Which 2-in-1 tablet/ultrabooks have what kind of digitizer stylus support?

[coip]

First, allow me to say I'm ignorant when it comes to this whole 'stylus' support issue. I've heard people lament about how this tablet has Wacom digitizer support but that one doesn't, and this one has some other type of stylus support, etc. I don't really understand what you geniuses are talking about because everyone complained about how the Surface Pro had some type of stylus support but the Surface RT did not, but then I went to a Microsoft store and an employee was showing off a stylus that seemed to work quite well on the Surface RT, so I couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. So, if you have time, please explain to me the different types of styluses and the pros and cons behind them

Second, as I didn't know much about styluses I didn't really care much, but just last night I found myself wanting to draw a diagram in Office on my tablet and thinking, "huh, I bet this is where a stylus would come in handy." Now, I'm in the market for a new 2-in-1 device and so I would much appreciate recommendations on which devices support what kind of stylus and why that's good or bad.

Here is a list of devices that piqued my interest, but I'm more than happy to check out any others not on this list that you recommend:

• Surface 2
• Surface Pro 2
• Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
• Sony Tap 11
• Dell XPS 11
• Dell XPS 12
• Dell Venue Pro 11

 

[coip]

Come on now, all I read in all of the other threads debating the merits and demerits of this season's 2-in-1 devices like the Surface Pro 2 were all about stylus support, so surely you stylus aficionados have something to contribute here. Pretty please?

 

[thejoyofsobe]

What you probably saw on the Surface 2 is a capacitve stylus that's doing nothing more than imitating your finger to a touch screen. You will no find that particularly useful if you want the kind of speed and accuracy you need to capture handwriting and you won't be able to rest the side of your palm on the screen because the screen won't be able to distinguish the pen from your hand.

You need an active digitizer. Educate yourself....
N-Trig vs. Wacom: A Dual Digitizer Duel

The following tablets from your list do not have active digitizer layers: Surface 2, Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro and Dell XPS 12

Other hybrid/convertibles with an active digitizer or at least have active digitizer options that come to mind:
Acer Aspire R7 (optional)
Lenovo Helix (still shipping with Ivy Bridge)
Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga (optional)
Sony Vaio Duo 13
Sony Vaio Fit 13A ($40 pen not included in the box)



comprehensive list
List of Windows 8 and RT tablets and convertibles with stylus

 

[electricbopeep]

The Vaio flip has active pen support (not included). I plan on ordering the pen as soon as its available and trying it out.

 

[coip]

What you probably saw on the Surface 2 is a capacitve stylus that's doing nothing more than imitating your finger to a touch screen. You will no find that particularly useful if you want the kind of speed and accuracy you need to capture handwriting and you won't be able to rest the side of your palm on the screen because the screen won't be able to distinguish the pen from your hand.

You need an active digitizer. Educate yourself....
N-Trig vs. Wacom: A Dual Digitizer Duel

The following tablets from your list do not have active digitizer layers: Surface 2, Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro and Dell XPS 12

Other hybrid/convertibles with an active digitizer or at least have active digitizer options that come to mind:
Acer Aspire R7 (optional)
Lenovo Helix (still shipping with Ivy Bridge)
Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga (optional)
Sony Vaio Duo 13
Sony Vaio Fit 13A ($40 pen not included in the box)



comprehensive list
List of Windows 8 and RT tablets and convertibles with stylus

Thank you. That spreadsheet of devices is really convenient. I also read the link about N-Trig vs. Wacom. But, I have a question about the spreadsheet: quite a few devices on there list, under the stylus column, "synaptics" instead of N-Trig or Wacom. I can't seem to find any information on a "synaptics" stylus. What is it and how does it differ from N-Trig or Wacom? Particularly, I'm looking at the Dell Venue 11 Pro.

 

[Harshana Abeysinghe]

Ok, so i really dont know much about this subject, but Surface Pro 2 has a Digitizer pen ... its not just a styles. styles are just same as your fingers.. but the pen that comes with surface pro 2 is pretty good.
it tracks the pointer of the pen even before touching da screen which a Stylus cant do.
also it has a thin pointer which is more like a usual pen.(it has a eraser on the back too)

so i think Surface Pro 2 has a Digitizer pen and not just a stylus...

 

[coip]

I see. I am using the wrong terminology. I should be saying digitizer pen. That is what Wacom and N-Trig are, but what about Synaptics? Is that just a normal stylus?