In Pictures: Windows 8.1 tablets with 8-inch screens: Which one is right for you?

There is a specific category of Windows 8.1 tablets with 8-inch screens that share the same minimum specs: Intel Atom Z3740 processors, 2GB RAM, 32GB onboard storage, Bluetooth, front- and rear-facing cameras, micro SD slot, micro USB 2.0 port, and Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 pre-installed. They can be found at discounts starting from about $240, which makes them price-competitive against low-end Android tablets and the cheaper iPads. Five major computer makers are selling such Windows 8.1 tablets with 8-inch screens. Because it can be tough to tell them apart, we put together this guide to quickly explain why you may (or may not) want to buy a particular model.
FEATURES: Front and rear cameras: 2 and 8 megapixels; micro HDMI port, up to 7 hours battery life on full charge. COLOR: Silver DIMENSIONS (length x height): 8.40 x 5.40 in. THICKNESS: 0.43 in. WEIGHT: 0.98 lbs. The takeaway: The Encore WT8 has good cameras and a mini HDMI, but one of the lowest listed battery lives among the other Windows 8.1 tablets with 8-inch screens in this article. It’s also the heaviest.
FEATURES: Front and rear cameras, 2 and 5 megapixels, micro HDMI port, up to 8 hours battery life on a full charge COLOR: “Smokey gray” DIMENSIONS (length x height): 8.60 x 5.30 in. THICKNESS: 0.40 in. WEIGHT: 0.95 lbs. The takeaway: The Iconia W4 has a listed battery life that is better than Toshiba’s Encore WT8, but its rear camera isn’t as good. Otherwise, it’s similar to the Toshiba tablet in other respects.
FEATURES: Front and rear cameras: 2 and 8 megapixels, no micro HDMI port, up to 7 hours on a full charge COLOR: Silver DIMENSIONS (length x height): 8.50 x 5.20 in. THICKNESS: 0.30 in WEIGHT: 0.77 lbs The takeaway: The Miix 2 is the thinnest and lightest among the tablets in this list. But when matched against the Encore WT8, the choice comes to a tradeoff: Are you willing to forgo a mini HDMI for thinner and lighter?
FEATURES: Front and rear cameras, 2 and 8 megapixels; micro HDMI port, up to 8 hours battery life on a full charge COLOR: Black DIMENSIONS (length x height): 8.83 x 5.19 in THICKNESS: 0.35 in WEIGHT: 0.95 lbs The takeaway: You pay more but get more: The ThinkPad 8 has a faster processor (Intel Atom Z3770 that runs up to 2.39GHz), a higher resolution (1920-by-1200 pixels) display that’s slightly larger at 8.3 inches, and micro USB 3.0.
FEATURES: Front and rear cameras: 1.2 and 5 megapixels; no micro HDMI port, up to 8 hours battery life on a full charge COLOR: Black or red (for $20 more) DIMENSIONS (length x height): 8.50 x 5.12 in THICKNESS: 0.35 in WEIGHT: 0.87 lbs The takeaway: The Venue 8 Pro’s front camera has a low number of megapixels. And its “Windows” button is oddly set along one side of its length, rather than on its screen bezel. Plus, no micro HDMI port.
FEATURES: Front and rear cameras: 1.2 and 5 megapixels; no micro HDMI port; up to 8 hours battery life on a full charge COLOR: Black DIMENSIONS: (length x height): 8.70 x 5.20 in. THICKNESS: 0.40 in. WEIGHT: 0.80 lbs. The takeaway: The VivoTab Note 8 is unique for including a Wacom stylus, which can be stored inside the tablet’s housing. But it lacks a mini HDMI, and its front camera is only 1.2 megapixels.