October 10, 2012 | Paul Merak | Comments 0

AT&T Brings Samsung’s ATIV Smart PC to USA

Samsung ATIV Smart PC

Samsung has been all over the press since late August when they announced their new tablets from the ATIV line of Windows phones at a trade show in Germany called IFA. However, it was not clear at that time when these devices would be available in the USA. AT&T has answered this question with the announcement of their fall line of products which included the ATIV Smart PC tablet.

AT&T’s choice of the ATIV Smart PC tablet is interesting. Samsung is best known for their Google Android-based devices. The ATIV line solidifies their role in the Microsoft world and their continued desire to rule the “smart” device world. This tablet is a middle-of-the-road device in the full line of tablet products. The key specifications for the ATIV Smart PC tablet are as follows:

· Windows 8 Operating System
· Intel Next-Gen 1.5 GHz Dual-Core Atom CPU (Clover Trail)
· 2GB Ram
· 64GB Storage
· MicroSD Slot for Additional Storage
· 2-Megapixel Front Camera
· 8-Megapixel Rear Camera
· Light Sensor
· 1,366 x 768 Resolution Screen
· Intel SGX545 Graphics Processor
· Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n
· Bluetooth 4.0
· USB 2.0
· HDMI Port
· Stereo Speakers
· Battery Life of 13.5 Hours Mobile Mark
· Battery Life of 9.4 Hours Video Play Time
· Microsoft Office 2013 Trial

AT&T’s version of the Samsung ATIV Smart PC tablet will come bundled with the 4G LTE chipset so that the device can take full advantage of AT&T’s mobile broadband service. Had AT&T picked the Pro version, users would have enjoyed faster CPU options (Intel Core i5 and Ivy Bridge Intel Core i3) and a 1,920 x 1080 resolution screen.

Many reports have come in since AT&T’s announcement in New York at their launch event. The reviews are mixed. The ATIV Smart PC tablet is huge, measuring in diagonally at 11.6 inches. It is great to be big but also may be difficult to use when travelling due to the massive size of the device.

ATIV Smart PC is thicker at 0.39 of an inch and heavier at 1.65 pounds then the Asus Vivo Tab RT which is a similar product in AT&Ts line of tablets. Reports also indicate that benchmark tests will need to be performed on this device to really prove out if the Clover Trail Intel Atom CPU can live up to the hype. The device also comes with a keyboard that is detachable. The keyboard is clamshell-style and will function to give the user a laptop feel. For users who watch videos or play games, they are very excited to get their hands on the new ATIV Smart PC tablet from Samsung.

AT&T did not reveal any pricing information yet. In addition, the availability date was vague by only stating that the ATIV Smart PC tablet will be available by the holiday season. AT&T will most certainly be capitalizing on this device by further pushing users to migrate their data plans to AT&T’s new Mobile Share plans. There was no indication on how AT&T will subsidize these tablet devices. It is unclear as to if or when other carriers will introduce these devices into their line of products. However, it is clear that competition is heating up between carriers and device makers because now there are comparable options for the end user across the three major operating systems: Apple iOS, Google Android and Microsoft Windows 8/RT. Windows 8 is the newest operating system up for launch on October 26th.

Cnet has this Samsung ATIV Smart PC preview video:

AT&T Brings Samsung’s ATIV Smart PC to USA

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