Up in front the user will be working with a 15-inch display at 1080p resolution, this run by an 3rd generation Intel Ivy Bridge processor – we’ve got i5 but you’ll have the option of i7 as well, depending on when you check the device out. Inside is Windows 8 right out of the box, and the display has 10-finger touch sensitivity.

Also inside you’ll find 6GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, not to mention a 24GB solid state drive as well. The whole machine weighs in at approximately 5.5 pounds, which is right there on the edge of “this is kind of heavy” and “oh this isn’t as heavy as it looks”.

Under the machine you’ll notice some rather sizable bumpers. These pieces of rubbery material hold the notebook hybrid in place while you’re swiveling your display around and offer a bit of a bump so your speakers can blast out the bottom and the sides. You’re also working with some Dolby technology there for sound – and we’re already sure it’s loud.

As it was with the Star Trek Into Darkness film, so too was this machine available starting on the 17th of May. It’ll run a prospective owner $999 USD, and we’ll be letting you know if it’s all worth it soon – stay tuned for SlashGear’s full review!

The video compares both tablets as far as hardware specs are concerned, such as the weight and size of the tablets, as well as the selection of apps and the ability to multitask. Microsoft shows off the ASUS tablet running full Office, while the iPad only has the OneNote app. And while the iPad can quickly switch between apps, Microsoft gloats that the VivoTab can do split-screen multitasking.

The ad also demonstrates that Windows 8 tablets have a microSD card slot built in, while the iPad requires an adapter in order to get the same functionality. Microsoft even brings up printing, noting that the iPad only works with AirPrint-compatible printers, while Windows 8 tablets work with nearly any printer.

While Microsoft’s previous tablet commercials have been all about focusing only on the tablet itself, these new ads put some focus on the competition — in this case, it’s the iPad that’s giving Microsoft’s tablets a run for their money, so it seems the company wants to set the record straight and let people know the benefits of their tablets.

It’s certainly a blatant call out to the iPad, which could result in some eye rolls by viewers, but we have to say these ads are a bit better than office workers break-dancing on top of tables and flinging around their Surface tablets. It’s certainly a better ad for those who don’t like flashy and fast-paced advertisements (*raises hand*).

This newest Kinect for Windows works with “Active Infrared”, meaning the user will be able to work in nearly any lighting condition. This allows the user to work with four senses where before, Kinect worked with three: audio, depth, color, and active IR. The ability to sense the human body without needing high lighting conditions will allow the sensor to work in more “real-world” settings – hand position, facial features, and body movement all included.

Kinect for Windows newest hardware will bring improved skeletal tracking. More points than on any previous model are being tracked – tip of the hand and thumb now included. This system also allows tracking of up to six skeletons at once. More users means more opportunity for multi-player games and, as Microsoft suggests, physical fitness solutions.

The expanded field of view on the new Kinect for Windows will allow for both a wider place for people to be able to stand and be tracked and more fluid gesture recognition. This new unit works with a high definition color camera with advanced Time-of-Flight technology from Microsoft. This technology measures the time it takes for each little photon to leave and bounce back to bring on “unprecedented accuracy and precision.”

This Kinect for Windows platform will be delivered “next year” according to Microsoft, with a new Kinect for Windows sensor and software development kit (SDK) to go along with it. It’s not yet known if the SDK will be delivered before the actual unit, but BUILD 2013 has been noted by the company as a place where “developers and designers can begin to prepare to adopt these new technologies so that their apps and experiences are ready for general availability next year.” That’s in June – stay tuned!

SOURCE: MSDN

With the Sculpt Comfort Mouse, there’s a blue touch-sensitive strip along the side of your clicker called the Windows touch tab. This allows the user to swipe up or down to move through Windows 8 the way a touchpad would. A press on this strip also brings you back back to your Start screen like the Windows button on your tablet, PC, or keyboard.

The Sculpt Comfort Mouse uses Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to the device of your choice, and will be using “BlueTrack” technology for use on “pretty much any surface.” This mouse will be available in June from Microsoft stores and retailers here and there for MSRP $39.95 in the USA.

The Sculpt Mobile Mouse is made for – you guessed it – mobile users. You’ll have four-way scrolling as the Comfort Mouse does with a tilt of the scroll wheel. This will allow sideways scrolling in your Windows 8 Start screen as well as in long webpages – if you happen across any here in the modern world.

The Sculpt Mobile Mouse will be working with a USB transceiver, BlueTrack technology, and availability inside May – that’s this month! This device will be available for MSRP $29.95 and, again, will be out in Microsoft stores as well as in retailers carrying Microsoft-branded hardware all around the USA.

Have you ever used a Microsoft-manufactured mouse or keyboard? How about a Surface tablet? What were your first impressions? Do you still use these devices today, or did you switch to a “3rd party” creator of accessories?

The commercial kicks off with Windows’ Live Tiles, with Siri conceding that iOS doesn’t update its icons like that, and then launches into multi-tasking. The ASUS tablet is shown opening up a sidebar with a second app, again something which isn’t supported on the iPad.

Then it’s time for PowerPoint, since Microsoft apparently can’t imagine a world where a tablet user might not want to throw together some slides. On the ASUS, the presentation can be edited and re-formatted, while the iPad is shown merely scrolling and zooming around in frustration. It’s worth noting that Apple does offer Keynote for iOS, its own PowerPoint alternative, which does allow presentations to be created.

“Should we just play Chopsticks?” Siri concludes, playing out the advert as Microsoft reveals its kicker: how much 64GB versions of both tablets cost. The iPad – Apple’s full-sized version, complete with Retina display – is priced at $699, while ASUS’ Windows 8 tablet is $449.

