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Tablet or tweener? Does the Microsoft camp's convergence argument win the day?

Apple CEO Tim Cook has been clear about tablet-laptop convergence: not interested.

But Microsoft, Intel, Asus, Acer, Lenovo, and a long list of PC makers are. Very.

That would be due to Windows 8 and its touch-centric Metro interface, of course. This is driving PC makers to come up with novel hybrid (i.e., tweener) designs that function as both a tablet and laptop, as was amply demonstrated at Computex this week.

There will basically be two choices offered.

--Products like the Acer Aspire S7 that are ultrabooks with touchscreens.

--And more extreme designs, i.e., true convertibles like the Asus dual-screen Taichi.

I like the idea of an ultrabook with a touchscreen. I mean, why not offer a product with that option? It's silly not to.

That said, I do see hurdles for the products that take convergence a step further. It's really hard to completely smash two opposing usage modes together. In that sense, Tim Cook may be right: PC makers will be hard pressed to come up with anything as elegant as the iPad, or as popular.

But getting back to what I like about Windows 8. I've had a few chances to use the Samsung Series 7 Slate running early versions of Windows 8.

It's the fastest, smoothest experience I've had on a tablet yet. Bar none (that includes my third-generation iPad that I use every day).

The video below offers a brief demonstration of the browsing experience.

And I also like the fact that I can jump from Metro to the more traditional Windows desktop. (Note: Some reviewers may gripe about this, but it's really very easy to get to the traditional Windows desktop or navigate around Metro in general.)

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In the spirit of full disclosure, the Samsung slate uses an Intel 1.6GHz Core i5 "Sandy Bridge" processor and is pricey at about $1,300. But I expect that Ivy Bridge-based ultrabooks with touchscreens will be even faster -- and cheaper.

And Windows 8 tablets will certainly be less expensive.

All in all, I'm looking forward to Windows 8 touchscreen-equipped ultrabooks, tweeners, and whatever other design innovation the new operating system engenders.