May 27, 2014

Toshiba Announces 8 and 10.1-Inch Encore 2 Windows 8.1 Tablets

Toshiba today announced the Encore 2 line of tablets powered by Windows 8.1.

Available in 8- and 10.1-inch diagonal screen sizes, both tablets come equipped with stunning visuals, superior sound and preloaded with apps like Xbox Music and Video, Kindle Reader, Skype and a one year subscription to Office 365, these tablets are ready for productivity and entertainment right out of the box. Starting at just $199.99 MSRP, Encore 2 tablets perfectly balance value and performance to give consumers the optimal experience for work and play.

Toshiba Encore 2 WT10-A32

“Our Encore 2 tablets are the perfect complement to a customer’s arsenal of devices, giving them the familiarity and common functionality of Windows for a more seamless computing experience, whether they’re editing or creating documents, enjoying movies and games or staying in touch with friends and family,” said Philip Osako, senior director of product marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division.

Thinner, Lighter Design

Encore 2 tablets feature an elegant Satin gold matte finish and are engineered with rounded edges that make them comfortable in hand. Measuring 0.4 inches thin, the 10-inch Encore 2 weighs just 1.2 pounds, while the 8-inch version weighs less than a pound. Both tablets feature a bright HD (1280x800) multi-touch display – the 10-inch model is ideal for working on documents, web browsing and movie watching and the 8-inch model is perfect for on-the-go reading, entertainment and gaming.

“The mobility provided by the Toshiba Encore 2 family, 8- and 10-inch, deliver a flexible solution for customers in a mobile-first world,” said Peter Han, vice president of worldwide OEM marketing, Microsoft Corp. “Toshiba’s continued innovation combined with touch and the capabilities in Windows 8.1 delivers an experience that will delight customers.”

Optimized Productivity and Entertainment

Powered by the quad-core Intel Atom processor, Encore 2 tablets provide all the performance and speed necessary for enjoying the latest mobile games with stunning graphics and getting work done all day as well as fast start-up, browsing and multitasking in Windows 8.1. The tablets offer up to a 10-hour battery life for general usage and up to 8 hours of video playback. Stereo speakers plus Dolby Digital Plus audio provide an immersive audio experience, while ultrafast 802.11n Wi-Fi offers speedy streaming and smooth browsing. Encore 2 tablets additionally make it easy to enjoy content on compatible HDTV’s with a built-in Micro HDMI port and wireless display support right out of the box. For students and mobile professionals, Encore 2 devices also include TruCapture, an app that works in conjunction with the integrated cameras to capture and correct snapshots of whiteboards, blackboards and books so the contents are sharp, clear and legible.

“Intel Atom processors provide high performance for sleek mobile devices on a low-power platform,” said Josh Newman, senior director for Tablets, Intel Mobile & Communications Group. “From effortless multitasking and document creation to rich, immersive entertainment, a tablet with an Intel Atom processor enables consumers to get the most out of a mobile device with extraordinary battery life.”

Encore 2 tablets also include a 1-year subscription to Office 365 Personal, giving customers access to full versions of Word, Excel, Power Point, OneNote and Outlook with the ability to work online and offline and sync between devices when connected to OneDrive.

Both tablets can be configured with up to 64GB of onboard storage and also feature a microSD card slot supporting microSDXC cards up to 128GB, as well as a Micro-USB 2.0 port for connecting to external devices and charging. In addition, Encore 2 tablets provide an amazing video chat experience with an HD webcam and 5MP rear-camera with auto-focus.