Sponsored story: Windows 8.1 tablets are smarter than the rest

The tablet market is booming, both in India and across the world. According to IDC, tablet sales in India grew 56.4 percent year-on-year to reach 4.14 million units in 2013, while Gartner says that worldwide sales of tablets grew 68 percent in 2013 over the past year. Nothing else in the world of tech is growing quite as fast.   So, chances are, if you’re not using a tablet already you are looking for one, because from homemakers to students to working professionals, everyone can get more done through the tablet form factor. And trying to satiate this hunger, numerous technology manufacturers are now dabbling in creating tablets that suit every person’s needs.   Windows has been a powerhouse in the PC segment and is now bringing in tremendous innovation into the tablet space. Here are ten reasons why you should look closely at a Windows 8.1 tablet for your needs:   Wide range of budget devices to choose from From 8 inches to 13 inches in size, from HP to Lenovo, from Asus to Samsung, from Microsoft to Dell, the options for Windows 8.1 powered tablets are so vast that buyers are spoilt for choice. With a wide range of Windows tablets now competing for the consumer’s attention, most of these brands are available at very competitive prices. And that is one reason why a Windows 8.1 powered tablet will be a cool buy over any other device, because money saved is money that can be used to buy accessories, or even more gadgets!   Superior specs: built for real work A Windows 8.1 tablet rides high on the utility factor, thanks to Microsoft Office. This is an area where all other tablets lag behind. While all Windows 8.1 tablets are capable of supporting MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook and other applications from the very popular Microsoft Office suite, other tablets end up being just bigger-screen alternatives to smart phones. Simply put, with Windows 8.1 tablets you can go far beyond just viewing files, to also creating and editing them, leveraging a mobile-computing experience in the true sense of the term.   Also, powered by advanced processors for high speeds and with superior build quality for all-purpose use, one does not have to worry about glitches in a Windows tablet’s performance. They also boast of long battery life, making them reliable and efficient for heavy-duty work.   Maximum engagement: Apps for all purposes If Microsoft Office wasn’t enough, you get access to over 1.5 lakh applications to play with on a single Windows tablet. Travel applications, applications for entertainment, news, sports, finance and lot more makes the entire experience fun, while keeping you productive.   All purpose ports: connectivity to a wide range of devices With Windows 8.1 tablets Microsoft has taken the utility angle a notch higher by offering connectivity to a wide array of devices, through the integration of all-purpose ports. So you can connect your Windows 8.1 tablets to a TV via the HDMI port, Internet via a plug-and-play dongle, and peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, and a printer via the USB port.   Customisable with movable Live Tiles The mobile computing experience gets even more fun with customisable Live Tiles on Windows 8.1 tablets, making the user interface a superior one that’s built for ease of use. You can get these Live Tiles right under your fingertips on the Start Screen for quicker access and a unique, personalised experience.   Hybrid tablets powered with Windows 8.1 Carrying forward the personalised experience, most Windows 8.1 tablets that are hybrid slates can connect to docks and detachable keyboards. So your tablet can double up as mini-laptop to get some serious work done, when you need to type a lot for instance, which isn’t easy on a touch screen.   Multi-tasking capabilities With so many features to put to use, it is needless to say that Windows 8.1 tablets are built for multi-tasking. You can get more than one thing done at a time, and make the most of your tablet, on the go.   Maximum entertainment: great gaming experience All work and no play would really make a power-packed tablet very dull, wouldn’t it? With some great specs under the hood, Windows 8.1 tablets are built to offer an amazing gaming experience. They allow you to squeeze the most out of Windows Store by choosing your favourite games. And as mentioned above, you will not have to worry about battery life with a lightweight form factor allowing you to get your share of entertainment for long hours.   Everlasting dependability A history of evolution and innovation has made us rely on Windows with unmatchable trust for decades. It is easy to picture ourselves using a Windows 8.1 tablet for years to come. And the device remains relevant to suit all your needs with regular updates, promising long-term viability.   Support for awesome services Skype, Xbox Live, OneDrive, et al, Windows 8.1 tablet OS give you access to a host of online services that lets you keep in touch with your peers and family virtually from anywhere and everywhere.   And well, there’s more. We promised 10 cool features, but here’s one more–with multiple user accounts, you are free to share your Windows 8.1 tablet with family and friends without worrying about privacy or security. Go try a Windows Tablet and discover many more cool features that make Windows 8.1 tablets smarter than the rest.