Broadwell cometh.
FYI... At this weeks Computex show, Intel once again trotted out a "reference design" tablet showcasing one of their new CPUs - the "Broadwell" class I have mentioned in the past. This CPU is to be known as the "Core M" so I'll start using that moniker from this point forward. I won't go deep into the specs on this CPU at this time and just say that (generally speaking) this chip (and accompanying supporting cast) is a slimmer, more efficient, "next gen" CPU designed for mobile devices. All good stuff!
The importance of the reference design is that it gives various manufacturers a design that they can build off of - much like the leading GPU (video card) manufacturers make a "reference board" that the big players use to make their video cards, relying on teaks and innovations to differentiate their offerings from their competitors. Some of these folks tweak more than others - some go for faster, some go for less heat/noise, etc. A very few use their own designs for the actual "boards" these days. So, you are likely to see the various Tablet manufacturers take this reference design and build systems off of this as a starting point, especially for the Core M-based devices that are first out of the gate (EOY of first of next year?) Some manufacturers have shown Laptops, Ultrabooks and a few "2-in-1's" this week as well without much solid info (yet) on pricing, availability, etc., much less real world performance.
In any case, for those interested, I am linking to a short blurb/article on Intel's "Llama Mountain" devices which were shown. To put things into perspective - sizes, weight, etc. - I reference one Tablet I have used for quite a while - the Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 (aka "TPT2") from a couple of years ago. Summarily, this tablet was one of my favorite devices "back in the day" due to it being thin and light, yet able to run most "real Windows" applications. At the time, I commented on the main weakness of it being strapped this (now) 2 generations back "Clover Trail" CPU with only 2 GB of RAM - not a real problem for apps which are optimized for mobile environments - but more of an issue for your regular "bloated" (by comparison) full desktop appraisal software. Today, we're seeing a revision of the superior "Bay Trail" CPUs which handle 4 GB of RAM and the "real" 64-bit OS. The difference in performance on mobile-optimized apps is noticeable, but more so on non-optimized software which really benefits from the extra 2 GB of RAM - "bigger pipes = more throughput." So, this next generation offers the same, just more optimized and the die shrink + optimizations to the microcode and improved cast of supporting characters makes for an even better situation.
So with all this increased miniaturization, we will see thinner, lighter devices and the efficiency gains also allow for weight reduction. With increased efficiency, the same devices can get by with smaller batteries (major source of weight) or conversely, longer run times, brighter screens, whatever, with the same weight. Most likely, we'll see a combination resulting in some increased battery life and a little less weight...
The TPT2 was a 10.1" device that weighed 1.3 lbs. (less than the then current iPad!), had a tested battery life of 10.27 hours (source + extra reading:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/11/lenovo-thinkpad-tablet-2-review/) and was 0.39" thick. It was remarkable for the day. It is still available at retail today (~$550?) but unless you are running mobile apps, I do not recommend it for residential appraisers - I believe that the newer devices are a better fit and that their better real world performance more than offsets their higher cost.
The 10 inch "Llama Mountain" reference Tablet has specs of 1.2 lbs. and is 0.27" thick. We're generally talking "iPad Air" specs in this regard when you factor in 10.1" vs. 9.7". I would expect we'll see shipping products from various manufacturers which float above and below those specs, depending on the amount of innovation/effort expended and where they place their priorities. FWIW, they also showed a 12." tablet with 2560 x 1440 resolution (16:9 - boo, hiss!) that is only 0.29" thick, weighing 1.48 lbs. Lets hope that more manufacturers take heed of Microsoft's recent move to the superior (for our purposes) 3:2 aspect ratio of the SP3. That is important for real world productivity as well as some ergonomic factors.
[Edit] The SP3, BTW is a mere 0.36" thick, which is also remarkable. I will try to share photos this weekend. Note that, while I loved my all-too-brief exposure to the device, and I expect the SP3 will be a good fit for ME, I am still of the opinion that the Surface line is not currently the best fit for most residential appraisers due to our primary work environment outdoors. With proper accessories, the real world use case might be improved, but until then... Anyway, I urge you not to be mesmerized by "specs" and concentrate on real world factors which lead to increased efficiency. Would I make fun of you ;-) for getting one? No way, but just realize that some devices that I have already covered, and a couple I have yet to discuss just might be better fits for YOUR use cases.
Here is the link to the article I mentioned above, which includes some "press shots" of the device. As in years past, I expect to obtain a reference Tablet for my testing, and since it is already being shown publicly, I would think I'll be allowed to show comparison pictures this time around. That said, these reference devices are strictly that - for reference, not for sale, so the rubber meets the road where actual name brand device manufacturers take this design and product products you can buy. I would not reasonably expect "the real deal" Tablets(excludes the crap that usually comes out fast from "clone" manufacturers) to be available until Q4 at the soonest, more likely Q1, 2015 - these guys have CES, then MWC to go through and "leak"/show their devices to various groups of potential users, influencers, and the like. This likely means we're looking at a few top notch devices starting to have availability in late winter/early spring next year. Article link:
https://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/hands-llama-mountain-intels-answer-125219931.html
And another one with "in-hand" shots plus a short video and photos of the "reference keyboard dock." Note that the keyboard dock has even less effort put into it with regard to the things you'd find important in a finished device from a worthy manufacturer - it is just meant to show off the tablet/keyboard connection, etc. Finished devices will be more mainstream with regard to things like backlighting, angled "foldback", ports, etc.
http://www.engadget.com/2014/06/03/intel-llama-mountain-prototype/
Hope this helps for now!
-Randall Garrett-
+Apex Software+
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