If you’ve not heard of it before, the Razer Edge gaming tablet can seem like a bit of an odd unicorn. While we’ve heard of gaming tablets before, this really does appear to be one of the most grand efforts a company has made thus far – especially considering the rise of the Android tablet and the iPad – both of which could be considered “gaming tablets” in their own right. What have we got here then? We’ve got Windows 8, a 3rd-gen Intel Core i7 processor, 256GB SSD, and a fabulous 8GB of RAM – and NVIDIA graphics, too!
Of course with NVIDIA GT 640M LE (1GB DDR3, Optimus Technology) you’ve not exactly got the biggest, baddest beast in the land, but you’re still running with a brand that boasts its greatness on a daily basis. The tablet itself is 278.5 mm x 178.85 mm x 19.5 mm / 10.9″ x 7″ x .80″ – not exactly tiny. All that comes in the PRO version – there’s also a basic edition which you can find out more about in our fabulous original rundown.
“This isn’t the kind of device you’re going to be bringing to highschool to play during class.”
Since we saw this device back at CES 2013 for our most recent hands-on adventure, the tablet itself has been modified just a bit – but for the most part, it’s still the same device we described then as “a rather interesting combination of ‘why would I want this’ and ‘take my money right this minute’”. You’ll almost certainly be saying one of the two when you see the price: $1,450 USD brand new for the PRO – go grab one!
If you need a bit more convincing, hear this: this is just about as close to NVIDIA’s Project SHIELD that you’re going to get until later this year. With a 10.1-inch 1366×768 IPS display up front and Windows under the hood, it’s also the only experience you’re going to get like this on the market today. Unless you create your own handlebars and control connections for your own Windows 8 tablet, that is.
There’s also a keyboard dock, mind you. We’re expecting that this tablet will have no end to its accessory add-ons throughout its life. Expect the oddities to roll in!
Why would you want it?
Because playing games on a 10.1-inch tablet is cool, but playing games on a 10.1-inch tablet with a massive set of physical controls attached is even cooler. This device isn’t for everyone, but if you’re the sort of person that’s looking for a gaming experience that’s not exactly like one you’ve ever had before, this is a good place to start!
Have a peek at our hands-on with the Razer Edge and get pumped up about our future coverage as well – this is a rather unique experience, we assure you – don’t miss it!
Portable gaming isn’t what it once was. Sure, you can still snag a handheld device from Sony or Nintendo, but today’s video game industry is far more diverse. Gamers on the go have no shortage of hardware to pick from: tablets, smartphones, gaming laptops and purpose-built handhelds are redefining what a mobile gaming platform is. Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan must have felt the winds of change blowing his way when he cooked up Project Fiona, now known as the Razer Edge. The company’s marketing material frames the curious device as an all-in-one gaming arsenal; it’s a tablet, says the product page, as well as a PC and console. Above all, it’s modular, a souped-up tablet with a small collection of docks and cradles designed to scratch your gaming itch from all angles. All told, Razer calls it the most powerful tablet in the world. Kitted out with the specs of a mid-range gaming laptop, it may very well be that — but we couldn’t let the proclamation pass without giving it the once-over ourselves.
Microsoft’s BUILD developer conference was held in October last year, but it looks like the company is moving the event to accomodate the warmer weather. Microsoft has announced that BUILD 2013 will take place June 26-28 in San Francisco, California. If you’re a developer interested in attending, mark your calendars now.
We attended Microsoft’s BUILD 2012 conference and the company announced a lot of great stuff, including the official launch of Windows Phone 8. Microsoft also took that time to announce a handful of big new apps that came to Windows 8. Of course, tons of new apps have released since then, but this was back when Windows 8 came right off the assembly line.
Registration for BUILD 2013 will open on April 2, so be sure to mark your calendars for that day as well, since tickets will go quickly. Specifically, last year’s conference sold out in about an hour, so be sure to get your clicking reflexes up to shape before signing up — Microsoft’s expecting a large crowd for this one.
As for what we’ll see from Microsoft during the conference, they say that they’ll be showing off some new things that they’ve been working on for Windows, as well as Azure, Visual Studio, and lots more. We may even hear more about Windows Blue that we’ve been hearing so much about as of late.
Several Windows 8 apps, including Calendar, Mail and People, received updates just yesterday, and today Microsoft’s Xbox Music is getting a refresh of its own. The music app’s update brings both performance improvements to Windows RT devices and some new functionality. Among the new features is a volume control that sets the app’s volume independent of the system’s volume. The update also brings the ability to automatically sync your music collection to the cloud and add songs from your collection to other devices running Xbox music. Finally, as you can see in the screen grab above, there’s a new playing UI that displays all tracks from an album in addition to the song currently playing. You can check out the update yourself by clicking through to the Windows Store via the source link.
