IDC states that emerging markets are no longer buying PCs and at an increasing rate. It also states that sales of PCs in emerging markets are nearing the same sales figures as those in the mature markets. In the IDC smartphone forecast, you can see that emerging markets play a huge role in sales as many countries begin adapting to newer technologies. In Q4 2012, there was a year-over-year decline of 8.3% in PC shipments, which is a huge decline considering Q4 is holiday season.

PC shipments are expected to only experience growth in the single digit percentile all the way through 2017. Total shipments of PCs are expected to equal around 207.1 million in emerging markets for this year. Total shipments for PCs are expected to reach around 138.7 million for mature markets like the United States. All in all, there should be around 345.8 million PCs sold this year worldwide. The second half of this year we should be seeing a slight increase in PC sale momentum.

PCs aren’t like smartphones, where people replace them every 1-2 years (or every 4-5 months for me). The average user can stick to the same PC for years to come, and they see no point in spending nearly a thousand dollars on a new PC when their current one is already capable of doing the regular tasks, like web browsing, online-shopping, document editing, etc.

[via IDC]

The five buttons each tablet will need include power, volume up, volume down, rotation lock, and Windows key. The Windows key will have to be 10.5mm in diameter, but the manufacturer will be allowed to choose what shape it takes on. Another bit each tablet will need is an NFC “touch mark,” this being either a sticker or an embossed marking near to place where the tablet’s NFC chip, if it has one – this so that people can be sure they’re tapping the right bit to future NFC-capable sensors, of course.

Such gems as the following are also included:
1) Any bezel that surrounds the display area must not interfere with the user’s ability to interact with the edges of the display area.
2) Digitizer’s jitter is a maximum of 1 millimeter over 10 millimeters of travel.
3) Computer display devices can accurately render colors after being calibrated, to within certain colorimetric error tolerances.

Then there are things you’re going to love, like the classic CTRL+ALT+DEL changed to Power+Windows button. Other minimum requirements include:

Storage: capacity must have at least 10GB of free space after installation of the operating system
The system firmware must use UEFI, and have secure boot locked down for ARM tablets
Network: WLAN and BlueTooth 4.0 + LE (low energy)
Mobile broadband: If fitted, an assisted GPS radio is also required
NFC: A visual marking of its location on the outer body is required
Graphics: Direct 3D 10 device with WDDM 1.2 driver
Display: Must be at least 1366×768 pixels at a depth of 32bits
Touch Support: It must pass all tests offering at least five touch points
Camera: Must all be capable of at least 720p
Ambient light sensor: 1-30k LUX capable with dynamic range of 5-60K
Sensors: Magnetometer, accelerometer and gyroscope
Connectivity: At least one USB 2.0 controller and exposed USB 2.0 port on frame
Speakers

Then for those of you that love to furrow your brow, the fact that there’s a mandatory Secure Boot feature for ARM-based Windows 8 devices should give your face a workout. This prevents hackers from loading, for example, Android onto the hardware. Intel-based tablet will not be required to have the same lock.

You can grab PDF files of the full set of requirements straight from Microsoft if you want to be official about it, this link leading you also to requirements for Windows 8 System and Windows 8 Filter Driver Requirements.

I should come clean with you folks before you start to call me out on the fact that I did give a pretty favorable review on the ASUS Transformer Prime just this past week, saying that it was one lovely piece of equipment and my new choice for best Android tablet on the market. The most important piece of that review though (aside from the processor) was in the hardware, not even in the fabulous display, but in the optional keyboard dock. Have a peek at this:

“The magic in this device is not only in its keyboard dock, but once you get a taste of the ta on its own, its hard to resist the desire to own what basically amounts to the other half of it. … The keyboard dock has been sent to us to review in a box right alongside the tablet itself, and indeed it does belong with the tablet – let me reiterate: this isn’t a tablet, it’s a collapsible notebook.” – your Humble Narrator

You’ve got to know this: without the keyboard dock, I may well have put the tablet back in the box the moment I got done reviewing it. There’s no reason for a person in my position to have a tablet other than for the following several functions:

• Netflix player – out to HDTV (iPad 2)
• Game console – out to HDTV (Toshiba THRIVE)
• Game tester (Galaxy Tab 8.9, Transformer PRIME, iPad 2)

I literally still have a Toshiba THRIVE hooked up to my HDTV to play games like Riptide and Shadowgun because it has a full-sized HDMI port and a full-sized USB port – the USB port works with the Logitech wireless gaming controller NVIDIA sent my way, and the HDMI port allows for simple plug and play action. Check out how that all works in a post I added to Android Community a few weeks ago. With the Prime hooked up to the keyboard dock (which has a full-sized USB port), I could do essentially that same thing, mind you, but why unplug the THRIVE? No-one’s going to want to buy a tablet that’s out-dated by more than a month.

