First shown off at Computex in June 2012, the Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch Ultrabook is the same series 5 Ultrabook that we have seen with the addition of a touchscreen.

The device will launch with Windows 8 on the same day that Microsoft’s latest desktop/tablet OS will launch in the market.

The Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch has a 13.3-inch capacitive multi-touch display with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB HDD, along with 24GB ExpressCache. The device is fairly light, weighing in at 1.73 kgs. The lower end model comes with a Core i3 processor and will cost $799 (Rs. 44,500 approx.) and the higher end model comes with a Core i5 processor and will cost $899 (Rs. 50,000 approx.).

Samsung is adding its own mix of apps to Windows 8. Coming bundled with the device are the Samsung Hub apps (Music, Video, Media and Social). Users may be familiar with these apps as they are similar to the ones found on Samsung’s Android powered smartphones. Also onboard is the S-Launcher, a widget that will give users a replacement to the missing Start Menu in Windows 8.

Samsung is also bringing its AllShare app that uses DLNA to share content between devices. eSettings will also be available, a unified options menu for Windows 8 begineers. Samsung will also include apps that will help users with the learning curve that will be involved with Windows 8.

Windows 8 is Microsoft’s biggest OS revamp in a very long time. The OS is optimized for use on the touchscreen interface of tablets as well as the mouse and keyboard experience of desktops and laptops unifying the Windows ecosystem.

You can take a look at some of the cool features of Windows 8 here. Do also check out DIGIT review of the new Samsung Series 5 (Ivy Bridge) ultrabook.

HP has introduced three Windows 8 devices at IFA 2012 – the Envy x2 laptop-tablet hybrid, the SpectreXT TouchSmart Ultrabook, and the Envy Touchsmart Ultrabook 4. Pricing and availability details have only been revealed for the Spectre XT ($1,400 and December), though the other two are expected to arrive around the same time.

The 8.5mm-thick aluminium-built HP Envy x2 is a Windows 8 laptop-tablet hybrid with an 11-inch IPS (1,366x768 pixel, 400 nits brightness) display, and runs on an Intel Atom Clover Trail processor. It features 64GB of built-in storage, complete with a microSD card, and a full-size SD slot. An 8MP rear camera rounds of the specs, apart from two USB ports, and one HDMI port. It is expected to offer roughly 9-10 hours of battery life. The Envy x2 will also feature NFC connectivity, apart from Beats Audio sound. A keyboard dock will ship with the device, and an optional stylus is available.



As for the other two announcements, HP’s basically added a touchscreen and its TouchSmart technology to two of its ultrabooks, the Envy 4 and SpectreXT. The Envy 4 retains its 14-inch form factor, now weighs 4.77 pounds, and is 23mm thick. The originally 13-inch SpectreXT has been given a 15-inch Full HD TouchSmart display with the refresh, now weighs 4.77 pounds and is 22mm thick.



The new 15-inch SpectreXT TouchSmart Ultrabook will run on Ivy Bridge processors, and comes in SSD, and hybrid hard drive (conventional plus 32GB SSD) options. It features two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, a 3.5mm audio jack, a memory card reader, and an Ethernet port. HP’s also bundled a 2-year Norton security software subscription, apart from Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements. Read our review of the Envy 4 for a better idea of its specifications.



Do check out our previous coverage of IFA 2012, where Samsung and Sony have made various announcements, from new Windows 8 machines, to Android smartphones and tablets.