It’s certainly one of the better adverts Microsoft has put together – at least there’s no random dancing like the Surface tablet commercials the company aired last year – and the use of Siri’s voice (the actual audio files for which Apple licenses) is a sly touch that’s likely to get the fans arguing. Still, Microsoft’s decision to illustrate functionality with PowerPoint seems like a missed opportunity; the business-centric app has little relevance to home users.

Thanks Craig!

The system Mattrick spoke of at the event right from the beginning of an All-in-one system that works with Games, TV, and entertainment and is what Microsoft intends to be “Simple, Instant, and Complete.” A reveal trailer was played on the big screen showing the device – and its peripherals – as quick as it was named: this is the Xbox One.

This device has a slot-loading full-sized disk drive – DVDs and Blu-Ray, that is, and has two peripherals right in the box. This device works with a full-sized controller that’s extremely similar to the controller from the 360, with a bit of bulk shaved off it’s back.

This controller has been shown to be completely wireless from the start, and will be working in collaboration with the system’s Kinect system. This sensor sits separate from the Xbox One console as it has in previous editions, and all pieces here appear much more square than in past editions as well.

This system will work with voice recognition and voice control, will be connected to the cloud for gaming, and you’ll be working with a user interface that’s extremely similar to what we’ve seen recently from Windows 8. This system’s release details will be shared a bit later today – stay tuned through our brand new Xbox One tag portal for more!

As you can see in the video below, the Leap Motion device works via some smooth flicks of the wrist, finger plucks, and other such hands-off movements to control Windows without using a mouse and keyboard. This allows one to enjoy the touch-based design of Windows 8, for example, without a touchscreen panel, and brings the functionality to whatever computer you would like.

The device connects to a PC with a standard USB cable, and once connected works out of the box, no tweaking or such necessary. A 4-cubic foot span across your desk becomes your gesture-control area, with the device tracking finger movements to within 1/100th of a millimeter. The device itself measures in at about 3-inches long, so it won’t take up much room at all.

As you might suspect, the device’s usefulness extends beyond just tapping Windows tiles and scrolling through web results. As with a touchscreen device, it can be used to sketch, to sign digital documents, and to play games, among other things. Says Leap Motion, this video is a preview for those interested to check out before the device enters beta testing next month, during which period developers will get to use the unit.

Leap Motion CTO and co-founder David Holz said: “Out of the box, users will have the ability to browse the web, navigate their desktops, and interact with existing software. Everything you can do with a touch-based system, like Windows 8, can now be accomplished with Leap Motion technology. We want our users to have a magical experience, with easy and natural movements in the air leading to amazing interactions.”

That chip is paired with 2GB of RAM and up to 64GB of flash storage. The Clover Trail chip has Intel GMA 3650 graphics, driving the 1280 x 768 WXGA multitouch display.

Connectivity includes WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and a micro USB 2.0 port; there’s also a microHDMI output for hooking up an external display. A 2-megapixel webcam is also included.

That Bluetooth connection could be used for hooking up a wireless keyboard, but Acer will also offer a detachable keyboard dock into which the Iconia W3 will slot. The snap-on ‘board is wider than the tablet itself, which means Acer can include full-sized keys.

Acer will offer two variants of the W3, at least initially. The W3-810-27602G03nsw has 32GB of flash storage, while the W3-810-27602G06nsw doubles that to 64GB. Either way, that’s not huge for a Windows 8 tablet; Microsoft’s Surface Pro, for instance, starts off at the 64GB level, and offers 128GB as a more expensive option.

Exactly what the W3 will cost is still unclear at this stage. However, it’s possible that the small tablet will make its official debut in a few weeks time at Computex, held in early June.

Thanks quadtronix!

The app is available now from the Windows Store, and can be used by both Windows 8 and Windows RT users, meaning it can be used on both a Windows 8 PC and a tablet. For those who don’t require the full expanse of Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Express is a free alternative that offers a variety of photo-editing tools, such as the basics like cropping and red-eye correction, as well as color-adjustment tools and “Looks” photo filters.

Back on January 25, the company rolled out an update to its Express app for iPad, adding support for Retina displays, as well as some other needed features, such as multi-tasking and using the on-board camera. That last feature is now available across the latest version of the software for all devices, including PCs with an attached or integrated webcam.

In case you missed it, earlier this month Adobe rolled out Photoshop CC with integrated collaboration, Behance instant sharing, and more. Such is part of their Creative Cloud online storage, which is a subscription-based service for Adobe users available at a monthly fee. Tools, syncing, and more are offered.

It was also revealed earlier this month that Adobe is working on a Lightroom app for iOS users, an offering that will provide support for editing RAW images. This app will appeal more to the professional market, as well as those who currently use Lightroom. While not exactly the same, the app will be similar to the desktop version of the software, and will allow users to transfer their work to a computer for finalization.

SOURCE: Windows

With the HP Split x2, consumers get a 13.3-inch high-definition touchscreen display that can be detached from the base, which contains an extra optional hard drive for additional storage on top of the storage in the detachable unit. As with the dual hard drives, there are dual batteries for “ultramobility,” all of it wrapped up in a soft-coated shell to keep fingerprints to a minimum.

Under the hood, users will find a 3rd-generation Intel Core processor (Core i3 and Core i5 options) and up to 8GB of RAM, while audio is provided via Beats Audio and HP Connected Music. There’s a multi-finger ClickPad trackpad, as well as a 2-megapixel HP TrueVision Full HD integrated webcam for video chatting. Storage can be expanded via an SD card slot in the base and a microSD card slot in the slate. You can see the device in action in the video above.

There are the various software trimmings you’d expect, such as support tools and other similar resources, as well as various warranty options for protection against accidents. The HP Split x2 is slated to hit shelves in the United State this upcoming August, and will have a starting price of $799.99.

