Does the windows 8 take up alot of space? How much space is left after with Windows 8 installed on the tablet? Can a mouse and keyboard be used with it as well?
1099696
Yes, Windows takes a lot of space. There's about 11 GB left free out of the box with the 32 GB model. You can get 5 GB more free space by deleting the recovery partition (after making one or more flash drive copies!); it's very simple, with an app already set up to do it in the "all apps" view. You can get another 1.6 GB by disabling hibernate mode (Google for it if you're interested), which doesn't really cost you anything since hibernate is not available anyway. You can also add a micro-SD card with up to 64 GB of storage (it's drive D:) and put all your heavy applications and data there. Yes, you can use a mouse and keyboard -- either Bluetooth or, if you buy a USB OTG (On-the-Go) adapter for a couple of bucks, via USB. You just can't charge the tablet and use USB peripherals at the same time, since the USB port is used for both and even with a splitter cable the Encore only does one or the other at a time.
1717969
Yes, but there is not a lot of extra space and I only do word processing. If you need a lot of mouse movement, it may not be the handiest. I too have a larger keyboard, with some side controls. A basic, plain keyboard would offer more space.
2168794
Sorry, my computers and tablets are either Windows 7, Android, or Apple. They all work so I would assume 8 works also.
323610
Yes & Yes I haven't had any problem with it at all. A great tablet. The new windows 8.1 has thousands of aaps.
2204578
If you'll talking about Microsoft Surface with Windows 8 it might be too small knowing that Windows 8 is much thicker than the Surface RT.But you can find one just for that tablet,just make sure it says for Windows 8 Tablets.
1785468
that is storage on the tablet. u can also add up to 64gig micro sd to the tablet itself, which is what i have done. The nice part about the keyboard, is a 3.0 usb port for a fast flash drive.. Very nice for quick backup
644251
No I haven't seen the need to do so. Windows 8 only gets me touch type stuff and I don't see the need in a non touch screen laptop.
854111
Well this would be a 100% laptop replacement with no limitations. I have talked to a friend with android and he says that there are apps that you would have to pay for to be able to edit word and excel on android. Again not a for sure answer but maybe it helps. Now if you are tech savy and looking for speed seriuosly consider windows 8 if boot up speed is important to you. I think with windows 8, the keyboard and portability of this tablet you would not be disappointed. Now if you deside to get this and use windows 7 remember to do all the updates and give it a full day of running to get all the setup, scans, background processes out of the way to make it boot up fast and shed the bloatware as well. Well this would be a 100% laptop replacement with no limitations. I have talked to a friend with android and he says that there are apps that you would have to pay for to be able to edit word and excel on android. Again not a for sure answer but maybe it helps. Now if you are tech savy and looking for speed seriuosly consider windows 8 if boot up speed is important to you. I think with windows 8, the keyboard and portability of this tablet you would not be disappointed. Now if you deside to get this and use windows 7 remember to do all the updates and give it a full day of running to get... » Read More Well this would be a 100% laptop replacement with no limitations. I have talked to a friend with android and he says that there are apps that you would have to pay for to be able to edit word and excel on android. Again not a for sure answer but maybe it helps. Now if you are tech savy and looking for speed seriuosly consider windows 8 if boot up speed is important to you. I think with windows 8, the keyboard and portability of this tablet you would not be disappointed. Now if you deside to get this and use windows 7 remember to do all the updates and give it a full day of running to get all the setup, scans, background processes out of the way to make it boot up fast and shed the bloatware as well. « Show Less
2249666
do not like windows 8 with all the apps already on the desktop. I think the owner should decide what apps to place on a desktop. Also don't like the touch screen - messy.
679562
Never used Windows 8. We do have Windows 7 on another laptop but only because Windows was a reqiurement for some course material. Other than that we haven't used Windows on any of the many computers we have had since 2006. Since 2006 we have been using Linux exclusively (mostly Ubuntu, but lately We have been using Linux Mint). It works fine for Web browsing, office programs and email. Lots of software and games available for free download.This is the second computer we have bought with Linux pre-installed and it works well. Does everything we need
2159029
No HD, it's solid state. 32GB, half of which is the OS. Has a micro SD slot and USB port. My wife picked up the MS SURFACE RT which has win 8.0 She's been happy with it-comes with Office at $350, but I still find the OS a little frustrating to use. I may have had bad video drivers on the Vivotab as the SURFACE has run all the videos. If you decide to go with one of these tabs, I can suggest a WiFI drive unit, which you can tie into, like a Seagate goflex with 500gb, it's portable and secure.
2003186
Well the tablet comes apart, the Keyboard dock houses all the PC (windows 8) parts. When the tablet is connected to the keyboard dock the screen on the tablet just acts as a monitor for the windows 8 dock. This dock can also be separately connected to a monitor with the display port or mini hdmi port and then used as a windows 8 pc while the tablet can still be used separately as an Android tablet. Hope that helped
1769683
With Windows 8.1 upgrades fully installed and clean up the C drive with Ccleaner and Bleachbit portableApps, it only uses 35.9 GB, still have lots of space for other programs.
1234694
Windows 8 works very well for me. I have 2 laptops both run 8 I have not had a problem with them or software issues. 8 does take some getting use to and I think that is the biggest thing- people don't like change. Mine do not have touch screen and work fine. I do recommended a wireless mouse for ease of navigation.
840321
I wouldn't look to see windows 8 out until october at the earliest, but most likely the end of the year. And as rancher says, you can always install windows 8 when it is released, which is what I plan to do. I haven't seen any tablet on the horizon that rivals this one, so if windows 8 is your only hold back, don't let that detour you.
2075097
I don't know, I gave mine to my son and purchased a Dell tables Venue 8 Pro with 32 GB storage, it uses windows 8, and that's a trip and1/2 everything is hidden but windows 8 will soon be on all tables, now I have ordered Dell Venue 8 Pro with 64 GB of storage and will pass the other on to my oldest son who has MS. The Dell comes with Microsoft windows home & student and has the Key.
715844
Well it all depends on what OS you are running. With windows 7 it boots up slower just like any normal system running windows 7. Very similar to a laptop not like an iPad because this tablet isnt limited it full windows. Now while running windows 8 boot up from power off is approx 6 seconds and from stand-by about 1 sec. The important thing is.... do you want a tablet PC or a limited OS tablet? (Android or iOS)