The time has come for a Windows 8 tablet to finally outmatch the pixel-rich Retina display of the iPad. First unveiled at the CEATEC show in Japan, the new Sharp Mebius Pad touts a 10.1-inch IGZO panel, whose 2560-by-1600 resolution translates to a pixel density of 299ppi.
In comparison, the current-gen iPad only comes with 264 pixels per inch, whereas the Android camp has several slates boasting pixel densities of more than 300ppi. Besides the Mebius Pad, no other Windows 8 tablets have gone beyond the 1080p resolution for their display. It’s also unusual for its 16:10 aspect ratio, given that the 16:9 aspect ratio is the norm for large Windows 8 devices.
Notable display aside, Sharp also managed to add a quad-core Intel Atom Z3370 Bay Trail processor inside its first Windows 8 tablet. “How powerful is such chip?”, you might ask. Earlier hands-on preview of reference-design tablets has shown the chip capable of running Team Fortress 2, a relatively graphics-heavy game for mobile devices, at smooth levels. It’s also the one that allows the Mebius Pad to support the aforementioned high screen resolution.
Increasing the Mebius Pad’s appeal even further are the IPX5, IPX7, and IP5X pending certifications, meaning you need not worry of water and dust elements ruining the device, as it’s resistant to both. The device will come in two models, with the basic Windows 8.1 edition coming with a free bundle of Microsoft Office. Reserve some extra cash for the productivity suite should you choose the Pro edition instead. Last but not least, there’s also an optional stylus support.
No official information is available as to whether or not the Mebius Pad will be arriving in stores outside Japan, where it’s expected to go on sale in 2014. Pricing information is also unknown.