For testing games or new apps of all kinds, I use tablets to see how they function. You can see how fun these apps can be in such reviews as the Shadowgun double-hands-on with the Galaxy Tab 10.1 or the original Infinity Blade review on the iPad 2. Other than that, there’s simply no time for a person such as myself to spend playing video games anywhere, this including the tablet space.

Then there’s the Netflix situation. I do have an iPad 2 here, one I literally own, and its primary function in this house is to play Netflix out via its HDMI converter to my HDTV. Every once in a while, again, I’ll use the iPad to review an app, but other than this, not much goes on in the halls of the great A5.

So I ask you, the reader, and the owner of a tablet – do you use your tablet as much as you thought you would when you purchased it? For those of you who will get a tablet, inevitably, for the holidays as a gift – do you think you’ll use it?

The study claims that 42 percent of US consumers prefer to have the Windows operating system on their tablets. Apple’s iOS comes in second at 27 percent, followed by Android at 20 percent, BlackBerry at 9 percent, and Palm OS at 3 percent. The study also surveyed Chinese consumers, which yielded similar results but with more interest in Windows and iOS at 44 percent and 34 percent, respectively, and less interest in Android, BlackBerry, and PalmOS.

The method in which the survey was conducted as well as the survey size were not detailed, but according to AllThingsD, the study’s odd result isn’t completely out in left field. A similar poll conducted earlier this year by Forrester also revealed Microsoft’s Windows to be the most preferred operating system on a tablet. This means that when Windows 8 tablets are ready to hit the market, the tablet landscape could see a dramatic shift.

Microsoft’s Windows 8 preview looks promising and they’re definitely ramping up their ecosystem of services. Today, the company announced an expanded suite of content, partners, and features for its Xbox LIVE platform, which will eventually be integrated with Windows 8.

The Samsung Series 7 Slate features a 11.6-inch Gorilla Glass covered display that doubles as a Wacom tablet with the use of a pressure sensitive stylus. Inside, it sports either an i3 or i5 processor with 4GB of RAM. It also offers both a rear- and front-facing camera as well as support for both WiMAX and HSPA+ network connections.

The tablet also sports what appears to be a home screen button with the Windows icon. It’s not clear whether this is Samsung’s own decision or a standard we’ll be seeing in all future Windows 8 tablets. A more detailed preview of Windows 8 is set to take place at the Build developer conference in September with rumors of a public beta to be released at CES and a final version to land later in 2012.

Samsung plans to partner with Microsoft for the Windows 8 upgrade offering for the Series 7 Slate. The tablet will ship in October for $1,099. Below are some of the hands-on images for the tablet from Thisismynext and PC Magazine.

From the impressive specs listed above you probably noticed this is a little more than your average tablet device. With a powerful dual-core chip and 4GB of memory this thing should be blazing fast and put most small netbooks to shame. Currently it is be offered at Amazon and Newegg both for pre-order starting at $599. Feel free to click those links and see more pictures or details and possibly even pre-order one for yourself.

Do take note that shipments wont start until August 1st according to the press release (below) so you’ll be waiting a few weeks. This tablet has a lot of potential and could really be just what you’ve been waiting for if the Honeycomb platform or the iPad isn’t for you. Full press release below.

Press Release:

MSI Launches New WindPad 110W Tablet Computer

WindPad110W unites stylish design with Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system and AMD Z-Series APU platform to deliver a secure, on-the-go PC experience for professionals and educators

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. – July 7, 2011 – MSI Computer Corp., a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, today announced the first North American shipment of the WindPad 110W. MSI worked closely with Microsoft and AMD (NYSE: AMD) to create a tablet that combines powerful processing and Microsoft Windows® 7 operating system designed for professionals, including business travelers, healthcare and education professionals.

“Bringing Windows 7 and AMD’s newest generation processor together is a significant step forward for MSI’s tablet line,” noted Andy Tung, vice president of North American sales for MSI. “Our business customers want portability and multimedia entertainment on the go, and the new hardware and latest software gives us the ability to deliver that experience in a tablet form factor.”

The MSI WindPad 110W combines security features with easy navigation tools to make using the tablet while away from a desk easy and secure.

