Toybox: convertible ultrabooks

Lenovo ThinkPad Twist Ultrabook

If you're trying to choose between a laptop and a tablet, but want to stay away from Apple's entertainment-focused iPad, Lenovo's range of productivity pushing convertibles are hard to ignore. The 12.5-inch Twist Ultrabook (HK$12,000) boasts an Intel Core i7 processor and up to 500GB storage behind its 1,366x768 pixel touch screen. Able to swivel and fold into a few positions the 1.6kg Twist runs Windows 8 Pro from inside an almost unbreakable Gorilla Glass screen.

Toshiba Satellite U920t

Another hinge hybrid that uses a 12.5-inch screen, Toshiba's Satellite U920t (HK$14,000) has less memory and processing power than the Twist, although its 1,366x768 pixel resolution Gorilla Glass touch screen contorts into two useful positions: flat tablet and propped-up like a laptop. Its quick-boot 128GB solid state drive gives flexibility and speed on the move, but build quality is only average. The 1.5kg Satellite U920t runs for about four hours.

Dell XPS 12

Half-tablet and half-laptop, Dell's XPS 12 (HK$12,000) uses an Intel Core i7 processor and puts 8GB of RAM behind another Windows 8 interface. Its 1,920x1,080 pixel resolution Gorilla Glass touch is smaller, at 12 inches, but more flexible than most. It uses a "swing" design to spin within a frame to switch from tablet to laptop. Its 256GB solid state drive is bigger than the Toshiba, and the XPS 12 runs at about five hours.