This morning The Verge reported on rumors of a 7″ gaming tablet from Microsoft. The new device is rumored to be called the Xbox Surface. An image of supposed hardware specifications leaked this past June.
The Xbox Surface will likely include a custom ARM processor and high-bandwidth RAM designed specifically for gaming tasks. We’re told these specifications could be altered to accommodate an unannounced Intel SoC and that the Xbox Surface is being developed independent of specific hardware architecture. Microsoft’s Xbox Surface won’t run a full version of Windows, rather this 7-inch tablet will run a custom Windows kernel. Messaging and other tablet functions may be supported, but the focus is on gaming.
If they actually limit the device to a specific goal (gaming), this would allow both Microsoft and third party software developers to create software for an optimal experience, not a compromised one. By taking aim at gaming, this allows them to compete in the handheld gaming niche with Sony and Nintendo, rather than directly in the 7″ tablet market with Google and it’s hardware partners, Amazon, and Apple.
It could also be part of a strategy for Microsoft’s answer for the 8th generation of video game consoles. Nintendo’s Wii U has a tablet-like controller. If the Xbox Surface rumors are true, it might not be too far of a stretch to suggest that the device could be an alternate controller or expansion companion device for the new system.