tablets

If you've been on the fence looking for a deal on a Windows 8 tablet, Dell may have just what you're looking for. The price for the Dell XPS 10 Windows 8 RT tablet has been slashed from $449.99 to $299.99.

The 10.1" tablet comes with a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 32GB of memory storage, 2MP front facing camera and a 5MP rear facing camera. You can upgrade the memory to 64GB (add $50) and add a keyboard dock (now only $100) when you customize your purchase. However, Dell is offering the XPS 10 bundled with the keyboard dock for $349. Bump the memory on the bundle to 64GB and you're at $399 which is still a heck of a deal.

We aren't sure how long this deal will last but you can find all the details on the Dell XPS 10 here at the Dell website.

Thanks, everyone, for the tips!

Nearly one third of tech workers in the enterprise sector say they would prefer their next tablet to run on the Windows platform, according to a Forrester Research survey. The survey revealed that 32 percent of information workers surveyed prefer Microsoft Surface, while only 26 percent favour the iPad and 12 percent would choose Android hardware. 

The 2013 Consumer Electronics Show is just now getting warmed up and we are already seeing a nice presence with Windows 8 tablets. While ASUS may not be offering any Windows Phones, they have announced three impressive Windows 8 tablets and a nifty looking Ultrabook.

The ASUS VivoTab (pictured above) is a 10.1" tablet that features an Intel Atom Z2760 dual-core processor. The tablet is 9.7mm thin and weighs in at 580g. The display offers a 1366x768 HD resolution. Other features of note includes NFC support, 8MP rear camera, 2MP front facing camera and ASUS SonicMaster Audio. The VivoTab does have a TranSleeve Keyboard accessory that can pull extra duty as a tablet cover and stand.

A few days ago we ran our review on the Microsoft Surface and found the tablet to be an impressive, feature rich device.  The review generated a healthy number of comments, many of which had questions from our readers.  Questions ranged from customization curiosities to how well the Surface handled games.

In this follow up post, we hope to shed some more light on the Surface and answer many of our reader's questions.

Update: Microsoft has since said the emails were sent in error.

Not sure as to the why but Microsoft has sent out email notifications to customers in Canada and the United Kingdom informing them that their pre-ordered Surface RT tablet won't be available until November 2nd.

The email's read along the lines of,

"Thank you for ordering on msuk. The release date for the preorder product has changed. The product listed below will now be available on 02 November 2012."

We saw that Microsoft had pushed back the shipping dates for all three Surface RT options for any new orders. The mystery here is that these email notifications are being received by customers who pre-ordered their Surface on day one.  Some of which were placed during the first hour.

The Microsoft Surface tablet became available for pre-order earlier today and it appears interest is high. The original listing for all three versions of the Surface, 64GB and 32GB with Touch Cover and 32GB without cover, as "delivery by 10/26".

It appears that the first shipment inventory for the 32GB version without the cover has already sold out. If you check the listing now, you'll see that the option being listed as shipping within three weeks.

The other purchase options still show the October 26th delivery date but we're not sure how long that will last.  You can find the Surface pre-order page here at Microsoft's online store.

Thanks, Ryan, for the tip!

We showed you yesterday our hands on video with the new VAIO Duo 11 from Sony and at that same event I was lucky enough to get to use the big brother of the Duo - the VAIO Tap 20 which was announced at IFA in Berlin last month. At first glance this thing just looks like a big PC with a wireless keyboard and mouse, but it has some secrets up it sleeve. With a built in battery, allowing for three hours of power, the Tap 20 can be picked up and taken wherever you like.

So effectively you could be working at your desk and decide to go and have a bath with the VAIO Tap 20 as company. I'm not sure I would recommend that option but it's up to you.

With an adjustable kickstand on the rear of the unit, positioning the device can be adjusted to suit your needs - or just lay it flat and have a HUGE tablet! The 20 inch panel offers crisp, clear images and a wide angle of view, as well as an HD web camera (maybe the bath isn't such a good option!)

MSN is set to receive a visual overhaul this October to coincide with the release of Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10. Microsoft plans to roll-out the upgrade on October 26th, which will see the portal that receives over 480 million visitors per month sporting a new design and integration possibilities with other Microsoft products. The team have also looked at how the service can be made more user friendly when viewed on tablets running Windows 8.

MSN will be the portal that will fire up once Internet Explorer is launched in Windows 8, so what will consumers be greeted with?