Samsung plans to make the Series 7 Slate upgradeable to Windows 8

By Tom Warren, on 31st Aug 11 8:24 pm with 58 Comments

Samsung Series 7 Slate

Samsung confirmed on Wednesday that it plans to make the Series 7 Slate upgradeable to Windows 8.

The device manufacturer revealed a Windows 7 powered Slate on Wednesday at IFA in Berlin. The slate a 11.6-inch wacom enabled gorilla glass screen, i3 or i5 processors and 4GB of RAM. Not shy on specs, Samsung is also bundling in dual cameras and WiMAX and HSPA+ support. This is my next got an early hands on with the device at IFA on Wednesday and claim it may be the best Windows 7 tablet ever made.

The Slate is due to ship in October priced at $1,099 and Samsung claims it plans to make it upgradeable to the next-generation of Windows. Samsung told This is my next that it has “every intention on making the Series 7 Slate upgradeable to Windows 8.” The firm didn’t have any solid details to share but did reveal that they plan to partner with Microsoft for its upgrade offering. Another interesting tidbit is that the Samsung slate is sporting a Windows logo start button. This could be Samsung’s own doing or it may indicate a requirement for next-generation Windows 8 slates and tablets as previous Windows Slates such as the Fujitsu Stylistic Q550 or the ASUS Eee Slate 121 have both not featured such a prominent button. However, the Acer iconia tab includes a Windows flag button.

Samsung Windows button

Microsoft has yet to confirm exactly when Windows 8 will ship for Slate and Tablet devices. Early rumors this year suggested that the company could be planning to ship the ARM version of Windows 8 earlier than the typical x86 offering. Samsung’s device appears to tick the boxes for a super quick Windows slate with an impressive spec list. Samsung could be paving the way for a number of new Windows tablets in the near future that will be upgradeable to Windows 8. It’s extremely interesting that the company confirmed they plan to partner with Microsoft on Windows 8 upgradeability plans, suggesting that Microsoft could be preparing a Windows 8 upgrade plan for Windows slates and tablets.

Microsoft’s Windows 8 tablet offering will offer a new experience for Windows users. The company plans to merge its Metro style user interface with the typical Windows desktop experience to allow for new types of Windows devices. Microsoft plans to reveal all its Windows 8 details at BUILD next month.

Image Credit: This is my next

http://www.facebook.com/people/Pedro-Roque/100000194503830 Pedro Roque

OK, the Wacom digitizer just sold it for me. Now, MS, give me one of these at Build, will you?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Pedro-Roque/100000194503830 Pedro Roque

OK, the Wacom digitizer just sold it for me. Now, MS, give me one of these at Build, will you?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Pedro-Roque/100000194503830 Pedro Roque

OK, the Wacom digitizer just sold it for me. Now, MS, give me one of these at Build, will you?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000368111668 João Pedro Melo

I’d buy one to use with Windows 8 beta.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000368111668 João Pedro Melo

I’d buy one to use with Windows 8 beta.
- http://www.timsmithmma.com Tim Smith
  
  That’s probably what I’m going to end up doing. Unless something better (cheaper) comes along.
- http://www.timsmithmma.com Tim Smith
  
  That’s probably what I’m going to end up doing. Unless something better (cheaper) comes along.
- http://www.timsmithmma.com Tim Smith
  
  That’s probably what I’m going to end up doing. Unless something better (cheaper) comes along.
- Jinge
  
  Hum, Sure that W8beta will provite the slate version…?
- Aaron
  
  Especially if this can do WIDI since it has an intel core i5. The mental picture of controlling windows 8 start screen on my HDTV with this tablet gives me shivers! I hope Intel keeps working on WIDI because that might be what convinces me to stick with an intel Win 8 tab rather than an ARM tab.
- Aaron
  
  Especially if this can do WIDI since it has an intel core i5. The mental picture of controlling windows 8 start screen on my HDTV with this tablet gives me shivers! I hope Intel keeps working on WIDI because that might be what convinces me to stick with an intel Win 8 tab rather than an ARM tab.
http://www.rwalrond.com RWalrond

oh yes, the Wacom digitizer! I know it’s a lot to ask but they’ve got to get the price down.

@facebook-100000194503830:disqus I’ll be in line with you at BUILD to pick this baby up if that’s the case.
http://www.rwalrond.com RWalrond

oh yes, the Wacom digitizer! I know it’s a lot to ask but they’ve got to get the price down.

@facebook-100000194503830:disqus I’ll be in line with you at BUILD to pick this baby up if that’s the case.
http://www.rwalrond.com RWalrond

oh yes, the Wacom digitizer! I know it’s a lot to ask but they’ve got to get the price down.