“Microsoft is pleased to work with MSI to help bring their portable Windows-based tablet to market,” said Nick Parker, Vice President of Worldwide Marketing in the OEM Division at Microsoft Corp. “Windows 7 is a great choice for commercial customers looking for a device that enables the productivity, mobility and security their businesses need to succeed.”

The tablet also packs the new AMD Z-01 Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), offering powerful processing and display performance with 4GB of DDR3 RAM, 32 GB solid state drive, 1280×800 screen resolution, a USB port and mini-HDMI port included.

“The MSI WindPad 110W tablet featuring the AMD Z-Series APU with unmatched AMD Radeon™ graphics is an exciting new product and a perfect fit for end users that want DirectX® 11 capability and vivid HD media experiences,” said John Byrne, corporate vice president and general manager for Americas Mega Region, AMD. “In addition to its integration with operating systems like Microsoft Windows 7, the AMD 2011 HD Tablet Platform enables enterprise-level security and offers support for HTML 5 and external monitors, enabling crisp graphics for enhanced productivity, streaming video, gaming and other multimedia.”

The MSI WindPad 110W highlights and features include:

· Trusted Platform Module (TPM): With the TPM, files and data are automatically encrypted for maximum security using the BitLocker functionality in Windows 7 Enterprise or Ultimate to provide encryption for the tablet and any removable HDD.

· Easy Face Software: MSI’s Easy Face software allows you to log in without typing a password. Instead, show your face to the tablet’s webcam, and you will automatically be logged in to the system. The software employs your unique facial features to remember your passwords, so you don’t have to.

· Multi-control Navigation: The Smart Tracker provides smooth operation, so that you can grip both sides of the tablet and use small finger movements for navigation, an additional navigation control to using the touch screen. The SAS Hotkey performs the traditional role of the “Ctrl+Alt+Del” combination whenever needed.

· Smart O-Easy Application: The user-friendly application delivers full-control panel at your fingertips and allows you to manage and find the functions or programs that are most often used, including volume, webcam, wireless, mute, standby mode and screen brightness.

The new WindPad110W has an MSRP of $599.99. It is available for presale at Newegg.com and Amazon.com. For detailed specification and purchasing options, please visit http://www.msimobile.com.

The new Toughbook C1 gets a speed and performance boost with a new Intel Core i5 2520M vPro processor, a 2.5GHz CPU with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz. Hard drive storage has been bumped up to 320GB, RAM is 2GB and expandable to 8GB, while battery life is now up to 12 hours with the use of an optional second battery. Also, boot up time is now 30 percent faster than before.

Other features include Bluetooth 2.1 support, Wi-Fi, and optional 3G connectivity. The new Toughbook C1 weighs only 3.28lbs and has a special triple-hinge design along with a hands-free ergonomic strap and dome cradle. It can withstand drops from 30″ off the ground and has a spill-resistant keyboard that protects again up to 6 ounces of liquids. The 12.1-inch widescreen is WXGA 1280 x 800 resolution that’s available in multi-touch and digitizer screen or gloved multi-touch. Anti-glare treatment is also available.

The new Toughbook C1 will be availabe in July with a price starting at $2,599. It comes with a full three-year limited warranty including parts and labor.

The Archos 9 PC Tablet merges the power of the desktop OS with the portability of a tablet form factor. It features a 9-inch matte-finish touchscreen powered by a 1.2 GHz Intel Atom Z515 CPU. It has a 32GB solid state hard drive, a built-in webcam, WiFi, stereo speakers, microphone, USB port, and Bluetooth.

The tablet comes pre-loaded with Lotus Symphony for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. It also has a built-in adjustable kickstand that lets you angle it high for watching videos as well as angle it low for typing. Battery life is rated up to firve hours, but is swappable with a spare battery.

External hard drives, printers, and digital cameras can all be connected to the Archos 9 via its USB port. Bluetooth keyboards and peripherals can also be connected. It supports Flash 9 videos and can stream 1080p HD videos to your TV from YouTube, Hulu and more. The tablet is available now on the Archos site and is priced at $499.99.

[via Archos]

The version Pocket-lint played with is an actual production version of the tablet that will be offered in Japan. The tablet has a 10.1-inch screen that is touch capable. The keyboard on the version that you see here apparently has some extra keys around the space bar for Japanese users and the version for other areas will not have those making it more useful. I hope that means a larger space bar, that thing looks tiny.

