Designed for Windows 10: Microsoft shows off 'never before seen' devices at Computex 2015
Microsoft's corporate VP Nick Parker lifts the lid on some of the new PCs, laptops and tablets that have been designed specifically for the new operating system, including the Dell XPS 15.
TAIPEI -- Microsoft's corporate VP Nick Parker has revealed the first run of devices built specifically for Windows 10, from partners such as Asus, Toshiba and even FoxConn.
The product reveal came at the end of the Microsoft keynote speech here at Computex 2015. The keynote covered much of what is already known about Windows 10, including demonstrations of Cortana, Edge and Windows Hello.
Parker discussed some of the existing products that will be running Windows 10 when the upgrade arrives, before moving on to what he termed "the most exciting area", featuring some of the new devices that have been built specifically for the new operating system, including a few that hadn't been seen before.
In all, nine new products were shown off, ranging from all-in-one PCs, tablets, convertibles and some ultra-small form factor PCs.
The two all-in-one devices were the Acer Z3-710, which is just 1.4 inches thick, and the Asus Zen AiO Z240 (although the Zen was actually revealed by Asus just two days earlier as part of its own Computex press event ). The Acer is a portable all-in-one with a built-in battery. Parker noted that all-in-one PCs had been a great "growth category" and that they were particularly well suited to Windows 10 in the home.
Also from Asus was the Transformer Book T100HA , a convertible two-in-one laptop with a detachable keyboard, weighing just 580 grams (20 ounces) and measuring a svelte 8.45mm thick. A new HP x2 product was also on stage -- this was described as a "tablet-first" detachable product with a magnetic hinge design. The new x2 has Bang and Olufsen speakers and a metal finish.
The Dell XPS 15 was also shown for the first time. This has the same InfinityEdge borderless display as the glorious XPS 13 , although not much else was said about the device.
Even less was said about the HP tablet. Other than the fact we know it's a 9-inch tablet and made by HP, the only other information that it has a full size keyboard and "revolutionary" note-taking capabilities.
Similarly an unnamed Toshiba two-in-one was in the mix, sporting a 4K display, Cortana optimisation and a "face-authentication camera" for Windows Hello.
Parker also talked about non-traditional form factor computing. The FoxConn Kangaroo is an ultra-portable battery-powered desktop PC designed to work with you TV, while the Quanta Compute Plug slots into an HDMI port like the Google Chromecast. It allows you to control your TV using Cortana.
Parker said that as the Windows 10 launch date of July 29 edges closer, people should expect to see more and more products announced from Microsoft's hardware partners, including more smartphones designed around the Window 10 mobile experience.