Samsung Series 5 & 7 Hybrid PCs Unveiled at Computex 2012

By Tech Wire Asia | 5 June, 2012

My favorite tech chaebol batted its eyelashes coyly at participants of the 2012 Computex by unveiling the Samsung Series 5 and Series 7 Hybrid PCs — but not without a bit of drama. The tablets were locked up behind glass cases, and photography was not allowed. Some writers were given snap access so you can check out more pics from Engadget and The Verge.

The Samsung Series 5 Hybrid PC runs on Windows 8 and connects "magnetically" to its keyboard dock. (Image: Samsung)

The Hybrid is not just a tablet that comes with a regular keyboard dock, it is an Intel-powered PC that runs on Windows 8 — not just Windows RT for tablets. Samsung reps are tight-lipped about the final specifications for the Hybrids, but initial reports say the 11.6-inch touchscreen PCs will support S-Pen input (most likely same SW as on the Galaxy Note 10.1), HDMI output, Superspeed USB ports and will run for 7 to 10 hours on the juice. Battery consumption depends on the Intel processor used.

Having a tablet with the grunt of a notebook PC is a sign of things to come, and the 2012 Computex is just us a glimpse of the possibilities. Making me drool like Homer S …

Reviewer Seth Barton says the docked Hybrid feels top-heavy since the keyboard is too light to counterbalance the stacked PC/tablet. I guess Samsung could integrate a backup battery in the keyboard dock to even things out. Since the Hybrid is still in design stage, anything can happen. I collated rumored specifications for your convenience.

Samsung (Series 5 and Series 7) Hybrid Preliminary Specs: