Microsoft Surface, 10.6-inch Tablet powered by Windows RT and Windows 8 Pro

Notebook and Tablet

Tablet PC competition is no longer between Apple and Android because Microsoft finally revealed “Surface“, on June 19, 2012.

Surface is a tablet type mobile device powered by Microsoft’s next-generation operating system. It is made up of magnesium alloy chassis that makes it thin and light measuring 9.3mm with full sized USB port and micro HDMI port. The keyboard attached to it is like an Apple’s Smart Cover but making the cover as a keyboard using a magnetic connector is really a good idea. After checking all features and looking to its appearance, I was thinking of getting Surface rather than buying a laptop.

There are two versions of Surface,  Windows RT version and Windows 8 Pro version, both has same appearance. The Windows RT is light version of Windows 8 that will work in ARM based CPU but it doesn’t have the full version of Windows 8 Pro version which is equipped with Intel core-i5 (Ivy-bridge) but both tablets can download Microsoft office from Windows App Store with no charge.

Surface (Windows RT)
Processor: NVIDIA Tegra-based ARM chip
Weight: 676 grams
Thickness: 9.3 millimeters
Display: 10.6-inch ClearType HD capacitive touchpanel
Battery: 31.5Wh
I/O: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
Software: Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT
Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand
Capacity: 32GB / 64GB
Availability: “Around” the Windows 8 launch (fall 2012)
Pricing: To be determined

Surface (Windows 8 Pro)
Processor: Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)
Weight: 903 grams
Thickness: 13.5 millimeters
Display: 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD (1080p) capacitive touchpanel
Battery: 42Wh
I/O: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, 2×2 MIMO antennae
Software: Windows 8 Pro
Accessories: Touch Cover, Type Cover, VaporMg Case & Stand, Pen with Palm Block
Capacity: 64GB / 128GB
Availability: “Three months after” the Windows 8 launch this fall
Pricing: To be determined

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Apple’s iPad 3 will be announce on 7th of March

Notebook and Tablet

Apple’s next iPad is still the much-anticipated tablet of this year. There are rumors about hardware specs and concept design online, and after so many speculation, Apple sent out invitations for the announcement of their new tablet in San Francisco. On the picture above, the Calendar application is visible with a number “7” inside which means that the event was scheduled for March 7. Apple is rarely shows up at any event, they failed to attend the Mobile World Congress too, and the only way to get more details is to wait until March 7. The changes in hardware specs expected are quad-core processor, Retina Display, better camera, long life battery and 4G capability. There is also speculation that the display will be in 3D without using a  3D glasses. If you have a plan to spend your money in iPad 3, this will be enough reason to make the next iPad more expensive than iPad 2.

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Razer “Project Fiona” gaming Tablet with an Intel Core-i7

Gaming console

 Razer unveiled a concept that will bring PC gaming capabilities to a tablet in the International Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas USA. They called it “Project Fiona“, it is a 10.1-inch touchscreen hybrid concept tablet along with a pair of integrated gaming controllers that can run high-end PC games. Gamers will love the new user interface that combines the best of a gamepad, multi-touch screen and acelerometers for an all-new gaming experience on-the-go. This is the first tablet equipped with Intel Core-i7 processor.

Razer also emphasize Project Fiona audio quality which has Dolby 7.1 surround sound certified by THX and powered by Windows 8. It also comes with rear and front facing cameras, 3 axis gyroscope sensor, a magnetometer and accelerometer. The two joystick attached to both side have four buttons with navigational thumb stick. I’m also expecting that it has large internal storage with expandable memory card port to make saving games possible through digital download. Wireless connectivity option of the Project Fiona include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and high-speed Bluetooth  v3.0.

There is no word on when Project Fiona will introduce to the market but the company plans to launch the first batch of this gaming tablet in Q4 of this year and promises that the pricing is below $1,000.

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