Said HP’s Senior VP of Consumer PCs Ron Coughlin: “Customers want to access and share content anywhere, anytime, on any internet connected device-and they expect those connections to be seamless. The HP SlateBook x2 and the HP Split x2 are next-generation devices and the latest examples of our continued commitment to evolving the computing experience by providing the flexibility necessary for customers to be productive at home, at the office or on the go.”

The company also reiterated that a preview version of Windows 8.1 will be available starting June 26, and will be launched during Microsoft’s BUILD conference that week, which the company first confirmed earlier this month. Preview versions will be available for both Windows 8 and Windows RT.

As for what this update will bring, that’s still a slight mystery. There will obviously be the usual bug fixes and performances enhancements all around, but it’s been rumored that Windows 8.1 will allow for smaller Windows tablets to come into play, allowing Microsoft to compete against Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire series. Microsoft said that the update will help them “to deliver the next generation of PCs and tablets,” so it’s possible that we could be looking at 7-inch slates this next generation. We recently heard about the possibility of new HTC tablets coming with an updated version of Windows RT. This would mark the return of tablets for HTC if true, but we’ll have to keep our ear to the ground for the time being.

Microsoft said that they will have more details about the Windows 8.1 update “in the coming weeks,” so it’s definitely worth it to sit tight for the time being if you’re looking forward to an update to Windows. It’s said that Microsoft will bring back the Start button, as well as include an option for straight-to-desktop booting, but we’re taking those rumors with a large grain of salt for now.

In an interview with CNN, Reller says that Microsoft has attempted to convince Apple to build a Windows 8 app for iTunes, but the Cupertino-based company doesn’t seem to want to budge, even though such an app “is in high demand” for Windows 8 users, according to Reller. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having just a desktop version of iTunes, but Windows 8 tablet users are out of luck.

Since Surface tablets running Windows RT don’t have a desktop mode, iTunes users won’t be able to access the music player and media store on their tablet, and will have find a computer in order to manage their music, movies, and iOS apps. Surface Pro users have access to desktop mode, however, but the experience isn’t as good as on a full-size computer.

Apple has made much of their software available for Windows, but as the world is shifting more towards tablets, it seems the competitiveness has increased along with the rise in tablets, and Apple may be thinking twice about bringing their software over to Windows tablets, simply because the company wants to keep the exclusivity with iTunes.

Currently, the Windows app store has over 60,000 apps available for download, and there’s been around 250 million downloads total so far. Reller says that it’s a “realistic achievement” to have all the most popular apps in the iTunes App Store available in the Windows app store by the time the holiday season rolls around.

[Source: CNN]

Inside, there’s supposedly an Intel Core i5 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB solid-state drive. On the back, Sony has slapped on an 8-megapixel camera using one of its Exmor RS sensors, and there’s a backlit keyboard along with NFC.

Other specifications include “ClearAudio+” sound and what Sony is supposedly describing as “ActiveSleep”, a power management technology the company attempted to trademark back in February. The unnamed slider – though we’d hazard a guess at Sony VAIO Duo 13, given its smaller stablemate – will apparently run for up to 10hrs on a single charge.

The video was supposedly filmed during internal training at UK tech retail chain Dixons, according to one NotebookReview forum member. While no release information was given, the uploader claims there should be more details in a couple of weeks time.

[via Engadget]

LG’s tablet ambitions were scuppered in 2012, when the company confirmed it would sideline its slate plans so as to focus instead on smartphones. Its Optimus Pad failed to gain traction, and fellow Android device OEMs pushed prices low to undercut Apple’s iPad.

Since then, however, we’ve seen Windows 8/RT arrive, as well as some success among Android devices, fueled in no small part by the low-cost Nexus 7 ASUS manufactures for Google. Meanwhile, we’ve also seen some movement in the high-end Android tablet world, with high-res options like Samsung’s Nexus 10 out-performing the iPad’s Retina Display in terms of pixel density.

That might pave the way for LG to use some of its display arm’s homegrown screen talents. Back at CES, LG Display showed off a 7-inch, 324ppi 1920 x 1200 tablet panel, among others, which seems ideally suited for a small tablet rival to the much-speculated iPad mini with Retina Display.

Of course, there’s not only Android to consider. LG could also opt for Windows 8 or Windows RT, joining a relatively limited market of tablets running Microsoft’s platform. Whether the potential rewards for taking on Microsoft’s own Surface are considered rich enough for LG remains to be seen, however.

[via TechEye]

An exact release date for the final version hasn’t been disclosed yet, but Microsoft says that it’ll be out at some point “later this year.” While the preview that the company will release in June will mostly be meant for developers, the company will be providing public preview versions as well for anyone to try out.

We’ve been hearing a lot of chatter about Windows Blue lately, including the possibility of Microsoft bringing back some crucial features that users have missed from Windows 7, including re-introducing the Start button, and including an option to boot straight to the desktop, bypassing the start screen altogether.

Microsoft could also be working on Windows Blue versions for their tablet operating system. We heard hearsay earlier today about the possibility of new HTC tablets coming with an updated version Windows RT. We’re not sure if we’ll hear about Blue updates for Windows RT at BUILD this year, but it’ll definitely be something that we’ll keep in our minds as we go into June.

If you’ve heard of Windows Blue, you know that Microsoft isn’t necessarily thrilled about the idea that their original Windows 8 user interface hasn’t taken off at the rate that they’d planned. The “Blue” addition to both Windows 8 and Windows RT is said to make marked improvements on the operating system’s user interface based on user feedback, these improvements being largely touch-based and user-friendly.