How great is this? 55 inches of touchscreen magic for a classroom or a Wolf Blitzer or a droll, droll conference room. Sure, it’s $5,000, and sure, it’s “only” 1080p, but WHATEVER. This is great. More »
Samsung has announced the ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T with AT&T 4G LTE support, providing users with mobile broadband connectivity on-the-go. In addition, the Korean company has also added to its Series 9 Premium Ultrabook line with a tablet/laptop hybrid running Windows 8, with a higher-resolution, sharper display that other models. Both devices are available now, priced at $1599 and $1899, respectively.
The ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T hybrid features a 10-point tablet component with a detachable keyboard. There’s S Pen to make taking notes and sketching on the 11.6-inch display enjoyable, and it is joined by an Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB of RAM. Battery life is touted as lasting up to 8 hours, and the entire unit weighs in at just under 2-pounds.
The Series 9 Premium Ultrabook, meanwhile, is model NP900X3E-A03US and offers a 13.3-inch full HD LED display, its biggest claim to fame. Inside users with find an Intel Core i7 and Intel HD Graphics 4000, as well as 4GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. The entire laptop weighs a tad over 2.5-pounds, and is available in black.
Samsung’s Senior Vice President of its Enterprise Business Division Tod Pike said, “With the introduction of the new professional ATIV Smart PC Pro 700T and the full HD resolution Series 9 Premium Ultrabook, Samsung is continuing its focus on innovation while delivering on the needs of a growing number of mobile professionals. Samsung is providing business professionals on-the-go with the necessary tools for increased connectivity, productivity and ultimately success.”
Microsoft has announced that it will roll out updates for People, Calendar, and Mail in the Windows Store tomorrow, promising “big improvements” in terms of both new features and improvements to current features. The updates are touted as making it easier to organize and manage accounts and the apps across both the work and personal life spectrums, and to do so in a way that is seamless and unobtrusive.
Starting with the Mail app, users who download the update will see the ability to filter messages by unread-only, as well as a new feature for creating and tweaking folders directly from within the app, making it easier to sort things and keep them organized. Flagging from within the Mail app has also been aded, appearing in both the “Flagged” folder and the inbox. There’s smart contact suggestions, improvements to inserting hyperlinks in messages, and more.
The Calendar app also enjoys its fair share of features and improvements, including a visual update so that it is easier to take in the sum total of all your items and menu options. A “Work Week” view has been added alongside Day, Week, and Month, and support for Microsoft Exchange users’ business account scheduling assistant has been included.
And finally, there’s the People app update. With this update, Microsoft promises that it’ll be easier to “touch, manage, and connect” with friends and other indiviuals across multiple accounts, such as Facebook, Twitter, and the company’s own Outlook.com. App commands can be pulled up via a right-click/top-to-bottom swipe, and navigation has been added for easily toggling between profiles and statuses. Users can now directly post to Facebook walls, and Twitters and other such notifications are now shown under “What’s New”.
With the Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch you’ve got one of the companies most solid deliveries of an Ultrabook-level computer upgraded with Windows 8 and a full 10-point touch display. With this notebook you’re going to be working with 3rd Gen Intel Core i5 processor power under the hood, a lovely 13.3 LED HD screen, and a market cost well under a thousand bucks. Sound like a value proposition you’ll want to add to your already burgeoning Samsung device collection?
Hardware
This notebook, also known as model NP540U3C-A01US, is not the thinnest beast on the block, nor is it the lightest. But it’s no monster, either. Instead what you’re getting is a 12.4 x 8.6 x 0.6-inch notebook made from a mix of aluminum and plastic parts, certainly sturdy enough – and aesthetically pleasing enough on the outside – to be your daily driver in a public place. As an Ultrabook such as this will likely be used by you for doing work first and foremost, it’s important to take a peek at the keyboard right out of the box.
What you’ve got here is a top-class keyboard that’s not unlike what we’ve seen from the generation of Samsung notebooks that’ve come out over the past year. If you’re used to working with a MacBook, not a PC, you’ll still feel rather at home with this layout and pressure sensitivity. The keyboard features a real no-nonsense set of keys as well, so no worries pecking away at the bits you’re not wanting to hit.
The display is certainly nice looking, and if you’re not used to the ultra-high-definition eye-shattering screens that are also out there on the market today, you’ll have a great time with the 1366 x 768 resolution here with LED HD technology and 10-finger touch. That means that if you’ve got an app that needs every single one of your fingers at once, you’ll be able to do it here. Covering this display you’ve got Corning Gorilla Glass – resistant against scratches and damage like a pro. This display is also 300 nits bright, working with SuperBright Technology so you know you’re backed up by a brand that means business.
Inside you’ll be working with 8GB of system memory, a hard drive of 128GB (SSD), and a find little web camera peeking up at you above the screen. You’ve also got Intel HD Graphics 4000, perfectly generous for your everyday movie watching, and you’ll be connecting to the web either wirelessly with Intel WiDi and Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235 802.11 a/b/g/n or wired with this machine’s built-in ethernet port.
