Vizio announced on Friday the upcoming launch of its spring 2013 lineup of Windows 8-based All-in-One PCs and Thin + Light notebooks. Select models are now available for pre-order through Vizio's online store and from Microsoft's online store as well, with prices ranging from $1089.99 to $1549.99. All models are equipped with 10-finger capacitive touch displays, bringing a true Windows 8 experience right to your fingertips.
"To help Vizio PC users unlock the ideal interactive Windows 8 experience, we have integrated touchscreen functionality across our entire spring PC line-up," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, Vizio. “With the launch of the new Touch PCs, we look forward to delivering enhanced performance and entertainment options to new Vizio consumers."
According to Vizio, there will be seven models offered this spring: two 14-inch Touch Thin + Light notebooks, two 15.6-inch Touch Thin + Light models, two 24-inch Touch All-in-One PCs, and a 27-inch Touch All-in-One PC. All three groups feature one model with an AMD A10 quad-core APU and one with an Intel Core i7 quad-core CPU whereas the sole 27-inch AIO will pack the Intel Core i7 CPU.
On one hand, this spring spread should be good news for Microsoft, as it needs more touch-based solutions on the market to push its updated Windows platform. But the prices are still somewhat hefty and may turn mainstream consumers off. That price scare likely won't change until touch screen prices drop to a reasonable level and Microsoft eases up on the Windows 8 licensing fees.
Vizio states that the AMD models are focused on serious multi-taskers and gamers, delivering "strikingly rich" visuals and an immersive gaming experience. The Intel models with Intel Boost Technology focus on high-performance. That said, the AMD models are significantly cheaper than their Intel based counterparts, and could prove more popular for those looking for touch-based value.
Now here's a shocker: each model will come packed with 802.11ac wireless connectivity, making Vizio one of the first OEMs to use the new standard in its desktops and laptops. That means they're dual band was well, supporting up to 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and up to 867 Mbps on the 5.0 GHz channel. All you'll need is a compatible router which is sold by D-Link, Belkin, Linksys and others.
"Vizio continues to leverage its HDTV background with brilliant picture quality, high contrast and wider viewing angles, a staple of the Touch PCs," the company said. "An expertly-tuned SRS Premium Sound HD™ audio system, a DTS technology, delivers rich audio quality, complementing superior visuals with deep, resonant sound to get the most out of music, movies, games and more."
Here's a list of prices, categorized by their processor:
AMD A10 APU
14-inch Touch Thin + Light (CT14T-B0) $1,089.99 MSRP - AMD A10 APU
15.6-inch Touch Thin + Light (CT15T-B0) $1,189.99 MSRP - AMD A10 APU
24-inch Touch All-in-One (CA24T-B0) $1,279.99 MSRP - AMD A10 APU
Intel Core i7 CPU
14-inch Touch Thin + Light (CT14T-B1) $1,419.99 MSRP - Intel Core i7
15.6-inch Touch Thin + Light (CT15T-B1) $1,469.99 MSRP - Intel Core i7
24-inch Touch All-in-One (CA24T-B1) $1,439.99 MSRP - Intel Core i7
27-inch Touch All-in-One (CA27T-B1) $1,549.99 MSRP - Intel Core i7
