Microsoft’s success with the Surface has inspired many of its competitors to create similar devices with their own specialised features. Samsung is a smartphone company first and foremost, so it makes sense that it would bring a 4G-enabled variant of its new TabPro S Windows tablet to Australia.
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The TabPro S is a 12-inch Windows tablet, built around a 2160x1440pixel Super AMOLED display — the first for a Windows device. Being a tablet, it’s quite thin and easily portable when out of its bundled keyboard case — measuring in at 290x199x6.3mm and 696g. The bezels on the TabPro S are thick enough to bear holding, but aren’t thick enough to be unsightly. A single USB Type-C port handles charging and I/O alike.
That keyboard case isn’t wireless, though; it actually connects to the TabPro S with a set of contacts on the tablet’s base, which clip in magnetically and serve as part of the convertible’s stand. The tablet’s screen is 10-point multi-touch, and supports digitiser pen input as well. Despite being a super-thin design, the keyboard is surprisingly easy to type on for extended periods.
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Running Windows 10 Home or Pro, the TabPro S is powered by a low-voltage Intel Core m3-6Y30 CPUs and 4GB of RAM, although the size of its internal rechargeable battery is still a mystery; Samsung says it’ll reach 10 and a half hours of battery life. There’s no Windows Hello face recognition sign-in, unfortunately — one of the Surface’s killer features.
A 128GB SSD is the only internal storage option available, but it’s the built-in networking that makes the TabPro S stand out from the crowd. A built-in LTE Category 6 modem means you’ll be able to use the TabPro S away from home or office Wi-Fi without a hassle — and then share that connection with your mobile or other net-friendly devices. Samsung is launching the TabPro S in Australia later this year, although pricing is still to be confirmed.
Campbell Simpson travelled to CES 2016 as a guest of Samsung.