The rumor that HTC is bringing two tablets to the market with Windows RT is not unfounded – there’ve been plenty of tips surrounding HTC’s return to the tablet market since they decided to exit not long after their first two Android attempts (with the HTC Flyer and HTC Jetstream, that is). Here though, Windows RT Blue will be used, not Android.

HTC is said to be bringing a device called HTC R7 to the market alongside one called HTC R12. The HTC R7 is said to be bringing a 7-inch Full HD display along with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.3GHz processor, more powerful than the Snapdragon 600 processor found in the LG Optimus G Pro, Samsung GALAXY S 4, and HTC One with a single step up the ladder.

The HTC R7 is also said to be bringing a now-standard 2GB of RAM along with 16GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot for memory expansion. This device is being tipped as bringing a 13 megapixel camera on its back along with wireless connectivity through 4G LTE / HSPA+ radios, Wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and A-GPS.

The HTC R12 will be bringing a set of specifications that matches the HTC R7 with one large difference. The HTC R12 is being tipped as bringing a 12-inch display with 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution. That’s essentially unheard of in a device such as this, especially in a Windows RT package.

You’ll find both of these devices – if they do come to fruition – appearing for launch on October 13th right alongside the launch of Windows Blue. This release time will also be marked by a launch of the second wave of Microsoft Surface tablets, it’s said, with Microsoft aiming for holiday sales galore.

[via PhoneArena]

Shen believes that this can be a big year for Windows 8 tablets saying, “We’re very optimistic about sales of Windows 8 tablets this year.” Asus currently produces one of the cheapest Windows 8 tablets on the market with its VivoTab Smart tablet selling for $449.99 at some retailers.

Asus CEO Jerry Shen isn’t the only person in the technology world that is predicting prices of Windows 8 tablets will decrease significantly. A Microsoft spokesperson has previously stated that the company was working with partners on smaller and cheaper mobile devices. However, the Microsoft spokesperson didn’t specify prices.

Intel’s CEO also said last month that he believed pricing on Windows 8 devices could climb to as low as $200. Intel is positioned well to grasp pricing possibilities for Windows 8 tablets since it produces chips that are used in many of those devices. Shen said that with the price cuts this year, Windows 8 tablets could be available for only about $50 more than Android tablets.

[via Wall Street Journal]

Says Reller in the interview, Microsoft has just recently sold its 100 millionth Windows 8 lincese (and since surpassed that number), saying the number represents both PC/tablet licenses and upgrades. To give an idea of the sales rate, the number of licenses sold sat at about 60 million back in January of this year. Following in line with this, certified devices have also increased to 2400.

And then, of course, there’s Windows Blue, which we saw a leak of back in March. Blue is an update said to bring new features and other improvements to Windows 8, having been the source of much speculation over the course of many weeks. When asked about the update, Reller confirmed that it will be rolling out “later this year,” saying that it’ll bring something to the table for just about everyone – features for companies and consumers and the community that has been providing ample feedback for months now.

There was also some discussion about the PC market in general, in particular its rumored impending demise. Microsoft doesn’t see it that way, saying that “the PC is very much alive and increasingly mobile,” to which Reller says Windows 8 is tailored, specifically mentioning convertible laptops, notebooks with touchscreens, and other related devices. Rounding out the interview is a brief note on the Windows Store, with apps increasing 6-fold since launch. SkyDrive, likewise, has since growth, scoring 250 million users.

[via Microsoft]

The Acer W3-810-1600 is an 8.1-inch tablet with a resolution the same as the Nexus 7 – 1,280 x 800 – running Windows 8. According to the specs list, inside users will find a 1.5GHz A4 processor and 2GB of RAM, as well as 32GB of internal storage space. Graphics come by way of Intel GMA, and the battery has a 3500mAh capacity with a reported charge life of 8 hours.

The only connectivity feature listed is 802.11b/g/n – no mention of Bluetooth. There’s a rear webcam with a decent 2-megapixels, and the entire unit measures in at 8.62 x 5.31 x 0.45-inches with a weight of 1.1-pounds. The color for the device is silver – it is possible there could be other color options, but only time will tell.

And finally, there’s the price: $379.99. While it isn’t the cheapest tablet out there, the price tag is nothing unusual for a slate, and it is important to remember that it runs full-blown Windows 8, not the less-than-consumer-embraced Windows RT. There’s nothing else to speak of on the device for now, but if the rumors prove true, we should start hearing about the slate – or others like it – by this fall.

[via PC Magazine]

In that orientation, the P3 can be used either with the fingers or with a stylus; Acer will offer that separately, though the case will have a slot to store it in-between use. Connectivity includes a USB 3.0 port, HDMI, and a headphone socket, and there are Dolby Home Theater speakers and a 720p HD webcam on the front.

On the back, Acer has included a 5-megapixel camera. Inside it’s a choice of 60GB or 120GB SSD, and Acer says the Aspire P3 should wake from sleep in “only a few seconds.” The whole thing tips the scales at 3.06 pounds, and Acer is billing the P3 as ideal for those who might otherwise have considered a tablet – like an iPad – and a separate keyboard dock.

The Acer Aspire P3 runs full Windows 8 – not Windows RT – and is expected to go on sale immediately. It’ll be priced from $799.99 depending on specifications.

According to the first rumor, the tablet would go into production later this year. But NPD DisplaySearch’s analyst Richard Shim says: “From the supply chain side, we’re seeing the panel specifications, the touch module, the mass production schedule being made … Mass production is Q1 2014. Apparently, pretty significant volume. Multiple millions.”

The rumored tablet is said to have a 7.5-inch display with a resolution of 1400 x 1050 (233 ppi), which puts it ahead of both the iPad mini and Nexus 7. The price, however, will still be on the higher end, with a different source saying that Microsoft is aiming at $399, but that the price may drop below that. The company has been taking steps to get the price lower, which includes changing panel suppliers.

