Less than a month after the Surface slate was released, speculations are ripe that the company may be ready to roll out the Microsoft Xbox Surface gaming tablet. The grapevine has also been abuzz with rumors that the software giant plans to release a smartphone based on its mobile platform as well.
This is not the first time when the device has surfaced on the web as it was leaked in June this year. Sources of the guys over at The Verge confirm that the specifications which were leaked initially were indeed accurate and that the company is currently busy giving final touches to the product. Unlike its predecessor, the upcoming slab is likely to flaunt a 7-inch touchscreen and is expected to take advantage of a custom Windows kernel instead of the latest version of the OS.
Considering that it will be meant for hardcore gaming, it is said to be deployed with a customized ARM processor and high-bandwidth RAM memory to support demanding games. But the aforementioned website reports that its chipset may be replaced by an Intel one. Moreover, it will offer most other features that are commonly found in tablets. The company in question has gone as far as to secretly start the production of this gadget and its developments are going on at Microsoft’s head quarters.
As and when it is released, the slab will have to compete with the likes of Wikipad slate and Archos GamePad which have been fitted with controllers. Some tablets manufactured by Asus, including the recently released Google-branded Nexus 7 are also said to be apt for gaming, considering that they have been integrated with quad core processors. Another device that seems like a competitor to the upcoming Xbox gadget is Razer’s Project Fiona which crams in the third-generation Intel Core i7 processor.
The Surface slate based on Windows RT and Windows 8 platforms managed to surprise consumers as well as OEMs alike. But we cannot be sure about the kind of response the Microsoft Xbox Surface gaming tablet will receive. Guess we’ll have to wait for the company to take the covers off its final product before jumping to conclusions. Microsoft has chosen to keep mum and is yet to announce the device officially.