Microsoft Looks Ahead of Windows 8

 

During its keynote address at the Computex trade show this week in Taipei, Taiwan, Microsoft showed off the Windows device innovations that consumers can expect from the software giant’s partners in the months ahead, many of which are aligned with the coming Windows 8 launch. But Microsoft also took a look back and examined the past 3 years of PC hardware innovation, hinting that the best was yet to come.

Microsoft Corporate Vice President Steven Guggenheimer demonstrated “the breadth of innovation happening across the Windows ecosystem,” as Microsoft puts it, “highlighting the latest Windows devices across PCs, servers, phones, and specialized devices that enable customers and partners to maximize their investments.”

Before looking at coming Windows 8 devices, Microsoft provided an interesting video, Windows 7 PC Evolution, which highlights how much PCs have changed in just the past 3 years. During this time period, which coincides with the mainstream lifetime of Windows 7, PCs have evolved from predictable tower PCs and notebooks to include highly mobile, thin-and-light Ultrabooks; slate-like tablets; and all-in-one desktops, many with touch screens.

However, the “wave of innovation” that’s coming promises to blow away the past 3 years. At the show, Microsoft highlighted a stunning number of new PC form factors and devices from a wide range of partners. Some of the highlights include the following:

Acer announced a number of Windows 8-based designs at Computex, including two new Windows 8 all-in-one PCs, the Aspire 7600U (27") and the Aspire 5600U (23"), two Windows 8-based tablets, the 10.1" Iconia W510 and the 11.6" Iconia W700, and a “premium touch” Ultrabook, the Aspire S7 series, which will come in both 11.6" and 13.3" variants and offer up to 12 hours of battery life.

ASUS will expand its Transformer series of tablets to include two Windows 8-based designs, the 11.6" ASUS Tablet 810 (running Windows 8) and the 10.1" ASUS Tablet 600 (running the ARM-based Windows RT). Both will provide detachable hardware keyboards for hybrid use.

Dell has redesigned its Inspiron laptop lineup and expanded its Ultrabook offering with a series of portable machines that will debut with Windows 7 throughout June and be eligible for Microsoft’s $15 Windows 8 upgrade program.

Lenovo announced the availability of two new Ultrabook designs, the IdeaPad U310 and U410, which feature third-generation Intel Core processors and start under $800.

Toshiba unveiled a new lineup of business-oriented portable products, all based on third-eneration Intel Core processors, including the Portégé Z930 Ultrabook, the Portégé R930 ultraportable, and new versions of its Tecra line of devices. Toshiba bills the Z930 as the “world’s lightest 13-inch Ultrabook”: It weighs less than 2.5 pounds (compared with about 3 pounds for most machines in this class). Toshiba also updated its consumer-oriented Satellite series, which now includes Ultrabook designs. But the big news is that Toshiba also announced Windows 8 hardware: It will deliver a Windows 8 Ultrabook, a touchscreen Windows RT clamshell PC, and a Windows RT tablet with keyboard dock.

As expected, hardware makers have started announcing their coming Windows 8-based devices just ahead of this week’s Computex trade show in Taiwan. And first out of the gate are new tablets, hybrid PCs, Ultrabooks, and all-in-one desktops from Acer, ASUS, and Toshiba. However, only Acer has released detailed information about its plans.

Acer on Monday announced a pair of Windows 8-based tablets: the Iconia W510 and Iconia W700. The W510 is technically a hybrid PC: It sports a 10" screen and a detachable keyboard that transforms the tablet into a clamshell notebook or flips backward over the device in a presentation mode. The W700 is a higher-end device with an 11.6" full-HD screen. Both devices provide over 8 hours of battery life, Acer says.

Acer Iconia W510

“The most unique part of the W510 tablet is the tri-mode, allowing users to touch, type, and view,” an Acer press release notes. “A detachable keyboard dock can be connected to the tablet for optimal typing as well as extending the battery life up to 18 hours. Rotating the tablet 295 degrees allows it to be used in presentation mode, which is excellent for watching a video, browsing a webpage, or viewing a PowerPoint presentation.”

Acer Iconia W700

 
Acer’s devices, notably, are based on Intel chipsets, though the company says it will release ARM-based Windows RT tablets “two to four months” after Windows 8 launches, as well. The W510 will cost $799,  Acer notes, while the W700 will cost $999.

Acer has also announced a touch-based Aspire Ultrabook, which comes in versions with both 11.6" and 13.3" screens. These devices will feature battery life of 9 to 13 hours, the company claims. And Acer will offer two all-in-one PCs in 23" and 27" screen variants. The PCs feature swiveling screens, multi-touch, and full HD graphics.

ASUS, meanwhile, has announced two Intel-based Windows 8 tablet PCs—the Tablet 810 and Tablet 600—and three hybrid PCs than can switch between pure tablet and notebook modes. These are named the Taichi, Transformer AiO, and Transformer Book. Toshiba, meanwhile, will offer at least one ARM-based Windows RT tablet, although the company’s official announcement is still forthcoming.Microsoft is expected to reveal a number of coming Windows 8 and Windows RT hardware designs during Computex.