It’s worth noting, however, that a few days ago DigiTimes published a piece alleging that Microsoft will be rolling out a second-gen Surface tablet that measures in between 7 and 9 inches and will be announced soon, possibly this summer. Such a rumor is more in line with the rumor heard earlier this month via the WSJ, but until Microsoft says anything official, it is all speculation at this point.

[via CNET]

With the Windows 8 version of Skype you’ll now be able to both record and send as well as receive and view video messages. This means you’re recording a video of yourself with Skype, sending it to a person who isn’t actively on Skype at the moment, and allowing them to see the video independent of yourself. This differs from Skype’s normal functionality which is text chatting or real-time video chat.

This release allows for the latest release version of the app called Skype for Windows 8 to catch up to the versions on Mac, iOS, and Android. You’ll notice that Windows Phone 8 is not on this list – we’re expecting this and other current-release functions to appear on the platform sooner than later. For now though: courage.

The release being populated in your direction today is Skype 1.7, mind you – make sure you’re up to that version in Windows 8 for full functionality. This version also has a set of languages coming in at the same time as the original English version thanks to a series of what Microsoft says are volunteers – well done!

Bulgarian: Nikolina Filipova & Nikolay Filipov
Czech: Petr Silon
Dutch: Kees Koenders
German: Claudius Henrichs & Dick Schiferli
Lithuanian: Viktoras Kriukovas
Norwegian: Stig Auestad
Polish: Karol Szastok
Portuguese: Francisco Ferreira
Romanian: Péter & Mónika Henning

[via Skype]

Word from upstream supply chain sources speaking with Digitimes have suggested that BUILD will be the place where a new generation of Surface tablets will likely appear first. They’ve added that the first generation, having sold what they claim is 1.5 million units total for the first two releases of the tablet (RT and Pro). This being half of the expectations the company had, a “cautious attitude over promotions” has been initiated for the 2nd generation.

This second generation has a series of components largely the same as the first run, with what these same sources say are parts from LG, Samsung, NVIDIA, Intel, and Pegatron. Changes would be in the chassis of the tablet switching from what was manufactured by China-based Chungnam Precision Casing to Ju Teng. At the moment there’ve been no confirmations from any of the named manufacturers on a second-generation Surface model.

The final bit of information this source spoke about this week was the idea that this generation of the Surface tablet would feature between a 7 and 9-inch display, this matching up well with the trend for larger and smaller than 10.1-inch tablet standard sizes in the industry.

The 11.6-inch display is touch sensitive supporting gestures including swipe, scroll, and allows users to launch programs or open documents with a tap. Toshiba also equips the WT310 with a DigitizerPen. The pen works in conjunction with software on the tablet to convert handwritten notes and text into documents for editing sharing with colleagues.

The case of the tablet is made from plastic and Toshiba promises that the plastic is strong enough to protect the internal components of the tablet from damage in the event of a drop, bump, or access pressure. Storage is via an internal SSD and the tablet features the Trusted Platform Module. Plenty of connectivity options are available making it easy to connect the tablet to an external display or television including a micro HDMI port and support for Intel Wireless Display technology.

The tablet also features a full-size USB 3.0 port and an SD card slot for storage expansion. The tablet has integrated Wi-Fi, support for HSPA+/LTE for mobile broadband and Bluetooth 4.0. The 11.6-inch screen has an anti-glare coating and the tablet uses the latest Intel processors designed specifically for ultrabooks. Toshiba isn’t offering details on the specific processor and storage capacity for the tablet at this time. Availability for the WT130 is set for Q2 in the UK with pricing expected to be announced closer to launch.

[via Toshiba]

This machine works with a 180-degree open angle on its display, allowing users to work with the keyboard and/or the touchscreen and Windows 8 in a variety of ways. This notebook works with 3rd generation Intel Core processor options and up to 8GB of memory. Also under the hood users will be able to keep 500GB of files, this allowing for students and entertainment users to store media to their content.

Lenovo appears to be moving toward a cross between small business users and budget thinkers this week with the ThinkPad S431. This release marks the first time that a Lenovo ThinkPad notebook is offered at a price point under a thousand dollars. Starting on the 21st of May, this machine will also be the first ThinkPad to be offered under nine hundred dollars and eight hundred dollars as well, coming in at a cool six hundred and ninty-nine dollars MSRP.

This machine will join its cousins in the ThinkPad line revealed earlier this year at CES and between then and the release of Windows 8. Have a peek at the timeline below to see additional insight on the Lenovo path from here into the future. Things are getting bendy, touchy, and ready for Windows 8, that’s for certain.

Posting the image you see above to Twitter, Intel teases that in approximately 3,337,200,000,000,000 nanoseconds Intel will reveal their hotly anticipated 4th gen Intel Core processor to the world. Basically right at the beginning of Computex 2013, where we’ll see loads of Haswell powered hybrid PCs and more.

Haswell hasn’t been much of a secret, and earlier this month we confirmed Intel had already started shipping Haswell to an array of PC manufacturers. Haswell promises to bring a major boost in performance and more importantly battery life over Ivy-bridge for all those ultra-portables.

Around the same time we are also expecting to see Windows Blue show its face, so this years Computex is looking to be a pretty exciting event. We all knew the chip was coming but now all you enthusiasts can circle a time around June 3rd on your calendar and start getting ready for the onslaught of Haswell based systems. We could even see a few Android-based systems too, so stay tuned.

[via CNET]

This device will do what Toshiba hopes will draw in the odd-device-seeking masses with a set of specifications only otherwise seen on solid one-piece notebooks. Here the user will be employing an 11.6-inch touchscreen (Full HD) that functions as both the display for the notebook and a tablet on its own once detached from what then becomes just a keyboard dock.