@facebook-100000194503830:disqus I’ll be in line with you at BUILD to pick this baby up if that’s the case.
Anonymous

now this is what i’m talking about, pc vendors getting creative and forward thinking!
Anonymous

now this is what i’m talking about, pc vendors getting creative and forward thinking!
Anonymous

now this is what i’m talking about, pc vendors getting creative and forward thinking!
Anonymous

When was the last time anyone has seen an Intel based system not be upgradeable to any Windows Operating System?
- Anonymous
  
  Good point. All current Window 7 PCs are upgradable to Win8. Problem is this one doesn’t have the key features that Win8 bring to us: price, weight, battery, instant on, Wireless connectivity.
  
  By the way, why isn’t there a Bing button?
- Anonymous
  
  True and an even bigger issue is that the sides of the screens should have touch sensors for multitask swipe gestures which I have no idea if this does or not. But none of these things will be required to run Windows 8!
- Jinge
  
  You mean Win/Search/Back?
- Anonymous
  
  That’s what I mean. You know big it can be, but I doubt msft can do that.
- Guest
  
  p4 32 bit
Anonymous

I wonder how much this thing is in UK pounds. It does look very nice, and having a proper CPU rather than that Atom nonsense makes me rather tempted.

Sammy’s announcement is a bit mysterious though. Windows 8 should run on any PC, correct? Isn’t this thing a PC? Of course it will be upgradeable to Windows 8! No planning required, chaps
Anonymous

I wonder how much this thing is in UK pounds. It does look very nice, and having a proper CPU rather than that Atom nonsense makes me rather tempted.

Sammy’s announcement is a bit mysterious though. Windows 8 should run on any PC, correct? Isn’t this thing a PC? Of course it will be upgradeable to Windows 8! No planning required, chaps
http://twitter.com/geekbabe Jean Parks

As tempting as this is it ( and it is indeed drool worthy) what will be interesting to see is if Samsung is able to roll out a line of Windows Tablets at price points somewhat closer to those of Android tablets & ipad2. Really heat up the tablet wars!
- Guest
  
  As long as Intel insists on maintaining their traditional margins, it will be very tough for Samsung or others to match Apple’s price point. They’ll have more success with ARM-based units.
Jinge

“priced at $1,099″
Aouch….. A bit too expensive
Compared to the 100$ HP pad!
- Anonymous
  
  Every tablet is expensive compared to the HP Touchpad. It’s only $100 because they’re trying to clear their inventory.
  
  The stats on this thing are amazing, but they need to find a way to knock $200 or so off if they want to sell a lot. But, man, is that thing gorgeous.
- Guest
  
  Blame Intel. They want a ridiculous price for their ultralight processors.
- Anonymous
  
  Then they should just start using AMD Zacate and Llano
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KTAHVKS2RNDWTQPHQEJALLRNEQ Adam Paris
  
  Haha, this is getting too funny. People really think that other companies are gonna start making cheap tablets for you?
  
  The 100 dollar HP Pad is just a give-away to lessen the damage. There wont be support, there wont an OS update. You will only have an OS that doesnt work right and that doesnt have the power of a Win8 tablet.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1618268197 Timothy Neinheart
  
  Like selling you drugs expire on the same day and drugs that expire in the next 4 years. If you need it today then go for it, I have to take care of my future,
  By the way, which one do you like, a fish or a fishing rod?
SDreamer

Wow that’s a really nice slate. According to Microsoft, all the PCs that pretty much shipped with Vista/7 should be upgradable nonetheless, as they’ve kept or lowered the system requirements with 8 from what I’ve heard with the videos. I really can’t wait to get a hold of Windows 8 for my Tablet PC and see how well it works. Only thing that worries me is that they’re restricting that multitasking aspect of the Touch UI to 16:9 ratios…. hope someone figures out how to enable it on all displays, I’m sure a lot of people are still using a 16:10 ratio.
Anonymous

I will rather wait for tablets which are made with Win8 in mind rather than an upgrade version
Aaron

Can this thing use Intel’s Wireless Display technology? Imagine having Windows 8 start screen on your 55inch HDTV. If it has WIDI I think I might have to take the plunge.
Anonymous

Interesting new WinRumors front page layout. Its weird that while new, I dont see anything wrong with it besides short preview text and the comment smiley over text.

http://i.imgur.com/5rj1t.png
http://twitter.com/laserfloyd Lewis McCrary

Do want. I’m not quite ready to drop that much cash but the specs on that are nice. I love the pen input. As a graphic artist, that would be useful. I’m liking this more and more. Next year or so should be fun with all the Win8 news and slates planned out.
http://twitter.com/laserfloyd Lewis McCrary

Do want. I’m not quite ready to drop that much cash but the specs on that are nice. I love the pen input. As a graphic artist, that would be useful. I’m liking this more and more. Next year or so should be fun with all the Win8 news and slates planned out.
Guest

