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Photos: Windows 8 Aussie launch

Hands on with Windows 8 desktops, laptops and Surface tablet.

on Oct 26 2012 12:14PM

Microsoft formally launched Windows 8 in Australia today as part of a global series of events that kicked off in New York last night. Guests were also invited to get their hands on flagship Windows 8 products, including Microsoft's Surface RT tablet.

Microsoft Australia's managing director Pip Marlow talked guests through the finer points of Windows 8's tiled interface which has been optimised for a variety of devices, including tablets.

"[Windows 8] is really about having the choice of form factors. Some of us are going to like convertibles, some of us are going to like the slates, some of us are going to like the all-in-ones," Marlow said. "We're all going to enjoy different devices."

Marlow used Westpac's banking app in conjunction with her email to show how all Windows 8 applications are connected and "talk to each other" seamlessly.

Microsoft's Windows Consumer head Deeps De Silva took to the stage to show off his own Windows 8 experience which was geared more towards 'play'.

De Silva chose the movie Battleship to showcase Windows 8's media playback credentials.

To showcase the Windows 8 music app, Microsoft plumped for Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian.

De Silva also showed off a handful of Windows 8 apps created by Australian developers.

Pictured: The Windows 8 desktop screen. Apart from the missing Start button, it is not hugely dissimilar from Windows 7.

With the formalities over, guests were invited to get their hands on an assortment of Windows 8 devices from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Sony and others. It was also many attendees' first opportunity to try out Microsoft's Surface RT tablet.

Technology journalists check out the latest Windows 8 laptops and hybrids.

Guests try out myriad Windows 8 laptops and ultrabooks on the showroom floor.

Dell's OptiPlex 9010 All-in-One desktop running Windows 8 was one of the bigger devices on display.

Asus showed off a fleet of Windows 8 all-in-ones.

In addition to Windows 8 tech, the floor space was also used to showcase Australian businesses and celebrities, including V8 supercar driver Rick Kelly, that have been using Windows 8 devices.

Microsoft devoted a whole section of the showroom floor to a domestic kitchen setup; a nod to the popularity of cooking apps.

The Sony Vaio Tap 20 is an all-in-one Windows 8 PC with a 20-inch touchscreen that converts into a tablet. The display boasts 10-point multi touch which can be used by multiple users simultaneously.

Pictured: The Sony Vaio Tap 20 in 'tablet' mode. Note the two operators at either end.

Microsoft also set up a faux office to show off its business-friendly all-in-ones.

The star of the showroom floor was probably Microsoft's much-touted Surface tablet. Only the Windows 8 RT version was on display, however.

The latest version of Microsoft Excel running on a Surface RT. The keyboard/cover combo attaches to the tablet with a satisfying 'click' via magnetic hinges. It comes in a variety of colours and will sell for $139.99 and can also be purchases with the Surface as part of a bundle.

The Surface RT will initially be available for $559 for the 32GB model outright. It will also be available bundled with the black Touch Cover accessory at $679 for the 32GB model, and $789 for a 64GB model.

In Australia, Microsoft priced Windows 8 Pro at $69.99 for the "Full Packed Product" version and $39.99 for the digital upgrade version — in line with its pricing for US customers. Both versions are available to consumers running PCs with Windows XP, Vista or 7. Users of certain Windows 7 PCs purchased from 2 June this year could also be eligible for a $14.99 upgrade offer.

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