Eve V, the World's first crowdsourced tablet, to be launched within weeks
Eve V looks like it will give the Microsoft Surface Pro a strong run for its money - if the price is right
A 'crowd designed' 2-in-1 device, called the Eve V, is about to be launched, and with an anticipated price tag that ought to give the Microsoft Surface Pro a run for its money.
Funded via a Kickstarter campaign that reached 1,300 per cent in just four days, investors have been treated more like shareholders during the development and asked for their input on features they want to see, and what components to buy.
It hasn't been without difficulties, though, after a deal for display parts fell through at the last minute leading to heavy delays. But now, thanks to a new arrangement with Sharp, an even better screen has been ordered and will be fitted to the otherwise finished devices within a couple of weeks.
So how does the finished machine stack up? Incredibly well, at least on paper.
The 12.3in screen provides a 2880x1920 resolution (up from any earlier stories you may have read), with metal-mesh, anti-reflective coating and anti-fingerprint Gorilla Glass.
It boasts a choice of m3/i5/i7 Intel chips, with either 8 or 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM to make Windows 10 (either Home or Pro) work even better.
There's Bluetooth 4.2 and Miracast along with Wireless AC, dual band, with 2x2 MIMO.
Ports-wise, it offers 2 USB-A 3.0 ports, 1 USB-C 3.1 (gen 1), 1 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 (yes, really), 1x audio jack (with TI jack amp) and 1x micro SDXC card reader.
There's four speakers, stereo microphones, a 5MP back camera and 2MP at the front. The keyboard is wired or wireless, backlit and the Synaptics touchpad is glass protected. The stylus is Windows Ink Certified with 1024 pressure points.
Basically, it's a beast. Oh, and did we mention that the 48Wh battery is, if the claims are true, absolutely, definitely positively ‘all day'?
Originally, prices were going to start at €799 when they go on general sale, but this may get nudged up by the newer screen. We'll have full details very soon.
Journalists at V3's sister site, The Inquirer, will be among the first to get their hands on a review copy of the new device after investors were also invited to vote on who got their hands on the first batch of review models.