Up until the start of this year, the number of 8-inch tablets was actually very small. Even if you included devices a shade under this screen size, you would struggle to find many.
But all that is fast changing — and by the end of the year, this is the standard size you will find on the store shelves. The reason for this change, you ask? While most Android tablet makers are happy with the 7-inch display sizes, Windows tablet makers have chosen 8-inch as their new favorite.
Even at the recently concluded IFA 2013 event there were a handful of such devices.
Toshiba, obviously unveiled its impressive 8-inch Encore slate back then. And this is said to be the beginning of a new trend in the tablet market.
According to the latest speculation on this matter, tablets sporting 8-inch displays are set to grow in numbers in the very near future. Near future in this case being the release of Windows 8.1.
As far as the tablet market is concerned, the 10.1-inch form factor is believed to be rather stable right now, while the 7-inch form factor is extremely competitive what with the various Kindle Fires, Google Nexus and Apple iPad Mini slates making their mark.
Acer has already fired off the first shots with its Iconia W3 that hit the market at $299 recently.
And with Windows 8.1 just around the corner, other OEM partners like Dell, Asus, Lenovo and more are eyeing the window between October and December to bring their 8-inch solutions to the market.
All Comments
Yes, it’s just a shame that manufacturers are obsessed with the widescreen format, which may be great for watching videos but leaves wasted space when reading magazines and some newspapers. I wonder if any manufacturer will be brave enough to follow in Apple’s footsetps with a 4:3 format. If so, I’ll be first in line.
> to follow in Apple’s footsetps with a 4:3 format
The 4:3 format was one of the reasons for me to buy an iPad.
I tried some 16:9 tablets at a local retailer
and they are very impractical in portrait mode.
HPB
My TV, desktop monitor and laptops are all 16:9. even iPhone 5 is 16:9. My android tablet and surface tablet are 16:9. 4:3 format belongs to the past no matter you like it or not.