The table weighs 1.1kg and has a HDMI port, dual USB 2.0 ports, an SD card slot, and a headphone jack. The TH40/D also has a hardware volume control. The processor inside is the Atom Z670 running at 1.5GHz. The tablet has 1GB of RAM, which isn’t very good considering the OS is Windows 7. The build quality is first rate according to Pocket-lint. For basic computing users wanting the most portability they can get, the TH40/D is worth your consideration.

[via Pocket-lint]

The Fujitsu LifeBook T901 features NVIDIA’s Optimus hybrid graphics technology and a 2.5GHz Core i5 processor. It has 2GB RAM, a 250GB hard drive protected by a shock sensor, and a dual-layer DVD burner. Its 13.3-inch touchscreen LCD display has a 1280 x 758 resolution and can also support five-finger capacitive multitouch with the $100 addition of a dual digitizer.

The modular bay also allows you to hook up either a secondary battery or a hard drive. There is also an integrated fingerprint reader for added security. It comes preloaded with Windows 7 Professional, with support for WiFi, Bluetooth, a webcam, dual microphones, and an HDMI output. Pricing starts at $1,899.

[via Electronista]

The side panel contains a scroll wheel and nine fixed buttons. This is for things like escape, space, control, shift etc. It’s designed so that one hand manipulates the stylus and touchscreen while one works with the panel on the side. The eight buttons lined up above and below the fixed buttons are all actually small e-ink displays that shift form and function based on context. The design also includes kickstands on both sides so it’s equally ergonomic for lefties.

The technology that’s coming out right now in tablet computers is honestly unlike anything else. The confluence of large and relatively inexpensive touchscreens (that don’t suck), bright and long-lasting OLED screens(that are affordable for the average Joe), and systems on a chip(RISC did change everything, Hackers was right!) changed the game forever. As I’ve heard my friends often exclaim with glee, “We’re living in the future!”

[via Yanko]

The tablet will presumably have a 7-inch screen judging by the name and it will run Android 2.2 as the OS. IN Media claims that the new tablet will have the power to support all sorts of gaming apps, business apps, and entertainment services. The tablet is pegged to ship in April.

The MSRP for the tablet will be $199. Features will include a camera, WiFi, and a removable SD card for storage. Bluetooth will be integrated as well. We don’t know the key stats like what processor platform the tablet will use and if it will have any internal storage or rely solely on SD cards.

[via Android Community]

While the netbook still has a cost/performance advantage, the shift in media exposure since telecommunication carriers are now redirecting their attention from netbooks to tablet PCs keeps the spotlight on the latter. However, it is believed sales in emerging markets should see growth since the $550 to $650 price point for tablet PCs is less affordable.

Although many Chinese white brand netbook vendors are now shifting towards manufacturing tablet PCs, some still believe that Netbooks will retain their own niche market. Asus just launched the Eee PC 1015PW and expects to introduce 3 to 4 more new netbook models.

[Via ConceivablyTech]

Unlike with the OSC1 TC, which has a more gaming slant, OCOSMOS reckon the OSC9 is for more general-purpose mobile use. The 1.5GHz Intel Atom Oak Trail processor is paired with twin cameras – 1.3MP on the front, 3.1MP on the back – and while the 9-inch display is a capacitive multitouch-capable panel, there’s also a remote control section which can switch between an on-screen keyboard, gaming controls and multimedia buttons.

As with the OSC1, the OSC9 ran surprisingly slickly for a prototype. Windows 7 is easier to control – though still not ideal – on the larger display, and while we still miss the physical keys that OCOSMOS ditched from the original OSC1 design, the on-screen ‘board is reasonably spaced for pecking out emails and URLs. It’ll be gaming and multimedia where it comes into its own, though; we’re yet to see how much of a gaming platform Oak Trail can be, but the promise is far more processing capability and graphics crunching than previous Atom versions.

OCOSMOS say the OSC9 will run for around 5-6hrs on a full charge, and that when it arrives in the second half of 2011 – price yet to be determined – it will come in black or white initially, and then be followed by other colors. The leather case will come in black or white.

There will be two options for potential customers: a 32GB model, or a 64GB version. Both of which utilize mSATA SSD. The display is a 10.1-inch version, with a capacitive touchscreen. It’s an HD LCD with a brightness of 340 nit. The resolution is 1366 x 768. Inside, you’ll find an Intel ATOM Oak-Trail Z670 clocked at 1.66GHz. There will be 2GB of DDR2 memory.

There’s a 4-in-1 memory card reader, and a single USB 2.0 port. There’s also an HDMI out port. A 1.3MP webcam will make video chat possible. The Sliding PC 7 Series features a 6-cell battery, that Samsung wagers will last 9 hours with usage. The full press release is below for more information.

Press Release

Samsung Creates a New Category of Mobile PC with the Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series

Combining the Benefits of a Laptop and Tablet PC, the PC 7 Series is Ideal for Creating and Consuming Content

LAS VEGAS, NV, January 5, 2011 – Samsung Electronics America Inc., a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation, today announced the launch of its first sliding tablet PC at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Equipped with Microsoft Windows 7 operating system and powered by the upcoming Intel® Atom™ processor platform, currently code-named “Oak Trail,” the PC 7 Series maximizes the benefits of a tablet PC with its compact, light design, and incorporates a sliding keyboard for easy typing, enhanced productivity and performance. The display elegantly slides up to reveal a physical keyboard giving the user the option of a multi-touch display or full keyboard and mouse interface.

“With the proliferation of tablet devices, there is a demand from consumers that want the elegance, ease-of-use and portable form factor of a tablet but also the familiarity of a notebook,” said Scott Ledterman, director of mobile PC product marketing at Samsung Enterprise Business Division. “At first glance, the Samsung PC 7 Series is a compact, light-weight tablet featuring an intuitive touchscreen. However, once the display is slid into place, it reveals a physical keyboard that offers users the familiar keyboard/touchpad interface. The Samsung 7 Series is creating a category unto itself, with a total solution that is not only chic and convenient for content consumption, but also versatile enough for more intensive computing and content creation.”

“The Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series is a great example of the deep collaboration between Microsoft and Samsung, from engineering to marketing,” said Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the OEM Division, Microsoft Corporation. “This joint innovation delivers a unique PC design and rich mobile computing experiences for our mutual customers.”

“Innovative designs based on Intel Atom processors offer not only improved performance and sleeker devices, but also new, creative form factors,” said Doug Davis, vice president and general manager of the Netbook and Tablet Group at Intel. “The Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series demonstrates how state-of-the-art form factors can help consumers stay connected, while also providing rich, immersive PC-like experiences on the go.”

Pioneering Design
Weighing just 2.2 pounds, the Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series is easily packed into a briefcase and can be used for making presentations or for recording data on the fly. The 7 Series is suited for both indoor and outdoor use with 340-nit brightness 10.1-inch display supported by an enhanced HD resolution (1366 x 768). With its slim and light weight design, the 7 Series allows for mobility without compromising functionality in personal or professional settings.

Everyone from students to mobile professionals can enjoy the convenience of Samsung’s Sliding PC 7 Series. The form factor is ideal for personal computing activities like watching movies or social networking, and can quickly adapt the needs of professional users presenting to clients or taking notes at a meeting. The device is also perfect for students, thanks to its handy, portable nature and focus on content. For those who prefer physical keyboards over a touch screen for quickly typing up notes or browsing the Web, the 7 Series features a full, 80/81-key keyboard sleekly tucked away under the display. At the user’s convenience, the keyboard slides out completely, creating a laptop-like interface coupled with the touch capabilities on the display.

The six-cell lithium-polymer battery and innovative Eco Light Sensor, which conserves energy and adjusts screen brightness based on available ambient light, allows the 7 Series to last for up to 9 hours.

Innovative Mobile Computing
The ultra-light Samsung Sliding PC 7 Series is engineered with convenience and responsiveness in mind. Available in either 32GB or 64GB models, the 7 Series features expandable storage with the 4-in-1 memory card reader. The solid-state hard drive and Samsung’s Fast Start feature powers the 7 Series in as little as 15 seconds, or restores from Hibernate and Sleep modes in a mere 3 seconds. The SSD also fully supports multi-tasking not only in the Windows® mode, but also in touch mode, so users never have to slow down.

Equipped with Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, the Samsung 7 Series provides familiarity and comfort to users while enhancing their overall experience. Users with entertainment in mind will benefit from high-resolution graphics and an HDMI port for sharing content on an HDTV. Additionally, the built-in webcam and audio speaker make the 7 Series ideal for video communication with family, friends and coworkers across the globe.

Optional 3G connectivity takes the 7 Series to new levels, with Internet connectivity anywhere, anytime. Moreover, the built-in accelerometer enables portrait or landscape viewing, making the 7 Series perfect for reading daily news articles, or sharing photos with family and friends.

