Today at its developer-focused BUILD conference, Microsoft showcased a detailed preview of Windows 8, the next major release of Windows.
Engadget has a first look at a developers preview of a tablet running Windows 8. Microsoft’s hotly anticipated Windows 8 is a touch-friendly OS that runs on both desktops and tablets.
Their Samsung Series 7 Slate sports a 11.6-inch capacitive panel (1366 x 768 resolution), Intel’s 1.6GHz Core i5-2467M CPU with integrated graphics, a 64GB SSD and 4GB of RAM. On the front there’s a 2 megapixel camera and a light sensor, and around the back sits a 3 megapixel shooter. Connectivity includes 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, plus a USB 2.0 port and a micro HDMI socket.
The “Metro-style” live tiles have hidden menus and controls, large, flashy graphics, bold white type, and multi-touch gestures. The desktop that you’ve grown used to in Windows 7 is still present, but under the surface. The new Explorer browser can toggle from old school to new.
Engadget liked it:
“We can’t be certain that every Win8 tablet will boast the same level of oomph once these begin hitting the market at some point next year (right, Microsoft?), but we’re downright enamored with how well a full-on desktop OS ran with this hardware.”
C/Net also has a first look at Windows 8. Engadget has live coverage of Microsoft’s Build conference from the Anaheim Convention Center.
Intel is sharing some of the first details of its Ivy Bridge processors this week at the annual Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco. Intel says Ultrabooks with “Ivy Bridge” are expected early next year.
The 2012 Core i-series CPU uses the same micro-architecture as Sandy Bridge, but it will be manufactured using 22nm process instead of 32nm and use 3-D Tri-gate transistors. Intel is expecting up to a 60% increase in 3DMark Vantage scores.
At IDF, Otellini also described the 2013 “Haswell” products for Ultrabooks. The advances in silicon technology and platform engineering are expected to reduce idle platform power by more than 20 times over current designs without compromising computing performance. Otellini said he expects that this design change, combined with industry collaboration, will lead to more than 10 days of connected standby battery life by 2013.
