
- Windows Phone 8 lacks app selection of entry-level Android phones
Bottom Line
The Lumia 620 is a budget phone offering good performance and an attractive design. It sets a new benchmark for low-price smartphones.
Pros
- Innovative design
- Great viewing angles on both displays
- Fast performance
- Supports pen input
- Good sound quality
Cons
- Short battery life
- Interior screen doesn't support touch
- Runs hot
- Some touchpad issues
Bottom Line
The TAICHI has an inventive dual-screen design with fast performance, wide viewing angles and decent audio. But we'd rather wait for a second-gen model with better battery life.
Pros
- Impressive performance for the price
- Minimal bloatware
- Expandable storage
Cons
- Low-res screen
- Underwhelming camera performance
- Cheap-feeling construction
Bottom Line
The ATIV Odyssey looks like a budget phone, with its cheap construction and low-res screen, but it performs like a flagship.
Pros
- Brilliant IPS display
- Sophisticated, well-built design
- Good keyboard
Cons
- Short battery life
- Expensive
Bottom Line
The HP Spectre XT TouchSmart boasts a great, 15-inch touchscreen and a comfortable, svelte design. The downsides are disappointing battery life and a high starting price.