Application Ecosystem
The Sliding PC 7 Series comes with several pre-loaded applications that are optimized for the touch screen display. This includes Samsung’s applications for music, video, photos, note taking, weather, clock, compass and many more. In addition, Microsoft Bing™ Maps provides powerful tools that help get more out of search, including the intuitive Bing voice search, which enables users to type with their voice to find what they’re looking for. More robust touch applications will be available via the Samsung App Manager and Windows Product Scout.

The Samsung 7 Series acts as a connective hub with other devices to improve the entertainment experience thanks to Samsung’s device-to-device connection solutions. Samsung AllShare™ enables users to control, search, swap and play videos, photos, and music across a full range of DLNA® (Digital Living Network Alliance) certified Samsung devices, ranging from cameras and smart phones to TVs and PCs.

The Samsung 7 Series is scheduled to be available in March 2011, with a starting price of $699 MSRP. All Samsung mobile PC products are available through Samsung resellers and distribution channels, which can be located by calling 1-800-SAMSUNG or by visiting www.samsung.com.

Key Specs:
· CPU: Intel® ATOMTM Oak Trail Z670 @ 1.66GHz

· Operating System:

o Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium

o Samsung Touch Launcher

· Memory: 2GB DDR2

· Hard Drive (max): 32GB or 64GB (mSATA SSD)

· Screen: 10.1-inch touchscreen HD LCD display (340 nit)

· Resolution: 1366 x 768

· Graphics: Intel Integrated Graphics

· Audio Technology: Integrated speaker (0.8W x 2)

· I/O:

o USB 2.0

o 4-in-1 memory card reader

o HMDI out

· Webcam: 1.3MP

· Battery: Lithium Polymer; up to 9 hours

· Wireless: 802.11b/g/n; WiMax; 3G

· Dimensions: 10.47 x 6.88 x 0.78 inches (W x D x H)

· Weight: Starting at 2.18 lbs.

* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

About Samsung Electronics America Enterprise Business Division
Based in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung’s Enterprise Business Division (EBD) is a division of Samsung Electronics America (SEA), a U.S. subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. (SEC), the world’s largest technology company based on revenue. As one of the fastest growing IT companies in the world, Samsung EBD is committed to serving the needs of consumers ranging from the home user to the Fortune 500 elite and supporting the valued channel partners who serve our customers. Samsung EBD offers a complete line of award-winning color and mono-laser printing solutions, desktop monitors, laptop computers, digital signage solutions and projectors. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com or call 1-800-SAMSUNG.

Inside you’ll find new software by the name of ExTouch, this dedicated to helping improve Windows 7 touch input by giving you a dedicated App launcher. Feel free to visit Onkyo for additional information if you read Japanese. Looks kinda sassy!

[Via AkihabaraNews]

Starting on November 23 Acer will launch a line of tablet computers that will range in price from $299 to $699. The revelation came by way of Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci in a chat with Dow Jones Newswire. That is all the detail that was offered by Lanci on the new line of tablets.

The last rumor of an Acer tablet pegged the OS as Android, but we can’t rule out Windows 7 on larger and more expensive versions either. Screen sizes are unknown but a good guess would be the current 7-inch to 10-inch range.

The convertible notebook computer also has a webcam option and that accidental damage warranty covers the device for two years. The resistive touchscreen supports multitouch and gestures like pinch to zoom and rotation. The CF-C1 sells for £1,709 and is available right now.

Other features of the notebook include a dual battery design that allows for up to ten hours of operation and the batteries are hot swappable. The screen has a matte finish to make it easier to read in bright rooms. The keyboard is spill resistant, the machine can survive drops of up to 76cm while it is operating and the HDD is removable.

The company points out that the pre-order process is launching before the final product is ready and there is a bit of bad news. The Slate was expected to have GPS, but the 64GB version on pre-order will not offer GPS. ExoPC says that GPS is not working with the current provider and if they can’t get it working, the final product will lack GPS.

The company hasn’t ruled out fixing whatever the issue is through so GPS is a question mark right now. The pre-order price has been cut a bit in light of the fact that GPS is unknown. The price will be 749 CAD and if GPS is fixed in time for the slate to ship the price will remain. The SSD inside the 64GB version is from SanDisk making it very fast.

Armor says that the machine meets MIL-STD-810G, is approved for use in explosive or hazardous environments and has an IP rating of 67. The tablet weighs 4.7 pounds and has an integrated docking system. The hardware inside the little tablet includes an Intel Core 2 Duo SU9300 CPU.

