Lilputing has noticed that Toshiba's upcoming 8 inch Encore tablet with Windows 8.1 is now up for pre-purchase on Amazon here for $329.99 USD. The company revealed the device back in the beginning of September, sporting an Intel Atom processor, meaning this device won't be of the Windows RT 8.1 flavor. The exact ship date is unknown at this point although Toshiba said the device would be made available this month.
"Developed in close collaboration with Microsoft and built for consumers seeking a versatile small-screen tablet for home, work and play, Encore is well-positioned to accelerate the market for Windows-based tablets by delivering software-optimized features and sleek hardware design at a competitive price point," the press release stated in September.
According to the specs, the tablet has an 8-inch multi-touch HFFS screen with a 1280 x 800 resolution, backed by Intel's Atom Z3740 quad-core chip clocked at 1.8 GHz, 2 GB of DDR3 memory and Intel HD Graphics. The tablet also has 32 GB of internal storage, and a microSD card slot supporting up to 32 GB of extra storage. This screen will be encased in a "stylish" silver textured back plate, making the tablet both super-slim at 0.43 inches and lightweight, weighing 1.1 pounds.
"Encore is powered by the power-efficient Intel Atom processor, which delivers great performance, fast start-up and page loads, and an exceptional battery life rating," stated the company's press release. "It also includes the connected standby capabilities of InstantGo, enabling the device to receive updates while sleeping so content is always up to date when use is resumed."
The tablet also has on-board dual microphones optimized for Skype, a front-facing 2MP camera also optimized for Skype, an 8MP camera on the back, a microUSB port, microHDMI output, and both dual-band Wireless N and Beamforming technology. The tablet also features a full suite of sensors including a gyroscope, accelerometer and GPS, a lithium-ion battery, and a full version of Office Home & Student 2013.
"The Encore tablet supports a wide range of applications – from books, games, movies, music and photos to productivity – making it a versatile device that can be used and enjoyed at home, at work or on the go. Ready to go right out of the box, Encore will feature Xbox Movies, Music and Games entertainment services, Amazon's Kindle e-reading app, as well as the Xbox SmartGlass app which turns the tablet into a secondary screen for the Xbox 360 and Xbox One game consoles."
To pre-purchase Toshiba's new tablet, head here. The device will be made available sometime this month at major retailers, e-tailers and direct from Toshiba at ToshibaDirect.com
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