Next to your ethernet port (which pops open or closes down for a more compact experience, mind you), you’ll see one USB 3.0 port, HDMI out, and your very own headphone/microphone jack. Lucky you! On the right you’ve got another two USB 2.0 ports and a multi-card reader (SD/SDHC/SDXC). Altogether you’ve got a really solid package, certainly one you can bring home to mother.
Hands-on
This device is only surprisingly heavy because I’m so very used to handling computers now that are lighter than they have any business being. When you’re working with Ultrabooks and MacBook Airs and the like every single day of the week, having one like this UltraTouch will seem like a slight change. But as it is with most notebooks and such, the weight and the shape of this machine feels natural rather quickly.
The location of each of the ports feels quite natural, and though it does still feel a bit odd to be pulling open the ethernet port on the left hand side whenever it’s needed, it’s not been a burdon in any way. Toss this and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 and the GALAXY S 4 in your pockets and backpack and you’re set!
Software
Samsung is particularly proud of its collection of apps made specifically for Windows 8, including such winners as Quick Starter. With Quick Starter, you’re able to grab your own toolbar and start button (otherwise willfully yanked from your life by Windows 8) so you’ll have a more familiar user interface if you’ve never used Windows 8 before. You’ll also have all kinds of awesome AllShare Play action going on – particularly awesome if you’re a Samsung Galaxy S III or GALAXY S 4 or Galaxy Note user.
System – SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. 530U3C/530U4C/532U3C
Manufacturer
Samsung Electronics
Product Type
Notebook
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8 (64-bit)
Motherboard
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. NP540U3C-A01UB
Processor
Intel Core i5-3317U
Processor ID
GenuineIntel Family 6 Model 58 Stepping 9
Processor Frequency
1.70 GHz
Processors
1
Threads
4
Cores
2
L1 Instruction Cache
32.0 KB
L1 Data Cache
32.0 KB
L2 Cache
256 KB
L3 Cache
3.00 MB
Memory
3.71 GB DDR3 SDRAM 799MHz
FSB
99.8 MHz
BIOS
Phoenix Technologies Ltd. P06ABH
With AllShare Play you’ll be connecting with your mobile devices with ease, sharing your media from device to device in a personal mobile network instantly. This interface also works with Samsung Smart TVs and tablets as well as smartphones.
Benchmark Score – Acer Aspire M5-481PT
Section
Description
Score
Total Score
Windows x86 (64-bit) – Microsoft Windows 8 (64-bit)
Integer
Processor integer performance
5173
7046
Floating Point
Processor floating point performance
9610
Memory
Memory performance
6351
Stream
Memory bandwidth performance
6026
Above and you’ll also find some read-outs we’ve taken of the notebook. You’ll see some additional details about what this Ultrabook is packing as well as some benchmark results from our standard test: Geekbench. Feel free to head back to our archive of reviewed devices to compare and contrast as well!
Battery Time
Off the wall connection we’ve found the Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch to be getting a little over 5 hours of battery life. That’s without streaming video – if you’re going to be doing heavy processing tasks, this may not be the workhorse for you. Instead you’ll find this device best for daily work on-the-go without demanding a full 8-hour workday spread without power.
That said, battery life on this device isn’t all that different from the rest of the Ultrabooks out there right now. You’ll find a machine like the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 13 working with essentially the same amount of battery time where the newest era of MacBook Air units are some of the only mobile notebooks we’ve worked with that last longer in the field. Choose wisely!
Wrap-up
With the Samsung Series 5 UltraTouch you’ve got an Ultrabook that’s ready to be your best buddy in college, your friendly office companion, or your coffee shop cohort. While the Samsung notebook line doesn’t hold quite the “cool” factor their smartphones and tablets have earned over the past few years, they still connect in more ways than any other machine – particularly if you want to work with the oddity that is AllShare.
The model we’ve reviewed here will cost you a cool $859.99 USD and is available everywhere fine Ultrabooks are sold. We’d recommend, as always, heading out to your local notebook dealer to see how this unit feels before picking one up for yourself. Samsung has made a fabulous notebook here, and you’re going to want to take it out for a test drive before you make the big jump.
The native Mail, Calendar and People apps on Windows 8 were criticized as they lacked functionality. Microsoft has addressed all those issues and starting tomorrow, it will release a major update for the aforementioned built in apps for Windows 8. Users will be able to download these updates from Windows Store. Microsoft says that these apps have been designed to seamlessly manage communication between Windows tablets and PCs using multiple accounts. They promise big improvements in performance as well as additional new features.
The update essentially revolves around the Mail app. It now comes with features that should have been there all along, such as creation, renaming and deletion of folders. The Mail app will now sync more faser. There’s a new filter for bringing up unread messages, ability to mark emails as spam, improved mail search and the ability to flag emails. Several UI tweaks have been made to the Calendar app. End dates for recurring events can now be set. Google sync support has been removed from Calendar. No subsantial updates have been made to the People app. Navigation has been improved and there’s a new filter tha lets users control what shows in their “what’s new feed”. Users can now also post directly to walls of their Facebook friends straight from People app. These updates won’t install automatically, users will have to visit Windows Store to download them.
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