The CPU, SSD and Intel HD Graphics 4000 are exactly what you'll find on the UX31A, but its software selection is more generous, as it ships with full editions of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements.

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The system comes preinstalled with a selection of software on Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition.

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Until more third-party apps are developed for the touch-interface mode, users face a significantly smaller selection of software than they would on traditional Windows devices and tablets powered by Apple's iOS or Google's Android operating systems.

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The Galaxy Note 10.1 comes with a range of software and games embedded and a selection of apps to download, with over 100, 000 free downloads available in Samsung apps.

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"We believe in the strength of that ecosystem, of software and hardware companies that work together to deliver selection and choice, " Mr. Ballmer said.

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The talk back menus worked very well, once you get the hang of holding your finger over your selection and it makes a lot of sense to offer a software solution on existing hardware, rather than go the more difficult route of making dedicated (but niche) devices.

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The Justice Department approved that takeover in April with a few conditions including requiring Google to license the travel software to competitors and banning it from entering into agreements that would prevent airlines from offering services like seat selection to rivals.

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