IFA 2012: VAIO Tap 20 Revealed
By
Big is beautiful should have been the design philosophy behind the VAIO Tap 20 that Sony has put up for public consumption at the ongoing IFA event. With a massive 20 inch (1600 × 900 pixel) display that responds to finger touch, the Tap 20 can be considered a cross between a tablet and a desktop PC. Surely such a device is in AIO territory, though what makes the Tap 20 better than most other AIO’s is that the Sony device has a better stand design that allows the device to be kept upright or laid flat on the desk. In an upright position and mated to a keyboard and mouse, the Tap 20 can be a desktop but when laid flat, the device will be a tablet device. The 10 point multi touch display can then cater to entertainment oriented activities like playing games or watching videos. Not to mention, the stand is heavy and tough enough to take a lot of abuse. In fact, shifting from desktop to tablet mode can be practically a workout.
Behind the massive display lies an Intel Core processor, which can either be i3, i5, or i7 with a system memory option of 4 to 8 GB. Internal storage will come in various options, though the highest is likely to be 1 TB. Intel HD 4000 graphics will take care of the heavy graphics files, though while the chip is capable enough, it may not be sufficient for high end games. However, lest you begin to think of it as another large tablet, the Tap 20 is all of 11 pounds, which is massive by tablet standards.
Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro runs the entire show, though Sony has thrown in some of its own special flourishes. These include ClearAudio+, which is all about an enriching audio experience and a far cry from the puny speakers found on most tablet PCs or laptops. There also the OneTouch function which will allow the user to bond Tap 20 with any other Sony NFC products just by tapping them together.
The Tap 20 will be made available in some select countries by late October at an undisclosed price. However, there can be delays to that schedule as Sony reps also stated it’s still a work-in-progress status for the Tap 20 and the final product could end up being much slimmer and lighter.
Sovan Mandal is the senior tablet and tech corespondent for goodereader.com. He brings a international approach to news that is not just applicable to the North American market, but also Asia, India, Europe and others. Sovy brings his own writing flavor to the website and is interested in Science Fiction, Technology and Writing. Any questions, send an email
Pingback: IFA 2012: VAIO Tap 20 Revealed – Good E-Reader (blog) - AmazonLaureate: eBook & Author Reviews - amazonlaureate.com