After years of speculation, Microsoft finally announced its tablet, called Surface, during an event in Los Angeles on Monday. It's quite amazing that it doesn't compare with the other tablets. Instead, Microsoft's tablet has a new design, features a pen input and a Touch Cover or Type Cover keyboard, which is 3 mm and 5mm thick, depending on the version selected. Also, it comes with a beautiful 10.6-inch ClearType "HD" display and two HD cameras - one on the front and another one situated on the rear. Surface Tablet will come in two versions:
- The first version will be powered by Intel 22nm Ivy Bridge Chips and Windows 8 Pro version. It will be available in two storage options – 64 GB or 128 GB. This model will weigh 903 grams and measure 13.5 mm in thickness, but it will also feature a big battery (42 W-h) and microSDXC port, USB 3.0 port, and Mini DisplayPort Video.
- The second version will be powered by an ARM chipset and Windows 8 RT version and will be available in two storage options- 32 GB or 64GB. This version is lighter, weighing just 676 grams and thinner - 9.3 mm. The battery is also smaller and the available ports are: microSD, USB 2.0, and Micro HD Video.
Both versions include accessories like the Touch Cover and Type Cover keyboard, along with VaporMg Case & Stand. Yes, Microsoft demoed the new kickstand, which is built on the back of the tablet along the two versions of the keyboards. Microsoft likes to say its tablet is the first vapor-deposited (PVD) magnesium model ever built. Thanks to this technology, "parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid strong." From what I see, Microsoft has clearly becomes a great opponent for Apple and the rest of the Android tablet makers. Just like the iPad has done in the past, Surface brings a lot of improvements and new technologies when compared with other similar devices. This tablet competition is good for everyone. From now on, manufacturers are forced to come up with new ideas if they want to survive and users will have a large number of tablets to choose from. The bad news is that users will have to wait for the end of the year to get their hands on a new tablet, which will be available when Windows 8 is released. And pricing? Microsoft says its suggested retail price will be competitive with ARM tablets or Intel Ultrabook-class PCs. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpzu3HM2CIo&wmode=window&h=315]
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After years of speculation, Microsoft finally announced its tablet, called Surface, during an event in Los Angeles on Monday. It's quite amazing that it doesn't compare with the other tablets. Instead, Microsoft's tablet has a new design, features a pen input and a Touch Cover or Type Cover keyboard, which is 3 mm and 5mm thick, depending on the version selected. Also, it comes with a beautiful 10.6-inch ClearType "HD" display and two HD cameras - one on the front and another one situated on the rear. Surface Tablet will come in two versions:
