Microsoft Surface Pro 256GB Tablet available now…

Back in February Microsoft released the Surface Pro which has a storage capacity of either 64GB or 128GB. I have been quite happy with my 128GB Surface Pro despite some of the bad reviews claiming that battery life was in the 3 to 4 hours range. I personally can get through an eight hour day with my Surface Pro using it on “Power Saver” settings, of course this is using it on and off during the day when I am out on meetings.

Fast forward seven months later, Microsoft makes the 256GB Surface Pro available. I would have liked if Microsoft had made the 256GB Surface Pro available at launch. I would have paid the extra to get the 256GB version if it was available at the time.

Microsoft will be holding an announcement September 23, which should bring to light, the new Haswell Surface Pro along with several new accessories and we should also hear more on the 256GB Surface Pro.

Microsoft announced pricing for Windows 8.1 starting at $119

Now that Microsoft has announced the pricing for Windows 8.1, you can expect starting price at $120 for Windows 8.1 if you are upgrading from any other previous version of Windows or $199 for Windows 8.1 Pro version. Same applies to Windows 8.1 Pro, this price is for upgrading from any previous Windows or if you plan to run Windows 8.1 on a VM machine.

If you are already running Windows 8 on your current system, Windows 8.1 will be a free upgrade to your current version of Windows 8 you have.

For those that happen to downloaded Windows 8.1 RTM from MSDN or TechNet, and already have your product key from Windows 8. You can still continue to use your existing Windows 8 key, but you will have to use the product key from your subscription to get Window 8.1 RTM to load. Once it has installed. Go to your activation and chose to put your key, at this point you will use the Windows 8 key. After all, Microsoft is providing Windows 8.1 as a free upgrade so why not use your key.

Microsoft has done some great improvements with Windows 8.1, as I have been using it on the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 with 4G LTE. I wiped everything and did a fresh install to test out if everything would work. Once I installed some drivers from Lenovo everything has been very smooth on the ThinkPad Tablet 2. I will do some quick videos showing some of the new features you can find with Windows 8.1.

Asus Bay Trail $349 Transformer Book T100 priced just right!

Once again Asus introduces a low cost Windows tablet. This past week at IDF (Intel Developer Forum), Asus announced the Asus Transformer Book T100, which will start at $349 for the 32GB and $399 for the 64GB version. Set to be released on October 18, running Windows 8.1.

With its new Atom Z3740 quad-core processor you will see a great increase over the current Atom Z2760 processor. The Transformer Book T100 will have a 10.1-inch IPS HD display with 178 degree viewing angles. The T100 will have 1366 x 768 resolution, would have been nice to see a little better resolution as we should see with some others.

Lets not forget that the T100 will also be packing 2GB of RAM, microSD card slot, 1.2MP front facing camera, with no rear camera, a micro USB port and headphone jack. We should expect battery life around 11 hours of web browsing, which should be enough power for most task on the road.

The Transformer Book T100 will come with Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 included, this should satisfy most user that Asus is targeting the T100 at, with full version of Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint.

Currently Asus has been selling the Asus VivoTab Smart ME400C for $399, with 64GB and Windows 8. Not bad for the current line up that is available now, but looks like the T100 with the included keyboard dock will once again make Asus Transformer Book T100 best value for the price.

If you can't wait and looking for great low cost Windows 8 tablet, head over to the Microsoft Store.

Windows 8.1 RTM: Upgrading from Windows 8.1 Preview? Don't forget to run diskcleaner

 

For those that have been lucky enough to get your hands on Windows 8.1 RTM, and went the upgrade path from Windows 8.1 Preview, don't forget to run the disk cleanup and clear "Previous Windows installation". This can free up some extra GB, and with just having128GB SSD on the Surface Pro, the extra 6.69GB is well welcomed on my Surface Pro.

Just head over to your desktop and open up file explorer, navigate over to your C:\ drive and right click it. Chose properties and click on "Disk Cleanup". Let it do its thing, you should then get the Disk Cleanup box. Check off what you want cleaned up and enjoy your extra space.

 

 

In my case, after running disk cleanup I now have 93GB free space. For now, I will take as much as I can, would like to see 256GB SSD become a standard for the Surface Pro.

 

Also I have picked up a 64GB microSD card to store pictures, music, documents and sync my Skydrive. 

Sony introduces the Xperia Z1 at IFA 2013

Sony announced the upgrade to the Xperia Z at IFA 2013 with the Xperia Z1. Sony has packed some real punch with the Xperia Z1 which is also packing a powerful camera. The Z1 will be competing with the Nokia Lumia 1020 and the 900 series Lumia's. As the consumers demand for better cameras on their phones and more power, the Xperia Z1 is no slouch with its Snapdragon 800 chipset and the 20.7MP camera with G Lens. We should expect some great shots, given the big 1/2.3 sensor, and with its great 5-inch display, you will be able to view those great shots.

Sony Xperia Z1:

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, penta-band UMTS/HSPA, 100 Mbps LTE
• Water-resistant camera phone
• 144 x 74 x 8.5 mm, 170g
• 5" 16M-color 1080p (441ppi) capacitive touchscreen TFT Triluminous display with X-Reality and OptiContrast
• Qualcomm MSM8974 Snapdragon 800, quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400, Adreno 330, 2GB
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
• 20.7MP camera with 1/2.3" Exmor RS sensor and Sony G Lens, F/2.0 aperture; 2MP front-facing camera
• Video camera with 1080p video capture and HDR mode
• Built-in 16GB storage, microSD card slot, up to 64GB
• Connectivity Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, standard microUSB port with MHL and USB host, GPS receiver with A-GPS, 3.5mm audio jack, NFC
• Sealed battery - 3,000mAh battery
• Water resistant with IP58 certified - dust-sealed and water resistant beyond 1 meter; shatter proof and scratch-resistant glass for the front and the back panel, metal frame on the side

 

 The solid one-piece aluminum frame on the Sony Xperia Z1 gives it that great classy look, and the with round edges should make it very comfortable to hold in your hand.

 

Sony has packed in a 1/2.3 sensor, which is what you can find in most point-and-shoot cameras. Though this is not as good as the Nokia Lumia 1020, but you should be able to get great shots. This is also same sensor you will find in the Galaxy Camera and the Galaxy S4 Zoom Camera. Will be looking forward to testing the Sony Xperia Z1 later this coming weeks.

 If you are the type that likes to bring your phone to pool party's, you'll be glad to hear that the Sony Xperia Z1 can withstand 30 minutes underwater at 1.5 meters deep. This will also come in handy on a rainy day, if you happen to need to take a picture.

 

When the Sony Xperia Z1 becomes available globally in September, it will be running Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. This is what most non Google device are running, which in other words, is the latest OS that you can find.

 

The Sony Xperia Z1 is also taller and wider than the current Samsung Galaxy S4, but still will be very easy to slip into your pant pocket without thinking about it twice.

 

 

 

 



Win Free Copy of WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe

Here is a great way to convert your videos you always wanted to have on your mobile phone, tablet or any other device to take on the road. WinX HD video converter has the program just for that. The best part is if you leave a message I will be picking some lucky winners for the full product.
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Okay I will be giving away a few licenses for WinX HD video converter, just leave a comment after I tweet, you can follow me over at @MobileHG and leave a comment, and I will randomly chose from the comments. Good luck!