This device aims also to take on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 with an optional DigitizerPen. Writing notes and sketches on the display of this machine will be an interesting comparison to make with the Android competition, especially since at the moment, it appears that Toshiba’s solution will require said pen to be carried separately.

This device appears to be quite similar to the Acer Iconia W510 convertable tablet/notebook revealed earlier this year, but the big difference remains the Ultrabook angle. With full Windows 8 coupled with an Intel Core processor under the hood, Toshiba’s bid may end up being a win in this season’s Windows 8-toting market.

The three choices that you have to pick from are “The Power Trip,” Navy Seal autobiography “American Sniper,” and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” which is narrated by actor Jake Gyllenhaal and will also be hitting theaters here shortly. All three of these books seem to be really popular, especially “The Great Gatsby,” so be sure to take advantage of the offer while you have it.

Howevever, there is some fine print to be aware of. Only new Audible registrants will be able to get a free audiobook, and you’ll have to register for a new account through the Windows 8 or Windows Phone app on your computer or smartphone. It’s also only available in the US and you have until May 13 to snatch up your free copy.

While this may be an enticing offer for some users, especially the book lovers out there, we’re not so sure that this promotion alone will be enough to get people to try out Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8. It’s certainly a good deal for those who already are on one of these platforms, but we can’t see others really going for it. Either way, if you’re yearning for a free audiobook, now’s your chance.

This device has appeared in several photos, some as a tablet, some as a one-piece machine with a tablet bit being detachable. What’s able to be seen here is the machine’s ability to take on more than one form. As we’ve seen from Acer in the recent past, the ability to work as a notebook or a tablet is not something the designers at this manufacturer are afraid of.

UPDATE: MiniMachines appears to have had a takedown notice issued – take a peek while you still can!

Perhaps the most intriguing image is the one you see below. Here you’ve got the 8-inch tablet set against the back – or is that the bottom – of a notebook. This notebook appears to take on a form that’s just a bit different from the docked version you see above. Is there more than a couple of forms of machine here?

If you compare this device with what we saw this morning in the Star Trek Into Darkness teaser, you see that it’s not necessarily impossible for this device and that device to be completely separate releases. Here in this tablet amalgamation you’ve got what very well could be in one case a keyboard dock attached to a large display (like a standard notebook) and in the other case a dock for this smaller tablet.

Could this be a device that takes the idea of a multi-display machine like the ASUS Padfone and makes it happen with a notebook/mini-tablet combo rather than with a detachable full-size tablet or phone? Stay tuned as we get the full story on May 3rd (if not before!) Stick with us here on SlashGear through our big Acer tag portal as we keep on digging!

[via TabletGuide.nl]

The setup for the release at hand has had its stage set by a series of three devices from Acer, each of them appearing in the home for this campaign: Explore Beyond Limits (dot com). This site has several wallpapers with a Star Trek theme and also shows the Acer Iconia W510, Aspire S7, and Aspire V5 Touch. With these three devices in mind, the trailer for Star Trek (with Acer device inside) should have you wondering what the future holds.

The notebook in the trailer above will once again be taking the touch-friendly interface created by Microsoft’s Windows 8 to an ever-so-slightly different place than Acer has gone before. From what we’re seeing here, this notebook will be coming with extended drag fins (or bumpers below the back of the bottom of the base), as well as a display that lifts up beyond the average limit of a notebook’s face.

It would appear that this machine’s touchscreen display and top hood lift up and turn back on a second hinge, allowing the entire notebook to become something that looks similar to the hero spaceship in the Star Trek movies and original Star Trek television show. This machine will have the capabilities of a tablet, a notebook, and some sort of in-between oddity, without a doubt.

This video also adds an interesting twist to the release schedule for Star Trek Into Darkness – let us know if you’re finding this particular push pleasing to your science fiction-loving mind, or if you prefer the regular plain-old trailer set instead?

According to The Verge, sources “familiar with Microsoft’s plans” reveal that Windows 8.1 will see the Start button make a reappearance. However, the button will only let users access the Start Screen, and not the traditional Start Menu like in past version of Windows, but the button will still be located at the bottom-left corner like it always has.

If you weren’t aware, Microsoft killed off the Start button with the release of Windows 8, calling it a redundant feature since users can easily pin programs to the task bar. However, the Redmond-based company has received a lot of backlash for doing so, and tons of third-party tweaks have been made to bring back the Start button to the new OS.

Microsoft is also rumored to be adding an option that will allow users to boot directly to the traditional desktop environment in Windows 8.1 as well. This will give users the option to bypass the Start Screen in Windows 8, and go directly to the desktop view. Numerous third-party tweaks have been made for this as well.

[via The Verge]

It’s a rather unique concept – when folded, the device looks and functions like your average everyday tablet running Windows 8. It is portable, and can be used with a stylus, for example. There are bound to be times, however, when you need to do something more hardware-intensive than a tablet can handle. Instead of switching to a laptop or desktop, the Inhon Tablet has a built in sort of Turboboost mode.

On the half of the tablet/laptop hybrid that doesn’t hold the screen, there’s said to be USB 3.0 and Mini DisplayPorts, as well as a cooling fan that is exposed when the device is opened up. As such, the increased cooling is used in conjunction with a TurboBoost of the processor (overclocking?) that gives users a big jump in processing power.

Because it can no longer be used as a tablet once it is unfolded, the Inhon Tablet can be used with an optional accessory that looks very similar to a Touch Cover, functioning as both a trackpad and a keyboard. When it hits shelves, the quasi-tablet will be priced between NT $29,999 and NT $39,999, which is roughly $1000 to $1300 USD.

