The company has rolled out its Form Factors guide for OEMs

Oct 14, 2013 09:19 GMT  ·  By

Windows 8.1 is just around the corner and Microsoft expects a completely new wave of devices running its new operating system to hit the market in the coming weeks.

Since Redmond is bringing its own tablets powered by Windows 8.1 to the market, the company has created a Form Factors guide for OEMs that plan to launch devices running the same platform, thus giving strict instructions on weight, resolutions, and aspect ratios.

According to Microsoft-News.com, Microsoft wants tablets with screens smaller than 8.5 inches to weigh in less than 350 grams, while devices with displays of up to 10 inches can have a maximum weight of 650 grams. The maximum allowed weight for devices measuring more than 10.1 inches is 650 grams.

In addition, Redmond requires manufacturers to keep a bezel of at least 7 mm, while cameras must be placed on the center of the device, and not close to the corners, in order to support both landscape and portrait orientations.

The Windows 8 logo appearing on the device must be either black or white, depending on the color of the unit itself. The logo size can vary by bezel size, the company says.

Aspect ratios are also included in the guidelines. 7-inch tablets must have a resolution of at least 1024x768 and an aspect ratio of 4:3, 16:9, 16:10, while devices with screens larger than 10 inches must have a resolution of 1366x768 and a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Smaller devices will have only 3 rows of Start screen live tiles no matter their resolution, Microsoft said, while units with screens larger than 10 inches will have up to 4 rows of tiles.

Last but not least, the tech giant wants OEMs to focus more on the landscape orientation. Even though Windows 8.1 has been specifically optimized to be used in portrait mode, the landscape mode is much more helpful for the built-in features.