New Gadget 2011

Microsoft Corp. has released documents with hardware requirements for media tablet PCs as well as convertibles running Windows 8 operating system. The requirements include high-definition screen, HD video playback, solid performance and ease of use. The software giant wants slates/convertibles powered by Windows 8 to offer premium experience, which may not initially allow them to be cost-efficient.

The front side of Windows 8 tablets and convertibles must be even and display should not be separated from border area with any physical edges so not to with the

All Windows 8-based tablets - whether they utilize ARM or x86 microprocessor - must support minimum native display resolution of 1366*768 along with a minimum of Direct3D 10-class graphics with WDDM 1.2 support. Higher resolutions are welcome, but Microsoft obliges display/graphics adapter drivers to support all types of rotations/orientations without hassles or glitches. Microsoft also insists upon tablets ability to playback high-definition protected and unprotected 720p (WMV, H.264, VC-1, 5Mb/s-7Mb/s), 1080p (H.264, 5Mb/s), 1080i (12Mb/s) as well as AVCHD 1080i (20Mb/s - 35Mb/s) video content with 2-channel audio.

Tablets and convertibles powered by Windows 8 should not only fit Windows 8 operating system, but to leave at least 10GB of free space after completing "out of the box experience". Microsoft wants tablets to support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 +LE, webcam with 720p resolution support, UEFI. The slates and convertibles must also support magnetometer, gyroscope, three-axes accelerometer, ambient light sensor, aGPS if tablets are equipped with a WWAN tech.

With its requirements for design and hardware, Microsoft clearly does not want tablets or convertibles powered by Windows 8 to offer moderate user experience while being very affordable. The demands of the software giant are not excessive, but some of the hardware requirements essentially forbid certain hardware; still they also ensure that the mobile devices will provide the same user experience as modern desktops or notebooks. What remains to be seen is whether Windows 8-based tablets later this year will be able to compete against Google Android-powered devices in terms of both performance and price.