Microsoft has certainly had to deal with a fair amount of criticism about its Surface Pro and Surface RT tablets since the tablets first hit the scene last October. But now, with so many rumors about the forthcoming Windows Blue 8.1 and Surface Pro 2 flowing out of the mouths of folks on both sides of the Microsoft fence, perhaps Microsoft has something up its sleeve.
Or perhaps, no matter what it does with the Surface Pro or Surface Pro 2 (or Windows Blue 8.1), Microsoft will still have to contend with the bums' rush of rival devices, such as the forthcoming Sony VAIO Duo 13, which has also been referred to as the Sony Ultrabook slider.
As Product Reviews believes the Windows 8 hybrid Sony VAIO Duo 11 is a near rival to the Microsoft Surface Pro — itself something of a hybrid, PR opines — it's not much of a leap to suggest the Sony VAIO 13 or Ultrabook will be a similar rival to the Microsoft Surface Pro 2.
The Sony VAIO 13 or Ultrabook will likely be "classed as a larger Surface Pro," PR says, which makes some sense, considering the tablet will run on Windows 8 and will similarly have a thin keyboard. It will also integrate use of a stylus pen.
The specs for the Microsoft Surface Pro or Surface Pro 2 rival known as Sony VAIO 13 or Ultrabook have been leaked via a "Dixons training video," PR says (and as confirmed by Engadget). These specs include:
- 13-inch device with a 1080p Triluminos touchscreen
- 10-hour battery life
- Intel Core i5 processor
- 4GB or RAM
- 128GB SSD
- 8-megapixel camera
As one of the main criticisms of the Microsoft Surface Pro is its astonishing if not baffling $900 price tag, if Sony decides not to similarly overprice its VAIO 13/Ultrabook, Microsoft might be in for yet another tough ride in the future, when it releases its Surface Pro 2.
What are your thoughts? Does the Sony VAIO 13/Ultrabook sound as though it will hold up to the next Microsoft Surface Pro? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Like what you're reading? Follow @ProfKlickberg.
