Earlier today, I wrote about Microsoft’s decision to step back from the Mobile World Congress spotlight this week and let its partners take center stage. Here’s a quick rundown of the top Windows 10 phones, tablets/2-in-1s and laptops that those partners are announcing this week.
And yes, that’s phones with an “s”: Despite the apparent failure of Windows phone in the marketplace, several device makers are jumping in with their own Windows 10 Mobile-based handsets. (In addition, Microsoft is showing off the previously-announced Lumia 650 at MWC too.)
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Alcatel Fierce XL. This “value-priced” Windows 10 Mobile handset is actually coming to T-Mobile in the US, which makes it somewhat interesting. It’s not too shabby for $140, either: A Snapdragon 210 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage with microSD, and an 8 MP rear camera.
HP Elite x3. Perhaps the ultimate Windows phone hardware announced thus far, the HP Elite x3 won’t ship until “very late summer” and is aimed only at volume-purchasing business customers. I’ve already written everything you need to know about this device and its interesting accessories in With Elite x3, HP Takes Windows Phone to the Enterprise.
Panasonic Toughpad FZ-F1. This ruggedized handset is aimed at workers in the harshest of environments. So not bloggers.
Trinity Nuans NEO. Another intriguing hardware design we probably won’t see here in the US, the NEO features “stylish interchangeable two-tone backplates and a 13 megapixel rear camera and a 5 megapixel front facing camera,” Microsoft notes. It’s a 5-inch design with a Snapdragon 617 processor, 2 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of storage.
VAIO Phone Biz. Also announced ahead of MWC, this interesting-looking device won’t be sold in the United States. But the specs are solid: 5.5-inch 1080p screen, 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 617 processor (which is Continuum-capable), 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB of storage with microSD expansion, and a 13 MP rear camera.
Alcatel Plus 10. The latest in a long line of Surface clones, the Plus 10 is a 10-inch 2-in-1 PC with a 4G LTE hardware keyboard base, a low-res 1280 x 800 screen, and low-end specs. It will ship only in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa in June 2016.
Getac RX10. This ruggedized tablet is aimed at the healthcare market and features a touchscreen that works with gloves and hot-swappable batteries.
Huawei MateBook. The unholy biproduct of iPad and Surface, the MateBook is the latest example of China ripping off the designs of others. But man, it is a pretty device. It’s a 12-inch Quad HD (2160 x 1440 ) device with Core m3/m5/m7 processor options, 4 to 8 GB of RAM, 128 to 512 GB of storage and prices ranging from $700 to $1600. The coolest bit, perhaps, is the keyboard cover, which also combines Apple and Microsoft designs, but is quite attractive.
Lenovo MIIX 310. This 10-inch 2-in-1 features a detachable keyboard, up to 10 hours of battery life, and optional 4G LTE connectivity.
Panasonic Toughbook CF-20. Described as “the world’s first fully rugged detachable laptop,” the Toughbook CX-20 weighs just 3.9 pounds, includes a built-in handle/kickstand, and features a sunlight-viewable display for outdoor use.
Samsung Galaxy TabPro S. Yes, that’s the Galaxy brand on a Windows device, which is touching off some expected conspiracy theories. And yes, it’s yet another Surface clone, albeit one that looks pretty cool: a 12-inch display, Intel Core processors, active pen support, and 10 hours of battery.
Lenovo Yoga 510 and 710. These very interesting devices seem to bridge the gap between the ultra-thin Yoga 700 series and a traditional laptop/Ultrabook, offering 11- and 14-inch screens, Core m5 to Core i7 processors, and Lenovo’s vaunted hardware design sense.
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