14 DAY TRIAL // While Lenovo is preparing a full-size low-cost tablet running Android on ARM, Toshiba is getting ready to sell one that has a much higher price and is aimed at a different demographic as well.
The name of the product is Toshiba WT310, and the demographic is business workers that need to always be on top of their game.
For those who have been keeping an eye on the tablet industry, that ought to be enough for an educated guess to be made in regard to the core hardware and software.
Sure enough, the product is powered by an Intel Core-series central processing unit and runs the Windows 8 Pro operating system.
The display measures 11.6 inches in diagonal and is an LCD with a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD).
It also provides touch support with gesture recognition (scroll, swipe, tap-to-launch programs) and has an anti-glare coating for reasonable visibility under sunlight.
More importantly, though, is the DigitizerPen which works with software and can convert handwritten notes and text into editable and shareable documents.
Other specifications include an SD card slot NAND Flash storage (the capacity was left unmentioned, probably variable between 8 GB and 64 GB, or maybe a Full SSD of 120 GB or much more), integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, HSPA+/LTE broadband.
Finally, the Toshiba WT310 is equipped with HDMI and Intel Wireless Display technology (wireless streaming to HDTVs).
All the hardware is housed inside a steel grey metallic case, but don't let the color fool you: it's actually plastic. Presumably strong enough to protect the hardware from all common hazards (drops, bumps, or access pressure), but plastic nevertheless.
Sales will begin this quarter (Q2 2013), in the UK at least, for a price that has yet to be published. The Intel Anti-Theft software package is included (reduces the risk of unauthorized access) along with TPM (Trusted Platform Module, which safeguards locally stored critical data).