Finally, here is a tablet that can rid you of all the complaints that you may have had so far of tablet PCs running Windows, without having to give up on Android. Welcome the new ViewPad 10Pro from ViewSonic that dual boots both Android and Windows. The 10 inch tablet with an Intel Atom Oak Trail processor was being showcased by ViewSonic since early this year and now it seems it is finally ready to hit the streets.
One of the biggest pluses with the ViewPad 10Pro is its battery life that has gained a degree of respectability, which in turn can be attributed to the use of Intel Z670 Atom processor based on the Oak Trail platform with a clock speed of 1.5 GHz. Run-time is touted to be in the range of 8 hours on a single charge, which is a couple of hours more than what Wintel tablets are generally known for.
Another big advantage of the ViewPad 10Pro is its ability to run both Android and Windows applications. Also, even though the tablet runs both the Windows and Android operating systems, the device is not a dual boot one in the truest sense since you won’t be required to reboot in order to switch between the two OSs. Instead, a tap on an icon is all that is needed to switch between the two. This since the base operating system is Windows with Android running over it as a virtualized layer over Windows. ViewSonic attributes this feature to the use of a software named BlueStacks.
As for its specs, the ViewPad 10Pro comes with a 1024 X 600 pixel 10.1 inch screen based on capacitive multitouch technology. The tablet includes a 2 GB RAM and can support up to 32 GB of max storage capacity. For output the tablet has HDMI outport and it can playback 1080p HD video. It also has support for 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
There are two versions of the tablet; one which runs Windows 7 Home Premium and Android 2.3 and is priced at $599, while the other at $699 has a 32 GB SSD running Windows 7 Professional along with Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
However, the tablet still runs the risk of skitling out of public memory soon as the world has moved on since the tablet was first announced. It’s Windows 8 that we are looking forward to and the new Windows version is making all the right noises so far. Android too has made steady progress so that the tablet optimized Honeycomb version is doing the rounds now and Ice Cream Sandwich is next in the pipeline. But who knows, the tablet might be upgradeable to both the new versions of Android and Windows.
[showhide type=’pressrelease’]ViewPad® 10pro Delivers the Best of Both Worlds in a 10.1″ Tablet, Offering a True Dual Windows® and AndroidTM OS Experience
WALNUT, CA–(Marketwire – Aug 15, 2011) – ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions, today announced its latest 10.1″ Windows® and Google Android™ dual OS tablet — the ViewPad 10pro.
The ViewPad 10pro is one of the first tablet solutions to be powered by the new 1.5GHz Intel® Atom™ processor Z670. Designed specifically for tablets, this new CPU minimizes power consumption, while enabling smaller and thinner product designs. Partnered with a 1024×600 capacitive multi-touch panel, ViewPad 10pro users can enjoy impressive Full HD 1080p video playback, fast Internet browsing and longer battery life, without sacrificing on performance. Paired with 2GB of integrated memory, the ViewPad 10pro is the optimal mobile computing powerhouse.
“We listened to our customers. We made the ViewPad 10pro dual OS interface as quick and intuitive as possible, while partnering with industry CPU leader Intel to deliver the latest in design and innovation across all fronts,” said Michael Holstein, vice president of business development, ViewSonic.
Tailored for business users, the ViewPad 10pro makes it even easier to enjoy a dual OS experience within a single tablet. Android 2.3 runs as an application on top of the Windows 7 operating system so users need to simply tap on the Android icon to make a seamless switch between business productivity and ultimate entertainment. Throw in the built-in Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, an HDMI out for content sharing, a 1.3 megapixel built-in front camera and a high capacity battery for up to 8 hours of battery life, and you get the ViewPad 10pro — a fully optimized, true dual OS tablet to keep users connected.
“The new Intel Atom processor-based tablet from ViewSonic is a cool, and distinguished product that brings a personalized and flexible experience,” said Bill Kircos, general manager of marketing for Intel’s Netbook and Tablet Group. “Our Intel platform supports multiple operating systems, and this tablet shows how consumers can move between Windows and Android experiences in a way that offers rich graphics, high-definition audio, easy Internet browsing and longer battery life in a slick form factor.”
To ensure the ViewPad 10pro grows with each person’s individual needs, the device offers expandable storage options via a micro SD card slot for up to 32GB of additional space. The dual OS ViewPad 10pro is available in two configurations — with Windows 7 Professional (with a 32GB SSD hard drive) and Android 2.3 for an ESP of $699, or with Windows 7 Home Premium (with a 16GB SSD hard drive) and Android 2.3 for an ESP of $599. A custom docking station accessory is also available for an ESP of $59. Both tablet configurations will be widely available in late August, with limited numbers currently available.
For more information on ViewSonic’s products, please visit ViewSonic.com or follow ViewSonic on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
About ViewSonic
ViewSonic® Corporation is a leading global provider of computing, consumer electronics and communications solutions. ViewSonic develops, markets and supports a broad range of innovative products, including tablets, LED TVs, computers, LED monitors, projectors, digital photo frames, digital signage displays, 3D devices and digital media players. For further information, please contact ViewSonic Corporation at 800.888.8583 or 909.444.8888; or visit ViewSonic.com.
ViewSonic’s Finch Club offers resellers an opportunity to benefit from specialized product training and discounts. To sign up, please visit FinchClub.com.
Trademark footnote: All corporate names and trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
This news release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s expectations with regard to future events. Actual events could differ significantly from those anticipated in this document.
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With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. The motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot, and I'll likely make a film sometime in the future.
