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Microsoft gives away unannounced tablet PC
2009-11-20 Article Rating:  / 3
Acer released a convertible tablet PC that runs Windows 7 on a dual-core Celeron processor. The Aspire 1420p -- unannounced in the U.S. but given away by Microsoft to those attending the company's PDC (Professional Developers Conference) this week -- includes both a pivoting, 11.6-inch display with multitouch and an HDMI output, says Acer.
 According to Microsoft, all full-conference attendees at its 2009 PDC, held this week in Los Angeles, were given Acer's Aspire 1420p tablet PC (right), whose U.S. pricing and availability have not yet been announced. In an interview with CNET, Windows division president Stephen Sinofsky is quoted as saying that Microsoft employees worked with Acer to customize the device, though it just wasn't possible to delete Bluetooth and cram in GPS as they had hoped.
According to Microsoft, the Aspire 1420p includes accelerometers that can automatically change the system's screen from portrait to landscape mode. The system also supports Windows 7's multitouch capabilities and is "perfect for writing down notes using Microsoft OneNote 2010," the company adds. Like other convertible PCs, Acer's Aspire 1420p features a screen that pivots and folds down over its keyboard, changing the computer into a tablet. The device has a full-size keyboard, and an 11.6-inch display offered in either 1366 x 768 or 1024 x 600 resolutions, according to the company. (PDC attendees reportedly got a glossy version of the display, with the higher resolution.) According to Acer, the 1420p's screen supports either finger touch or pen input. Supported gestures include circular-motion scrolling, pinch-action zoom, and page flipping, the company says. Meanwhile, it's said, the device also sports a VGA-resolution webcam and an HDMI video output. The Aspire 1420p is powered by a CPU that Microsoft refers to as the Intel Core 2 Duo U2300, but which Intel and Acer term a Celeron SU2300. By whatever name, the chip does have dual cores, a 1.2GHz clock speed, and a 10 Watt TDP. The SU2300 CPU is teamed on the 1420p with Intel's GS45 chipset (82GS45 northbridge and ICH9M-SFF southbridge), allowing the system to accept up to 8GB of DDR2 memory, according to Acer. Meanwhile, the company adds, the tablet comes with 250GB or 320GB hard disk drives. Other than the HDMI port already mentioned, the Aspire 1420p comes with a VGA port, three USB 2.0 ports, a RJ45 port for gigabit Ethernet, a microphone input, and a headphone/line output that's said to double as a S/PDIF optical digital connector. All configurations come with 802.11b/g/n wireless networking, while Bluetooth 2.1 and a cellular modem are available options, according to Acer. Acer says the Aspire 1420p's cellular option offers UMTS/HSPA at 850/900/1900/2100MHz, and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz), with download speeds up to 7.2Mb/sec. According to Microsoft, which specified the cellular modem for its PDC edition, Windows 7 automatically detects if a mobile broadband connection is available and does not require third-party utilities. Finally, the Aspire 1420p has a 5600mAh, six-cell battery pack. This provides the device with up to eight hours of battery life, claims Acer. Features and specifications listed by Acer for the Aspire 1420p include the following:
Further information Acer says the Aspire 1420p will be offered in diamond black, sapphire white, or ruby red, but has not announced pricing or availability details. More information may be found on the company's website, here. Interesting background on Microsoft's PDC Edition of the device may be found on the company's website, here and here. The CNET interview with Stephen Sinofsky alluded to earlier in this story may be found here. Related stories:
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In the final event, PDC attendees apparently got essentially the same hardware (detailed later in this story) that will be offered to retail purchasers of the Aspire 1420p. However, the "PDC Edition" -- wrapped in a unique box (left) -- did include a customized BIOS, for added hotkey functionality and hardware-assisted virtualization, according to the company. Attendees also got an upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate, replacing the system's standard Windows 7 Home Premium operating system, plus preinstalled copies of the Office 2010 Beta, Virtual PC with Windows XP mode, Touch Pack for Windows 7, and Corel's Paint it! software, Microsoft says. 
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