ANAHEIM: Microsoft has handed out a Samsung tablet running Windows 8 to all developers at the Build conference in Anaheim to help kick-start work on new applications.

The Samsung tablet is unmarked, and the box proclaims it as developer prototype hardware. It features an impressive 11.6in 1,366x768 touch-screen display, and weighs about 900g with a slimline design at just 12.9mm thick.

The tablet is based on a 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-2467M dual-core processor, with 4GB of DDR3 memory, a 64GB SSD, and support for 3G mobile broadband and Wi-Fi.

The unit has a microSD slot, a single USB port and micro HDMI connector. Microsoft is also providing developers with a Bluetooth keyboard, stylus and mini docking cradle that adds an extra USB and HDMI video output, plus Ethernet for a LAN connection.

The tablet feels very responsive, and is easily a match for rival devices such as Apple's iPad or the various Android-based tablets. However, battery life could be a shortcoming, as the indicator went down noticeably during our brief hands-on test.

Microsoft wasn't giving any details on when this tablet might go on sale, but it is obviously a taste of what to expect with Windows 8 hardware.

14 Sep 2011