RAM is 2GB and storage is to a 64GB SSD with 80GB and 160GB Intel SSDs available as options. The screen of the tablet is 10.4-inches with a resolution of 1024 x 768 and is a transmissive sunlight readable unit with anti-glare and anti-reflective treatments. It is also equipped with Gobi mobile broadband, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The machine will ship on September 15.

The tablet computer is called the Clean Room iX104C4 and features an optional AllVue Xtreme display that is 10.4-inches and has a 1024 x 768 resolution. The screen can also be fitted with an optional resistive touch digitizer. Graphics for the machine are Intel integrated.

The CPU is a dual core Intel U2500 at 1.2GHz. Other features include Bluetooth, WiFi, optional HSPA mobile broadband and more. The battery in the tablet is an 8-cell li-ion unit with up to 4.5 hours of run time. The rig can be ordered with up to 2GB of RAM and stores data to a 32GB SSD.

Courtesy of Glen Murphy, Google Chrome’s UI lead designer, these concept images as well as concept in-action video show what the team building the Chrome OS are brainstorming for future projects.  Note that there will possibly be multiple “Google Tablets”, given that Chrome OS won’t be tied to a single device, similar to how the Android OS was implemented.  Check out both the video and additional images below.

iPad, or Chrome OS tablet (or various other devices based on the OS).  This gives us a lot to think about how the two could potentially compete against each other in the touchscreen tablet space.  The tablet in this video seems larger than the iPad, but Apple may be in the very stages of bringing to market an even bigger tablet.  Time will only tell – the iPad isn’t out yet, on the other hand, Chrome OS itself hasn’t been released, not to mention a single Chrome OS device yet outed .

[via Techcrunch]

The touchscreen display seems to be fairly responsive to both writing by a stylus as well as flicking photo shots and pages in a comic e-book.  Although the stylus is given much more time than the reviewer’s own digits, revealing that Windows 7 is a far cry from being truly digit-friendly.

Microsoft’s implementation of Windows 7 menus may not be the best suited to a touchscreen interface.  Mac OS X maybe another story, as evinced here.  Will we soon have a purely finger-driven tablet device running an actual well-to-do OS?

EROS tablet running Windows 7 video demo

The slate PC runs stock Windows 7, nothing spectacular, but is noted to be physically comfortable to hold and relatively light.  The video does not that Stantum may not have picked the best of parts, as the display had some pixilation problems that is not usually noticed on Dell mini 10 screens.

Engadget notes that “Outside of the lightest of swipes that capacitive is well known for supporting, this is basically the perfect touchscreen experience. 10-finger multitouch, sensing and processing of multi-finger gestures, and simulated pressure sensitivity based on how much of a finger has been pressed down: all of these work brilliantly.”  Something like this only gears us up in even more anticipation for new and improved slate technology in the near future – some think Jan 27th, to be exact.  All eyes on you, Jobs and Co.

Slate PC Demo VIDEO

Rumors of an HTC-made touch tablet ran wild before this year’s CES, with the company reportedly preparing a few working models, with at least one of them running Google Chrome OS. Unnamed sources also tipped that the devices would based on Qualcomm chipsets, potentially including the ever-so-popular 1GHz Snapdragon chip.

Note that this doesn’t mean that an HTC tablet is completely off the table.  For all we know, they might just be waiting for Apple’s rumored upcoming tablet believed to be made official on January 27th to prove that tablets can be successful before entering the market themselves.

Most elements of the new multitouch ThinkPad X200 Tablet remain the same as its predecessor. That means you get a 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 processor, paired with 2GB of DDR3 RAM, a 160GB 5,400rpm hard-drive, WiFi b/g/n and Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics. The 12.1-inch LED-backlit display runs at WXGA 1,280 x 800, and is mounted on a sturdy central hinge that rotates 180-degrees and allows the screen to fold flat against the keyboard for slate-style use. As with most ThinkPads we’ve tested, the keyboard is a triumph of usability, though you’ll have to be satisfied with a trackpoint nub mouse as there’s no room for a trackpad.

Our X200 Tablet came with a non-standard configuration, however, so it’s worth bearing in mind that our Geekbench benchmarking results won’t tally with what you’ll see from the custom configurations on Lenovo’s site. The review X200 Tablet has a 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo L9600 processor, paired with 3GB of RAM, and scored 2528 in Geekbench.

