Microsoft is preparing to launch its first tablet with built-in support for 3G and 4G mobile broadband. According to an FCC listing, Microsoft has filed for approval for a “portable computing device” with WiFi, Bluetooth, GSM, WCDMA, and LTE support.
While the FCC doesn’t refer to the device by name, it sure sounds like a new version of a Microsoft Surface tablet.
Engadget notes that Microsoft has already promised to deliver a 4G LTE-capable version of the Surface 2 tablet… but not the more powerful Surface 2 Pro. If that’s still the case, then it’s likely that the FCC documents are related to a 10.6 inch tablet with an NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, 2GB of RAM, up to 64GB of storage, and Windows RT software.
Microsoft currently sells a WiFi-only Surface 2 for $449 and up. It’s not clear how much the LTE model will cost, but it looks like it’ll work on AT&T’s wireless network so you might be able to buy the tablet at full price or pick one up at a discount when you sign up for a contract with AT&T.
via myce
Microsoft Surface Mini Pro running Windows 8 on Bay Trail and a stowable Wacom pen? I’m still holding out hope for this although that ASUS Vivotab Note 8 is very tempting.