Acer's award winning Aspire R7 updated with Haswell and a pen

Acer's award winning R7 Ultrabook-convertible-tablet hybrid is getting a much anticipated update by way of new 4th Generation Intel Core processors. The new Haswell chips should improve battery life on the multi-functional notebook which is known for having four modes of use including regular notebook, Ezel mode, Pad and display. Aside from improving the architecture, Acer has also included the Acer Active Pen, so users can enjoy greater accuracy and a more comfortable feel when writing and drawing using the inductive stylus.  Battery life is still expected to be subpar. Acer is including new apps that take advantage of this technology. Price is €999 and Canadian pricing has yet to be set for the notebook which will ship Q4 2013.

Sony teases new VAIO to be launched at IFA

I recently wrote a piece in the Calgary Herald about how Sony has been making some key product releases in 2013 and it looks like this will continue at IFA. The company is set to unveil a new VAIO portable hybrid that is being teased in the video above. From what we can see, this is an extension and likely improvement over their current Sony VAIO Pro Touch 13 and VAIO Duo devices. By using a paper/origami model in the video, one expects this new VAIO to be impossibly slim, light and flexible. We will know soon enough as IFA kicks off on September 6 in Berlin, Germany.

Source: Sony Via Google +

Microsoft cuts Surface Pro price by $100 for the month of August

Microsoft slashes the price further of its Surface Pro tablet with the 128GB now at $899 and the 64GB at $799. It is said to last until August 30 but who knows if Microsoft might decide to extend the sale.

Video: A look at Samsung's ATIV Q hybrid PC

Samsung seems very committed to Windows 8 and has released a bevy of ATIV branded portables and even an all-in-one desktop. One of the more intriguing devices we've seen in the ATIV Q which is a tablet-first hybrid that converts to a notebook once you flip out the built in QWERTY keyboard.  Sporting one of the highest resolution screens (qHD+ display with 3200 x 1800 resolution) as well as all the ports and features one would expect from a $1500.00 premium device. The ATIV Q was supposed to have dual-boot capability to run both Android and Windows 8 but the device demoed in the video above was purely Windows 8. Expect the ATIV Q to come to Canada in August.