Like on the T400s, Lenovo have introduced SimpleTap with the multitouch screen option on the X200s, the company’s shortcut menu and finger-friendly launcher. Triggered by tapping a red on-screen shortcut button, SimpleTap includes volume and brightness control, entering sleep mode, switching on and off the keyboard light and activating the webcam as standard; however you can also add any application or shortcut, much as you would a desktop shortcut in Windows. The launcher wizard is clever enough to pick a default icon – whether for an app, a file, a folder or a website – though you can override this with your own preference, and then you can rearrange the icons as you see fit (or allow them to auto-arrange).

SimpleTap makes far more sense on the convertible X200 Tablet than it does on the T400s, though, simply because for at least part of the time you’ll be using the notebook in slate orientation. That means the keyboard and trackpoint stick are out of reach, and you’re already tapping at the display with your fingers. On the T400s, in contrast, we found it often seemed counter-intuitive to lift our hands from the keyboard and reach over to tap the display.

Unlike the T400s, however, the X200 Tablet doesn’t support more than two fingers of multitouch control, a limitation it seems of the Ntrig capacitive panel Lenovo have used. What you do get, though, is both finger- and pen-input, since the capacitive layer sits on top of a Wacom active digitizer. This works with the included (battery-free) stylus, automatically shutting off the finger-touch layer when the pen nib is nearby and capable of controlling the mouse pointer by hovering the stylus over the display surface together with tapping for selection and launch. Pen-input is also used for handwriting recognition in Windows 7 – there’s no scrawling into the TIP (tablet input panel) with a fingertip – and while accuracy of conversion isn’t 100-percent, it’s still better than XP Tablet Edition’s first attempts. Some applications, such as Microsoft’s own OneNote, allow you to leave your text as handwritten but still search through it as if it were typed.

Unfortunately, not all software is as capable, and that goes for not only pen- but multitouch-input too. Windows 7 adds native multitouch support at an OS level, and the included Windows 7 Touch Pack – which consists of three games, a screensaver and a gallery app – does a reasonable job of showing off the functionality, but once you’re back in Word or Internet Explorer there’s no special support for the new capacitive panel.

As an alternative, Lenovo are also offering an optional “SuperBright Outdoor Viewable” display that boosts brightness to 400 cd/m2. As you might hope, opting for the SuperBright panel does indeed make the X200 Tablet more resistant to sun glare and reflections; however it’s disappointingly not available if you opt for the multitouch screen. You should also budget for some extra weight if you choose to go multitouch, since the capacitive panel pushes the Tablet’s weight up to 4.2lbs.

You could argue, then, that the SuperBright display is the upgrade to go for on the X200 Tablet. Not only do you not sacrifice non-keyboard control – after all, you still get the active digitizer and pen – but if you’re a true mobile user you’ll appreciate being able to tote and use the ThinkPad wherever you are, no matter whether you’re stood in a stockroom or outside in the garden. It’s more expensive, though; Lenovo are asking $125 for the multitouch upgrade and $175 for the SuperBright upgrade, on top of the “Elite” X200 Tablet (which starts from $1,609), and $200 and $250 respectively on top of the entry-level model (which starts from $1,529). It’s easy to find the price sliding above $2,000, simply by upgrading CPU ($75 for the 1.86GHz SL9400), RAM ($30 or $65 for 3GB or 4GB respectively) and storage (a 128GB SSD is $380). Bluetooth and Mobile Broadband are also cost options.

Still, $1,689 is the cost of entry for the multitouch X200 Tablet, and you’re getting a sturdy, reliable machine that’s all set for what we keep getting told is the next phase in finger-control. How relevant that is to you depends very much on what you plan to do with your notebook, of course, and though we’d argue multitouch makes more sense on the X200 Tablet than it does on the T400s, it’s still taking a niche device into an even narrower market. What it does, the Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet does very well, and Windows 7 is a considerable improvement over clunky Vista, but consumers desperate for finger-friendly touchscreens might be better saving their money until the inevitable surge of capacitive-bearing web tablets arrive in the months after the new OS’ launch.

The C5, a machine aimed at use in medical offices, and the F5 tablet both use the thin-sheet glass designed to protect against things that typically cause display damage like drops and bumps. The C5 and F5 machines are both rated to IP-54 and MIL-STD-810F and are rugged yet lightweight.

Gorilla Glass is an environmentally friendly alkali-aluminosilicate thing-sheet glass that is designed specifically to functions a glass cover for portable displays. The glass is damage and scratch resistant and protects pen-input devices from the elements. The C5 and F5 tablets with the Gorilla Glass are available now. Other specifications of the C5 and F5 are the same as we have covered before.