Windows 8 Includes Tablet Hardware Requirements
Microsoft has released the minimum hardware requirements for tablets using Windows 8.
Microsoft's own batch of "Windows 8 Hardware Certification Requirements" documents, released last month, reveal that the company is providing minimum hardware requirements for x86, x64 and ARM-based tablets running the upcoming Windows 8 OS. Devices will need at least 10 GB of free space, a 1366 x 768 screen resolution, Bluetooth 4.0 + LTE, a 720p camera and more.
The requirements are part of a 293-page "Windows Hardware Certification Requirements" document for client and server systems, covering aspects ranging from pen- and touch-based digitizers to WiFi Direct to power management. Starting on page 72, Microsoft begins to set the foundation for tablets, defining bezel width, boot latency, required hardware buttons and required components.
According to the document, a Windows 8 tablet must feature a power button, a rotation lock, a Windows key button measuring at least 10.5-mm in diameter, volume up and volume down buttons. "The default orientation is in landscape mode and the Windows Key button must be on the front of the device facing the end user in the center along the bottom bezel," Microsoft says. "If the system is a convertible, the buttons must be accessible in all configurations. For convertible systems, it is acceptable to have the button off center along the bottom bezel when the convertible is in its tablet mode. "
As for other specs, the tablet must support a minimum of 5 touch-based inputs. It must also feature WLAN, at least one USB 2.0 controller and exposed port, a gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer, and a magnetometer. The bezel itself must not exceed 26-mm "to allow for users with smaller hands to access the edges while holding the device with two hands." However tablet convertibles with a hinge can have a bezel measuring more than the 26-mm limit -- up to 45-mm along the bottom edge closest to the hinge.
For more information, take a look at Microsoft's 2.13 MB PDF -- it's the first download labeled as "Windows 8 System Requirements" (windows8-hardware-cert-requirements-system.pdf) listed here.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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fancarolina They are requiring LTE? Does this mean there are no WiFi only versions?Reply
Going to lose sales if you try to make all of these mobile broadband only. I won't buy one with LTE or 3G or any crap like that, even Apple offers a WiFi version of the iPad. -
yannigr Windows 8 Hardware Certification Requirements version 2013.Reply
Any tablet is accepted. We need market share. I repeat. ANY TABLET IS ACCEPTED. PLEASE PUT WINDOWS 8 IN YOUR TABLETS. PLEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE WE BEG YOU...... -
fyasko dirtyferretcan anyone recall a win OS with so little demand by the public as win 8?Reply
can anyone recall a time when there were so many good/great OS alternatives to windows? with all the linux distros, droid, iOS/OSX... people weren't going to wait around forever just to use a full blown windows OS on their phone/tablet.
Win8 will be a game changer in that people will be able to do office tasks on their mobile/tablet. just saying it will carve out a nice niche in the "mobile OS pie". -
dragonsqrrl dirtyferretcan anyone recall a win OS with so little demand by the public as win 8?Prior to launch? Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP...Reply -
freggo "Windows 8 OS. Devices will need at least 10 GB"Reply
10GB... is anyone at Microsoft actually reading this ?
We all know that the US population has an obesity problem; but has anyone noticed that this also extends to Windows ?
10GB is not 'bloatware' anymore. That's a serious health issue for an OS.
No wonder Windows is so insecure as it is virtually impossible to patch all the holes hiding in this piece of FatCode (TM) before Windows 9 is released.
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Haserath fyaskocan anyone recall a time when there were so many good/great OS alternatives to windows? with all the linux distros, droid, iOS/OSX... people weren't going to wait around forever just to use a full blown windows OS on their phone/tablet. Win8 will be a game changer in that people will be able to do office tasks on their mobile/tablet. just saying it will carve out a nice niche in the "mobile OS pie".Anything productive on a tablet requires a keyboard. Once you have a keyboard with the tab, what is the point of the tablet over a laptop? The hardware being slow compared to even an atom based laptop sucks as well.Reply
Might as well use a cheap/small laptop over a tab+keyboard if you plan on doing anything productive. Brazos based systems particularly come to mind as a better alternative to tablets with somewhat low power and high capability being a plus for Brazos.
This is not a lash out towards you. I just don't see where Windows 8 on tablets fits into the productivity aspect. It's more like Win8 on x86 based tablets has compatibility with software if you need to view certain files or make changes, but you don't necessarily need speed. -
p05esto Can't wait for a Windows 8 ecosystem (PC/laptop/tablet/phone/xbox). This will be a game changer big time for Microsoft, no one else can come close to doing this. Very cool.Reply -
Khimera2000 dirtyferretcan anyone recall a win OS with so little demand by the public as win 8?Reply
Can you name a time when Apple used there own OS??? Ill give you a hint it ends with a number below X and did not rip off the entire Linux community to keep the company alive.
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molo9000 Windows button on the bottom when in landscape orientation? Am I reading that wrong or is Microsoft stupid?Reply
ZannyYay for a 10 gigabyte bloated OS thats meant to go on 30 - 60 gb ssds.
"Devices will need at least 10 GB of free space" is not the same as "Windows 8 is 10GB big".
I guess Microsoft just doesn't want manufacturers selling cheap tablets with minuscule amounts of storage.