Microsoft: Windows Competitor to iPad Mini Coming Soon
It's been rumored before, but Microsoft has dropped the first official word that it's working on Windows 8 tablets smaller than 10 inches. In a call with investors about the company's latest earnings report, Microsoft CFO Peter Klein said small-screen Windows tablets were in the works.
Klein said the software giant was working with its manufacturer partners to develop "a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows" at "competitive price points," The Verge reported. He didn't elaborate on details, and neither did Microsoft spokespeople.
The exact screen size of these coming "small" devices is obviously unknown, but there's a big window between the largest Windows phone (the HTC Titan II, at 4.7 inches) and the smallest Windows 8 tablets, which bottom out at 10.1 inches. In interviews with Mashable during the launch of Windows 8 last fall, Microsoft employees said there was technically nothing holding back a small-screen Windows 8 tablet.
A recent study from TrendForce showed the 8-inch size for tablets is rapidly gaining market share, thanks in large part to the Apple iPad mini. It's probable Microsoft will target that size, although to be truly "competitive" with cut-price Android tablets such as the Kindle Fire HD, it will need to also consider the 7-inch size.
It's also an open question whether the devices will run Windows 8 or Windows RT, the latter being more suited for standalone tablets. However, Windows RT is reportedly floundering in the market, putting the longevity of the lower-power offshoot of Windows into question.
Would you buy a cheap, small-size Windows tablet? At what size and running which version of Windows? Let us know in the comments.
Klein said the software giant was working with its manufacturer partners to develop "a new suite of small touch devices powered by Windows" at "competitive price points," The Verge reported. He didn't elaborate on details, and neither did Microsoft spokespeople.
The exact screen size of these coming "small" devices is obviously unknown, but there's a big window between the largest Windows phone (the HTC Titan II, at 4.7 inches) and the smallest Windows 8 tablets, which bottom out at 10.1 inches. In interviews with Mashable during the launch of Windows 8 last fall, Microsoft employees said there was technically nothing holding back a small-screen Windows 8 tablet.
A recent study from TrendForce showed the 8-inch size for tablets is rapidly gaining market share, thanks in large part to the Apple iPad mini. It's probable Microsoft will target that size, although to be truly "competitive" with cut-price Android tablets such as the Kindle Fire HD, it will need to also consider the 7-inch size.
It's also an open question whether the devices will run Windows 8 or Windows RT, the latter being more suited for standalone tablets. However, Windows RT is reportedly floundering in the market, putting the longevity of the lower-power offshoot of Windows into question.
Would you buy a cheap, small-size Windows tablet? At what size and running which version of Windows? Let us know in the comments.
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Microsoft Surface Pro
The Surface Pro looks very similar to the Surface RT that launched last fall, except Pro version runs Windows 8 Pro instead of Windows RT. That means it can run classic Windows apps just like any PC. It's a bit thicker and heavier to accommodate the greater processing power of an Intel Core i5 chip, but it's still compatible with the magnetic Touch Cover that attaches with a click. The Surface Pro goes on sale Feb. 9, starting at $899..jpg)
Kickstand
Just like the Surface RT, the Surface Pro sports a kickstand that holds the tablet upright at a fixed angle (about 22 degrees).
With Type Cover
Microsoft offers a flat Touch Cover ($119.99) and more keyboard-like Type Cover ($129.99), and they both fit either the Surface Pro or RT. They're sold separately in Pro's case.
Startup Screen
Here's what you'll see every time you boot up the Surface Pro.
Digitizing Pen
The supplied stylus works only with the Surface Pro. Although it attaches to the power port of the tablet for easy carrying, it's not a powered device.
Upright With Surface RT
The two Surfaces lean at the same angle, though it's easy to tell the two apart from the side. The Surface Pro has a seam in back of the tablet that serves as a vent for the cooling fan inside.
Compared With Surface RT
Head on, it's hard to tell the Surface Pro apart from the Surface RT.
Stacked With Surface RT
When stacked with the Surface RT, it becomes clearer that the Pro is a different device. The ports are different, and the Pro is significantly thicker (0.53 to 0.37 inch). It's also heavier -- 2 to 1.5 pounds.
Top View
The top of the Surface Pro has the power button and a microphone port.
Right Side
The right side has a microSD port for augmenting the onboard storage (either 64GB or 128GB) as well as a Mini DisplayPort for connecting to an external monitor. The five small dots are magnetic connects for the power cord as well as the supplied Pen accessory.
Left Side
The left side has a single USB 3.0 port, the volume controls and a headphone/microphone jack.
Bottom View
On the bottom you'll find the ports and groove for connecting either the Touch or Type Cover accessories.
Start Screen
The Surface Pro's resolution is full HD -- 1,920 x 1,080. This is a typical Start Screen setup.
Start Screen, Separate Monitor
If you connect to a separate monitor, Windows 8 will adapt the layout of the start screen to the new size -- in this case the 23-inch external display has the same resolution as the Pro, but more area.
Desktop
As a full PC, the Surface Pro can run "classic" windows apps, such as Chrome for the desktop. That doesn't necessarily mean those apps run perfectly, though -- as you can see, Chrome looks a little fuzzy.
What's in the Box
The Surface Pro comes with power cords and a digital Pen that's especially designed for this tablet.
Pen in Use
The Pen works with many drawing apps, such as Paint, FreshPaint and Autodesk Sketchbook Express, to name a few. The other end of the Pen functions as an eraser.
Box
The Surface Pro has very austere packaging.
Accessories
Many accessories are available for the Surface Pro, including the Touch/Type Covers, a variation of Microsoft's Wedge Touch Mouse, and cables (VGA and HDMI) for connecting to an external monitor from the Pro's Mini DisplayPort.
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