Microsoft Working on Gaming-Focused 'Xbox Surface' 7-Inch Tablet

MacRumors · Nov 6, 2012, 09:57 AM

Just as Apple's iPad mini joins the market of smaller tablets with displays of 7-8 inches, The Verge reports that Microsoft is preparing to launch its own 7-inch tablet. Interestingly, rather than simply being a smaller version of its just-launched 10-inch Surface tablet, the forthcoming "Xbox Surface" tablet will be a gaming-focused device running a scaled down version of Windows.

Alleged specs for the device leaked back in June, and The Verge now says that the leak was indeed accurate at the time, although the company's plans have continued to evolve.

Quote:

The Xbox Surface will likely include a custom ARM processor and high-bandwidth RAM designed specifically for gaming tasks. We're told these specifications could be altered to accommodate an unannounced Intel SoC and that the Xbox Surface is being developed independent of specific hardware architecture. Microsoft's Xbox Surface won't run a full version of Windows, rather this 7-inch tablet will run a custom Windows kernel. Messaging and other tablet functions may be supported, but the focus is on gaming.

Microsoft is said to be operating in strict secrecy on the Xbox Surface project, locking down several buildings on its campus as it apparently brings teams on to develop games and other software for the device. Microsoft is said to also be planning for production of the device to take place at the same dedicated facilities being used for the larger Surface rather than using traditional contract assembly companies like Pegatron or Foxconn.

Article Link: Microsoft Working on Gaming-Focused 'Xbox Surface' 7-Inch Tablet

JS77 · Nov 6, 2012, 09:59 AM

Xbox U?

shadowbird423 · Nov 6, 2012, 10:00 AM

Well this is out of left field.. What's going on in Redmond?

WalterNeff · Nov 6, 2012, 10:00 AM

get with the program.

M-O · Nov 6, 2012, 10:00 AM

Microsoft? are they still around?

gregwyattjr · Nov 6, 2012, 10:00 AM

Could this usher in new era in gaming?

...or just be a big flop?

chadua · Nov 6, 2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS77

Xbox U?

That was my first thought. They probably want to integrate it with the next version of xbox to compete with wii U's small screen cohort, much like sony did with their Playstation move after the wiimote came out.

STiNG Operation · 10:18 AM

Anything to do with Xbox is worth reading. Microsoft has a gold mine and imo the best console on the market.

Edit: lol ***** I forgot whenever the words "best console" and "Xbox" are in the same sentence PS3 owners go into an instant rage xD

likemyorbs · Nov 6, 2012, 10:03 AM

Too much fragmenting in their line. Windows RT, Windows 8, now another Windows tablet that's just a game machine? Makes no sense.

embraceware · Nov 6, 2012, 10:03 AM

Newer Microsoft logo for article:

Traisoon · Nov 6, 2012, 10:03 AM

Sound like Queen Victoria trying to get a dress from GAP.

mkimid · Nov 6, 2012, 10:04 AM

I think, it is a great idea ~
for kids even general ~
Only issue, how they will prepare the contents ~

gotluck · Nov 6, 2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likemyorbs

Too much fragmenting in their line. Windows RT, Windows 8, now another Windows tablet that's just a game machine? Makes no sense.

agreed, this should run RT or be usable with Office at least.

JS77 · Nov 6, 2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STiNG Operation

Anything to do with Xbox is worth reading. Microsoft has a gold mine and imo the best console on the market.

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!

Thanks for the laugh

John.B · Nov 6, 2012, 10:05 AM

Way to innovate, Redmond! LOL!

abhishake · Nov 6, 2012, 10:06 AM

That might be sick.

iglobe · 12:08 PM

No amoled samsung s4 2013 only full hd lcd to be used.this could be a: ****
http://www.gforgames.com/gadgets/sam...display-27270/

http://www.sammobile.com/2012/11/01/...lays-for-2013/

NOBODY HERE

LagunaSol · Nov 6, 2012, 10:07 AM

More good news for Microsoft's "hardware partners." *cough*

rhuber · Nov 6, 2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by likemyorbs

Too much fragmenting in their line. Windows RT, Windows 8, now another Windows tablet that's just a game machine? Makes no sense.

Not sure if that's really fragmentation. I could be wrong, but I am assuming they will all run windows 8 apps.

LagunaSol · Nov 6, 2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STiNG Operation

Microsoft has a gold mine

I think you meant to say "money pit."

ziggyonice · Nov 6, 2012, 10:11 AM

[Dupe post. Downvote me.]

TSE · Nov 6, 2012, 10:11 AM

Could be an interesting idea for Microsoft. Tablets certainly are hurting the PSP and Nintendo DS lineups, Apple has yet to really fully embrace gaming on the iPad. Gaming is just an after effect of how big of a market the iPad has.

thekris1234 · Nov 6, 2012, 10:13 AM

In many ways, they already have.

I saw an advert the other day that was advertising Xbox. Not a single console was featured in it. Instead it was:

Here's surface,
and here is also a surface,
oh and over there, a surface,
surface,
final screen xbox

Drunken Master · Nov 6, 2012, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STiNG Operation

Anything to do with Xbox is worth reading. Microsoft has a gold mine and imo the best console on the market.

