Nokia tablet finally get unveiled with Windows 8.1 RT

Nokia has belatedly entered the tablet market with a Windows RT device, three years after the launch of the iPad.

The Lumia 2520 looks strikingly similar to Microsoft's own Surface tablet. Key features of Nokia device include a 10.1in full HD display (1920 x 1020) made from Gorilla Glass 2, quad-core processor, all-day battery life and software in the form of Windows RT 8.1.

Running Windows RT means the device is not able to run legacy applications and relies heavily on the Windows App Store and web browser for functionality. However, Nokia will pre-load Microsoft Office, HERE Maps and its Music service to get you started.

Nokia Lumia 2520 Specs

Display:10.1in full HD (1920 x 1020)Processor: 2.2GHz Qualcomm SnapdragonRAM: 2GBMemory: 32GB internal + 32GB micro SDConnectivity:NFC, A-GPS + GLONASS, WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE and optional 4G/LTE Battery: 8000mAh, up to 11hrs video playback Price:$499 Release date: Q4 2013 US, UK and Finland

Nokia offers 32GB of internal storage and this can be doubled with a micro SD card. Users are also eligible for 7GB of free storage from Microsoft's SkyDrive cloud repository.

The Lumia 2520 includes a 6.7-megapixel rear camera with auto focus and Ziess optics with f1.9 aperture. A 2-megapixel front facing camera allows users to make video calls.

Connectivity comes in the form of NFC, A-GPS+GLONASS, WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE and optional 4G/LTE.

Nokia is claiming video playback time of 11 hours thanks to the 8000mAh built-in battery. The manufacturer claims the battery pack will also be able to regain 80 per cent of its charge in 60 minutes.

Nokia will offer a range of accessories to accompany the tablet, notably the Nokia Power Keyboard. This will double as a cover, providing another five hours of battery life, a trackpad and 2 x USB ports.

Nokia has not set a firm release date, stating that the tablet "is expected" to start shipping in the US, UK and Finland in Q4 2013. Rollouts to other countries will follow shortly after. Nokia said pricing should start at $499 before tax for the tablet and the Power Keyboard will retail at $149.

Khidr Suleman is the Technical Editor at IT Pro, a role he has fulfilled since March 2012. He is responsible for the reviews section on the site  - so get in touch if you have a product you think might be of interest to the business world. He also covers the hardware and operating systems beats. Prior to joining IT Pro, Khidr worked as a reporter at Incisive Media. He studied law at the University of Reading and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism and Online Writing at PMA Training.