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Samsung Releases Trio of Windows 8 and Windows RT Tablets, Calls Two of Them Smart PCs

By Sidney Wong & Leo Boon Yeow - on 30 Aug 2012, 1:00am

Samsung Releases Trio of Windows 8 and Windows RT Tablets, Calls Two of Them Smart PCs

Samsung might have an uneasy relationship with Apple, but now you know who is Samsung’s real BFF - Microsoft. Samsung took the opportunity presented by IFA 2012 (Berlin) to reveal three Windows 8 and Windows RT devices and one Windows Phone 8 device.

These products will be under the “Ativ” line, which according to Samsung is “Vita” (“Life” in Latin) in reverse. It seems like the Samsung Series 5 and 7 Hybrid will now be retailed under its new name, as the Samsung Ativ Smart PC, and Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro respectively.

Samsung Ativ Smart PC / Smart PC Pro (Windows 8)

Image source: Samsung

These two new tablets will be running the full version of Windows 8. They have Ultrabook-like specifications, but will come with detachable keyboard docks that effectively transform them into 11.6-inch Ultrabook-like machines.

The major difference between the two tablets would be processor type used. The Ativ Smart PC will sport a next generation Intel Atom processor, while the Ativ Smart PC Pro would sport a third generation dual-core consumer low-voltage (Ivy Bridge) processor.

Because of the different processors used, their sizes (the Ativ Smart PC is 9.9mm, and the Ativ Smart PC Pro is 11.9mm thick) are slightly different. The Atom processor in the Ativ Smart PC helps boosts battery life (13.5 hours), while the more powerful Ativ Smart PC Pro claims to get about 8 hours of uptime.

Screen resolution is also a big differentiating factor between the two tablet PCs. The Ativ Smart PC Pro (Ivy Bridge) sports a Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixel resolution), 400 nit screen, while the Ativ Smart PC (Atom) would have a standard 1366 x 768 pixel resolution display.

The Windows 8 tablets will also come with the S-Pen, first seen in Samsung’s “Note” devices. The S-Pen will still be powered by the very intuitive Wacom digitizer technology, which means no batteries required, and a 1024 level pressure sensitivity.

And just like the Android Note devices, the Windows 8 tablets will come with the S-Note application preloaded to aid in note-taking. To aid with photo taking and video recording -- via the front and rear cameras -- is the S-Camera app, also preloaded into the devices.

Samsung Ativ Tab (Windows RT)

Image source: Samsung

Samsung is currently one of the first few manufacturers selected by Microsoft to produce and retail the first wave of Windows RT products. Samsung’s Windows RT device is also a tablet, and simply named the Samsung Ativ Tab.

This tablet (like most Windows RT devices) will be running on a ARM processor, and has specifications that are very similar to Samsung’s current Android tablets. It has a 10.1” display, weighs 570 grams and measures only 8.9mm thick. It also has a whopping 8200 mAh battery that will help power it through the day.

It comes with a USB and uHDMI port, which means it’s actually much better off than most Android (or all Apple) tablets in terms of connectivity. It doesn’t match what the Windows 8 devices have in terms of ports, but only because it’s meant for more casual use.

Do check out our hands-on article here

Samsung's ATIV Windows 8 Devices
Specifications Samsung Ativ Smart PC Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro Samsung Ativ Tab (Windows RT)
Operating System
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 8
  • Windows RT
Processor
  • Next generation Intel Atom
  • Intel HD graphics  
  • Intel Core i5/i3
  • Intel HD graphics 
  • 1.5GHz dual-core
Built-in Memory
  • 2GB RAM
  • 4GB RAM
  • 2GB RAM
Connectivity
  • Wired LAN (USB-to-Ethernet Attachment)
  • Wireless LAN (802.11 a/b/g/n)
  • Wireless WAN (4G LTE/3G)
  • Bluetooth 4.0
  • 1 x USB 2.0, 2 X USB 2.0(Keyboard)
  • mHDMI
  • microSD
                      
  • Wired LAN (USB-to-Ethernet Attachment)
  • Wireless LAN (802.11 a/b/g/n)
  • Wireless WAN (4G LTE/3G
  • Bluetooth 4.0 
  • 1 X USB 3.0, 2 X USB 2.0 (Keyboard)
  • mHDMI
  • microSD
  • Wireless LAN (802.11 a/b/gn)
  • Wi-Fi Direct
  • Wi-Fi Channel Bonding
  • Bluetooth 4.0
  • USB 2.0
  • microHDMI
  • NFC
Display
  • 11.6-inch PLS 
  • 1366 x 768 pixels 
  • 11.6-inch PLS 
  • 1920 x 1080 pixels 
  • 10.1-inch HD LCD
  • 1366 x 768 pixels
Camera
  • 8-megapixel rear camera with flash 
  • 2-megapixel front camera
  • 8-megapixel rear autofocus camera
  • 1080p HD video recording
  • 1.3-megapixel (front-facing)
  • 5-megapixel rear autofocus camera with LED flash
  • 1.9-megapixel front camera
Storage
  • 128GB
  • microSD card slot
  • 256GB
  • microSD card slot
  • 32/64GB 
  • microSD support up to 64GB
Battery
  • DVD playtime up to 9.4 hours 
  • DVD playtime up to 5 hours
  • 8200mAh 
Dimensions
  • 304 x 189.4 x 9.9mm (Tablet PC)
  • 304 x 189.4 x 19.9mm (Clamshell)
  • 304 x 189.4 x 11.89 (Tablet PC)
  • 304 x 189.4 x 21.89 (Clamshell)
  • 265.8 x 168.1 x 8.9mm
Weight
  • 750g (Tablet PC)
  • 1.48kg (Clamshell)
  • 884g (Tablet PC)
  • 1.6kg (Clamshell)
  • 570g

Source: Samsung

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