Mobile Devices

January 21, 2013

Sony Announces Lighter Tablet

There is very little doubt of just how popular the tablet is these days. People are coming up with new uses for the device seemingly every day and more and more companies are finding ways to get into the market at almost the same pace. Apple has long been the king of the hill when it comes to the tablet computer, but Sony is hoping its new Tablet Z can make a bit of a run and make the company a real competitor in the market.

In 2013, industry insiders are expecting as many as 240 million tablets to ship worldwide. That means that quite a few companies could elbow themselves a share of the market if they offer something that is new and different. For its part, Sony believes that lighter is the way to go. Despite offering up a pretty large 10.1-inch screen, the Tablet Z is being billed as thinner and lighter than other tablets of its kind.


Image via store.sony.com

The new tablet boasts a 1.5 GHz processor and a screen that can claim 1920-by-1200 pixel resolution. The tablet is quite a bit thinner and lighter than its closest competitors, with measurements of 6.9 millimeters thick and a weight of 495 grams. The iPad has a thickness of 9.4 millimeters and the Google Nexus 10 comes in at 8.9 millimeters thick. The iPad also weighs more, at 652 grams, while the Nexus 10 has a weight of 603 grams. Whether or not that change in weight and thickness really makes a difference will be seen when the public can get its hands on the new tablet.

Ben Wood, director of research at industry analyst CCS Insight, said that Sony’s new tablet is at least interesting to him because “it’s an essential component of Sony's multi screen strategy, and as a consumer electronics vendor Sony needs to have a coherent story across all screen sizes, phones, tablets and TVs.”

The Tablet Z is still being kept largely under wraps, except for acknowledging its existence. Sony hasn’t said when it will release the tablet to the public, or what it might cost when it is available.




Edited by Brooke Neuman


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