IFA 2012: the landing of Windows 8 on tablets and hybrids

Between 31 August and 5 September Berlin hosted the IFA fair, and this year, less than two months away After the release of Windows 8, the big manufacturers have taken advantage of the event to present their bets for the renewed Microsoft operating system. Its tactile possibilities allow free rein to the imagination of companies that have not hesitated to bring all kinds of proposals, from new convertible experiments that we will discuss soon, to all kinds of tablets and hybridsthat we will review in this article.

Asus Vivo Tab: The Transformer Experience in Windows 8

Asus was one of the first to dare to experiment with the hybrid tablet+keyboard concept with its Transformer on Android. Now that Windows 8 provides a much more adaptable system to that idea, they have not hesitated to repeat the experiment twice, with their Vivo Tab and Vivo Tab RT models.

The Windows 8 RT version features a 10.1-inch IPS display and 1366x768 resolution, Tegra 3 processor, 2 GB of memory RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. The another Vivo Tab model extends its screen to 11.6 inches, Super IPS+, keeping the resolution at 1366x768 pixels but including as an extra the possibility of using a Wacom pen to control it. It works with an Intel Atom processor, 2 GB of RAM and up to 64 GB of storage.Both models include an 8-megapixel rear camera, with autofocus and LED flash, and a 2-megapixel front camera, NFC sensor and, of course, can be attached to a Transformer-style dockthat, in addition to the keyboard, adds a trackpad, two USB ports and a second battery.

For now the price and availability have not been revealed, although, as with the rest, we assume that it will be around the 26th of October, key dates in which Windows 8 will be released

Samunsg ATIV: tablet in classic style

Samsung for its part seems to want to repeat the Galaxy strategy with Microsoft's new operating system, for which it has launched the ATIV family that, in addition to smartphones, includes tablets and hybrids to choose from. For this edition of IFA, the Koreans have brought up to three different models that include the tablet ATIV Tab and two hybrid models baptized under the name of ATIV Smart PC and ATIV Smart PC Pro

The ATIV Tab is the choice for Windows 8 RT from the company. 10.1-inch screen, 1366x768 resolution, 1.5 ghz dual-core processor, up to 64 GB of internal storage and 5-megapixel cameras on the rear and 1.9 mpx on the front. Its 570 grams of weight and 8.9 mm thickness fits an 8,200 mAH battery, and has a micro-HDMI output and USB port. Specifications similar to those of other manufacturers for a tablet of which we still don't know the price or release date

Samsung ATIV Smart PC: a powerful commitment to hybrids

Samsung's bet becomes more serious with its hybrid models Smart PC. Starting with the basic model, where we find a screen of 11.6 inches and 1366x768 resolution, Atom-based Clover Trail processor, 2 GB of RAM, up to 128 GB of internal storage and 8 and 2 megapixel cameras, as well as a battery that ensures up to 13 and a half hours. Precisely the rear camera and the battery are the ones that suffer in the Pro model, leaving the rear camera at 5mpx and decreasing the battery life to 8 hours. The latter is explained by the increase in power represented by the ATIV Smart PC Pro, including a 1080p screen in the same number of inches, an Intel Core i5 processor, 4 GB of RAM and an SSD hard drive up to 256 GB.

In the case of the ATIV Smart PC, we do know that its release is scheduled for October 26 in the US and the prices of some of them range from $649 for the basic model ($749 for the keyboard pack) up to $1,119 of Smart PC Pro with 128 GB SSD.

HP Envy X2 and Dell XPS 10: third parties in contention

Somewhat more content than Asus and Samsung have been other manufacturers, such as HP and Dell The former have taken their proposal to brand new to the IFA Windows 8 in the form of a hybrid tablet+keyboard with the Envy X2. This stands out for an 11.6-inch IPS screen and the already typical resolution of 1366x768 pixels, Clover Trail processor, up to 64 GB of storage, 8-megapixel camera and Beats audio sound system. The battery lasts between 9 and 10 hours and the keyboard dock includes a second battery, as well as two USB ports, HDMI and an SD slot that join the microSD slot included in the tablet itself. As with most, those of HP have not disclosed price or day of arrival to stores.

Dell has been the most concise of all in its tablet bet and has barely shown the Dell XPS 10, its option for Windows RT .With a 10-inch screen and promising up to 20 hours of battery life, we know little more about the American model, which has focused its presence at the fair more around the Dell XPS 12 Duo convertible, which we will talk about in our other special with the rest of convertibles and various experiments that manufacturers have prepared to receive Windows 8 as it deserves.

In Xataka | Everyone loves Windows 8