OT: Like that new Metro-inspired look when you click on the home page.
John

What happened the tiled based metro ui on the winrumors home page. I LOVED it, its showing the regular page again.
http://twitter.com/kamalsprasad Kamal S. Prasad

It would be awesome if MS were to nail down the hardware specs and requirements by BUILD and let manufacturers make (and sell) those devices start before Win8 launches officially, running Win7. Then those who want to get an early start with Win8 via the public beta can start using and perhaps evangelizing Win8. I used Win7 beta as my primary OS for almost a year before it launched officially. I suspect Win8 beta will be as robust. Hopefull Samsung’s Slate is the first of many which meet Win8 specs now.
http://twitter.com/kamalsprasad Kamal S. Prasad

It would be awesome if MS were to nail down the hardware specs and requirements by BUILD and let manufacturers make (and sell) those devices start before Win8 launches officially, running Win7. Then those who want to get an early start with Win8 via the public beta can start using and perhaps evangelizing Win8. I used Win7 beta as my primary OS for almost a year before it launched officially. I suspect Win8 beta will be as robust. Hopefull Samsung’s Slate is the first of many which meet Win8 specs now.
Anonymous

wow… love the pen input. Looks so smooth. I’m still holding out for Win8 line of tablets though. But man do I hope MS puts a large amount of pen input love into win8. Thats all I want, a tablet that can bounce effortlessly from a meeting jotting notes down by hand and then popping back to the desk where I can use a mouse and keyboard. Good stuff!
Anonymous

wow… love the pen input. Looks so smooth. I’m still holding out for Win8 line of tablets though. But man do I hope MS puts a large amount of pen input love into win8. Thats all I want, a tablet that can bounce effortlessly from a meeting jotting notes down by hand and then popping back to the desk where I can use a mouse and keyboard. Good stuff!
Anonymous

wow… love the pen input. Looks so smooth. I’m still holding out for Win8 line of tablets though. But man do I hope MS puts a large amount of pen input love into win8. Thats all I want, a tablet that can bounce effortlessly from a meeting jotting notes down by hand and then popping back to the desk where I can use a mouse and keyboard. Good stuff!
Anonymous

wow… love the pen input. Looks so smooth. I’m still holding out for Win8 line of tablets though. But man do I hope MS puts a large amount of pen input love into win8. Thats all I want, a tablet that can bounce effortlessly from a meeting jotting notes down by hand and then popping back to the desk where I can use a mouse and keyboard. Good stuff!
Anonymous

wow… love the pen input. Looks so smooth. I’m still holding out for Win8 line of tablets though. But man do I hope MS puts a large amount of pen input love into win8. Thats all I want, a tablet that can bounce effortlessly from a meeting jotting notes down by hand and then popping back to the desk where I can use a mouse and keyboard. Good stuff!
Anonymous

wow… love the pen input. Looks so smooth. I’m still holding out for Win8 line of tablets though. But man do I hope MS puts a large amount of pen input love into win8. Thats all I want, a tablet that can bounce effortlessly from a meeting jotting notes down by hand and then popping back to the desk where I can use a mouse and keyboard. Good stuff!
http://twitter.com/oolong2 oolong2

Samsung may need to prepare for another lawsuit by Apple for the grid of icons and that home button….
http://twitter.com/oolong2 oolong2

Samsung may need to prepare for another lawsuit by Apple for the grid of icons and that home button….
- Guest
  
  Yeah. Plus it has a glass surface and a black border
Anonymous

Why don’t they release ARM based tablets at a much lower price running Windows 7 with the same hardware?…..

So I can actually BUY a tablet that I want running Windows 7 and when it comes time to upgrade, I upgrade to 8
- http://twitter.com/StefEBear Stefan R. G.
  
  Because Windows 7 doesn’t run on ARM.. this is a new thing with Windows 8……
- Helen
  
  Who know how will Windows 8 work with that AMR…
http://www.facebook.com/people/Viki-Maverick/100002523433166 Viki Maverick

Ha Ha. I like how Samsung has used a Square button instead of a round one. Poor things are scared and Apple might again seek an injunction to ban sales of this tablet for using a round button.

BTW WINDOWS 8 RAWKSSSSSS.
Michel

Now that is something cool, when they implement Windows 8 in tho tablet pc’s i would buy one for sure. And am sure it will be much better to use tablet with Windows 8 then with apple osx or android. Windows is windows
Anonymous

Pricey but now we’re talking – Power, real functionality & design in one gorgeous sweet hunk of slim beauty – what the hell I would buy one, but I’m worried that with Win7 it is lipstick on a pig. (You know like that famous iTablet product). Still there is always Win 8 and hopefully interface & battery optimization to come. Way to go Sammy & MSFT.