[via Engadget]

We’ve been tipped before at the possibility of Microsoft getting into the 7-inch tablet game, but we have yet to hear anything official from Microsoft. Klein notes that these “small touch devices” will have “competitive price points,” and they’re said to “available in the coming months,” according to Klein.

However, it’s also possible that other manufacturers will develop smaller tablets that will run Windows. An update to Windows 8′s hardware requirements last month hinted at the fact that the operating system may soon be fitted for smaller-form tablets, as Microsoft lowered the minimum resolution down to 1024×768.

We’re not sure exactly if Microsoft will be making their own 7-inch tablets, or if they’ll leave the task up to their OEM partners like HP, Acer, Asus, etc. However, we at least now know that we should be expecting these device to release sometime over the next few months, which means we’ll be going into the holiday season with smaller-form Windows-based tablets.

[via AppleInsider]

Hardware

Lenovo has these built out with a 23-inch display at 1920 x 1080, running Windows 8 and powered by an Intel Pentium G2020 processor. The model we tested had the processor clocked at 2.9GHz and with Intel HD Graphics 2500, 4GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive. Hardware specs aside, the system itself has a decent overall look, albeit with a bezel that is a bit on the shiny side. Basically, that is just to say that you can expect to see dust, fingerprints and other smudges. Certainly not a deal breaker, but something to be aware of.

The setup itself is straight forward and easy. Aside from the 23-inch display, the C540 has a webcam sitting front and center on the top along with the power button towards the bottom on the left side of the system. In total there are six USB 2.0 ports — four on the back and two on the left hand side of the system. Also on the left side (above the power button) you will find the headphone and microphone jacks as well as a memory card reader. Rounding out the ports on the back and you have the power jack, HDMI and Ethernet. The system also has Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n connectivity.

Basically, just what you need and all in easy to access locations. The system itself is on the thin side and looking from the front, would appear to be nothing more than a regular monitor. The good part here is that as the C540 is an all-in-one — there is no tower needed. Another item worth noting is a DVD drive which can be found on the right-hand side. Otherwise, Lenovo ships the C540 with a USB keyboard and mouse and has the system sitting on a stand that swivels allowing you to adjust the viewing angle a bit.

Software

The Lenovo C540 is running a 64-bit edition of Windows 8, which means it will bring an experience that will be familiar to many. The basics are all included which means when you first get up and running you will find tiles for goodies such as your mail and calendar as well as people, photos and more. There is also a live tile for the weather as well as tiles for SkyDrive, Games, Camera, Music and Video.

Aside from the basics that you will find on just about an Windows 8 system, Lenovo has also added a few goodies of their own. We will leave the bloatware argument aside and instead simply note how these include some Lenovo specifics such as PowerDVD 10 and the slightly more important items such as the Lenovo System Recovery. Rounding out the software are some third party apps such as an Amazon app as well as a Kindle, Evernote and cloud storage app. The cloud storage app is SugarSync and it gets you started with 5GB for free.

Performance

Speaking in terms of performance, the system was able to handle our day to day needs with ease. Granted, quite a bit of that involved little more than a web browser, text editor and some basic image work. Of course, the key here is who the Lenovo C540 is aimed at — the average home user. In that respect, we have to say the C540 should be able to live up to your needs.

Taking this a step further and the play time experience was just as solid. That is to say we found no issues with some light gaming along with music and video streaming. Shifting over to the technical side, lets get into what the benchmarks look like for the Lenovo C540. These were done using Geekbench and the results are sitting below.

Wrap-Up

Bottom line here, the Lenovo C540 all-in-one seems to be well suited for the intended audience. That is to say the average home user that wants something powerful enough for day to day use. Of course, the good looks and relatively slim design only go to further that thought. The model as configured is priced from $500 and can be found with a variety of online retailers with prices through the $500 range. Also, as one would expect with desktop computers there is always the option to upgrade. In this case, Lenovo has options for faster processors, more RAM and even additional storage. Needless to say, based on what we have tested — we think this ‘as tested’ model will be just fine for the majority of users.

With our reviews of Windows RT devices you’ll find that we’ve not been too impressed. Have a peek at the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 Review we did earlier this month and you’ll see that while the hardware is basically a masterpiece of bits and pieces, the system is less than spectacular. With a full Windows 8 we’d have given the machine much higher praise. It would appear that Dell has been seeing similar responses for their newest RT devices.

Dell’s first Windows RT device on the market is the Dell XPS 10, a machine we got some hands-on with with in Germany this past season at IFA 2012.

“Demand is not where I would like it to be at this point in time. The amount of market information about it is not good enough, and the market sentiment is still pretty negative.” – Neil Hand, Dell

It was added that the Windows app experience for Windows RT has “not been as strong as it needed to be.” If you’re looking at a machine with Windows RT vs a machine with Windows 8, you’ve got a number of apps that literally work on your machine that’s less than Windows 8 – and Windows 8 supports less apps than we’d like, too.

On the flip side, groups like NVIDIA have made an effort to boost the market with their own NVIDIA TegraZone for Windows RT, a system that, like it’s Android counterpart, shows users that work with their processors that there are fabulous apps to be had. With several Windows RT machines on the market today you’re working with an NVIDIA Tegra 4 quad-core processor – with that, you’ve got games that will blow you away, even if you’re working with less than Windows 8.

Have a peek in the timeline below for additional news about Windows RT as of late and let us know if you’ve got a Window RT machine at your desk right this minute!

Although deployment on regular desktop PCs and notebooks far outstrips that of touchscreen-equipped hardware, Microsoft’s Start Screen UI has been pushed on all Windows 8 computers with no easy way to bypass it. Manually switching to the traditional desktop is possible, but so far cannot be established as the default.

