Sony intros Tap20 tabletop PC, Duo 11 hybrid, new Tablet S
updated 11:48 am EDT, Wed August 29, 2012
Latest devices run Windows 8, Ice Cream Sandwich
Sony has introduced a range of new products at the IFA expo in Germany this week, including the Tap20 tabletop PC, the Duo 11 hybrid ultrabook, and a redesigned Tablet S. The Tap20 is claimed to represent a "new concept" in home computing—a 20-inch all-in-one that can be used upright as a standard desktop PC or in various lay-flat positions to mimic tablet functionality on a table or a user's lap.
As expected, the Tap20 takes advantage of a touchscreen for touch-based input in Windows 8, which is powered by Intel's i3, i5 or i7 CPUs. An integrated battery enables the device to be used without the need for a power outlet in close proximity.
The Duo 11 steps down to an 11.6-inch display with a sliding hybrid design, working as a touch-based tablet or as an ultraportable notebook with a full QWERTY keyboard. Buyers can still choose from Core i3, i5 or i7 processors in the smaller device, while SSDs, NFC and GPS come standard.
The redesigned Tablet S is adapted from its predecessor, though it adds the Xperia branding found on Sony's Android-powered smartphones. Keeping to the Tablet S heritage, the new model is equipped with Android 4.0 and provides the same 9.4-inch, 1280x800 touchscreen, 1GB of RAM and 16GB to 64GB storage options. Unlike its namesake, however, the Xperia variant is powered by Nvidia's Tegra 3 chipset and jumps to an eight-megapixel primary camera.
Pricing and launch details for the Tap20 and Duo 11 remain unclear, though the Tablet S is slated to ship on September 7 with prices ranging from $399 to $599.
