Windows 8 developer tablets on eBay now
(CBS) - It wasn't long until some of those lucky few who got their hands on a Windows Developer tablet with Windows 8 at Microsoft's BUILD conference last week would cash in on their highly-anticipated gadgets.
"Several of the souped-up Samsung tablets Microsoft handed out to 5,000 developers at last week's BUILD Windows conference are for sale on eBay at prices as high as $3,500," Computer World reports. "The tablets were given to developers to use while creating apps for Windows 8's new Metro platform of touch-enabled software."
A quick search on eBay for the "Windows Developer Tablet" as of 2:15 p.m. today turned up four results. One auction has been up for two days and 15 hours with 14 bids topping $2,275. Another one, which has no bids at the moment, can be purchased now for $3,500 - no tireless, anxiety-ridden bidding necessary. The other two are at $2,550 and $2,000 with roughly nine hours and six days to go respectively.
But one question comes to mind - is this even allowed? We had always assumed there's a "no resale" rule when it comes to these special units. And by the same token, are buyers getting their money's worth?
Windows 8 Samsung tablet unofficial sneak peek
"According to eBay records, more than a dozen BUILD-distributed Samsung slates have sold on the auction site since Sept. 14, at prices ranging from a low of $1,800 to a high of $4,000," says Computer World. "The average price was $2,844."
The standard Series 7 Slate will go for less than $1,349, depending on the model, starting October 7.
eBay sellers have said their Windows 8 tablets come equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor, an 11.6-inch 1366x768 pixel display, 4GB of memory, and a 64GB solid state drive. HDMI, USB, and microSD ports are also part of the package. Other specs include a UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) BIOS, which can speed up boot times. Microsoft also threw in an option for a 12-month 2GB-per-month data plan from AT&T, reports CNET.
Within Windows says that the unit handed out at BUILD also offered updates, such as newer firmware and an Option chip for Wi-Fi, phone, and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) connectivity. "Other sensors and gizmos discovered include a near field communications (NFC) chip, a Bluetooth chip, a gyroscope, and an ambient light sensor," adds CNET.
Keep in mind, Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system is still in the midst of development and most likely won't launch until 2012. It may still go through changes and improvements before the official release.
Complete Windows 8 coverage on Tech Talk
Knowing all of that, do you think it's worth over $2,000?
