Microsoft offering fundamentally changed Windows 8.1 to big partners

Microsoft changed one important piece of Windows 8.1 to accommodate the needs of one strategic partner and that might be a watershed moment for the whole tech industry.

Toshiba's Encore Mini tablet sports a 1024 x 600 pixel display, one that is lower than the official minimum screen resolution to run Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, currently 1024 x 768 pixels.

The Toshiba Encore Mini tablet

According to Peter Han, VP worldwide marketing for Microsoft, the companies' engineers have been working very closely with Toshiba to ensure that apps remain compatible

The Encore Mini, he added, illustrates "the strength and breadth of Microsoft's and Toshiba's partnership".

Engineers analysed each component to determine how to make them work as frugally as possible, going as far as tweaking Windows 8.1. These tweaks however are likely to be rolled out to other partners as well in the short term.

Decent performer

The Encore Mini is able to run with 1GB of RAM and 16GB onboard storage, which is an incredibly tiny footprint. It is clearly aimed at matching entry level Android devices and is what Han refered to as "Windows quality at Android prices".

Interestingly, Sandor Van Der Ham, B2C PC VP at Toshiba, presented the tablet as "really affordable companion devices".

The few moments I spent with the device left me with a good impression; the Encore Mini might have the same configuration as a 10-year old computer but it was as sleek as a tablet twice the price.

The tablet, which will retail for about £103 (€129, about $166, AU$180), is likely to be the first fully-configured Windows device to break the psychological £100 barrier by the end of the year.

Van Der Ham also confirmed that the Tecra line will refreshed in Europe later this month, with a Kira refresh for next year and that the company has no plans to roll out a Next Unit of Computing.

Toshiba also announced two new other products aimed at the lower end of the market (where Van Der Ham reckons, growth will be the steepest), with the Cloud Book CL10-B and the Satellite Radius 11.

Working closer with partners is something that both Intel and AMD are doing as well with custom silicon being rolled out to fit specific requirements of their biggest customers.

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Microsoft Surface Pro 3 firmware update addresses Wi-Fi, stability issues

Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 received a generally positive reception from reviewers and early adopters for its larger screen, slimmer design and slew of fancy Pen-based features.

But, despite several patches, owners have continued to report issues relating to overheating and inconsistent Wi-Fi weeks after the device hit the shelves worldwide.

Microsoft is continuing to plug holes in its September firmware update, which brings five updates focused on improving the tablet's overall stability and connectivity. They are:

• Surface Pro UEFI update (v3.10.250.0), which aims to improve overall system stability (including Wi-Fi)
• Surface Pro Embedded Controller Firmware update (v38.6.50.0) - delivers enhanced support for system performance and user experience, including a thermostat icon on boot.
• Surface Pro System Aggregator Firmware update (v3.9.350.0) increases the overall system reliability and compatibility with a Surface cover.
• Surface Integration driver update (v2.0.1102.0) enhances user experience, including Wi-Fi stability.
• Surface Wi-Fi and Bluetooth driver update (v15.68.3055.107) improves Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth reliability and system stability, and significantly enhances the user experience.

How to get it

To download the new firmware, swipe in from the right edge of the screen and tap Settings. Then tap Change PC Settings and choose Update and recovery, and tap Check now.

Once the update shows, tap View details, select the new firmware update (listed as System Firmware Update - 9/9/2014) and tap install. You'll need to restart your Surface to apply the update.

If you're looking to improve your Surface Pro 3's performance even further, Intel recently released an updated driver for its HD4400 integrated GPU. Though we're yet to test it, some outlets are reporting a healthy speed boost in every day use and gaming activities, and there's little to lose in giving it a try.

• Here's what we want to see in the Surface 3