In my view this deserved a thread all to itself. Intel has attempted several times at cracking the mobile market be it with MIDS or UMPCS. Unlike previous attempts this generation doesn't have the battery life and cost problems of previous generations. Most UMPCs were lucky to get 5 hours of battery life, with newer Intel Atom chips you can get much more. 7 and 8 Inch Windows tablets retail for 100 - 300 dollars with a free copies of Office an incredible value considering UMPCS were 500+ dollars and netbooks were 300+ dollars. Not only were UMPCs very expensive they also were limited to very small companies not so well companies, where as modern 7 or 8 inch Windows tablet have many manufactures both mainstream and indepedent. Despite many Windows Tablets having 7 or 8 inch screens they are just portable as older devices due to small bezels and bodies. I can still fit a 8 inch tablet in my pocket.

Why a desktop OS on such a small device? For one thing Desktop user interface aren't that bad to use on such a small device. But a desktop OS has much better web browsing due to better plugin support such as adobe flash and other features. Desktop OSes also have better game libraries and better emulators, with newer Intel Atom chips gaming becomes much more a real possibility. Even though some apps have been ported to mobiles, many mobile versions of apps lack functionality found in desktop versions. There is better peripheral and accessory support on a desktop os. There is also artistic applications like sketchbook pro, mypaint, artrage, or Krita. Office apps are much better on the desktop. Having a full OS unlocks all sorts of potential.

Many 8 inch Windows tablets support stylus functionality through an active digitizer which is a deciding feature for me.

None of the current Windows tablets offer built in keyboards but bluetooth keyboards are sufficient replacements.

7 and 8 inch Windows tablet due have limitations. Most smaller Windows tablets only have 1gb or 2gb of Ram. Most smaller Windows tablets only have 1280x800 screens, with some exceptions. Plus Windows can take up significant storage space. Not deal breakers for me but must be kept in mind. So always buy tablets with higher ram and storage configurations and have micro sd card available. Hopefully future hardware addresses these limitations.

I think I will replace my Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 with an 8" Windows tablet with active digitizer when I feel the need to truly replace it. Though I will probably wait for the next generation of hardware.

There literally dozens of models but these ones Interest Me

Pipo W5
http://liliputing.com/2014/11/pipo-w...ws-tablet.html
Vido W8s
http://tablet-news.com/2014/08/19/vi...n-the-package/
Fujitsu Stylistic Q335
http://microsoft-news.com/fujitsu-st...let-announced/
Asus Vivotab Note 8
http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/06/asus-vivotab-note-8/
Dell Venue 8 Pro (Synatiks wrather than wacom stylus)
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/...y-want-to-buy/
Potential Future Toshiba Encore 2 Write
http://liliputing.com/2014/09/toshib...ws-tablet.html
HP Stream 7
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8760/hp-stream-7-review
Panasonic FM-Z1, Rugged 7 inch Windows Tablet with special capactive touch that enables stylus input without a digitizer. Core i series options available
http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/...c=rss&attr=all
http://www.ruggedpcreview.com/mt/arc...the_iphon.html
http://www.panasonic.com/business/to...blet-fz-m1.asp
Toshiba Encore WT7
http://www.engadget.com/2014/09/03/t...indows-tablet/