The folks there got their hands on a pre-release version of the system, loaded with a Core 2 Extreme QX6850 processor factory overclocked to 3.67GHz, 4GB of Corsair dual channel DDR2-8500 RAM, and two GeForce 8800 Ultra cards running in SLI mode, among other desirable specs.

ENGADGET: HP Blackbird 002 gaming rig reviewed

The News tablets will come loaded with material from the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), a K-12 curriculum developed by a broad coalition of education experts and supported by most states.

FORBES: Conflict Of Interest Behind News Corp Tablet

As single-core handsets go, this one was quite brisk, loaded up with a 1GHz MTK 6575 CPU buffered by 1GB RAM that handled the mostly stock version of Android 4.0.4 with ease.

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