Microsoft has revealed its latest weapon in the war for your tablet dollar with the unveiling of Microsoft Surface, a 10.6 inch tablet powered by Windows 8.
“The Windows RT version is just 9.3mm thin, weighs 1.5lbs, includes a built-in kickstand and is the first PC with a vapor-deposited (PVD) magnesium case, according to Microsoft. It will ship in 32GB or 64GB versions.
Microsoft’s Intel-based Surface tablet will run Windows 8 Pro, with a thickness of 13.5mm, a weight of 1.9lb, and USB 3.0 support. This particular version will also include magnesium casing and a built-in kickstand, but will ship with either 64GB or 128GB storage. The Intel version will include additional digital ink support through a pen that magnetizes to the body of the tablet.”
Microsoft looks to separate itself from the Apple iPad and Google Android systems by offering differing levels of processing power, (choose from an ARM processor like a traditional tablet running Windows RT or from Intel’s 22nm Ivy Bridge chips running Windows 8) and storage space (32, 64, or 128 GBs). They are also offering a keyboard that’s built into the cover, an option only available as an aftermarket purchase by its competitors. While the other guys cover serves only as screen protection and as a stand, Microsoft’s Touch Cover and Type Cover serve as protection, a stand, and a full-sized keyboard complete with a built-in track pad.
No shipping/availability date or pricing model for Microsoft Surface has been announced.
If you’re looking to compare the latest version of the iPad against what the Microsoft Surface is offering, check out the handy chart from reviewunit.com below.
So my only question is, are you interested in the Microsoft Surface?
Microsoft Surface vs Apple iPad 3 HD – Tablet PCs Specs Compare
| Specification | Apple iPad 3 HD | Microsoft Surface Windows RT Model | Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Model |
| Operating System | iOS 5 | Windows RT + Office Home & Student 2013 RT | Windows 8 Pro |
| Processor | 1GHz Dual Core A5x with quad core graphics | NVIDIA Tegra-based ARM chip | Intel Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) |
| Screen Size | 9.7 inches Retina Display | 10.6-inch ClearType HD capactive touchpanel | 10.6-inch ClearType Full HD (1080p) capactive touchpanel |
| Screen Resolution | 2048 x 1536 pixels | -unknown | -unknown |
| Graphics | PowerVR SGX 535 | -unknown | -unknown |
| RAM | 1 GB | -unknown | -unknown |
| Internal Storage | 16 / 32 / 64 GB | 32 / 64 GB | 64 / 128 GB |
| Expansion | None | None | None |
| Camera | 5 MP iSight camera | -unknown | -unknown |
| Weight and Dimensions | Weighs 652 grams and measures 241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 mm | 676 grams and is 9.3 mm in thickness | 903 grams and is 13.5 mm in thickness |
| Battery | 10 hours | 31.5Wh | 42Wh |
| Price | $499 onwards | Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
2 Comments
It looks great, think I will be getting the 8Pro version, a full desktop as a tablet 🙂
Definitely interested in seeing it in action. Really love the case and keyboard set up. Nice touch.