Windows 8
HP unveils three Windows 8 machines (and yes, there's a hybrid)
It's been over a year since Microsoft first previewed the next generation of its Windows operating system, the touch-optimized Windows 8. As we draw closer to release, it's now the turn of hardware manufacturers to reveal exactly what they imagine we'll be using to make the most of the rather impressive new operating environment. IFA 2012 provided the perfect platform and we managed to spend a little time getting to know the latest tablet, ultrabook, AIO and hybrid tablet/notebook offerings from Samsung, Toshiba, Lenovo and Acer. We've saved the biggest PC manufacturer until last and managed to jostle our way through the crowds of media and public to get up close to HP's first wave of Windows 8 machines. Read More
Acer has just shown off its new laptop offering, and it is clear that the company had the Windows 8 philosophy in mind when it designed the Aspire V5 laptop. The V5 features a 10-point touch display and a larger trackpad, both of which are designed for better interaction with the features Windows 8 has to offer. Read More
Synaptics has announced a new generation of touch-based hardware components, including a pressure sensitive capacitive touchpad and an ultra-thin keyboard with improved backlighting. The new components are designed for use with Intel Ultrabooks running Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 operating system. Read More
Microsoft has announced that five manufacturers will release Windows RT PCs following the launch of the operating system this October. Two systems have already been announced in the form of Microsoft's own Surface RT tablet and the recently unveiled Asus Tablet 600. In addition to this, three new hardware partners were announced, with Dell, Samsung and Lenovo all planning releases for Redmond's stripped back OS. Read More
Lenovo announces ThinkPad 2 - its first Windows 8 tablet
Lenovo has announced the upcoming availability of its first tablet to run the new Microsoft operating system. The product, pitched as a “multi-use” tablet, has a 10.1 inch display, is 9.8 mm thick and features an optional digitizer and pen. There's no word on price yet, but the release date is set to correspond with the October launch of Windows 8. Read More
Microsoft has announced a set of new peripherals for its upcoming tablet-friendly Windows 8 OS. The Wedge Mobile Keyboard features a minimalist design, slim form factor and full-sized keyset, while the Wedge Touch Mouse is the smallest and lightest pointer that the company has ever produced. Read More
Appearing in Toronto at Microsoft's annual Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC), senior Windows chief Tami Reller let slip some details regarding the availability of Windows 8: PC manufacturers are set to receive the Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 8 in late-August, while consumers will be able to upgrade in late-October. The Redmond-based company also recently revealed that the cost of upgrading to Windows 8 Pro will be just US$39.99. Read More
Windows 8 represents a big change for Microsoft’s industry leading OS. It breaks from tradition by doing away with the long serving Start button and replacing it with a tile-based and touch-friendly Metro UI. While this move has widely polarized opinion, especially in the enterprise sector, it does represent a major trend across the industry, with mobile-tablet operating systems becoming more and more closely related to their laptop and desktop counterparts. This trend is personified by Microsoft’s in-house tablet, the Surface Pro. Read More
Microsoft held an intimate gathering of the press this evening in Los Angeles to announce its latest hardware venture, the Surface tablet, an official Microsoft branded product designed from the ground up for Windows 8. Surface features a 10.6" ClearType full HD display, as well as full sized USB ports and HDMI output. Microsoft also showed off the Type Cover, a screen protector that features a full laptop style keyboard and track pad, expected to launch along side surface. Read More