I was under the impression that the PS3 is the best console, but because so many people have the 360, the Xbox is the better machine to get if you want to play online with friends.

iOrbit · Nov 6, 2012, 10:13 AM

wtf does this have to do with Mac?

Nov 6, 2012, 09:59 AM	#2
JS77 macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2008	Xbox U?
	16

Nov 6, 2012, 10:00 AM	#3
shadowbird423 macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chapel Hill	Well this is out of left field.. What's going on in Redmond? __________________ Lenovo ThinkPad X230t, Mountain Lion 10.8.2/Windows 8/Ubuntu 12.04 triple boot (anyone who wants help doing this is free to ask), 32gb iPad, 16gb iPhone 5 Dr. Freeman knows all.
	0

Nov 6, 2012, 10:00 AM	#4
WalterNeff macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2010	That's their old logo get with the program.
	21

Nov 6, 2012, 10:00 AM	#6
gregwyattjr macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2008	Could this usher in new era in gaming? ...or just be a big flop? __________________ I'm happy, hope you're happy too
	0

Nov 6, 2012, 10:02 AM	#8
STiNG Operation macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: The Zoo	Anything to do with Xbox is worth reading. Microsoft has a gold mine and imo the best console on the market. Edit: lol ***** I forgot whenever the words "best console" and "Xbox" are in the same sentence PS3 owners go into an instant rage xD __________________ If you want to know what people think of you, pull up your Facebook and judge yourself. Image Last edited by STiNG Operation; Nov 6, 2012 at 10:18 AM.
	23

Nov 6, 2012, 10:00 AM	#5
M-O macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2011	Microsoft? are they still around?
	7

Nov 6, 2012, 10:03 AM	#9
likemyorbs macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ	Too much fragmenting in their line. Windows RT, Windows 8, now another Windows tablet that's just a game machine? Makes no sense. __________________ "Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose." ~Steve Jobs
	11

Nov 6, 2012, 10:03 AM	#10
embraceware macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2008	Newer Microsoft logo for article:
	47

Nov 6, 2012, 10:03 AM	#11
Traisoon macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	Sound like Queen Victoria trying to get a dress from GAP.
	6

Nov 6, 2012, 10:04 AM	#12
mkimid macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2011	I think, it is a great idea I think, it is a great idea ~ for kids even general ~ Only issue, how they will prepare the contents ~
	1

Nov 6, 2012, 10:05 AM	#15
John.B macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Flyover Country	Way to innovate, Redmond! LOL! __________________ Google Maps for iOS: "Directions may be inaccurate, incomplete, dangerous, or prohibited."
	2

Nov 6, 2012, 10:06 AM	#16
abhishake macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2005	That might be sick. __________________ Once you go Mac, you never go back.
	7

Nov 6, 2012, 10:07 AM	#17
iglobe macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2012	samsung s4 news No amoled samsung s4 2013 only full hd lcd to be used.this could be a: **** http://www.gforgames.com/gadgets/sam...display-27270/ http://www.sammobile.com/2012/11/01/...lays-for-2013/ NOBODY HERE Last edited by maflynn; Nov 6, 2012 at 12:08 PM. Reason: removed irritating gif
	0

Nov 6, 2012, 10:07 AM	#18
LagunaSol macrumors 601 Join Date: Apr 2003	More good news for Microsoft's "hardware partners." cough
	3

Nov 6, 2012, 10:11 AM	#21
ziggyonice macrumors 68020 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rural America	[Dupe post. Downvote me.] __________________ MacBook Pro [First Generation] \| 2.16GHz \| 2GB RAM \| 120GB HD \| Mac OS X (10.6.4) iPhone 4 \| 32GB \| Black (I couldn't wait for white any longer.)
	0

Nov 6, 2012, 10:11 AM	#22
TSE macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: St. Paul, Minnesota	Could be an interesting idea for Microsoft. Tablets certainly are hurting the PSP and Nintendo DS lineups, Apple has yet to really fully embrace gaming on the iPad. Gaming is just an after effect of how big of a market the iPad has. __________________ MacBook Pro, 2.2ghz Quad-Core i7 Processor, 15" 1680x1050 Anti-Glare LCD, 8gbs of RAM, 750gb, 5400rpm HD, AMD Radeon 6750M HD, Mac OS X + Windows 7 Ultimate
	0

Nov 6, 2012, 10:13 AM	#23
thekris1234 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2011	In many ways, they already have. I saw an advert the other day that was advertising Xbox. Not a single console was featured in it. Instead it was: Here's surface, and here is also a surface, oh and over there, a surface, surface, final screen xbox
	1

Nov 6, 2012, 10:13 AM	#25
iOrbit macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2012	wtf does this have to do with Mac? __________________ MacBook Pro - late 2011, 16GB Ram, 256GB SSD. iPad - 2nd Gen, 16gb, White. iPod Touch - 4th Gen, 8GB, White. TV - 3rd Gen.
	23

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