Toshiba has some new Windows tablets that are inexpensive and compact. Toshiba’s goal with the Encore 2 was to create two version of this tablet that is both affordable and easy to use. The Encore 2 tablets come with Windows 8.1 and some additional features that are both nice and might give other tablets a run for their money.

Encore 2 Details

8-Inch Option:

Quad-core Intel Atom processor
microSD card support
1280 x 800 pixel display
1GB of RAM
32GB of storage
8-10 hour battery life
Office 365 for one-year

10-inch Option:

1280 x 800 pixel resolution
1GB of RAM
32GB of storage
8-10 hour battery life
microSD card support
Office 365 for one-year

As you can see, the 10-inch version is bigger, but it comes with the same insides as the 8-inch option. Why? Toshiba will be releasing additional options that offer more internal storage and RAM for more money ($50 to $80 more). Toshiba isn’t looking to wow consumers with these tablets. Instead, the company is hoping to grab the market that’s looking for a tablet at a low price. Most other tablets on the market are hundreds of dollars more than this one, but Toshiba’s tablet does come with all the basics plus Office.

The Appeal of Office

If you don’t need office as part of your tablet experience, you may not get the appeal of this program. But, trust me, a lot of consumers want a laptop replacement that comes with Office. Since Windows tablets are the only tablets that offer Office, tablets that come with this program are going to be very popular. Windows tablets haven’t caught on in the way that Android or iPad tablets have been purchased, but these tablets do have a lot to offer. In fact, many of the Windows tablets are great buys once you get used to Windows 8.1, which really isn’t that hard to understand or use.

Toshiba’s new tablets will be priced starting at $199. Both sizes will be available in stores starting in July, so you can check those out when July rolls around. Based strictly on the photos that Toshiba has released and the specs listed here, these seem like basic tablets that include everything you’d want in a simple device. If you’re looking for a good replacement for that old desktop or laptop, this tablet might just do it. There will be accessories and other bits available for the Encore 2 tablets as soon as it is released.

Simple, understated, and affordable – it might just be what consumers are looking for. Would you buy an Encore 2? If not, why would you skip this tablet? I’m thinking that there’s a definite market for a tablet of this size and price, and it seems to be one device well worth looking at when it arrives in stores in July. Will the Encore 2 beat out all the other tablets on the market? Probably not; but it’s going to be a contender in the Windows tablet arena (and may even beat out some other tablets), that’s for sure.