According to the insiders, Microsoft’s latest test builds of Blue have seen the addition of an option to do just that, however. The feature is expected to be particularly popular with enterprise users, who rarely have a touchscreen and have supposedly encountered strong negative feedback from users frustrated by the Metro-style interface.

Meanwhile, there’s also the possibility that the Start button itself could make a reappearance, with Microsoft also supposedly considering restoring the app launcher button. That’s been another controversial omission from Windows 8.

As the source points out, “until it ships, anything can change” and Microsoft’s final rounds of testing could end with the decision not to include the customizable UI options when Windows 8.1 finally ships. That judgement is expected to be finalized by August 2013, when Windows 8.1 “Blue” is believed to be released to manufacturing.

The Bing Apps are comprised of News, Weather, Sports, Finance, Maps, and Travel. All six offer up content relevant to its category, having been created specifically for Windows 8, meaning they’re fast and work well. Each app is getting its own update that brings a variety of improvements and features unique to the app, such as the new ability to customize the News app to follow certain stories and topics you’re interested in. There’s also added support for RSS and reading offline.

New Maps features includes better driving, walking, and transit directions, the ability to save places you frequent as a start screen pin or favorite, and up-to-the-minute updates for things like construction and accidents. The Finance app, on the other hand, didn’t see much in the way of changes, gaining a refreshed watchlist, interactive charts that can be customized, and US stock updates in real time.

The Sports app gains 29 new sports leagues after updating, making for a total of 65 leagues across a variety of sports, including football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and more. The Travel app also got a bit of an update, gaining new content from Frommer’s, Lonely Planet, and Fodor’s. Flights can be booked from within the app, which is pretty convenient. And finally, there’s the Weather app, which now offers dynamic animated maps that show the weather into the future. Users can choose by cloud cover, temperature, and more.

[via Bing]

With the Samsung Series 9 Premium Ultrabook that’s become available today, you’ll be working with a cool 128GB SSD and a 3rd Gen (Ivy Bridge) Intel Core i7 processor busting out with Samsung’s Fast Solutions technology. With this tech onboard, you’ll be booting up in less than 10 seconds with a resume time from sleep at nearly zilch.

The Series 9 Premium Ultrabook will be available starting this week (and today) everywhere fine Samsung devices are sold – notebooks and desktops, that is, for a cool MSRP of $1399.99 USD. This machine has also been sand-blasted for full fingerprint resistance, so you know it’s a high-quality build inside and out. From what we’ve seen of this device thus far – before this update – we’re all about it.

Have a peek at the looks we’ve had at the Samsung Series 9 family in the timeline below – pay special attention to the post in the “IFA 2012″ hotlink in the first paragraph of this post. There you’ll find the next generation as well!

As this most recent IDC Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker report shows, the first quarter of 2013 was not extremely kind to the likes of HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer, ASUS, and the rest of the bunch. With a total average drop in PC shipments of 13.9%, it’s not appearing too positive for the near future in next-level PC production. That 13.9% drop is compared to the fourth quarter of 2012, while year-on-year the decline was a rather similar -12.7%.

“At this point, unfortunately, it seems clear that the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market.” – Bob O’Donnell, IDC Program Vice President, Clients and Displays

You’ll find that Lenovo – good ol’ Lenovo – was the only vendor to have stayed flat from the quarter before this one to the one we’ve just completed. Their market share also went up a couple of percentage points while each of the other top-5 groups decreased by at least .2 points of a percentage – that’s Dell hanging in there as well. HP remains on top of the stack with a 15.7% share of the market but was hit hard with a 23.7% drop over the past year.

“While some consumers appreciate the new form factors and touch capabilities of Windows 8, the radical changes to the UI, removal of the familiar Start button, and the costs associated with touch have made PCs a less attractive alternative to dedicated tablets and other competitive devices. Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market.” – Bob O’Donnell, IDC Program Vice President, Clients and Displays

According to the top 5 vendors chart of United States PC Shipments, Apple reaches in for a piece of the pie – as does Toshiba. Here we’ve still got HP up on top, Dell not far behind, and Apple butting heads with Toshiba and Lenovo. Here you’ll find Lenovo once again the only brand of the top five to not have lost market share over the past year with a 13% gain from Q1 of 2012 to Q1 of 2013.

Of course when you average the collection of the top 5 vendors of PCs in the United States, you still get a cool 11% drop this quarter compared to 2012′s Q1. Apple on its own also lost 7.5 points year-on-year in this market, still running strong with an estimated 1,418 units shipped in Q1 2013.

Have a peek at the timeline below for other recent IDC reports to see how the mobile and desktop PC universes are making their time here as we roll into the spring of 2013.

[via IDC]

That 14% decline comes when compared to Q1 laptop and desktop computer shipments for 2012. IDC says that Q1 2013 saw the most significant drop in sales compared to the previous year since the company began tracking data on the computer industry in 1994. IDC also says that Q1 of 2013 is the fourth straight quarter that the computer industry has been on decline.

Another industry research firm, Gartner, estimated that global shipments for the computer industry sank by 11.2%. Gartner says that 11.2% decline is the most significant drop its recorded since Q1 of 2001. Gartner blames smartphones and tablets as the reason for the PC market is in decline. Both research firms also say that Microsoft’s Windows 8 software has failed to push consumers towards any significant increase in computer demand.

IDC analyst Jay Chou says that not only has Windows 8 failed to attract the typical retail consumer to upgrade their computer, it’s also failed to attract businesses. Many major businesses and companies contracted to upgrade computers for major businesses have noted that they are staying with Windows 7. One of these companies, called Ricoh Americas, says that the benefits of switching to Microsoft’s new operating system aren’t worth the effort to train employees to use it.

[via WSJ]