IFA 2012: Samsung introduces Ativ Windows 8 mobile devices

Samsung has unveiled a range of brand-new devices based on the Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 platforms for PCs, tablets and smartphones.

They all come under the 'Ativ' brand name, Ativ being the reverse spelling of Vita meaning 'life' in Latin. The aim, says Samsung, is that all the devices should "make everyone's life easier".

Aside from the slightly tortuous naming convention, the Ativ range comprises the Ativ Tab, Ativ S, Ativ Smart PC and Ativ Smart PC Pro.

The Samsung Ativ S (right) is the first Windows 8 Phone handset ever announced, with a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 4.8-inch Super AMOLED screen.

Then there’s the Ativ Tab, a 10.1-inch Windows RT tablet weighing in at 570g and 8.9mm thick. It boots up “instantly” and comes with Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 RT preview.

For those who want a little more flexibility, the two Ativ Smart PCs are essentially a tablet with a removeable keyboard dock.

Both the Ativ Smart PC and Smart PC Pro are 11.6-inch with the full Windows 8 OS and a Note-style S Pen stylus. The Pro features an Intel Core i5 while its little brother is powered by an Atom. They feature 8 and 13.5 hours of battery life respectively.

Samsung isn't the only one adopting Windows 8. Asus has joined the fray, launching the Asus Vivo Tab and Asus Vivo Tab RT here at IFA (formerly known as the Asus Tablet 810 and Asus Tablet 600).

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.